Calculate $\lim_{n\to{+}\infty}{(\sqrt{n^{2}+n}-n)}$ [duplicate]

Solution 1:

We have:

$$\sqrt{n^{2}+n}-n=\frac{(\sqrt{n^{2}+n}-n)(\sqrt{n^{2}+n}+n)}{\sqrt{n^{2}+n}+n}=\frac{n}{\sqrt{n^{2}+n}+n}$$ Therefore:

$$\sqrt{n^{2}+n}-n=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1+\frac{1}{n}}+1}$$

And since: $\lim\limits_{n\to +\infty}\frac{1}{n}=0$

It follows that:

$$\boxed{\,\,\lim\limits_{n\to +\infty}(\sqrt{n^{2}+n}-n)=\dfrac{1}{2}\,\,}$$

Solution 2:

Guide: Rationalize,

$$\left(\sqrt{n^2+n}-\sqrt{n^2}\right)\cdot \frac{\sqrt{n^2+n}+\sqrt{n^2}}{\sqrt{n^2+n}+\sqrt{n^2}}=\frac{n}{\sqrt{n^2+n}+\sqrt{n^2}}$$

Now divide numerator and denominator by $n$. Remember $\frac{1}{n}\sqrt{\square}=\sqrt{\frac{1}{n^2}\square}$.

Solution 3:

Here's an answer that is probably not within the intended scope but it's nice anyway...

Let $x=1/n$. Then $$ \lim_{n\to{+}\infty}{\sqrt{n^{2}+n}-n} = \lim_{x\to0}{\sqrt{\frac1{x^2}+\frac1x}-\frac1x} = \lim_{x\to0}{\sqrt{\frac{1+x}{x^2}}-\frac1x} = \lim_{x\to0}{\frac{\sqrt{1+x}}{x}-\frac1x}= \lim_{x\to0}{\frac{\sqrt{1+x}-1}{x-0}} = f'(0) = \frac12 $$ for $f(x)=\sqrt{1+x}$.

(There's a small technicality that actually $x\to0^+$ but let's overlook that.)