Question:medium

If $f''(0) = k$, then $\displaystyle\lim_{x\to 0} \dfrac{2f(x) - 3f(2x) + f(4x)}{x^{2}}$ equals

Show Hint

For limits of the form $[2f(x)-3f(2x)+f(4x)]/x^2$, expand via Taylor series — the $f(0)$ and $f'(0)$ terms cancel, and only the $f''(0)$ term contributes.
Updated On: May 2, 2026
  • $k$
  • $2k$
  • $3k$
  • $4k$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

To find the value of the limit \(\lim_{x\to 0} \frac{2f(x) - 3f(2x) + f(4x)}{x^{2}}\), we start by considering a Taylor expansion of \(f(x)\) around \(x = 0\).

The Taylor expansion of a function \(f(x)\) around \(x = 0\) is given by:

\(f(x) = f(0) + f'(0)x + \frac{f''(0)}{2}x^2 + \frac{f'''(0)}{6}x^3 + \cdots\)

  1. We have \(f''(0) = k\), so our Taylor expansion simplifies, and particularly the second order term is \(\frac{k}{2}x^2\).
  2. Substitute \(f(x)\), \(f(2x)\), and \(f(4x)\) using their Taylor expansions:
    • \(f(x) = f(0) + f'(0)x + \frac{k}{2}x^2 + \cdots\)
    • \(f(2x) = f(0) + f'(0)(2x) + \frac{k}{2}(2x)^2 + \cdots = f(0) + 2f'(0)x + 2kx^2 + \cdots\)
    • \(f(4x) = f(0) + f'(0)(4x) + \frac{k}{2}(4x)^2 + \cdots = f(0) + 4f'(0)x + 8kx^2 + \cdots\)
  3. Substitute these expansions into the expression \(2f(x) - 3f(2x) + f(4x)\):
    • \(2f(x) = 2(f(0) + f'(0)x + \frac{k}{2}x^2) = 2f(0) + 2f'(0)x + kx^2 + \cdots\)
    • \(-3f(2x) = -3(f(0) + 2f'(0)x + 2kx^2) = -3f(0) - 6f'(0)x - 6kx^2 + \cdots\)
    • \(f(4x) = f(0) + 4f'(0)x + 8kx^2 + \cdots\)
  4. Calculate \(2f(x) - 3f(2x) + f(4x)\):
    • \(2f(x) - 3f(2x) + f(4x) = [2f(0) - 3f(0) + f(0)] + [2f'(0)x - 6f'(0)x + 4f'(0)x] + [kx^2 - 6kx^2 + 8kx^2]\)
    • The constant and linear terms cancel out, leading to \(3kx^2 + \cdots\) as dominant.
  5. Divide by \(x^2\):
    • \(\frac{2f(x) - 3f(2x) + f(4x)}{x^2} = \frac{3kx^2}{x^2} = 3k\)

Hence, the limit simplifies to:

\(\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{2f(x) - 3f(2x) + f(4x)}{x^2} = 3k\)

Therefore, the correct answer is 3k.

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