Class JEE Mathematics Limit, Continuity, and Differentiability Q #1141
KNOWLEDGE BASED
APPLY
4 Marks 2026 JEE Main 2026 (Online) 21st January Morning Shift MCQ SINGLE
Evaluate the limit: $\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{\sin(2x) - 2 \sin x}{x^3}$
(A) 1
(B) $-1$
(C) $0$
(D) 2

AI Tutor Explanation

Powered by Gemini

Step-by-Step Solution

We can use L'Hopital's rule or Taylor series expansion to evaluate the limit.

Method 1: L'Hopital's Rule

$\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{\sin(2x) - 2 \sin x}{x^3}$

Applying L'Hopital's rule once:

= $\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{2\cos(2x) - 2 \cos x}{3x^2}$

Applying L'Hopital's rule again:

= $\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{-4\sin(2x) + 2 \sin x}{6x}$

Applying L'Hopital's rule once more:

= $\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{-8\cos(2x) + 2 \cos x}{6}$

= $\frac{-8(1) + 2(1)}{6} = \frac{-6}{6} = -1$

Method 2: Taylor Series Expansion

$\sin x = x - \frac{x^3}{3!} + \frac{x^5}{5!} - ...$

$\sin(2x) = 2x - \frac{(2x)^3}{3!} + \frac{(2x)^5}{5!} - ... = 2x - \frac{8x^3}{6} + \frac{32x^5}{120} - ...$

$\sin(2x) - 2\sin x = (2x - \frac{8x^3}{6} + ...) - 2(x - \frac{x^3}{6} + ...)$

= $2x - \frac{4x^3}{3} - 2x + \frac{x^3}{3} + O(x^5) = -x^3 + O(x^5)$

$\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{\sin(2x) - 2 \sin x}{x^3} = \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{-x^3}{x^3} = -1$

Correct Answer: -1

APPLY|||QUESTION_NATURE|||PROCEDURAL|||MEDIUM|||
Pedagogical Audit
Bloom's Analysis: This is an APPLY question because the student needs to apply their knowledge of limits, trigonometric functions, and either L'Hopital's rule or Taylor series expansion to solve the problem.
Knowledge Dimension: PROCEDURAL
Justification: The question requires the student to execute a specific procedure, such as applying L'Hopital's rule multiple times or using Taylor series expansion and simplification, to arrive at the solution.
Syllabus Audit: In the context of JEE, this is classified as KNOWLEDGE. The question directly tests the student's understanding and application of standard calculus techniques for evaluating limits.

Step-by-Step Solution

Method 1: L'Hopital's Rule

Let $L = \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{\sin(2x) - 2 \sin x}{x^3}$

Since the limit is of the form $\frac{0}{0}$, we can apply L'Hopital's rule.

Applying L'Hopital's rule once:

$L = \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{2\cos(2x) - 2 \cos x}{3x^2}$

This is still of the form $\frac{0}{0}$, so we apply L'Hopital's rule again:

$L = \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{-4\sin(2x) + 2 \sin x}{6x}$

This is still of the form $\frac{0}{0}$, so we apply L'Hopital's rule once more:

$L = \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{-8\cos(2x) + 2 \cos x}{6}$

Now, we can directly substitute $x = 0$:

$L = \frac{-8\cos(0) + 2 \cos(0)}{6} = \frac{-8(1) + 2(1)}{6} = \frac{-6}{6} = -1$

Method 2: Taylor Series Expansion

We can use the Taylor series expansions for $\sin x$ and $\sin(2x)$ around $x=0$.

$\sin x = x - \frac{x^3}{3!} + \frac{x^5}{5!} - ...$

$\sin(2x) = 2x - \frac{(2x)^3}{3!} + \frac{(2x)^5}{5!} - ... = 2x - \frac{8x^3}{6} + \frac{32x^5}{120} - ...$

Then, $\sin(2x) - 2\sin x = (2x - \frac{8x^3}{6} + ...) - 2(x - \frac{x^3}{6} + ...)$

$= 2x - \frac{4x^3}{3} - 2x + \frac{x^3}{3} + O(x^5) = -x^3 + O(x^5)$

Therefore, $\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{\sin(2x) - 2 \sin x}{x^3} = \lim_{x\to 0} \frac{-x^3 + O(x^5)}{x^3} = -1$

Correct Answer: -1

AI Suggestion: Option B

AI generated content. Review strictly for academic accuracy.

Pedagogical Audit
Bloom's Analysis: This is an APPLY question because it requires the student to apply L'Hopital's rule or trigonometric identities and series expansions to evaluate the limit.
Knowledge Dimension: PROCEDURAL
Justification: The question requires the student to follow a specific procedure (e.g., applying L'Hopital's rule or using series expansion) to arrive at the solution. It involves knowing how to manipulate the given expression and apply the appropriate techniques.
Syllabus Audit: In the context of JEE, this is classified as KNOWLEDGE. It directly tests the student's knowledge of limits and trigonometric functions, which are core concepts in the syllabus.

More from this Chapter

No other questions found.