Question

For the functions given below, find and simplify completely: g(x+h)-g(x)/h (here, h is some parameter)

Answer 1

Answer:

  a.  2

  b.  4x -1 +2h

Step-by-step explanation:

We can find the difference quotient for the given cases by first solving for the difference quotient in the general case. That solution can then be applied to the given cases.

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general solution

For f(x) = ax² +bx +c, the difference quotient is ...

  $\dfrac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}=\dfrac{(a(x+h)^2+b(x+h)+c)-(ax^2+bx+c)}{h}\\\\=\dfrac{(ax^2+2axh+ah^2+bx+bh+c)-(ax^2+bx+c)}{h}=\dfrac{2axh+ah^2+bh}{h}\\\\=\underline{2ax+b+ah}$

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a.

For g(x) = 2x+6, we have a=0, b=2, c=6. Substituting these values into the above formula, we find ...

  (g(x+h) -g(x))/h = 2·0·x² +2 +0·h

  (g(x+h) -g(x))/h = 2

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b.

For g(x) = 2x² -x, we have a=2, b=-1, c=0. Substituting these values into the above formula, we find ...

  (g(x+h) -g(x))/h = 2·2·x +(-1) +2·h

  (g(x+h) -g(x))/h = 4x -1 +2h