Math Problem Statement

Find the difference quotient and simplify your answer for the function f(x) = x^2 - 2x + 2, with the difference quotient given by (f(3 + h) - f(3)) / h, h ≠ 0.

Solution

To find and simplify the difference quotient f(3+h)f(3)h\frac{f(3+h) - f(3)}{h} for the function f(x)=x22x+2f(x) = x^2 - 2x + 2, we will follow these steps:

  1. Calculate f(3)f(3): f(3)=3223+2=96+2=5f(3) = 3^2 - 2 \cdot 3 + 2 = 9 - 6 + 2 = 5

  2. Calculate f(3+h)f(3+h): f(3+h)=(3+h)22(3+h)+2f(3+h) = (3+h)^2 - 2(3+h) + 2 Expand and simplify: f(3+h)=(3+h)(3+h)2(3+h)+2=9+6h+h262h+2=h2+4h+5f(3+h) = (3+h)(3+h) - 2(3+h) + 2 = 9 + 6h + h^2 - 6 - 2h + 2 = h^2 + 4h + 5

  3. Form the difference quotient f(3+h)f(3)h\frac{f(3+h) - f(3)}{h}: f(3+h)f(3)h=(h2+4h+5)5h=h2+4hh\frac{f(3+h) - f(3)}{h} = \frac{(h^2 + 4h + 5) - 5}{h} = \frac{h^2 + 4h}{h}

  4. Simplify the expression: h2+4hh=h+4\frac{h^2 + 4h}{h} = h + 4

So, the simplified form of the difference quotient is: h+4\boxed{h + 4}

Would you like more details or have any questions about this process?

Here are 5 relative questions to further your understanding:

  1. How would the difference quotient change if the function was f(x)=x22x+3f(x) = x^2 - 2x + 3 instead?
  2. What is the geometric interpretation of the difference quotient?
  3. How does the difference quotient relate to the derivative of the function at x=3x = 3?
  4. Can you compute the difference quotient for f(x)=x3x+1f(x) = x^3 - x + 1 at x=2x = 2?
  5. What happens to the difference quotient as hh approaches zero?

Tip: The difference quotient is a fundamental concept that leads to the derivative, which measures how a function changes as its input changes.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Difference Quotient
Limits
Functions

Formulas

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

Theorems

Limit Definition of Derivative

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12