Math Problem Statement

Given f(x) = 6x - 2, (a) Find f(x + h) and simplify. (b) Find (f(x + h) - f(x)) / h and simplify.

Solution

Let's solve the two parts of the given problem.

Given function:

f(x)=6x2f(x) = 6x - 2

Part (a)

Find f(x+h)f(x+h) and simplify.

To find f(x+h)f(x+h), substitute x+hx+h into the function f(x)f(x):

f(x+h)=6(x+h)2f(x+h) = 6(x+h) - 2 Now, expand and simplify:

f(x+h)=6x+6h2f(x+h) = 6x + 6h - 2

Thus, the simplified expression for f(x+h)f(x+h) is: f(x+h)=6x+6h2f(x+h) = 6x + 6h - 2

Part (b)

Find f(x+h)f(x)h\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} and simplify.

We already have f(x+h)=6x+6h2f(x+h) = 6x + 6h - 2 and f(x)=6x2f(x) = 6x - 2. Now, calculate f(x+h)f(x)f(x+h) - f(x):

f(x+h)f(x)=(6x+6h2)(6x2)f(x+h) - f(x) = (6x + 6h - 2) - (6x - 2)

Simplifying: f(x+h)f(x)=6x+6h26x+2=6hf(x+h) - f(x) = 6x + 6h - 2 - 6x + 2 = 6h

Now divide by hh:

f(x+h)f(x)h=6hh=6\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} = \frac{6h}{h} = 6

So the simplified expression for f(x+h)f(x)h\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} is: 66

Would you like further explanation or any additional details?


Here are some related questions you could explore:

  1. What is the interpretation of f(x+h)f(x)h\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} in calculus?
  2. How does the expression f(x+h)f(x)h\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} relate to the derivative of a function?
  3. What is the general form for finding f(x+h)f(x+h) for any function f(x)f(x)?
  4. How would the result change if f(x)f(x) were a quadratic function?
  5. What happens if hh approaches 0 in the expression f(x+h)f(x)h\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h}?

Tip: When simplifying expressions with hh, remember that terms independent of hh often cancel out, making the process easier.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Functions
Difference Quotient
Simplification

Formulas

f(x + h) = f(x) + f(h)
Difference Quotient: (f(x + h) - f(x)) / h

Theorems

Difference Quotient
Linear Function Simplification

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12