Find the Slope of a Curve y=f(x) at (a,f(a)) - Determine a f

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the slope of the curve defined by the function y=f(x) at the point (3, f(3)). The correct limit expression derived is $$\frac{8(3+h)^2-72}{h}$$, which simplifies to $$8(6+h)$$, leading to a limit of 48 as h approaches 0. The initial calculation mistakenly led to a limit of 144, indicating a misunderstanding in the simplification process. The key takeaway is the importance of correctly applying the limit definition of the derivative.

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The limit below represents the slope of a curve y=​f(x) at the point​ (a,f(a)). Determine a​ f

View attachment 6113After finding the f(x) and a, I did this:8(3^2+3h(3)+3h(3)+h^2)-72 dividing by h

getting h(8h^2+144) dividing by h; canceling the h's

and the plugging in the limit h --> 0 getting 144. But I am getting it wrong.

What is the issue?
 

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Re: The limit below represents the slope of a curve y=​f(x) at the point​ (a,f(a)). Determine a​ f

$$\frac{8(3+h)^2-72}{h}=\frac{8(9+6h+h^2-9)}{h}=\frac{8h(6+h)}{h}=8(6+h)$$

Then as $h\to0$, the limit is 48. :)
 
Re: The limit below represents the slope of a curve y=​f(x) at the point​ (a,f(a)). Determine a​ f

MarkFL said:
$$\frac{8(3+h)^2-72}{h}=\frac{8(9+6h+h^2-9)}{h}=\frac{8h(6+h)}{h}=8(6+h)$$

Then as $h\to0$, the limit is 48. :)

What! cmon...ahhhh okay dang it need more math pratice XD...what happen to 72?
 

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