# Extra credit Abstract limit question

1. Apr 7, 2012

### mtayab1994

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Let f be a derivable function at 0 and f'(0)=2 and let a and b in ℝ.

Calculate the limit: $$\lim_{x\rightarrow0}\frac{f(ax)-f(bx)}{x}$$

3. The attempt at a solution

I'm not sure but i got 2a-b as my answer but i wan't to know how to solve it the proper way any help is very much appreciated.

2. Apr 7, 2012

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
2a-b is not the correct answer. 2(a-b), or a-b may possibly be the answer.

Write f ' (0) as a limit & see where you need to go from there.

3. Apr 7, 2012

### InfinityZero

The limit is of indeterminate form $$\frac{0}{0}$$ so you can apply L'Hopital's rule to it to get the limit
$$\lim_{x\rightarrow0}\frac{af'(ax)-af'(bx)}{1}$$

which since we know $$f'(0)=2$$

should be easy to evaluate.

4. Apr 7, 2012

### Dick

You could also do it directly. Add and subtract f(0) in the numerator, split it up and apply changes of variable like u=ax and v=bx.

5. Apr 7, 2012

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
That's not what I intended.

Use:
$\displaystyle f'(0)=\lim_{h\to0}\ \frac{f(0+h)-f(0)}{h}$
Of course that's the same as $\displaystyle f'(0)=\lim_{x\to0}\ \frac{f(x)-f(0)}{x}\ .$

Now try using that in the limit you're trying to evaluate. (In the way Dick mentioned.)

6. Apr 7, 2012

### mtayab1994

Wow thanks a lot i didn't realize it was that simple :).