Let $A_k$ be the finite area bounded by the line $y = kx + k$ and the parabola $y = x^2$, where $k$ is a positive real number. The value of $\displaystyle\lim_{k \to \infty} \dfrac{A_k}{k^3}$ equals:
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: Area between a line and a parabola using the formula $A = \frac{(x_2-x_1)^3}{6}$, followed by limit evaluation
Step 1: Find the intersection points of the line and parabola.
We need to find where $y = kx + k$ intersects $y = x^2$. Setting them equal:
$$x^2 = kx + k$$
$$x^2 - kx - k = 0$$
Using the quadratic formula:
$$x = \frac{k \pm \sqrt{k^2 + 4k}}{2}$$
Let $x_1 = \frac{k - \sqrt{k^2+4k}}{2}$ and $x_2 = \frac{k + \sqrt{k^2+4k}}{2}$ be the two roots, where $x_1 < x_2$.
Step 2: Set up the integral for the area between the curves.
The area $A_k$ bounded by the line and parabola is:
$$A_k = \int_{x_1}^{x_2} (kx + k - x^2)\, dx$$
Since the line is above the parabola in this region, we integrate the difference.
Step 3: Apply the standard formula for area between a line and parabola.
For a parabola $y = x^2$ and a line intersecting it at two points, the area between them is given by:
$$A_k = \frac{(x_2 - x_1)^3}{6}$$
Step 4: Calculate the distance between the roots.
From the quadratic formula:
$$x_2 - x_1 = \frac{k + \sqrt{k^2+4k}}{2} - \frac{k - \sqrt{k^2+4k}}{2} = \sqrt{k^2 + 4k}$$
Step 5: Express the area in terms of $k$.
Substituting into the area formula:
$$A_k = \frac{(\sqrt{k^2+4k})^3}{6} = \frac{(k^2+4k)^{3/2}}{6}$$
Step 6: Form the ratio $\frac{A_k}{k^3}$ and simplify.
$$\frac{A_k}{k^3} = \frac{(k^2+4k)^{3/2}}{6k^3}$$
Factor out $k^2$ from inside the parentheses:
$$(k^2+4k)^{3/2} = \left[k^2\left(1 + \frac{4}{k}\right)\right]^{3/2} = k^3\left(1 + \frac{4}{k}\right)^{3/2}$$
Therefore:
$$\frac{A_k}{k^3} = \frac{k^3\left(1+\frac{4}{k}\right)^{3/2}}{6k^3} = \frac{\left(1+\frac{4}{k}\right)^{3/2}}{6}$$
Step 7: Evaluate the limit as $k \to \infty$.
$$\lim_{k\to\infty} \frac{A_k}{k^3} = \lim_{k\to\infty} \frac{\left(1+\frac{4}{k}\right)^{3/2}}{6}$$
As $k \to \infty$, we have $\frac{4}{k} \to 0$, so:
$$\lim_{k\to\infty} \frac{A_k}{k^3} = \frac{(1+0)^{3/2}}{6} = \frac{1}{6}$$
**Final Answer:** The value of $\displaystyle\lim_{k \to \infty} \dfrac{A_k}{k^3} = \dfrac{1}{6}$, which corresponds to **Option 3**.
Correct Answer: 4