Express as a Single Simplified Fraction

[thrill3rnit3]

Homework Statement

sorry I don't know how to type algebraic expressions, but I'll do my best.

express quantity [ f(x+h) - f(x) ] over h as a single simplified fraction

f is not a variable, it's a function

Homework Equations

Question # 1. function of x = quantity 1-x over x

The Attempt at a Solution

umm I don't need answers. I just need to know what to do first. Do I substitute the given function of x in the given equation? Do I add the h to the given function? Like say for number 1, do I do (quantity of 1-x over x) + h??

Sorry I'm asking a noob-ish question. I'm not on my best thinking mode right now, especially that things aren't going my way lately...

Thanks :D

 

[danago]

So you are given that f(x)=\frac{1-x}{x}?

To find f(x+h), all you do is replace any 'x' you see with an 'x+h', so:

f(x+h)=\frac{1-(x+h)}{x+h}

 

[praharmitra]

do you mean f(x) = \frac{1-x}{x} and you need to calculate f(x + h) - f(x).

f(x + h) means that in the given function you must replace 'x' by 'x + h' and NOT adding h to the ENTIRE function

 

[thrill3rnit3]

So you are given that f(x)=\frac{1-x}{x}?

To find f(x+h), all you do is replace any 'x' you see with an 'x+h', so:

f(x+h)=\frac{1-(x+h)}{x+h}

do you mean f(x) = \frac{1-x}{x} and you need to calculate f(x + h) - f(x).

f(x + h) means that in the given function you must replace 'x' by 'x + h' and NOT adding h to the ENTIRE function

oh I see, I see. That answers my question. Thanks a lot guys

 

[thrill3rnit3]

so for the first problem, is this correct:

\frac{\frac{1-(x+h)}{x+h}-\frac{1-x}{x}}{h}

plus further simplification, of course.

 

[Dick]

That's exactly it.

 

[thrill3rnit3]

How about \frac{1}{x^{2}} ? Should I replace f(x+h) with \frac{1}{x^{2}+h} ??

 

[Dick]

No. If f(x)=1/x^2 then f(x+h)=1/(x+h)^2. I thought you had this.

 

[thrill3rnit3]

No. If f(x)=1/x^2 then f(x+h)=1/(x+h)^2. I thought you had this.

Yep. Thanks.