Math Problem Statement

For the given function, find (f(x + h) -f(x)/h).

f(x ) = 6x - 6

Solution

The expression f(x+h)f(x)h\frac{f(x + h) - f(x)}{h} is a common difference quotient used in calculus to compute the derivative of a function.

Given f(x)=6x6f(x) = 6x - 6, let's compute the difference quotient step by step:

Step 1: Calculate f(x+h)f(x + h)

Substitute x+hx + h into the function: f(x+h)=6(x+h)6=6x+6h6f(x + h) = 6(x + h) - 6 = 6x + 6h - 6

Step 2: Compute f(x+h)f(x)f(x + h) - f(x)

Now subtract f(x)=6x6f(x) = 6x - 6 from f(x+h)f(x + h): f(x+h)f(x)=(6x+6h6)(6x6)=6hf(x + h) - f(x) = (6x + 6h - 6) - (6x - 6) = 6h

Step 3: Divide by hh

Now divide the result by hh: f(x+h)f(x)h=6hh=6\frac{f(x + h) - f(x)}{h} = \frac{6h}{h} = 6

Thus, the difference quotient f(x+h)f(x)h\frac{f(x + h) - f(x)}{h} simplifies to 6.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Related questions:

  1. What is the significance of the difference quotient?
  2. How is the difference quotient related to the derivative of a function?
  3. How would this process change if f(x)f(x) were a quadratic function?
  4. What happens to the difference quotient as h0h \to 0?
  5. How can the difference quotient help in understanding linear functions?

Tip:

For linear functions like f(x)=6x6f(x) = 6x - 6, the difference quotient always simplifies to the constant slope of the line.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Difference Quotient
Derivatives
Linear Functions

Formulas

Difference quotient: (f(x + h) - f(x)) / h

Theorems

Difference Quotient Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12, Calculus