What is the limit as x approaches negative infinity of #x + sqrt(x^2 + 2x)#?

1 Answer
Dec 19, 2014

First, we'll try to plug in the value:
#lim_{x to -oo}x+sqrt(x^2+2x) = -oo + sqrt(oo-oo)#
We're already encountering a problem: it is simply not allowed to have #oo-oo#, it's like dividing by zero.
We need to try a different approach.

Whenever I see this kind of limit, I try to use a trick:
#lim_{x to -oo}x+sqrt(x^2+2x)#
#= lim_{x to -oo}x+sqrt(x^2+2x)*(x-sqrt(x^2+2x))/(x-sqrt(x^2+2x))#
These are the same becaus the factor we're multiplying with is essentially #1#.
Why are we doing this? Because there exists a formula which says: #(a-b)(a+b) = a^2-b^2#
In this case #a = x# and #b = sqrt(x^2+2x)#
Let's apply this formula:
#lim_{x to -oo}(x^2-(sqrt(x^2+2x))^2)/(x-sqrt(x^2+2x))#
#= lim_{x to -oo}(x^2-x^2-2x)/(x-sqrt(x^2+2x))#
#= lim_{x to -oo}(-2x)/(x-sqrt(x^2+2x))#

Now we're going to use another trick. We'r going to use this one, because we want to get the #x^2# out of the square root:
#lim_{x to -oo}(-2x)/(x-sqrt(x^2(1+2/x))#
If you look carefully, you see it's the same thing.
Now, you might say that #sqrt(x^2) = x#, but you have to remember that #x# is a negative number. Because we're taking the positive square root, #sqrt(x^2) = -x# in this case.
#= lim_{x to -oo}(-2x)/(x+xsqrt(1+2/x))#
#= lim_{x to -oo}(-2x)/(x(1+sqrt(1+2/x)))#
We can cancel the #x#:
#= lim_{x to -oo}(-2)/(1+sqrt(1+2/x))#
And now, we can finally plug in the value:

#= -2/(1+sqrt(1+2/-oo))#

A number divided by infinity, is always #0#:
#= -2/(1+sqrt(1+0)) = -2/(1+1) = -2/2 = -1#

This is the final answer.
Hope it helps.