SOLUTION: can you help me calculate the difference quotient(simplify when possible): h(x)=1/x i am really stuck

Algebra.Com
Question 943836: can you help me calculate the difference quotient(simplify when possible):
h(x)=1/x
i am really stuck

Found 2 solutions by stanbon, Edwin McCravy:
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
calculate the difference quotient(simplify when possible):
h(x+h) = 1/(x+h)
h(x)=1/x
-----------------
h(x+h)-h(x) = 1/(x+h)-1/x
------
= [x-(x+h)]/[x(x+h)]
------
= -h/[x^2+xh]
-----
Divide by h to get:
= -1/[x^2+xh]
=======
Take the limit as h approaches 0 to get::
= -1/x^2
==================
Cheers,
Stan H.
------------------


Answer by Edwin McCravy(20055)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
When doing the difference quotient, the best way to
begin is by finding
 
           1
h(x+Δx) = ————
          x+Δx

Then find 

                  1      1
h(x+Δx) - h(x) = ———— - ———
                 x+Δx    x

Simplify that by getting an LCD:
                 
                 x-(x+Δx)      
h(x+Δx) - h(x) = ——————————
                  x(x+Δx)    

Simplify further:

                  x-x-Δx      
h(x+Δx) - h(x) = ————————
                  x(x+Δx)

Simplify further:

Next divide by Δx on the left by putting Δx 
under the left side.  Divide by Δx on the
right by multiplying by the reciprocal 1/(Δx): 
 

h(x+Δx) - h(x)        -Δx       1
——————————————  =  ———————— • —————— 
      Δx            x(x+Δx)     Δx

Cancel the Δx's on the right:

h(x+Δx) - h(x)        -Δx       1
——————————————  =  ———————— • —————— 
      Δx            x(x+Δx)     Δx

and you have:


h(x+Δx) - h(x)        -1       
——————————————  =  ————————  
      Δx            x(x+Δx)

And you can move the negative sign out in front:

h(x+Δx) - h(x)           1       
——————————————  =  - ————————  
      Δx              x(x+Δx)    

Edwin

RELATED QUESTIONS

can you help me calculate the difference quotient(simplify when possible): g(x)=x^2 and (answered by MathLover1)
can you help me calculate the difference quotient(simplify when possible): g(x)=x^2 i... (answered by richard1234)
I need help finding the difference quotient of f when f(x+h)-f(x)/h when h is not equal... (answered by stanbon)
How do I determine the difference quotient (simplify when possible)? g(x) =... (answered by jim_thompson5910)
Rationalize the denominator of the expression. Assume that all variables are postive when (answered by rapaljer)
I can't figure out how to solve this equation can you help me with solving this problem?... (answered by JBarnum)
Construct and Simplify the difference quotient {{{ (f(x+h)-f(x))/h }}} for the function... (answered by Edwin McCravy)
Find and simplify the difference quotient {{{(f(x+h)-f(x))/h}}}... (answered by venugopalramana)
I need help with this problem: Find the difference quotient for the function {{{ f= 3x^2 (answered by jim_thompson5910)