Math Problem Statement

Suppose a function f x( ) satisfies the following conditions:

• f a b f a f b ab ( ) () () 2 += + + for all numbers a and b

• 0

( ) lim 7

h

f h

→ h =

Use the definition of the derivative to find f x ′( ).

Solution

We are given that a function f(x)f(x) satisfies two conditions:

  1. f(a+b)=f(a)+f(b)+abf(a + b) = f(a) + f(b) + ab for all real numbers aa and bb.
  2. limh0f(h)h=0\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(h)}{h} = 0.

We are asked to find f(x)f'(x) using the definition of the derivative. Let's proceed step-by-step.

Step 1: Use the derivative definition

The derivative of f(x)f(x) at a point xx is defined as:

f(x)=limh0f(x+h)f(x)h.f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x + h) - f(x)}{h}.

To apply this, we first need to evaluate f(x+h)f(x)f(x + h) - f(x). Using the given functional equation:

f(x+h)=f(x)+f(h)+xh.f(x + h) = f(x) + f(h) + xh.

Thus, we can express f(x+h)f(x)f(x + h) - f(x) as:

f(x+h)f(x)=(f(x)+f(h)+xh)f(x)=f(h)+xh.f(x + h) - f(x) = (f(x) + f(h) + xh) - f(x) = f(h) + xh.

Step 2: Substitute into the derivative formula

Now we substitute this expression for f(x+h)f(x)f(x + h) - f(x) into the derivative formula:

f(x)=limh0f(h)+xhh.f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(h) + xh}{h}.

We can separate the terms in the numerator:

f(x)=limh0(f(h)h+x).f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \left( \frac{f(h)}{h} + x \right).

Step 3: Use the given limit

We are given that limh0f(h)h=0\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(h)}{h} = 0. So, applying this in the above expression:

f(x)=0+x=x.f'(x) = 0 + x = x.

Final Answer:

Thus, the derivative of f(x)f(x) is:

f(x)=x.f'(x) = x.


Would you like further details on this solution, or do you have any questions?

Here are five related questions for further exploration:

  1. How does the functional equation f(a+b)=f(a)+f(b)+abf(a + b) = f(a) + f(b) + ab lead to f(x)=x22f(x) = \frac{x^2}{2} as a possible solution?
  2. How can we verify that the function f(x)=x22f(x) = \frac{x^2}{2} satisfies the given functional equation?
  3. What is the significance of the limit condition limh0f(h)h=0\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(h)}{h} = 0?
  4. How would the derivative change if the functional equation was f(a+b)=f(a)+f(b)f(a + b) = f(a) + f(b) instead?
  5. Can we generalize the solution to find derivatives for other similar functions?

Tip: When using the derivative definition, always look for ways to manipulate the functional equation into a form where you can apply the given limits or other properties.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Derivatives
Functional Equations

Formulas

f'(x) = lim (h -> 0) [f(x + h) - f(x)] / h
f(a + b) = f(a) + f(b) + ab

Theorems

Definition of the Derivative
Functional Equation Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

College Calculus or Advanced High School