Question #aad37

1 Answer
Sep 25, 2016

2

Explanation:

lim_(x->5) ((x+5)/(x-5)-100/(x^2-25))

= lim_(x->5) ((x+5)/(x-5)-100/((x+5)(x-5)))

Combining the fractions:
= lim_(x->5) ((x+5)(x+5)-100)/((x+5)(x-5))

Plug in x = 5 and you'll see that this is in indeterminate 0/0 form so we can use L'Hôpital's Rule.

But first we consolidate the numerator and denominator

= lim_(x->5) (x^2+10 x -75)/(x^2 - 25)

and by L'Hôpital's Rule

= lim_(x->5) (2x+10)/(2x)

As the numerator and denominator are continuous, so is the quotient. So can now plug the value x = 5 directly in:

= (2(5) + 10)/(2(5)) = 2

L'Hôpital's Rule, to me, is kinda brute-force meets black-box, so if you need a more refined solution, do ask.