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How can I formally show that the following limit is $0$? $$\lim_{x\rightarrow 0^+} x^{-\ln x}$$ (Without using l'Hopital's rule.)

I can write it as $$\lim_{x\rightarrow 0^+} x^{-\ln x} = \lim_{x\rightarrow 0^+} e^{-\ln x \ln x}.$$ I would somehow need to argue that $ - \ln x \ln x \rightarrow -\infty$ as $x \rightarrow 0^+$.

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    As $x \downarrow 0$, $\ln x \to -\infty$, so $(\ln x)^2 \to \infty$, so $-(\ln x)^2 \to -\infty$.2012-11-06

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For the last part of your argument, informally, you can note that $\ln x \to -\infty$ as $x\to 0$. Then you have

$$-(-\infty \cdot -\infty) = - (\infty) = -\infty$$

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    Or even *formally* if phrased in terms of limit forms. Or better, if you use the extended real numbers, and the fact the (continuous extension of) the logarithm is continuous on $[0,+\infty]$.2012-11-06
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    Ah, nice thinking. That was actually what I was thinking once I thought about this for a few minutes. My original answer was rushed as I was just about to leave for class.2012-11-06