P petebob6 New member Joined Nov 14, 2005 Messages 9 Jan 30, 2006 #1 Compute and simplify the difference quotient [f(x + h) - f(x)]/h. f(x) = 10x - 15 Which number corresponds to the correct answer 1. -10h 2. 15 3. 10 4. 3/2 I am stuck on this, can anyone offer some help?
Compute and simplify the difference quotient [f(x + h) - f(x)]/h. f(x) = 10x - 15 Which number corresponds to the correct answer 1. -10h 2. 15 3. 10 4. 3/2 I am stuck on this, can anyone offer some help?
U Unco Senior Member Joined Jul 21, 2005 Messages 1,134 Jan 30, 2006 #2 \(\displaystyle \mbox{ f(x) = 10x - 15}\) and \(\displaystyle \mbox{ f(x + h) = 10(x + h) - 15}\) so \(\displaystyle \mbox{ \frac{f(x + h) - f(x)}{h} = \frac{(10(x + h) - 15) - (10x - 15)}{h}}\) Simplify the numerator, and hence the quotient.
\(\displaystyle \mbox{ f(x) = 10x - 15}\) and \(\displaystyle \mbox{ f(x + h) = 10(x + h) - 15}\) so \(\displaystyle \mbox{ \frac{f(x + h) - f(x)}{h} = \frac{(10(x + h) - 15) - (10x - 15)}{h}}\) Simplify the numerator, and hence the quotient.