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Limit at infinity via Squeeze Theorem

Consider the function h(x)=sin⁡(x)x2+3h(x) = \dfrac{\sin(x)}{x^2} + 3.

Evaluate lim⁡x→+∞(sin⁡(x)x2+3).\lim_{x \to +\infty} \left(\frac{\sin(x)}{x^2} + 3\right). Use the fact that sin⁡(x)\sin(x) is bounded to justify your answer, and state whether this limit corresponds to a horizontal asymptote of h(x)h(x).

Hint

Since −1≤sin⁡(x)≤1-1 \le \sin(x) \le 1 for all xx, divide through by x2x^2 to bound sin⁡(x)x2\frac{\sin(x)}{x^2} between two expressions that both tend to 0 as x→+∞x \to +\infty. Then apply the Squeeze Theorem to that piece before adding the constant 3.

Step-by-step solution

Since −1≤sin⁡(x)≤1-1 \le \sin(x) \le 1 for all xx, dividing by x2x^2 (which is positive for x>0x > 0) gives −1x2≤sin⁡(x)x2≤1x2.-\frac{1}{x^2} \le \frac{\sin(x)}{x^2} \le \frac{1}{x^2}. As x→+∞x \to +\infty, both −1x2-\frac{1}{x^2} and 1x2\frac{1}{x^2} approach 0.

By the Squeeze Theorem, lim⁡x→+∞sin⁡(x)x2=0\lim_{x\to+\infty} \frac{\sin(x)}{x^2} = 0. Adding the constant 3 to all parts of the inequality and taking the limit gives lim⁡x→+∞h(x)=0+3=3\lim_{x\to+\infty} h(x) = 0 + 3 = 3. Since h(x)h(x) approaches the finite value 3 as x→+∞x \to +\infty, this confirms y=3y = 3 is a horizontal asymptote of h(x)h(x).

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