2007-03-08 05:02:14 · 6 answers · asked by lilkelts07 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
The difference quotient of a function f tells you what the average slope of that function is over any interval of a fixed length (usually denoted h). f(x+h) - f(x) is the difference in height between the endpoints of the interval, and (x+h) - x = h is the width of the interval. So their quotient, "rise over run," will tell you the average slope (e.g. average rate of change).
Since y = 3x - 4 has a constant slope (namely 3), we already know that its difference quotient has to be that slope (namely 3). This always works for linear functions. But you can chug symbols, too, if that makes you more comfortable. Writing f(x) = 3x - 4, we have:
(f(x+h) - f(x))/h
= ((3(x+h) - 4) - (3x - 4))/h
= (3x + 3h - 4 - 3x + 4)/h
= 3h/h
= 3
2007-03-08 05:09:59 · answer #1 · answered by Morphenius 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3x-4=
divide the 3 to get it away from x
then you will have x-4=3
then you add 4 to both sides (you have to be fair) and you will get 7
x=7
2007-03-08 05:19:38 · answer #2 · answered by Ash 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
-12
2007-03-08 05:06:12 · answer #3 · answered by T!BB$ 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a difference. One of the arguments of the difference is a product, but the expression is a difference.
2007-03-08 05:07:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
if f(x) = 3x - 4,
[f(x+h) - f(x)]/h =
[3(x+h)-4 - (3x-4)] / h =
[3x + 3h - 4 - 3x + 4] / h =
3h/h =
3
2007-03-08 05:07:07 · answer #5 · answered by Philo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
$1.98
2007-03-08 05:09:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