1. Slopes and the Difference Quotient
http://www.lahc.edu/math/precalculus/math_260a.html
2. In order to discuss mathematics precisely, basic
geometric information and formulas concerning
graphs are given in function notation.
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
3. Given x, the output of a function is denoted as y or
as f(x).
In order to discuss mathematics precisely, basic
geometric information and formulas concerning
graphs are given in function notation.
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
4. Given x, the output of a function is denoted as y or
as f(x). Hence the coordinate of a general point P
on the graph is often denoted as (x, f(x)).
In order to discuss mathematics precisely, basic
geometric information and formulas concerning
graphs are given in function notation.
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
5. Given x, the output of a function is denoted as y or
as f(x). Hence the coordinate of a general point P
on the graph is often denoted as (x, f(x)).
x
P=(x, f(x))
In order to discuss mathematics precisely, basic
geometric information and formulas concerning
graphs are given in function notation.
y= f(x)
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
6. Given x, the output of a function is denoted as y or
as f(x). Hence the coordinate of a general point P
on the graph is often denoted as (x, f(x)).
In order to discuss mathematics precisely, basic
geometric information and formulas concerning
graphs are given in function notation.
x
P=(x, f(x))
y= f(x)
f(x)
Note that the f(x) = the height of the point P.
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
7. Given x, the output of a function is denoted as y or
as f(x). Hence the coordinate of a general point P
on the graph is often denoted as (x, f(x)).
Let h be a small positive value,
so x+h is a point close to x,
In order to discuss mathematics precisely, basic
geometric information and formulas concerning
graphs are given in function notation.
x
P=(x, f(x))
y= f(x)
f(x)
Note that the f(x) = the height of the point P.
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
8. Given x, the output of a function is denoted as y or
as f(x). Hence the coordinate of a general point P
on the graph is often denoted as (x, f(x)).
x
P=(x, f(x))
Note that the f(x) = the height of the point P.
Let h be a small positive value,
so x+h is a point close to x,
x+h
In order to discuss mathematics precisely, basic
geometric information and formulas concerning
graphs are given in function notation.
f(x)
y= f(x)
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
9. Given x, the output of a function is denoted as y or
as f(x). Hence the coordinate of a general point P
on the graph is often denoted as (x, f(x)).
x
P=(x, f(x))
Note that the f(x) = the height of the point P.
Let h be a small positive value,
so x+h is a point close to x,
x+h
then f(x+h) is the output for x+h,
and (x+h, f(x+h)) represents the
corresponding point, say Q,
on the graph.
In order to discuss mathematics precisely, basic
geometric information and formulas concerning
graphs are given in function notation.
f(x)
y= f(x)
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
10. Given x, the output of a function is denoted as y or
as f(x). Hence the coordinate of a general point P
on the graph is often denoted as (x, f(x)).
x
P=(x, f(x))
Note that the f(x) = the height of the point P.
Let h be a small positive value,
so x+h is a point close to x,
x+h
then f(x+h) is the output for x+h,
and (x+h, f(x+h)) represents the
corresponding point, say Q,
on the graph.
In order to discuss mathematics precisely, basic
geometric information and formulas concerning
graphs are given in function notation.
Q=(x+h, f(x+h))
f(x)
y= f(x)
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
11. Given x, the output of a function is denoted as y or
as f(x). Hence the coordinate of a general point P
on the graph is often denoted as (x, f(x)).
x
P=(x, f(x))
Note that the f(x) = the height of the point P.
Let h be a small positive value,
so x+h is a point close to x,
x+h
then f(x+h) is the output for x+h,
and (x+h, f(x+h)) represents the
corresponding point, say Q,
on the graph.
In order to discuss mathematics precisely, basic
geometric information and formulas concerning
graphs are given in function notation.
Note that the f(x+h) = the height of the point Q.
