SOLUTION: finding the difference quotient f(x+h)-f(x)/h g(x)=3sqrt of x I can set it up but i can't get the right answer 3 sqrt x+h - 3sqrt of x/ h

Algebra ->  Functions -> SOLUTION: finding the difference quotient f(x+h)-f(x)/h g(x)=3sqrt of x I can set it up but i can't get the right answer 3 sqrt x+h - 3sqrt of x/ h       Log On


   



Question 344844: finding the difference quotient
f(x+h)-f(x)/h
g(x)=3sqrt of x

I can set it up but i can't get the right answer
3 sqrt x+h - 3sqrt of x/ h

Found 2 solutions by stanbon, jsmallt9:
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
[f(x+h)-f(x)]/h
g(x)=3sqrt of x
---------------------------
f(x+h) = 3sqrt(x+h)
f(x) = 3sqrt(x)
----
[f(x+h)-f(x)]/h = [3[sqrt(x+h)-sqrt(x)]]/h
-------
Multiply numerator and denominator by sqrt(x+h)+sqrt(x) to get.
-----------
= (3/h)[(x+h)-x]/[sqrt(x+h)+sqrt(x)
---
= (3/h)[h]/[sqrt(x+h)+sqrt(x)
----
= 3/[sqrt(x+h)+sqrt(x)]
==========================
Notice, if you let h approach zero, the quotient approaches 3/(2x^(1/2))
= (3/2)x^(-1/2)
==================================
Cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You are exactly correct so far:
%283sqrt%28x%2Bh%29+-+3sqrt%28x%29%29%2F+h
As h approaches 0, this is still of the 0/0 form so we need to do more. With experience you will learn that the next step is to multiply the numerator and denominator by %283sqrt%28+x%2Bh%29+%2B+3sqrt%28x%29%29. (You will see why after you see how this simplifies things.)

In the numerator we can take advantage of the %28a%2Bb%29%28a-b%29+=+a%5E2+-+b%5E2 pattern. (We'll leave the denominator factored for reasons you will see shortly.)

Simplifying the numerator:
%289%28x%2Bh%29+-+%289x%29%29%2F+%28%28h%29%283sqrt%28x%2Bh%29+%2B+3sqrt%28x%29%29%29
%289x+%2B+9h+-+9x%29%2F+%28%28h%29%283sqrt%28x%2Bh%29+%2B+3sqrt%28x%29%29%29
9h%2F%28%28h%29%283sqrt%28x%2Bh%29+%2B+3sqrt%28x%29%29%29
At this point we will reduce the fraction. (And we can see why we didn't bother multiplying out the denominator.) The h's cancel:
9cross%28h%29%2F%28cross%28h%29%283sqrt%28x%2Bh%29+%2B+3sqrt%28x%29%29%29
9%2F%283sqrt%28x%2Bh%29+%2B+3sqrt%28x%29%29
We can factor out a 3 in the denominator:
9%2F%283%28sqrt%28x%2Bh%29+%2B+sqrt%28x%29%29%29
And cancel a factor of 3:
3%2F%28sqrt%28x%2Bh%29+%2B+sqrt%28x%29%29
This is the difference quotient. (As h approaches 0, this fraction is not of the 0/0 form.)