Math Problem Statement

find g'(x) by using limit process g(x)=√x-2

Solution

To find g(x)g'(x) using the limit definition of a derivative for the function g(x)=x2g(x) = \sqrt{x} - 2, we can follow these steps:

The limit definition of a derivative is:

g(x)=limh0g(x+h)g(x)hg'(x) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{g(x+h) - g(x)}{h}

Step 1: Substitute the function g(x)=x2g(x) = \sqrt{x} - 2 into the limit definition.

g(x)=limh0(x+h2)(x2)hg'(x) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{\left( \sqrt{x+h} - 2 \right) - \left( \sqrt{x} - 2 \right)}{h}

Step 2: Simplify the numerator.

g(x)=limh0x+hxhg'(x) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{\sqrt{x+h} - \sqrt{x}}{h}

Step 3: Multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the numerator.

g(x)=limh0(x+hx)(x+h+x)h(x+h+x)g'(x) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{\left( \sqrt{x+h} - \sqrt{x} \right) \cdot \left( \sqrt{x+h} + \sqrt{x} \right)}{h \cdot \left( \sqrt{x+h} + \sqrt{x} \right)}

Step 4: Apply the difference of squares in the numerator.

g(x)=limh0(x+h)xh(x+h+x)g'(x) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{(x+h) - x}{h \cdot \left( \sqrt{x+h} + \sqrt{x} \right)}

g(x)=limh0hh(x+h+x)g'(x) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{h}{h \cdot \left( \sqrt{x+h} + \sqrt{x} \right)}

Step 5: Cancel out hh in the numerator and denominator.

g(x)=limh01x+h+xg'(x) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{1}{\sqrt{x+h} + \sqrt{x}}

Step 6: Apply the limit as h0h \to 0.

g(x)=1x+x=12xg'(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{x}} = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}

Final Answer:

g(x)=12xg'(x) = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}

Let me know if you need more details or have any questions!

Here are five related questions to explore further:

  1. How can we apply the limit process to differentiate other radical functions?
  2. What does the derivative of g(x)=x2g(x) = \sqrt{x} - 2 represent graphically?
  3. Can you find the second derivative g(x)g''(x) of the given function?
  4. How would we differentiate g(x)=x+12g(x) = \sqrt{x+1} - 2 using the limit process?
  5. How can we interpret the behavior of g(x)g'(x) as x0x \to 0 and xx \to \infty?

Tip: When dealing with square roots, multiplying by the conjugate is a powerful technique to simplify expressions, especially when using limits.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Limit Definition of Derivative
Radical Functions

Formulas

Limit definition of derivative: g'(x) = lim(h→0) [g(x+h) - g(x)] / h
Derivative of a square root function: g'(x) = 1 / (2√x)

Theorems

Limit Process in Calculus
Difference of Squares

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12, Early College