Trigonometry – Limit Approaching Infinity of Sine Function

infinitylimitstrigonometry

I'd like to ask a question which I have been reflecting on for some time now. What is the limit of: $f(x) = \sin(x)$ as $x$ tends to infinity?

As we know, the function has a definite value for each multiple of a value included between $0$ and $2\pi$, but, how can we know which value it will have at infinity?

Best Answer

If $\sin x$ had a limit $L$ for $x\to\infty$, then for every sequence $(x_n)$ such that $x_n\to\infty$ we would have $$\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} \sin x_n=L.$$ In particular, this limit would exist and would have the same value for every choice of such sequence $(x_n)$. (See e.g. here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limit_of_a_function#Sequential_limits ; but this theorem was probably mentioned in your lecture/textbook.)

If you choose $x_n= 2n\pi$, then this limit is equal $0$.

If you choose $x_n=\frac\pi2+2n\pi$, then this limit is equal to $1$.

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