I want to evaluate the following: $\lim_{r \rightarrow 0}\frac{-r^2}{2 \left(\sqrt{1-\frac{r^2}{4}}-1 \right)}$
I look at the graph and see that it seems to be going to zero. This makes sense to me because if I replace r with zero this function is defined and continuous near zero and the value of the function is zero.
So, I think: $\lim_{r \rightarrow 0}\frac{-r^2}{2 \left(\sqrt{1-\frac{r^2}{4}}-1 \right)}=0$
But next I try something else I rationalize the denominator since this is a good technique for solving limits. $\lim_{r \rightarrow 0}\frac{-r^2 \left(\sqrt{1-\frac{r^2}{4}}+1 \right)}{2 \left(1-\frac{r^2}{4}-1 \right)}$
Then, $\lim_{r \rightarrow 0}\frac{-r^2 \left(\sqrt{1-\frac{r^2}{4}}+1 \right)}{\frac{-r^2}{2}}$ so... $\lim_{r \rightarrow 0} 2 \left(\sqrt{1-\frac{r^2}{2}}+1 \right)=4$
What have I done? How can rationalizing change the graph? My guess is that the denominator $2 \left(\sqrt{1-\frac{r^2}{2}}-1 \right)$ is "divisible by $r^2$ in some not obvious way?
I know my original reasoning was sloppy, (not a proof) but the fact that the graph shows a limit of zero has me very confused.
How do I avoid this error? Just always rationalize everything? Why would I do that?