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Multiplicity of root

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 1:54 pm
by Tolaso J Kos
Given the function $f(x)=e^x-x-1$ prove that $0$ is a zero of $f$ of multiplicity $2$.

Re: Multiplicity of root

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 9:40 am
by Riemann
Tolaso J Kos wrote:Given the function $f(x)=e^x-x-1$ prove that $0$ is a zero of $f$ of multiplicity $2$.
It suffices to prove that the limit $\displaystyle \lim \limits_{x \rightarrow 0} \frac{f(x)}{x^2}$ is finite. However,

\begin{align*}
\lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \frac{f(x)}{x^2} &= \lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \frac{e^x-x-1}{x^2} \\
&=\lim_{x\rightarrow 0} \frac{e^x-1}{2x} \\
&= \frac{1}{2}\lim_{x\rightarrow 0} e^x \\
&= \frac{1}{2}
\end{align*}

Done!