Math Problem Statement

Find the difference quotient of f(x) = 2x^2 + x + 3. Simplify your answer.

Solution

Let's work through this problem step-by-step.

The given function is:

f(x)=2x2+x+3f(x) = 2x^2 + x + 3

We are tasked with finding the difference quotient:

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

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

We need to plug x+hx+h into the function f(x)f(x):

f(x+h)=2(x+h)2+(x+h)+3f(x+h) = 2(x+h)^2 + (x+h) + 3

Expanding each term:

f(x+h)=2(x2+2xh+h2)+(x+h)+3f(x+h) = 2(x^2 + 2xh + h^2) + (x + h) + 3 =2x2+4xh+2h2+x+h+3= 2x^2 + 4xh + 2h^2 + x + h + 3

Step 2: Subtract f(x)f(x) from f(x+h)f(x+h)

We already have:

f(x+h)=2x2+4xh+2h2+x+h+3f(x+h) = 2x^2 + 4xh + 2h^2 + x + h + 3

And f(x)=2x2+x+3f(x) = 2x^2 + x + 3. Now subtract f(x)f(x) from f(x+h)f(x+h):

f(x+h)f(x)=(2x2+4xh+2h2+x+h+3)(2x2+x+3)f(x+h) - f(x) = (2x^2 + 4xh + 2h^2 + x + h + 3) - (2x^2 + x + 3)

Simplifying:

=2x22x2+4xh+2h2+xx+h+33= 2x^2 - 2x^2 + 4xh + 2h^2 + x - x + h + 3 - 3 =4xh+2h2+h= 4xh + 2h^2 + h

Step 3: Divide by hh

Now, divide the result by hh:

f(x+h)f(x)h=4xh+2h2+hh\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} = \frac{4xh + 2h^2 + h}{h}

Simplifying:

=4x+2h+1= 4x + 2h + 1

Final Answer:

f(x+h)f(x)h=4x+2h+1\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} = 4x + 2h + 1

Would you like a more detailed explanation or have any questions?

Here are five related questions:

  1. What happens to the difference quotient as h0h \to 0?
  2. Can you compute the derivative of f(x)=2x2+x+3f(x) = 2x^2 + x + 3 using the difference quotient method?
  3. How does the difference quotient relate to the concept of a derivative?
  4. What would the difference quotient look like for a linear function like f(x)=3x+5f(x) = 3x + 5?
  5. Can you apply the difference quotient to a cubic function like f(x)=x3f(x) = x^3?

Tip: When solving difference quotients, always expand and simplify expressions carefully to avoid errors.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Difference Quotient
Quadratic Function
Limits

Formulas

Difference Quotient: (f(x+h) - f(x)) / h
Quadratic Function: ax^2 + bx + c

Theorems

Limit definition of a derivative

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12