Q=(x+h, f(x+h))
f(x)
f(x+h)
y= f(x)
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
12. Recall that if (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
are two points then the slope m
of the line connecting them is
Δy
m =
y2 – y1
= x2 – x1
Δx
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
13. Recall that if (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
are two points then the slope m
of the line connecting them is
Δy
m =
y2 – y1
= x2 – x1
Δx
Let (x1,y1) = P = (x, f(x)) and (x2,y2) = Q = (x+h, f(x+h))
as shown in the picture,
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
14. Recall that if (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
are two points then the slope m
of the line connecting them is
x
P=(x, f(x))
x+h
Q=(x+h, f(x+h))
Δy
m =
y2 – y1
= x2 – x1
Δx
Let (x1,y1) = P = (x, f(x)) and (x2,y2) = Q = (x+h, f(x+h))
as shown in the picture,
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
15. Recall that if (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
are two points then the slope m
of the line connecting them is
x
P=(x, f(x))
x+h
Q=(x+h, f(x+h))
Δy
m =
y2 – y1
= x2 – x1
Δx
Let (x1,y1) = P = (x, f(x)) and (x2,y2) = Q = (x+h, f(x+h))
as shown in the picture, then the slope of the cord
connecting P and Q (in function notation) is
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
16. Recall that if (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
are two points then the slope m
of the line connecting them is
x
P=(x, f(x))
x+h
Q=(x+h, f(x+h))
Δy
m =
y2 – y1
= x2 – x1
Δx
Let (x1,y1) = P = (x, f(x)) and (x2,y2) = Q = (x+h, f(x+h))
as shown in the picture, then the slope of the cord
connecting P and Q (in function notation) is
Δy
m =
f(x+h) – f(x)
= (x+h) – x
Δx
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
17. Recall that if (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
are two points then the slope m
of the line connecting them is
x
P=(x, f(x))
x+h
Q=(x+h, f(x+h))
Δy
m =
y2 – y1
= x2 – x1
Δx
Let (x1,y1) = P = (x, f(x)) and (x2,y2) = Q = (x+h, f(x+h))
as shown in the picture, then the slope of the cord
connecting P and Q (in function notation) is
Δy
m =
f(x+h) – f(x)
= (x+h) – x
Δx or
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
m = f(x+h) – f(x)
h (= Δx)
18. Recall that if (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
are two points then the slope m
of the line connecting them is
x
P=(x, f(x))
x+h
Q=(x+h, f(x+h))
Δy
m =
y2 – y1
= x2 – x1
Δx
Let (x1,y1) = P = (x, f(x)) and (x2,y2) = Q = (x+h, f(x+h))
as shown in the picture, then the slope of the cord
connecting P and Q (in function notation) is
Δy
m =
f(x+h) – f(x)
= (x+h) – x
Δx or
This is the "difference quotient" formula for slopes
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
m = f(x+h) – f(x)
h (= Δx)
19. Recall that if (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
are two points then the slope m
of the line connecting them is
x
P=(x, f(x))
x+h
Q=(x+h, f(x+h))
Δy
m =
y2 – y1
= x2 – x1
Δx
Let (x1,y1) = P = (x, f(x)) and (x2,y2) = Q = (x+h, f(x+h))
as shown in the picture, then the slope of the cord
connecting P and Q (in function notation) is
Δy
m =
f(x+h) – f(x)
= (x+h) – x
Δx or m = f(x+h) – f(x)
h (= Δx)
f(x+h)–f(x) = Δy
because f(x+h) – f(x) = difference in height
This is the "difference quotient" formula for slopes
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
20. Recall that if (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
are two points then the slope m
of the line connecting them is
x
P=(x, f(x))
x+h
Q=(x+h, f(x+h))
Δy
m =
y2 – y1
= x2 – x1
Δx
Let (x1,y1) = P = (x, f(x)) and (x2,y2) = Q = (x+h, f(x+h))
as shown in the picture, then the slope of the cord
connecting P and Q (in function notation) is
Δy
m =
f(x+h) – f(x)
= (x+h) – x
Δx or
h=Δx
f(x+h)–f(x) = Δy
because f(x+h) – f(x) = difference in height and
h = (x+h) – x = Δx = difference in the x's, as shown.
