Analyzing the Setup
Welcome, future engineer. Today, we are not just solving a limit problem; we are performing a delicate balancing act. When you look at a limit like
x→0limsin2x−βxx2sinαx+(γ−1)ex2=3
it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the variables α, β, and γ. But I want you to see this not as a chaotic equation, but as a puzzle of symmetry. In the world of JEE Advanced, limits are rarely about brute force; they are about understanding the 'DNA' of a function near a specific point.
The Microscope of Taylor Series
Imagine you are looking at a complex curve through a microscope. As x approaches 0, the function behaves like a simple polynomial. This is the magic of Taylor series. We don't need to know the entire function; we only need to know how it starts.
We recall our fundamental expansions:
These are our tools. We are going to replace the complex trigonometric and exponential terms with these simple polynomials. This is the moment where the chaos begins to organize itself.
Dissecting the Numerator
Let's look at the numerator: x2sinαx+(γ−1)ex2.
First, the sine term. We substitute αx into our sine expansion:
x2(αx−6(αx)3+…)=αx3−6α3x5+…
Notice how the power of x jumped from 2 to 3 because of that x2 multiplier. Keep that in mind.
Next, the exponential term. We substitute x2 into the eu expansion:
(γ−1)(1+x2+2x4+…)=(γ−1)+(γ−1)x2+…
When we combine these, our numerator looks like this: (γ−1)+(γ−1)x2+αx3+…. This is the 'DNA' of our numerator. It has a constant term, an x2 term, and an x3 term.
The Denominator's Reality
Now, let's look at the denominator: sin2x−βx.
Using our expansion for sin2x, we get:
(2x−6(2x)3+…)=2x−34x3+…
Subtracting βx, we get (2−β)x−34x3+….
Here is the critical insight. The denominator starts with an x term. But wait! Our numerator starts with a constant term (γ−1). If we divide a constant by an x term as x→0, the result is infinity.
But the problem tells us the limit is 3. This is a contradiction! The only way to resolve this is to force the lower-order terms to vanish.
The Balancing Act
For the limit to be finite, the numerator and denominator must 'start' at the same power of x.
1. The x term: The denominator has an x term with coefficient (2−β). If this survives, the numerator must have an x term. It doesn't. So, we must kill it. Set 2−β=0, which gives β=2.
2. The constant and x2 terms: Now that the x term is gone, the denominator starts at x3 with coefficient −34. For the limit to be 3, the numerator must also start at x3. This means the constant (γ−1) and the x2 coefficient (γ−1) must be zero. Thus, γ−1=0, which gives γ=1.
The Final Victory
With β=2 and γ=1, the limit simplifies beautifully to the ratio of the coefficients of x3:
We have found our values: α=−4, β=2, and γ=1. The final calculation, β+γ−α, becomes 2+1−(−4)=7.
See? It wasn't about memorizing formulas; it was about understanding the hierarchy of powers. You have successfully navigated the limit. Keep this mindset—always look for the dominant term, and the rest will fall into place.