# Evaluate $\lim\limits_{x \to { \infty } } (\frac{x}{x+2})^x$. Need for explanation.

My question is about the procedure for this limit problem: $$\lim\limits_{x \to { \infty } } (\frac{x}{x+2})^x$$

My solution was like that:

$$(\frac{x}{x+2})^x=e^{x\ln\frac{x}{x+2}} = e^u$$ with $$\ u = x \ln(\frac{x}{x+2})$$.

Then $$\lim\limits_{x \to { \infty } } x\ln(\frac{x}{x+2}) =\lim\limits_{x \to { \infty } }{\ln{x\over x+2}\over {1\over x}}$$

Applying L'Hôpital's rule:

$$\lim\limits_{x \to { \infty } } -{{2\over x(x+2)}\over {1\over x^2}} = \lim\limits_{x \to { \infty } } -{2x\over x+2} = -2$$

$$\lim\limits_{x \to { \infty } } u = -2$$

$$\lim\limits_{u \to { \ -2 } } e^{u} = e^{-2} = {1\over e^{2}}$$

However, according to my answer sheet, the correct answer is $$e^{2}$$. So, Please I need to know where's my mistake here.

Thank you.

• The answer given to you is wrong; note that $\left(\frac{x}{x + 2}\right)^x$ is never larger than $1$, hence its limit cannot be larger than $1$. – Theo Bendit Jul 26 '19 at 2:20
• Your mistake is in doubting your work and trusting the book to have no typos. $e^{-2}$ is correct. – Graham Kemp Jul 26 '19 at 2:38

Also, we have $$\lim_{x\rightarrow\infty}\left(\frac{x}{x+2}\right)^x=\lim_{x\rightarrow\infty}\left(1-\frac{2}{x+2}\right)^{-\frac{x+2}{2}\cdot\frac{-2x}{x+2}}=e^{-2}.$$ I used the following property.
Let there is $$\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow\infty}u(x)>0$$, $$\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow\infty}u(x)\neq1$$ and there is $$\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow\infty}v(x).$$
Thus, since $$e^x$$ and $$\ln$$ are continuous functions, we obtain: $$\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow\infty}u^v=\lim_{x\rightarrow\infty}e^{v\ln{u}}=e^{\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow\infty}v\ln{u}}=e^{\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow\infty}v\ln\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow\infty}u}=\left(\lim_{x\rightarrow\infty}u\right)^{\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow\infty}v}.$$