This is the "difference quotient" formula for slopes.
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
m = f(x+h) – f(x)
h (= Δx)
21. Example A.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h))
with x = 2 and h = 0.2.
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
22. Example A.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h))
with x = 2 and h = 0.2.
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are x = 2 and x + h = 2 + h = 2.2.
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
23. Example A.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h))
with x = 2 and h = 0.2.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
Using the difference
quotient, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are x = 2 and x + h = 2 + h = 2.2
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
24. Example A.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h))
with x = 2 and h = 0.2.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
Using the difference
quotient, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are x = 2 and x + h = 2 + h = 2.2
f(2.2) – f(2)
=
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
25. Example A.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h))
with x = 2 and h = 0.2.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
Using the difference
quotient, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are x = 2 and x + h = 2 + h = 2.2
f(2.2) – f(2)
0.2
=
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
26. Example A.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h))
with x = 2 and h = 0.2.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
Using the difference
quotient, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are x = 2 and x + h = 2 + h = 2.2
f(2.2) – f(2)
0.2
=
=
2.44 – 2
0.2
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
27. Example A.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h))
with x = 2 and h = 0.2.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
Using the difference
quotient, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are x = 2 and x + h = 2 + h = 2.2
f(2.2) – f(2)
0.2
=
=
2.44 – 2
0.2 =
0.44
0.2
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
28. Example A.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h))
with x = 2 and h = 0.2.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
Using the difference
quotient, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are x = 2 and x + h = 2 + h = 2.2
f(2.2) – f(2)
0.2
=
=
2.44 – 2
0.2
= 2.2
=
0.44
0.2
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
29. Example A.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h))
with x = 2 and h = 0.2.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
Using the difference
quotient, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are x = 2 and x + h = 2 + h = 2.2
f(2.2) – f(2)
0.2
=
=
2.44 – 2
0.2
= 2.2
(2.2, 2.44)
(2, 2)
2 2.2
=
0.44
0.2
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
30. Example A.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (x, f(x)) and (x+h, f(x+h))
with x = 2 and h = 0.2.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
Using the difference
quotient, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are x = 2 and x + h = 2 + h = 2.2
f(2.2) – f(2)
0.2
=
=
2.44 – 2
0.2
= 2.2
(2.2, 2.44)
(2, 2)
2 2.2
=
0.44
0.2
0.44
0.2
slope m = 2.2
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
31. The algebra of calculating the slopes of some basic
types of functions are given below.
Slope Algebra
32. The algebra of calculating the slopes of some basic
types of functions are given below.
Slope Algebra
Example B. Simplify the difference quotient.
Make sure the h is cancelled.
a. (2nd degree polynomials) f(x) = –2x2 + 3x + 1
33. The algebra of calculating the slopes of some basic
types of functions are given below.
Slope Algebra
Example B. Simplify the difference quotient.
Make sure the h is cancelled.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
=
a. (2nd degree polynomials) f(x) = –2x2 + 3x + 1
34. The algebra of calculating the slopes of some basic
types of functions are given below.
Slope Algebra
Example B. Simplify the difference quotient.
Make sure the h is cancelled.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
=
–2(x+h)2 + 3(x+h) + 1 – [–2x2 +3x +1]
h
a. (2nd degree polynomials) f(x) = –2x2 + 3x + 1
35. The algebra of calculating the slopes of some basic
types of functions are given below.
Slope Algebra
Example B. Simplify the difference quotient.
Make sure the h is cancelled.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
=
–2(x+h)2 + 3(x+h) + 1 – [–2x2 +3x +1]
h
a. (2nd degree polynomials) f(x) = –2x2 + 3x + 1
–2x2 –4xh –2h2 +3x +3h +1 – [–2x2 +3x +1]
h
=
36. The algebra of calculating the slopes of some basic
types of functions are given below.
