Math Problem Statement

(f(a+h)-f(a))/h

(f(a+h)-f(a))/h

Solution

You have provided an image containing the function f(x)=2+2x2f(x) = 2 + 2x^2 and you're asking to calculate the difference quotient:

f(a+h)f(a)h\frac{f(a+h) - f(a)}{h}

Let's solve this step-by-step:

  1. Substitute f(x)f(x) into the difference quotient. First, we need to find f(a+h)f(a+h) and f(a)f(a).

f(a+h)=2+2(a+h)2f(a+h) = 2 + 2(a+h)^2 f(a)=2+2a2f(a) = 2 + 2a^2

  1. Expand f(a+h)f(a+h).

f(a+h)=2+2(a2+2ah+h2)=2+2a2+4ah+2h2f(a+h) = 2 + 2(a^2 + 2ah + h^2) = 2 + 2a^2 + 4ah + 2h^2

  1. Now, subtract f(a)f(a) from f(a+h)f(a+h):

f(a+h)f(a)=(2+2a2+4ah+2h2)(2+2a2)f(a+h) - f(a) = \left( 2 + 2a^2 + 4ah + 2h^2 \right) - \left( 2 + 2a^2 \right) f(a+h)f(a)=4ah+2h2f(a+h) - f(a) = 4ah + 2h^2

  1. Divide by hh:

f(a+h)f(a)h=4ah+2h2h\frac{f(a+h) - f(a)}{h} = \frac{4ah + 2h^2}{h}

  1. Simplify the expression:

f(a+h)f(a)h=4a+2h\frac{f(a+h) - f(a)}{h} = 4a + 2h

Thus, the simplified form of the difference quotient is:

f(a+h)f(a)h=4a+2h\frac{f(a+h) - f(a)}{h} = 4a + 2h

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!


Here are five related questions to deepen understanding:

  1. What is the difference quotient used for in calculus?
  2. How would the derivative of f(x)=2+2x2f(x) = 2 + 2x^2 relate to this expression?
  3. What happens to the difference quotient as h0h \to 0?
  4. Can this technique be applied to functions with more complex expressions, like polynomials of higher degrees?
  5. What is the geometric interpretation of the difference quotient?

Tip: The difference quotient is the foundation of the derivative, which gives the slope of the tangent line to the function at any point!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Difference Quotient
Quadratic Functions

Formulas

f(x) = 2 + 2x^2
Difference Quotient = (f(a+h) - f(a))/h

Theorems

Limits and Derivatives
Basic Derivative Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12 (High School Calculus)