f(x) - f(a)/x - a
what is the name of this formula, and please give a simple example. thanks!!!
2007-08-02 14:57:43 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
can someone link it to the difference quotient?
2007-08-02 15:04:30 · update #1
[f(x) - f(a) ] / (x - a) in the limit as x approaches a is the derivative of f at a = f'(a)
2007-08-02 15:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by vlee1225 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the (incorrectly written) formula for the derivative of a function in calculus around the point x=a. Think of it as the slope of a graph at some point on the x axis. You probably meant to write (f(x)-f(a))/(x-a) to group the terms, otherwise the formula is sort of random and has no common use in math. When you get to pre-calculus, you'll usually "take the limit" of such a formula by asking what happens when x gets closer and closer to a.
2007-08-02 15:04:03 · answer #2 · answered by ribbonfarm.com 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is called the the Mean-Value Theorem. If you're looking for some good examples check out: http://www.sosmath.com/calculus/diff/der11/der11.html
2007-08-02 15:00:46 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has no name, but it looks like the inside of the definition of a derivitive (where x-> a)
2007-08-02 15:01:24 · answer #4 · answered by cattbarf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The is the formula to find slope.
(f(x) - f(a))/(x-a)
x and a are your x-coordiates
f(x) and f(a) are the value of the function at those x-coordinates, which mean that they are y-coordinates.
2007-08-02 15:00:45 · answer #5 · answered by Vu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
quadratic formula.
2007-08-02 15:15:59 · answer #6 · answered by teofilo a 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry I am not able to help. You have helped me before.
2007-08-02 18:44:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