Slope Algebra
Example B. Simplify the difference quotient.
Make sure the h is cancelled.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
=
–2(x+h)2 + 3(x+h) + 1 – [–2x2 +3x +1]
h
a. (2nd degree polynomials) f(x) = –2x2 + 3x + 1
–2x2 –4xh –2h2 +3x +3h +1 – [–2x2 +3x +1]
h
=
–4xh –2h2 +3h
h
=
h(–4x –2h +3)
h
=
37. The algebra of calculating the slopes of some basic
types of functions are given below.
Slope Algebra
Example B. Simplify the difference quotient.
Make sure the h is cancelled.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h
=
–2(x+h)2 + 3(x+h) + 1 – [–2x2 +3x +1]
h
a. (2nd degree polynomials) f(x) = –2x2 + 3x + 1
–2x2 –4xh –2h2 +3x +3h +1 – [–2x2 +3x +1]
h
=
–4xh –2h2 +3h
h
=
h(–4x –2h +3)
h
= = –4x –2h +3
40. Rational Expressions
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
b. (Simple rational function) f(x) = x – 1
2
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
41. Rational Expressions
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
Multiply the top and bottom by (x + h – 1)(x – 1)
to remove fractions in the numerator.
b. (Simple rational function) f(x) = x – 1
2
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
42. Rational Expressions
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
Multiply the top and bottom by (x + h – 1)(x – 1)
to remove fractions in the numerator.
b. (Simple rational function) f(x) = x – 1
2
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
[ ]
43. Rational Expressions
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
Multiply the top and bottom by (x + h – 1)(x – 1)
to remove fractions in the numerator.
(x + h –1)(x – 1)
(x + h –1)(x – 1)
*
b. (Simple rational function) f(x) = x – 1
2
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
[ ]
44. Rational Expressions
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
Multiply the top and bottom by (x + h – 1)(x – 1)
to remove fractions in the numerator.
(x + h –1)(x – 1)
(x + h –1)(x – 1)
*
=
–
2(x – 1) 2(x + h –1)
h
b. (Simple rational function) f(x) = x – 1
2
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
(x + h –1)(x – 1)
[ ]
45. Rational Expressions
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
Multiply the top and bottom by (x + h – 1)(x – 1)
to remove fractions in the numerator.
(x + h –1)(x – 1)
(x + h –1)(x – 1)
*
=
–
2(x – 1) 2(x + h –1)
h
b. (Simple rational function) f(x) = x – 1
2
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
(x + h –1)(x – 1) =
– 2h
h(x + h –1)(x – 1)
[ ]
46. Rational Expressions
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
Multiply the top and bottom by (x + h – 1)(x – 1)
to remove fractions in the numerator.
(x + h –1)(x – 1)
(x + h –1)(x – 1)
*
=
–
2(x – 1) 2(x + h –1)
h
b. (Simple rational function) f(x) = x – 1
2
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
–
x + h – 1
2
x – 1
2
h
(x + h –1)(x – 1) =
– 2h
h(x + h –1)(x – 1)
=
–2
(x + h –1)(x – 1)
[ ]
48. Rational Expressions
h
c. (Simple root function) f(x) = √2x – 3
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
√2(x + h) – 3 – √2x – 3
49. Rational Expressions
h
c. (Simple root function) f(x) = √2x – 3
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
√2(x + h) – 3 – √2x – 3
Rationalize the numerator to cancel the h in the
denominator so we may take the limits.
h
√2x + 2h – 3 – √2x – 3
*
√2x + 2h – 3 +√2x – 3
√2x + 2h – 3 +√2x – 3
50. Rational Expressions
h
c. (Simple root function) f(x) = √2x – 3
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
√2(x + h) – 3 – √2x – 3
Rationalize the numerator to cancel the h in the
denominator so we may take the limits.
