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How to Find the Limit of a Factorial Function

Factorials are mathematical operators that are represented by the symbol "!" within an expression. The factorial operation finds great use in the fields of infinite series and combinatorics. The operation performed when the symbol is encountered is to multiply the integer or expression by every integer that preceded it. For example, the expression 5! is equal to 120 and represents the multiplication of 5 * 4 * 3 * 2 * 1. It is often necessary to find the limit of a function that possesses a factorial operation to study the convergence or divergence of an infinite series.

Instructions

    • 1

      Place the factorial function into a standard limit notation. For example, f (x) = 3 / (x! - 5), placed into limit notation, becomes lim x -> ∞ 3 / (x! - 5). Read this as, "The limit as x approaches infinity of 3 / (x! - 5)."

    • 2

      Evaluate the values the function takes on as "x" becomes larger in its approach toward infinity. In this example, as "x" becomes arbitrarily large, the expression 3 / (x! - 5) becomes increasingly small. This is because any number divided by increasingly growing numbers gets smaller.

    • 3

      Solve the limit with the value determined in Step 2. In this case, lim x -> ∞ 3 / (x! - 5) approaches 0 as "x" grows larger toward infinity; therefore, the limit is equal to 0.

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