For each function, find (a)ƒ(x+h), (b)ƒ(x+h)-ƒ(x), and (c)[ƒ(x+h)-ƒ(x)]/h. ƒ(x)=6x+2
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Start by identifying the given function: \(f(x) = 6x + 2\).
To find \(f(x+h)\), substitute \(x+h\) into the function in place of \(x\). This means replacing every \(x\) in the function with \((x+h)\), so write \(f(x+h) = 6(x+h) + 2\).
Next, find \(f(x+h) - f(x)\) by subtracting the original function \(f(x) = 6x + 2\) from the expression you found for \(f(x+h)\). This gives \(f(x+h) - f(x) = [6(x+h) + 2] - (6x + 2)\).
Simplify the expression \(f(x+h) - f(x)\) by distributing and combining like terms. This will help you see how the function changes when \(x\) increases by \(h\).
Finally, find the difference quotient by dividing the expression \(f(x+h) - f(x)\) by \(h\). Write this as \(\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h}\) and simplify if possible. This expression represents the average rate of change of the function over the interval from \(x\) to \(x+h\).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Function Notation and Evaluation
Function notation, such as ƒ(x), represents a rule that assigns each input x to an output. Evaluating ƒ(x+h) means substituting x+h into the function in place of x, which helps analyze how the function behaves when its input changes by h.
The expression ƒ(x+h) - ƒ(x) calculates the change in the function's output as the input changes from x to x+h. This difference is fundamental in understanding how the function varies over an interval and is a step toward finding rates of change.
The difference quotient, [ƒ(x+h) - ƒ(x)] / h, measures the average rate of change of the function over the interval from x to x+h. It is a foundational concept in calculus, representing the slope of the secant line, and is used to approximate derivatives.