Adv. Functions: Rate of Change in Rational Functions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on finding the rate of change for the function f(x) = 5/√(3x) at x=1. The user attempts to calculate the slope of the secant line using the formula msec = (f(1+h) - f(1))/h but struggles with notation and simplification. Clarifications are made regarding the correct expression of points and the importance of parentheses in mathematical notation. Ultimately, the correct simplified result for the slope is suggested to be -5√3/6, and the use of LaTeX is recommended for clearer communication of mathematical expressions. The conversation emphasizes the significance of proper notation in calculus problems.
harujina
Messages
77
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


mtan for f(x) = 5/√ 3x ... at x=1

Homework Equations


msec = y2-y1 / x2-x1

The Attempt at a Solution


The two points I got from the equation: (1, 5/√ 3) and (1+h, 5/√ 3+h)

msec = f(1+h) - f(1) / h
= (5/√ 3+h - 5/√ 3) / h ... multiply top and bottom by denominators (√ 3+h) and (√ 3)
= 5√ 3 - 5√ 3+h / h(√ 3+h)(√ 3) ... multiply top and bottom by the conjugate (5√ 3 + 5√ 3+h)
= 25√ 9 + 25√ 9+h - 25√ 9+h - 25√ 9+h2 / h(√ 3+h)(√ 3)(5√ 3+5√ 3+h)
= 25√ 9 - 25√ 9+h2 / h(√ 9+h)(5√ 3+5√ 3+h)
= 75 - 25√ 9+h2 / h(5√ 27+3h + 5√ 27+3h2)

No idea if this is right and where I'm going with this.
I don't know the answer to this question either, so can't check my work...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
harujina said:

Homework Statement


mtan for f(x) = 5/√ 3x ... at x=1
Please clarify what you're saying here. Which if these is your function?
$$1. f(x) = \frac{5}{\sqrt{3}}x$$
$$2. f(x) = \frac{5}{\sqrt{3x}}$$
$$3. f(x) = \frac{5}{\sqrt{3}x}$$
harujina said:

Homework Equations


msec = y2-y1 / x2-x1

The Attempt at a Solution


The two points I got from the equation: (1, 5/√ 3) and (1+h, 5/√ 3+h)

msec = f(1+h) - f(1) / h
= (5/√ 3+h - 5/√ 3) / h ... multiply top and bottom by denominators (√ 3+h) and (√ 3)
= 5√ 3 - 5√ 3+h / h(√ 3+h)(√ 3) ... multiply top and bottom by the conjugate (5√ 3 + 5√ 3+h)
= 25√ 9 + 25√ 9+h - 25√ 9+h - 25√ 9+h2 / h(√ 3+h)(√ 3)(5√ 3+5√ 3+h)
= 25√ 9 - 25√ 9+h2 / h(√ 9+h)(5√ 3+5√ 3+h)
= 75 - 25√ 9+h2 / h(5√ 27+3h + 5√ 27+3h2)

No idea if this is right and where I'm going with this.
I don't know the answer to this question either, so can't check my work...
 
Mark44 said:
Please clarify what you're saying here. Which if these is your function?
$$1. f(x) = \frac{5}{\sqrt{3}}x$$
$$2. f(x) = \frac{5}{\sqrt{3x}}$$
$$3. f(x) = \frac{5}{\sqrt{3}x}$$
Oh, the second one.
$$2. f(x) = \frac{5}{\sqrt{3x}}$$
Sorry about that!
 
harujina said:

Homework Statement


mtan for f(x) = 5/√ 3x ... at x=1

Homework Equations


msec = y2-y1 / x2-x1

The Attempt at a Solution


The two points I got from the equation: (1, 5/√ 3) and (1+h, 5/√ 3+h)
You need more parentheses.
The second point should be written as (1 + h, 5/√(3 + h)), otherwise the 2nd coordinate looks like this:
$$ \frac{5}{\sqrt{3}} + h$$
harujina said:
msec = f(1+h) - f(1) / h
The right side should be written as (f(1 + h) - f(1))/h. Most would interpret what you wrote as
$$ f(1 + h) - \frac{f(1)}{h}$$
harujina said:
= (5/√ 3+h - 5/√ 3) / h ... multiply top and bottom by denominators (√ 3+h) and (√ 3)
= 5√ 3 - 5√ 3+h / h(√ 3+h)(√ 3) ... multiply top and bottom by the conjugate (5√ 3 + 5√ 3+h)
You have the right idea, but with all the missing parentheses, it's just too hard to read.
harujina said:
= 25√ 9 + 25√ 9+h - 25√ 9+h - 25√ 9+h2 / h(√ 3+h)(√ 3)(5√ 3+5√ 3+h)
= 25√ 9 - 25√ 9+h2 / h(√ 9+h)(5√ 3+5√ 3+h)
= 75 - 25√ 9+h2 / h(5√ 27+3h + 5√ 27+3h2)

No idea if this is right and where I'm going with this.
I don't know the answer to this question either, so can't check my work...
 
When it's completely simplified, you should get this:
$$ \frac{-5\sqrt{3}}{6}$$

BTW, LaTeX makes it much easier to read, and isn't that hard to write.
To create a fraction, do this:
Code:
\frac{a + b}{c}
I don't show the pairs of $ symbols at front and back.
This renders like so:
$$\frac{a + b}{c}$$

To create a square root, do this:
Code:
\sqrt{3 + h}
Again, you need $ pairs at front and back.
This is how it looks in the browser:
$$\sqrt{3 + h}$$
 
Last edited:
Back
Top