Chapter 3: Problem 8
Find \(d y / d x\) using the limit definition. $$ y=3 x^{3}-4 x+1 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \frac{dy}{dx} = 9x^2 - 4 \).
Step by step solution
01
Write the Limit Definition of Derivative
The derivative of a function \( y = f(x) \) with respect to \( x \) using the limit definition is given by: \[ \frac{dy}{dx} = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} \] Our goal is to apply this definition to find \( \frac{dy}{dx} \) for \( y = 3x^3 - 4x + 1 \).
02
Compute \( f(x + h) \)
Substitute \( x + h \) for every \( x \) in the function \( y = 3x^3 - 4x + 1 \). This gives: \[ f(x + h) = 3(x + h)^3 - 4(x + h) + 1 \] Expand \( (x + h)^3 \) using the binomial theorem: \[ (x+h)^3 = x^3 + 3x^2h + 3xh^2 + h^3 \] Thus, \[ f(x+h) = 3(x^3 + 3x^2h + 3xh^2 + h^3) - 4(x + h) + 1 \] Simplify to get: \[ f(x+h) = 3x^3 + 9x^2h + 9xh^2 + 3h^3 - 4x - 4h + 1 \].
03
Find \( f(x + h) - f(x) \)
Subtract \( f(x) = 3x^3 - 4x + 1 \) from \( f(x+h) \): \[ f(x + h) - f(x) = (3x^3 + 9x^2h + 9xh^2 + 3h^3 - 4x - 4h + 1) - (3x^3 - 4x + 1) \] Simplify the expression by canceling common terms: \[ = 9x^2h + 9xh^2 + 3h^3 - 4h \].
04
Form the Difference Quotient
The difference quotient is given by: \[ \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} = \frac{9x^2h + 9xh^2 + 3h^3 - 4h}{h} \]. Factor \( h \) out of the numerator: \[ = \frac{h(9x^2 + 9xh + 3h^2 - 4)}{h} \]. Cancel the \( h \) from the numerator and denominator: \[ = 9x^2 + 9xh + 3h^2 - 4 \].
05
Take the Limit as \( h \to 0 \)
Find the derivative by taking the limit as \( h \to 0 \): \[ \lim_{h \to 0} (9x^2 + 9xh + 3h^2 - 4) \]. As \( h \to 0 \), the terms containing \( h \) (\( 9xh \) and \( 3h^2 \)) go to zero.Therefore, the derivative is: \[ \frac{dy}{dx} = 9x^2 - 4 \].
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Derivative Computation
The derivative is a core concept in calculus, representing the rate at which a function changes at any given point. To compute the derivative using the limit definition, we follow a systematic approach:
- Firstly, express the derivative as a limit: \( \frac{dy}{dx} = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} \).
- We then substitute \( f(x+h) \) by replacing \( x \) with \( x + h \) in the function.
- Calculate the difference \( f(x+h) - f(x) \), which forms the numerator of our difference quotient.
- Finally, we simplify and take the limit as \( h \) approaches zero.
Polynomial Functions
Polynomial functions consist of terms that are either constants or products of variables raised to whole number exponents. In the function given, \( y = 3x^3 - 4x + 1 \), we have a combination of such terms. Understanding polynomials involves recognizing the structure:
- The term \( 3x^3 \) is a cubic term, contributing significantly when \( x \) becomes large.
- The term \( -4x \) is linear, affecting the function's slope.
- The constant \( +1 \) simply shifts the graph vertically.
Differentiation Steps
Differentiating a polynomial, like \( y = 3x^3 - 4x + 1 \), involves several clear steps. Here's how you can navigate through them:
- **Apply the Limit Definition**: Start with \( f(x+h) \) by substituting \( x+h \) into the original function.
- **Expand using Algebraic Techniques**: For \( x^3 \), use the binomial theorem or direct expansion to find \( (x+h)^3 \).
- **Simplify the Expression**: Once you subtract \( f(x) \) from \( f(x+h) \), simplify by removing like terms.
- **Form the Difference Quotient**: Factor out the \( h \) in the expression, which you will then cancel.
- **Take the Limit**: As \( h \) approaches zero, evaluate the remaining expression, disregarding terms that vanish.