Chapter 2: Problem 30
The given limit is a derivative, but of what function and at what point? \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 3} \frac{x^{3}+x-30}{x-3}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function is \( f(x) = x^3 + x \) at point \( x = 3 \).
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Limit as a Derivative
The given limit expression \( \lim_{x \rightarrow 3} \frac{x^3 + x - 30}{x-3} \) is in the form of a derivative based on the definition of a derivative at a point: \( \lim_{x \rightarrow a} \frac{f(x) - f(a)}{x-a} \). In this case, the form suggests finding the derivative of a function \( f(x) \) at the point \( x = 3 \).
02
Identify the Function and Point
Compare the given expression to the standard derivative form. Here, \( a = 3 \), and it seems \( f(x) \) should be \( x^3 + x \) since it would result in the difference quotient collapsing to the given limit form \( \frac{x^3 + x - 30}{x-3} \). We suspect \( f(x) = x^3 + x \) and \( f(3) = 30 \), based on the expression \( x^3 + x - 30 \).
03
Differentiate the Function
Compute the derivative of the function \( f(x) = x^3 + x \). The derivative \( f'(x) \) is found by applying the power rule: \[ f'(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(x^3 + x) = 3x^2 + 1 \].
04
Evaluate the Derivative at the Point
Using the derivative \( f'(x) = 3x^2 + 1 \), evaluate it at \( x = 3 \): \[ f'(3) = 3(3)^2 + 1 = 27 + 1 = 28 \]. Therefore, the function is \( f(x) = x^3 + x \) and the derivative at \( x = 3 \) is 28.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Limit
The concept of a limit is fundamental in calculus. It helps us understand how a function behaves as it approaches a certain point. When we write \( \lim_{x \rightarrow a} f(x) \), we're describing what happens to the value of \( f(x) \) as \( x \) gets infinitely close to \( a \).
In the context of our exercise, the expression \( \lim_{x \rightarrow 3} \frac{x^{3}+x-30}{x-3} \) is particularly important. It suggests that as \( x \) approaches 3, the value of the expression approaches a certain number. This limit is not just an ordinary limit but also represents the derivative of a certain function at a point, a deeper concept we will explore next.
In the context of our exercise, the expression \( \lim_{x \rightarrow 3} \frac{x^{3}+x-30}{x-3} \) is particularly important. It suggests that as \( x \) approaches 3, the value of the expression approaches a certain number. This limit is not just an ordinary limit but also represents the derivative of a certain function at a point, a deeper concept we will explore next.
Derivative
A derivative provides a measure of how a function changes as its input changes. It essentially describes the "slope" of the function at any given point. Mathematically, the derivative of a function \( f(x) \) at a point \( a \) is the limit:
- \( \lim_{x \rightarrow a} \frac{f(x) - f(a)}{x-a} \).
Power Rule
The power rule is a basic rule of differentiation used to easily find the derivative of polynomial functions. The rule states that for any term \( x^n \), the derivative is \( nx^{n-1} \).
Applying the power rule to our function \( f(x) = x^3 + x \), we find its derivative \( f'(x) \) to be:
Applying the power rule to our function \( f(x) = x^3 + x \), we find its derivative \( f'(x) \) to be:
- \( \frac{d}{dx}(x^3) = 3x^2 \)
- \( \frac{d}{dx}(x) = 1 \)
Function Evaluation
To fully solve the problem, we must evaluate the derivative at a specific point, which illustrates how the derivative behaves at that point.
In our exercise, after differentiating \( f(x) = x^3 + x \) using the power rule, we evaluate its derivative at \( x = 3 \). The result is:
In our exercise, after differentiating \( f(x) = x^3 + x \) using the power rule, we evaluate its derivative at \( x = 3 \). The result is:
- \( f'(3) = 3(3)^2 + 1 \)
- = 27 + 1 \li>= 28