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Combining quotient and power rules

Suppose lim⁡x→af(x)=6\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = 6 and lim⁡x→ag(x)=3\lim_{x \to a} g(x) = 3. Define e(x)=[f(x)g(x)]2e(x) = \left[\dfrac{f(x)}{g(x)}\right]^2.

Using the limit laws, find lim⁡x→ae(x)\lim_{x \to a} e(x).

Hint

First apply the quotient rule to find lim⁡x→af(x)/g(x)\lim_{x\to a} f(x)/g(x), then apply the power rule to square that result.

Step-by-step solution

By the quotient rule for limits, since lim⁡x→ag(x)=3≠0\lim_{x\to a} g(x) = 3 \neq 0, we have lim⁡x→af(x)g(x)=lim⁡x→af(x)lim⁡x→ag(x)=63=2.\lim_{x\to a} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{\lim_{x\to a} f(x)}{\lim_{x\to a} g(x)} = \frac{6}{3} = 2.

Now apply the power rule: since e(x)=[f(x)/g(x)]2e(x) = [f(x)/g(x)]^2, lim⁡x→ae(x)=(lim⁡x→af(x)g(x))2=22=4.\lim_{x\to a} e(x) = \left(\lim_{x\to a} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\right)^2 = 2^2 = 4.

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