# Evaluate the limit

I am hung up on this limit: $\displaystyle\lim_{x\to0} \frac{\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x}}{x}$

I must be missing something related to dealing with square roots but I can not for the life of me figure out what.

Here is my work so far:

$\displaystyle\lim_{x\to0} \frac{\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x}}{x} = \lim_{x\to0} \frac{(\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x})(\sqrt{1+x} - \sqrt{1-x})}{x(\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x})}$

$=\displaystyle \lim_{x\to0} \frac{\sqrt{1+x}^2 + (\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x}) - (\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x})-\sqrt{1-x}^2}{x(\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x})}$

$= \displaystyle \lim_{x\to0} \frac{1+x - 1-x}{\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x}}= 0$.

After this I end up with the answer 0, but I know that it should come out to 1. If someone could look over this and see where I am going wrong and point me in the right direction I will be eternally thankful!

-
The limit of the numerator is $2$, the limit of the denominator is $0$. So... –  1015 Jan 20 '13 at 17:08
Check the numerator of your last step. It should be $(1+x)-(1-x) = 2x$. Check the denominator of your last step. It seems like you're missing an $x$ from the previous step. –  Calvin Lin Jan 20 '13 at 17:13
There's no need to be fancy. Look at the original limit and think about julien's comment. You should also consider the left and right hand limits separately. –  David Mitra Jan 20 '13 at 17:15
Thank you, I am trying to work it out and see if I understand the suggestions now. –  user59012 Jan 20 '13 at 17:22
Your edit (please when editing the original post, indicate that you have done so, so that answers addressing your initial work do not become irrelevant): you should end with numerator $1 + x - (1 - x) = 1 + x - 1 + x = 2x$ And your denominator: the sqrt. expressions should be subtracted, not added. –  amWhy Jan 20 '13 at 17:24

$$\lim\limits_{x\to0} \frac{\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x}}{x}$$

Note that evaluating $\quad \displaystyle \lim \frac{\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x}}{x}\;$ as $\;x\to 0\;$ gives you $\;2\;$ in the numerator, and $\;0\;$ in the denominator. So the task that ultimately remains is to evaluate the limits as $\;x \to 0^+\,$ and as $\;x \to 0^-$.

Hint: (prior to post's edit): Regarding your algebraic manipulations, if you are attempting to "simplify" the expression to make the limit more evident: try multiplying numerator and denominator by $\;\sqrt{1+x} - \sqrt{1-x}$, and be careful with algebra!

$$\lim\limits_{x\to0} \frac{(\sqrt{1+x} + \sqrt{1-x})(\sqrt{1+x} - \sqrt{1-x})}{(\sqrt{1+x} - \sqrt{1-x})x}$$ $$= \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{2x}{(\sqrt{1+x} - \sqrt{1-x})x}$$ $$=\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{2}{\sqrt{1+x} - \sqrt{1-x}}$$

Now be sure to take the limit as $x \to 0^+$ and as $x\to 0^-$

-
Woops, I ment to type a subtraction in my second step. I believe my third step reflects the outcome with the sign corrected. Thank you for catching that. –  user59012 Jan 20 '13 at 17:09
This is going to be a very stupid question I am certain, but how do you get from (sqrt{1+x}+\sqrt{1-x})(sqrt{1+x}-\sqrt{1-x}) = 2x ? –  user59012 Jan 20 '13 at 17:28
Ha, thank you! you are a saint. –  user59012 Jan 20 '13 at 17:30
You're welcome, user59012! –  amWhy Jan 20 '13 at 17:45

I think that the question you meant to ask was to find $$\displaystyle\lim_{x\to0} \frac{\sqrt{1+x} - \sqrt{1-x}}{x}.$$ This can be seen to be $1$ by binomial expansion of the terms in the numerator, and some cancellation. The limit of the expression you gave doesn't exist.

-