# Solving $\lim_{n \to \infty}{\frac{n^a}{\log\left(\left| \log(n^a)\right|\right)}}$

I haven't practiced limits for years, now I need them to solve an exercise and I don't know whether I have come up with the right solution.

$$\lim_{n \to \infty}{\frac{n^a}{\log\left(\left| \log(n^a)\right|\right)}}$$

where $a$ is a fixed constant.

Since I have the form $\frac{\infty}{\infty}$, I apply the De L'Hopital theorem, so I derive both numerator and denominator, so:

$$\lim_{n \to \infty}{\frac{an^{a-1}}{\frac{a}{n\log(n^a)}}} = \lim_{n \to \infty}{n\log(n^a)} = \lim_{n \to \infty}{a n\log(n)} = \infty$$

Can you please give me any feedback?

• You're doing wrong with the derivative of the denominator. Rewrite it as $\log|a|+\log\log n$ (for $a\ne0$; but the expression is undefined for $a=0$). – egreg Oct 7 '13 at 15:24
• So basically I am back to square one with $\frac{\infty}{\infty}$, shall I derive again? – haunted85 Oct 7 '13 at 15:27
• I meant: $\log(|\log(n^a)|)=\log|a|+\log\log n$; apply l'Hôpital to $\dfrac{n^a}{\log|a|+\log\log n}$, which is much easier. But it's not necessarily $\infty/\infty$, do you see why? – egreg Oct 7 '13 at 15:31
• $\dfrac{n^a}{\log|a|+\log\log n} = \dfrac{an^a}{\log(n)}$, there must be something I am missing... – haunted85 Oct 7 '13 at 15:37

The expression is defined only for $a\ne0$, because for $a=0$ the denominator would have $\log 0$.
So, assume $a>0$; then you can rewrite the denominator as $$\log(|\log n^a|)=\log(|a\log n|)=\log(|a|\log n)=\log|a|+\log\log n$$ (at least for $n>1$, which is implied).
Since both numerator and denominator go to infinity, you can apply l'Hôpital's theorem: $$\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{n^a}{\log|a|+\log\log n}= \lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{an^{a-1}}{\frac{1}{\log n}\frac{1}{n}}= \lim_{n\to\infty}an^{a-1}\cdot n\log n= \lim_{n\to\infty}an^a\log n$$ provided this last limit exists. Does it?
Don't forget to apply the chain rule when differentiating $\log\log n$.
For $a<0$ you have a slightly different, but easier, situation.