Quick DL Method Solution

Given:

\[ \lim_{x \to 1} \frac{x^4 - 1}{x - 1} = \lim_{x \to k} \frac{x^3 - k^2}{x^2 - k^2} \]

LHS using derivative:

\[ \lim_{x \to 1} \frac{x^4 - 1}{x - 1} = \left.\frac{d}{dx}(x^4)\right|_{x=1} = 4x^3|_{x=1} = 4 \]

RHS using DL logic:

\[ \lim_{x \to k} \frac{x^3 - k^2}{x^2 - k^2} \approx \frac{3k^2(x - k)}{2k(x - k)} = \frac{3k}{2} \]

Equating both sides:

\[ \frac{3k}{2} = 4 \Rightarrow k = \frac{8}{3} \]

\[ \boxed{k = \frac{8}{3}} \]