Question

For the function f(x) = 2x - 5, construct and simplify the difference quotient [f(x + h) - f(x)] / h

Answer 1

ANSWER

2

EXPLANATION

We are given the function:

f(x) = 2x - 5

We want to construct the difference quotient:

$\frac{f(x\text{ + h) - f(x)}}{h}$

To find f(x + h), we replace x in the function with (x + h):

f(x + h) = 2(x + h) - 5

f(x + h) = 2x + 2h - 5

Therefore, the difference quotient is:

$\begin{gathered} \frac{2x\text{ + 2h - 5 - (2x - 5)}}{h} \\ \frac{2x\text{ + 2h - 5 - 2x + 5}}{h} \\ \frac{2h}{h} \\ \Rightarrow\text{ 2} \end{gathered}$

That is the simplified difference quotient.