A function y = f(x) and an x-value are given.
(a) Find a formula for the slope of the tangent line to the graph of f at a general point

(b) Use the formula obtained in part (a) to find the slope of the tangent line for the given value of
16.
a.

use this formula to evaluate the limit to find the slope of the tangent line.

distribute the negative

the 2s cancel

rearrange the terms

factor using difference of squares

cancel all

factors

now substitute

for x

this is the general formula for the slope of the tangent line at any
b. at

the slope of the tangent line at x=2 is 7.
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