What is sin(x)/x for x =0?

I'm going to show the answer to this question in two different ways. - The first is perhaps more obvious but the second is much more elegant.Taylor series expansion: Using Taylor expansion (or your trusty A level formula sheet) you can show that sin(x) = x - x^3/3! + x^5/5! + Re ( (-i)^n * x^n / n! )Thus dividing through by x:sin(x)/x = 1 - x^2/3! + x^4/5! +...if we then replace x by 0:sin(0)/0 = 1 - 0 + 0 +... where ... here is all 0.thus sin(0) / 0 = 1. The other much faster way of doing this is using l'Hopital's rule which states that for a limit lim (f(x)/g(x)) = lim (f'(x) / g'(x)) for the same limit. Thus lim[x-> 0] (sin(x) / x) = lim[x->0] (cos x / 1) = 1.

VP
Answered by Vandan P. Further Mathematics tutor

43244 Views

See similar Further Mathematics A Level tutors

Related Further Mathematics A Level answers

All answers ▸

The finite region bounded by the x-axis, the curve with equation y = 2e^2x , the y-axis and the line x = 1 is rotated through one complete revolution about the x-axis to form a uniform solid. Show that the volume of the solid is 2π(e^2 – 1)


Given that the equation x^2 - 2x + 2 = 0 has roots A and B, find the values A + B, and A * B.


f(x) = 9x^3 – 33x^2 –55x – 25. Given that x = 5 is a solution of the equation f(x) = 0, use an algebraic method to solve f(x) = 0 completely.


Find the determinant of a 3x3 matrix.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning