Chapter 3: Problem 4
Find \(f^{\prime}(x)\) using the limit definition of \(f^{\prime}(x)\). $$ f(x)=2 x^{2}-x $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The derivative is \( f'(x) = 4x - 1 \).
Step by step solution
01
Write the Limit Definition of the Derivative
The derivative of a function \(f(x)\) at a point \(x\) is given by the limit definition: \[ f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h}. \]
02
Substitute the Function into the Limit Definition
Given the function \( f(x) = 2x^2 - x \), find \( f(x+h) \): \[ f(x+h) = 2(x+h)^2 - (x+h). \]Simplify \( f(x+h) \):- \((x+h)^2 = x^2 + 2xh + h^2\)- So, \( f(x+h) = 2(x^2 + 2xh + h^2) - (x+h) \) becomes \( 2x^2 + 4xh + 2h^2 - x - h \).
03
Formulate the Difference Quotient
Plug \( f(x+h) \) and \( f(x) \) into the difference quotient:\[ \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} = \frac{(2x^2 + 4xh + 2h^2 - x - h) - (2x^2 - x)}{h}. \]
04
Simplify the Expression
Simplify the expression inside the numerator:\[ = 2x^2 + 4xh + 2h^2 - x - h - 2x^2 + x \]Which simplifies to:\[ = 4xh + 2h^2 - h. \]Take this over \(h\):\[ \frac{4xh + 2h^2 - h}{h} = 4x + 2h - 1. \]
05
Take the Limit as \(h\) Approaches 0
Now, apply the limit as \( h \to 0 \):\[ f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} (4x + 2h - 1) = 4x - 1. \]
06
Conclusion: The Derivative of the Function
Therefore, the derivative of the function \( f(x) = 2x^2 - x \) using the limit definition is:\[ f'(x) = 4x - 1. \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Limit Definition
The limit definition is the basis for calculating derivatives and understanding how a function behaves at specific points. The mathematical expression for the derivative using the limit is:
- \( f'(x) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{{f(x+h) - f(x)}}{h} \)
- \( f(x+h) \) is the function evaluated at a small increment \(h\) from \(x\).
- \( f(x) \) is the original function value.
- The difference \( f(x+h) - f(x) \) over \(h\) gives the average rate of change.
- Taking the limit as \(h\) approaches zero pinpoints the exact rate at that point.
Differentiation
Differentiation is the process of finding the derivative of a function, which expresses how the function changes at any given point. This is critical for understanding behaviors such as:
- Finding slopes of lines tangent to a curve.
- Identifying local maxima and minima.
- Understanding increasing or decreasing functions.
- Set \( f(x + h) = 2(x+h)^2 - (x+h) \).
- Simplify and calculate: \( 2(x^2 + 2xh + h^2) - x - h = 2x^2 + 4xh + 2h^2 - x - h \).
- \( f'(x) = 4x - 1 \)
Polynomial Function
Polymer function refers to mathematical expressions that include terms summed together, each with a coefficient and an exponential component. In our case, the function \( f(x) = 2x^2 - x \) is a basic quadratic polynomial, characterized by:
- The highest power of \(x\) being 2, i.e., a quadratic term \( 2x^2 \).
- A linear term \(-x\).
- The derivative of a polynomial \( ax^n \) is \( anx^{n-1} \).