h
√2x + 2h – 3 – √2x – 3
*
=
√2x + 2h – 3 +√2x – 3
√2x + 2h – 3 +√2x – 3
2x + 2h – 3 – (2x – 3)
h √2x – 3
√2x + h – 3 +
1
*
51. Rational Expressions
h
c. (Simple root function) f(x) = √2x – 3
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
√2(x + h) – 3 – √2x – 3
Rationalize the numerator to cancel the h in the
denominator so we may take the limits.
h
√2x + 2h – 3 – √2x – 3
*
=
√2x + 2h – 3 +√2x – 3
√2x + 2h – 3 +√2x – 3
2x + 2h – 3 – (2x – 3)
h √2x – 3
√2x + h – 3 +
1
= 2h
h √2x – 3
√2x + h – 3 +
1
*
*
52. Rational Expressions
h
c. (Simple root function) f(x) = √2x – 3
Simplify the difference quotient.
f(x+h) – f(x)
h =
√2(x + h) – 3 – √2x – 3
Rationalize the numerator to cancel the h in the
denominator so we may take the limits.
h
√2x + 2h – 3 – √2x – 3
*
=
√2x + 2h – 3 +√2x – 3
√2x + 2h – 3 +√2x – 3
2x + 2h – 3 – (2x – 3)
h √2x – 3
√2x + h – 3 +
1
= 2h
h √2x – 3
√2x + h – 3 +
1
=
√2x – 3
√2x + h – 3 +
2
*
*
53. Another version of the difference
quotient formula is to use points
P = (a, f(a)) and Q= (b, f(b)). We get
a
P=(a, f(a))
b
Q=(b, f(b))
Δy
m =
f(b) – f(a)
= b – a
Δx
b-a=Δx
f(b)–f(a) = Δy
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
54. Example B.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (a, f(a)) and (b,f(b)) with a = 3
and b = 5.
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
55. Example B.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (a, f(a)) and (b,f(b)) with a = 3
and b = 5.
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are a = 3 and b = 5
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
56. Example B.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (a, f(a)) and (b,f(b)) with a = 3
and b = 5.
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
Using the formula, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are a = 3 and b = 5
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
57. Example B.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (a, f(a)) and (b,f(b)) with a = 3
and b = 5.
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
Using the formula, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are a = 3 and b = 5
f(5) – f(3)
5 – 3
=
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
58. Example B.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (a, f(a)) and (b,f(b)) with a = 3
and b = 5.
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
Using the formula, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are a = 3 and b = 5
f(5) – f(3)
5 – 3
=
=
17 – 5
2
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
59. Example B.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (a, f(a)) and (b,f(b)) with a = 3
and b = 5.
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
Using the formula, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are a = 3 and b = 5
f(5) – f(3)
5 – 3
=
=
17 – 5
2
= 6
=
12
2
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
60. Example B.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (a, f(a)) and (b,f(b)) with a = 3
and b = 5.
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
Using the formula, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are a = 3 and b = 5
f(5) – f(3)
5 – 3
=
=
17 – 5
2
= 6
(5, 17)
(3, 5)
3 5
=
12
2
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
61. Example B.
a. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, find the slope of the cord
connecting the points (a, f(a)) and (b,f(b)) with a = 3
and b = 5.
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
Using the formula, the slope is
We want the slope of the cord connecting the points
whose x-coordinates are a = 3 and b = 5
f(5) – f(3)
5 – 3
=
=
17 – 5
2
= 6
(5, 17)
(3, 5)
3 5
=
12
2
12
2
slope m = 6
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
62. b. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, simplify the difference
quotient slope of the cord connecting the points
(a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)).
(b, f(b))
(a, f(a))
a b
f(b)-f(a)
b-a
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
63. b. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, simplify the difference
quotient slope of the cord connecting the points
(a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)).
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
We are to simplify the 2nd form of the difference
quotient formula with f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2
(b, f(b))
(a, f(a))
a b
f(b)-f(a)
b-a
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
64. b. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, simplify the difference
quotient slope of the cord connecting the points
(a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)).
