# How to evaluate $\lim_{x \to \infty}\left(\sqrt{x+\sqrt{x}}-\sqrt{x-\sqrt{x}}\right)$?

How can I evaluate $\lim_{x \to \infty}\left(\sqrt{x+\sqrt{x}}-\sqrt{x-\sqrt{x}}\right)$?

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$+\infty$ is essential. So $x\to +\infty$. :-) –  Babak S. May 17 '13 at 14:24

HINT:

As we are dealing with the limit in real numbers, $x>0\implies x\to+\infty$

Put $x=y^2$

$$\implies \sqrt{x+\sqrt{x}}-\sqrt{x-\sqrt{x}}$$

$$=\sqrt{y^2+y}-\sqrt{y^2-y}$$

$$=\frac{y^2+y-(y^2-y)}{\sqrt{y^2+y}+\sqrt{y^2-y}} \text{ (Rationalizing the numerator )}$$

$$=\frac2{\sqrt{1+\frac1y}+\sqrt{1-\frac1y}} (\text{Dividing the numerator & the denominator by } y)$$

Now, as $x\to\infty, y\to\infty$

Alternatively, put $x=\frac1{h^2}$

$$\sqrt{x+\sqrt{x}}-\sqrt{x-\sqrt{x}}$$

$$= \frac{\sqrt{1+h}-\sqrt{1-h}}h$$

$$= \frac{1+h-(1-h)}{(\sqrt{1+h}+\sqrt{1-h})h} \text{ (Rationalizing the numerator )}$$

$$=\frac2{\sqrt{1+h}+\sqrt{1-h}}\text{ if }h\ne0$$

As $x\to\infty, h\to0\implies h\ne0$

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Thanks, you nailed it! –  srodriguex May 17 '13 at 14:27
@srodriguex, please find the alternative method, too. –  lab bhattacharjee May 17 '13 at 14:30
I like labs way of solving it. Exactly how I would've shown you. –  EhBabay May 17 '13 at 14:31
Wish I knew the mistake that caused the down-vote –  lab bhattacharjee May 17 '13 at 14:33
@Zarrax, sorry for the mistake, rectified. –  lab bhattacharjee May 17 '13 at 14:57

I guess someone should mention the Taylor approximation approach: $$\left(\sqrt{x+\sqrt{x}}-\sqrt{x-\sqrt{x}}\right) = \sqrt{x}\left(\sqrt{1+ {1 \over \sqrt{x}}}-\sqrt{1- {1 \over \sqrt{x}}}\right)$$ $$= \sqrt{x}\bigg(\big(1 + {1 \over 2\sqrt{x}} + O({1 \over x})\big) - \big(1 - {1 \over 2\sqrt{x}} + O({1 \over x})\big)\bigg)$$ $$=\sqrt{x}\bigg({1 \over \sqrt{x}} + O({1 \over x})\bigg)$$ $$= 1 + O({1 \over \sqrt{x}})$$ So the limit is $1$.

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Almost always when you have a limit of $\sqrt{A}-\sqrt{B}$ type. It is good idea to multiply it by $\frac{\sqrt{A}+\sqrt{B}}{\sqrt{A}+\sqrt{B}}$. So you have to do limit of $\frac{A-B}{\sqrt{A}+\sqrt{B}}$

Thus for your limit you get: $$\sqrt{x+\sqrt{x}}-\sqrt{x-\sqrt{x}} = \frac{ (x+\sqrt{x} ) - (x-\sqrt{x})}{\sqrt{x+\sqrt{x}}+\sqrt{x-\sqrt{x}}}=\frac{ 2\sqrt{x}}{\sqrt{x+\sqrt{x}}+\sqrt{x-\sqrt{x}}} \rightarrow 1$$ as $x \rightarrow \infty$.

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Rationalize. Then divide througout by $\sqrt x$. Then substitute limit.

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