Uuuh... Calculus...

[MrLRG]

So I have this calculus class, and I was assigned this problem.

I've been stuck on it for.... 4-5 hours or so, and was curious if anyone here has the mathematical skill to actually explain it to me. I feel like I'm just overlooking something stupid. I've asked a couple of people, and I'm really starting to get annoyed.

Here's the problem:
(At school, had to use MS paint)

So, (in case you can't read that), it says the limit as x approaches 0 of f(x) of ([1/sqrt(x+1)]-1)/x

[The Phantom]

...You do realize that MS Paint has a "text" tool, right?

Anyways, just put it into Wolfram Alpha, came out as:

(no result found in terms of standard mathematical functions)

[Dabir]

Fffffffffffffffffffucking calculus.

Are you sure you're reading it right? Did you copy it from somewhere, and are you sure you copied it right?

Basically, substitute 0 for x and you end up with 0/0. This is patently retarded.

[AlexMdle]

You cant substitute 0 or -1 for x in that problem due to impossibility of diving/taking square root of zero.

This is quite special as I recall. Basically, try drawing that on a coordinate system and you will get a huge fucking gap where those numbers ought to be.

[Dabir]

What Alex said. The impossible substitutions are the vertical asymptotes. Still not sure what you're supposed to be finding, though.

[[][][][]]

The left... I'm not sure.
f(x) = (1/sqrt(x+1) - 1) / x...
Please clarify the left text.

[Dabir]

Means "the limit, as x tends to 0".

[AlexMdle]

To correct myself, you can take square root of zero, just not that of a negative number.

[Firefox11]

Imaginary numbers.

Meet your new God i.

[MrLRG]

Found out you have to rationalize the numerator and then do some crap to rationalize the denominator. Came out with -.5 as the answer. >_<