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
We are to simplify the 2nd form of the difference
quotient formula with f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2
=
b2 – 2b + 2 – [ a2 – 2a + 2]
b – a
(b, f(b))
(a, f(a))
a b
f(b)-f(a)
b-a
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
65. b. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, simplify the difference
quotient slope of the cord connecting the points
(a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)).
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
We are to simplify the 2nd form of the difference
quotient formula with f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2
=
b2 – 2b + 2 – [ a2 – 2a + 2]
b – a
=
b2 – a2 – 2b + 2a
b – a
(b, f(b))
(a, f(a))
a b
f(b)-f(a)
b-a
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
66. b. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, simplify the difference
quotient slope of the cord connecting the points
(a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)).
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
We are to simplify the 2nd form of the difference
quotient formula with f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2
=
b2 – 2b + 2 – [ a2 – 2a + 2]
b – a
=
b2 – a2 – 2b + 2a
b – a
= (b – a)(b + a) – 2(b – a)
b – a
(b, f(b))
(a, f(a))
a b
f(b)-f(a)
b-a
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
67. b. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, simplify the difference
quotient slope of the cord connecting the points
(a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)).
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
We are to simplify the 2nd form of the difference
quotient formula with f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2
=
b2 – 2b + 2 – [ a2 – 2a + 2]
b – a
=
b2 – a2 – 2b + 2a
b – a
= (b – a)(b + a) – 2(b – a)
b – a
= (b – a) [(b + a) – 2]
b – a
(b, f(b))
(a, f(a))
a b
f(b)-f(a)
b-a
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
68. b. Given f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2, simplify the difference
quotient slope of the cord connecting the points
(a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)).
f(b) – f(a)
b – a
We are to simplify the 2nd form of the difference
quotient formula with f(x) = x2 – 2x + 2
=
b2 – 2b + 2 – [ a2 – 2a + 2]
b – a
=
b2 – a2 – 2b + 2a
b – a
= (b – a)(b + a) – 2(b – a)
b – a
= (b – a) [(b + a) – 2]
b – a
= b + a – 2
(b, f(b))
(a, f(a))
a b
f(b)-f(a)
b-a
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
69. Exercise A.
Given the following f(x), x, and h find f(x+h) – f(x)
1. y = 3x+2, x = 2, h = 0.1 2. y = –2x + 3, x= – 4, h = 0.05
3. y = 2x2 + 1, x = 1, h = 0.1 4. y = –x2 + 3, x= –2, h = –0.2
B. Given the following f(x), simplify Δy = f(x+h) – f(x)
1. y = 3x+2 2. y = –2x + 3
3. y = 2x2 + 1 4. y = –x2 + 3
C. Simplify the difference quotient f(x+h) – f(x)
h
of the following functions that show up in calculus.
“Simplify” in this case means to transform the difference
quotient so the denominator “h” is canceled.
5. y = x2 – x +2 6. y = –x2 + 3x – 1
Slopes and the Difference Quotient
1. y = 2x + 3 2. y = –½ x + 5
3. y = –4x – 3 4. y = mx + b
7. y = – 3x2 – 2x – 4 8. y = ax2 + bx + c
70. Slopes and the Difference Quotient
9. y = 2
x + 3
–1
2 – 3x
16. y = (3 – x)1/2
15. y = x1/2
10. y =
–4
–5 – 3x
11. y = 12. y =ax + b
cx + d
3x – 4
x – 5
13. y = 14. y =
c
ax + b
17. y = (4 – 3x)1/2 18. y = (ax + b)1/2
19. y = 2/(4 + x)1/2 20. y = 3(2x – 3)–1/2
21. y = – 7/(4 – 3x)1/2
22. y = c(ax + b)–1/2
cx + d
3x – 4
x – 5
23. y = 24. y = ax + b
√ √
(Do Long division first)