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Multiple Choice
Find the limit. limx→5x−5x−5
A
5
B
25
C
105
D
Does not exist
Verified step by step guidance
1
First, observe that directly substituting x = 5 into the expression \( \frac{x-5}{\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{5}} \) results in a \( \frac{0}{0} \) indeterminate form. This suggests that we need to simplify the expression to evaluate the limit.
To simplify, multiply the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the denominator, which is \( \sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5} \). This gives us: \( \frac{(x-5)(\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5})}{(\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{5})(\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5})} \).
The denominator simplifies using the difference of squares formula: \( (\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{5})(\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5}) = x - 5 \).
Now, the expression becomes \( \frac{(x-5)(\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5})}{x-5} \). Since \( x \neq 5 \), we can cancel \( x-5 \) from the numerator and the denominator.
After canceling, the expression simplifies to \( \sqrt{x} + \sqrt{5} \). Now, substitute \( x = 5 \) to find the limit: \( \sqrt{5} + \sqrt{5} = 2\sqrt{5} \).