Adv. Functions: Rate of Change in Rational Functions

In summary: To create a variable with a subscript, do this:v_{final}This is how it looks in the browser:$$v_{final}$$
  • #1
harujina
77
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...
 
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  • #2
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...
 
  • #3
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!
 
  • #4
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...
 
  • #5
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:

What is the definition of a rational function?

A rational function is a function that can be expressed as the quotient of two polynomial functions. It can also be written in the form f(x) = p(x)/q(x), where p(x) and q(x) are polynomial functions and q(x) is not equal to 0.

What is the rate of change in a rational function?

The rate of change in a rational function is the slope of the line that connects any two points on the graph of the function. It represents how much the output (y-value) changes for every unit change in the input (x-value).

How can I find the rate of change in a rational function?

To find the rate of change in a rational function, you can use the formula: (f(x2) - f(x1))/(x2 - x1), where x1 and x2 are two different input values and f(x) is the rational function. You can also find the average rate of change by dividing the change in the output by the change in the input.

What is the significance of the rate of change in a rational function?

The rate of change in a rational function can tell us the direction and steepness of the graph at any given point. It can also help us determine maximum and minimum values, as well as the intervals where the function is increasing or decreasing.

How can I use the rate of change in a rational function to solve real-life problems?

The rate of change in a rational function can be used to solve real-life problems involving rates, such as speed, growth, or decay. By setting up a rational function and finding its rate of change, we can model and predict the behavior of certain quantities over time.

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