Calculus: Early Transcendentals
8th Edition
ISBN:9781285741550
Author:James Stewart
Publisher:James Stewart
Chapter1: Functions And Models
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RCC: (a) What is a function? What are its domain and range? (b) What is the graph of a function? (c) How...
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2.3 Q4) Hey, I need help with the following calc problem, states to use the definition below. Thank you!
![### Understanding the Derivative of a Function
In calculus, the derivative of a function at a point provides information about the rate at which the function's value changes at that point. The formal definition of the derivative is given by the following limit:
\[ f'(a) = \lim_{{x \to a}} \frac{f(x) - f(a)}{x - a} \]
#### Explanation:
- **\(f'(a)\)**: Represents the derivative of the function \(f(x)\) at the point \(x = a\).
- **\(\lim_{{x \to a}}\)**: Indicates that we are taking the limit as \(x\) approaches \(a\).
- **\(\frac{f(x) - f(a)}{x - a}\)**:
- The numerator \( f(x) - f(a) \) represents the change in the function's value as \( x \) changes from \( a \) to \( x \).
- The denominator \( x - a \) represents the change in the input value from \( a \) to \( x \).
- Together, the fraction \( \frac{f(x) - f(a)}{x - a} \) represents the average rate of change of the function over the interval from \( a \) to \( x \).
As \( x \) gets arbitrarily close to \( a \), this average rate of change approaches the instantaneous rate of change at the point \( a \), which is the value of the derivative at that point.
This formula is fundamental in calculus and is used to find the slopes of tangent lines to the graph of a function, velocities in physics, and rates of change in various scientific disciplines.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fad7698e6-8405-4b47-832b-91e13474f515%2Fe44afc70-d295-4c28-8a71-50c0b50aceb8%2Fz4358l_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding the Derivative of a Function
In calculus, the derivative of a function at a point provides information about the rate at which the function's value changes at that point. The formal definition of the derivative is given by the following limit:
\[ f'(a) = \lim_{{x \to a}} \frac{f(x) - f(a)}{x - a} \]
#### Explanation:
- **\(f'(a)\)**: Represents the derivative of the function \(f(x)\) at the point \(x = a\).
- **\(\lim_{{x \to a}}\)**: Indicates that we are taking the limit as \(x\) approaches \(a\).
- **\(\frac{f(x) - f(a)}{x - a}\)**:
- The numerator \( f(x) - f(a) \) represents the change in the function's value as \( x \) changes from \( a \) to \( x \).
- The denominator \( x - a \) represents the change in the input value from \( a \) to \( x \).
- Together, the fraction \( \frac{f(x) - f(a)}{x - a} \) represents the average rate of change of the function over the interval from \( a \) to \( x \).
As \( x \) gets arbitrarily close to \( a \), this average rate of change approaches the instantaneous rate of change at the point \( a \), which is the value of the derivative at that point.
This formula is fundamental in calculus and is used to find the slopes of tangent lines to the graph of a function, velocities in physics, and rates of change in various scientific disciplines.
![### Calculating Derivatives Using the Definition
In this exercise, we will use the definition of the derivative to compute the derivative of the given function at a specific value.
**Function and Value:**
\[ f(x) = 6x^2 - x \]
\[ x = 2 \]
**Derivative:**
\[ f'(2) = \]
**Steps to Compute:**
1. **Definition of the Derivative:**
The derivative of a function \( f(x) \) at a point \( x = a \) is given by:
\[
f'(a) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{f(a + h) - f(a)}{h}
\]
2. **Substitute Given Values:**
Substitute \( a = 2 \) into the definition of the derivative:
\[
f'(2) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{f(2 + h) - f(2)}{h}
\]
3. **Function Evaluation:**
- \( f(2 + h) \) can be found by substituting \( 2 + h \) into the function \( f(x) \):
\[
f(2 + h) = 6(2 + h)^2 - (2 + h)
\]
- \( f(2) \) can be computed directly from the function:
\[
f(2) = 6(2)^2 - 2
\]
4. **Simplify Expression:**
Simplify the expression obtained and apply the limit as \( h \) approaches 0.
Place your solution in the blank provided:
\[ f'(2) = \boxed{} \]
Be sure to simplify your calculations and provide the final numerical value.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fad7698e6-8405-4b47-832b-91e13474f515%2Fe44afc70-d295-4c28-8a71-50c0b50aceb8%2Fbc6eegs_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:### Calculating Derivatives Using the Definition
In this exercise, we will use the definition of the derivative to compute the derivative of the given function at a specific value.
**Function and Value:**
\[ f(x) = 6x^2 - x \]
\[ x = 2 \]
**Derivative:**
\[ f'(2) = \]
**Steps to Compute:**
1. **Definition of the Derivative:**
The derivative of a function \( f(x) \) at a point \( x = a \) is given by:
\[
f'(a) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{f(a + h) - f(a)}{h}
\]
2. **Substitute Given Values:**
Substitute \( a = 2 \) into the definition of the derivative:
\[
f'(2) = \lim_{{h \to 0}} \frac{f(2 + h) - f(2)}{h}
\]
3. **Function Evaluation:**
- \( f(2 + h) \) can be found by substituting \( 2 + h \) into the function \( f(x) \):
\[
f(2 + h) = 6(2 + h)^2 - (2 + h)
\]
- \( f(2) \) can be computed directly from the function:
\[
f(2) = 6(2)^2 - 2
\]
4. **Simplify Expression:**
Simplify the expression obtained and apply the limit as \( h \) approaches 0.
Place your solution in the blank provided:
\[ f'(2) = \boxed{} \]
Be sure to simplify your calculations and provide the final numerical value.
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