If $\displaystyle\lim_{\alpha \to 0} \dfrac{e^{\cos(\alpha^n)} - e}{\alpha^m} = \dfrac{-e}{2}$ where $m$ and $n$ are positive integers greater than 1, then the value of $\dfrac{m}{n}$ is:
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: Taylor series expansion of $\cos(\alpha^n)$ and $e^x - 1 \approx x$ near $x=0$ to evaluate the limit
Step 1: Set up the limit expression and factor out the constant.
We are given:
$$\lim_{\alpha \to 0} \frac{e^{\cos(\alpha^n)} - e}{\alpha^m} = \frac{-e}{2}$$
Factor out $e$ from the numerator:
$$\lim_{\alpha \to 0} \frac{e\left(e^{\cos(\alpha^n)-1} - 1\right)}{\alpha^m}$$
Step 2: Apply Taylor expansion to $\cos(\alpha^n) - 1$.
As $\alpha \to 0$, we use the Taylor series expansion of cosine:
$$\cos(\alpha^n) = 1 - \frac{(\alpha^n)^2}{2} + O(\alpha^{4n})$$
Therefore:
$$\cos(\alpha^n) - 1 \approx -\frac{\alpha^{2n}}{2}$$
Step 3: Apply Taylor expansion to the exponential term.
For small values of $x$, we know that $e^x - 1 \approx x$. Since $\cos(\alpha^n) - 1 \to 0$ as $\alpha \to 0$:
$$e^{\cos(\alpha^n)-1} - 1 \approx \cos(\alpha^n) - 1 \approx -\frac{\alpha^{2n}}{2}$$
Step 4: Substitute the approximation into the limit.
The limit now becomes:
$$\lim_{\alpha \to 0} \frac{e \cdot \left(-\frac{\alpha^{2n}}{2}\right)}{\alpha^m} = \frac{-e}{2} \lim_{\alpha \to 0} \alpha^{2n-m}$$
Step 5: Determine the condition for the limit to be finite and nonzero.
For the limit to equal $\frac{-e}{2}$ (a finite, nonzero value), the exponent of $\alpha$ must be zero. This means:
$$2n - m = 0$$
Therefore:
$$m = 2n$$
Step 6: Calculate the ratio $\frac{m}{n}$.
$$\frac{m}{n} = \frac{2n}{n} = 2$$
The value of $\dfrac{m}{n}$ is $\boxed{2}$, which corresponds to **Option 1**.
Correct Answer: 4