Calculus I · Limits and Continuity · lesson

Limits of Ratios of Sine Functions

Ratio of two sine expressions

Worked example

Sine over sine

Evaluate

limx0sin(4x)sin(7x).\lim_{x\to0}\frac{\sin(4x)}{\sin(7x)}.
Show worked solution

Insert factors that create both standard limits:

sin(4x)sin(7x)=sin(4x)4x4x7x7xsin(7x)=sin(4x)4x477xsin(7x).\begin{aligned} \frac{\sin(4x)}{\sin(7x)} &=\frac{\sin(4x)}{4x} \cdot\frac{4x}{7x} \cdot\frac{7x}{\sin(7x)}\\ &=\frac{\sin(4x)}{4x} \cdot\frac47 \cdot\frac{7x}{\sin(7x)}. \end{aligned}

The first and third factors approach 11, so

47.\boxed{\frac47}.

Tangent

Since

tanxx=sinxxcosx,\frac{\tan x}{x} =\frac{\sin x}{x\cos x},

we have

limx0tanxx=1.\boxed{\lim_{x\to0}\frac{\tan x}{x}=1}.
Worked example

A tangent limit

Evaluate

limx0tan(6x)2x.\lim_{x\to0}\frac{\tan(6x)}{2x}.
Show worked solution

Create 6x6x in the denominator:

tan(6x)2x=3tan(6x)6x.\frac{\tan(6x)}{2x} =3\frac{\tan(6x)}{6x}.

The standard tangent factor approaches 11, so

3.\boxed{3}.

After the explanation

Use the section idea

Reading lens

Can the expression be rewritten around a known small-angle limit, with every scaling factor accounted for?

Mental model

The fundamental sine limit is a reusable local shape: other trigonometric limits work when you expose that shape through identities and scaling.

Decision

Look for a bounded oscillation times a shrinking factor, or rewrite the expression into sine-over-angle factors whose arguments match their denominators.

Common trap

The sine function is not equal to its angle; their ratio merely approaches one near zero, and that statement requires radian measure.

Check yourself

Mastery means you can mark every scaling factor before simplifying and can explain where the Squeeze Theorem enters the argument.

Source & rights

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Vocab
Limit
Math glossaryLimit
limxaf(x)=L\lim_{x\to a}f(x)=L

The value a function approaches as its input approaches a target.

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Function
Math glossaryFunction
y=f(x)y=f(x)

A rule or relation assigning exactly one output to each allowed input.

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Continuity
Math glossaryContinuity
limxaf(x)=f(a)\lim_{x\to a}f(x)=f(a)

At a point, the function value exists and equals the limit there.

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Domain
Math glossaryDomain
domf\operatorname{dom}f

The set of permitted input values.

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Math glossary