Another way to approximate derivatives is to use the centered difference quotient: f' (a) ≈ f(a+h) - f(a- h) / 2h. Again, consider f(x) = √x.
c. Explain why it is not necessary to use negative values of h in the table of part (b).

Derivatives of inverse functions from a table Use the following tables to determine the indicated derivatives or state that the derivative cannot be determined. <IMAGE>

c. (f^-1)'(1)

{Use of Tech} Spring runoff The flow of a small stream is monitored for 90 days between May 1 and August 1. The total water that flows past a gauging station is given by v(t) = <matrix 2x2> where V is measured in cubic feet and t is measured in days, with t=0 corresponding to May 1.

c. Describe the flow of the stream over the 3-month period. Specifically, when is the flow rate a maximum?

Highway travel A state patrol station is located on a straight north-south freeway. A patrol car leaves the station at 9:00 A.M. heading north with position function s = f(t) that gives its location in miles t hours after 9:00 A.M. (see figure). Assume s is positive when the car is north of the patrol station. <IMAGE>

c. Find the average velocity of the car over the interval [1.75, 2.25]. Estimate the velocity of the car at 11:00 A.M. and determine the direction in which the patrol car is moving.

Computing the derivative of f(x) = e^-x

c. Use parts (a) and (b) to find the derivative of f(x) = e^-x.

Suppose a stone is thrown vertically upward from the edge of a cliff on Earth with an initial velocity of 19.6 m/s from a height of 24.5 m above the ground. The height (in meters) of the stone above the ground t seconds after it is thrown is s(t) = -4.9t²+19.6t+24.5.

c. What is the height of the stone at the highest point?

Vibrations of a spring Suppose an object of mass m is attached to the end of a spring hanging from the ceiling. The mass is at its equilibrium position $y=0$ when the mass hangs at rest. Suppose you push the mass to a position $y_0$ units above its equilibrium position and release it. As the mass oscillates up and down (neglecting any friction in the system), the position y of the mass after t seconds is $y=y_0\cos \left(t\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}\right)$, where $k>0$ is a constant measuring the stiffness of the spring (the larger the value of $k$, the stiffer the spring) and $y$ is positive in the upward direction.

Use equation (4) to answer the following questions.

c. How would the velocity be affected if the experiment were repeated with a spring having four times the stiffness ($k$ is increased by a factor of $4$)?