Let be a function such that
If , then , and is equal to:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Let be a function such that
If , then , and is equal to:
Correct answer:C
Standard Method
Given:
and
Find:
Replace by in the given functional equation:
Now use the two linear equations
Multiply the second equation by and add to the first:
So,
Hence,
Substitute this into the limit expression:
For the limit as to exist, the coefficient of must be zero:
Therefore,
Then the limit becomes
So,
Finally,
Therefore, the correct option is C.
Using simultaneous equations carefully
Given: the function satisfies a pair of linear equations in the two unknowns and .
Find: the values of and needed to compute .
Write the two equations explicitly:
Multiply the second equation by :
Now add it to the first equation:
Divide by :
Now evaluate the limit condition:
Substitute :
Group the singular terms:
For this limit to be finite, the coefficient of must vanish.
Thus,
which gives
Then
Hence,
Therefore, the answer is .
A common mistake is adding the two functional equations directly and trying to isolate immediately. That leaves both and together. Instead, multiply one equation suitably, such as multiplying the second by , so that one variable cancels.
Another mistake is substituting incorrectly and writing the right-hand side as . This is wrong because . Simplify that term carefully before solving.
Students often force the limit to exist by setting the whole expression equal to . The limit only needs to be finite, not zero. The correct step is to make the coefficient of equal to zero, and then evaluate the remaining finite part to get .
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