Rate of change from 0 to x 2x^2 + 3x

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around finding the rate of change of the function 2x^2 + 3x from 0 to x. Participants express confusion over the correct application of the derivative formula and the need to take limits. One contributor suggests using the limit definition of the derivative, while another clarifies that the problem only requires the rate of change, not the slope at x = 0. The correct simplification of the expression leads to the result of 2x + 3, valid for x not equal to 0. The conversation includes light-hearted banter about factorials and using forum features.
Rusho
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2x^2 + 3x

I'm not really sure what to do with the "X"
Form: f(x) - f(c)/ x-c

-2(x)^2 +3(x) - (-2(0)^2 + 3 (0) / x-0

I get
= -2x^2 + 3x + 0 / x - 0

= -2x^2 + 3x / x

that doesn't seem right


I'm taking a break
 
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Rusho said:
2x^2 + 3x

I'm not really sure what to do with the "X"
Form: f(x) - f(c)/ x-c

-2(x)^2 +3(x) - (-2(0)^2 + 3 (0) / x-0

I get
= -2x^2 + 3x + 0 / x - 0

= -2x^2 + 3x / x

that doesn't seem right


I'm taking a break

You forgot to take the limit as x -> 0.

Personally, I've never been too keen on that form for the derivative. I think it's more transparent to use:
\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}

That might show you a bit better what happens to everything.

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
You forgot to take the limit as x -> 0.

Personally, I've never been too keen on that form for the derivative. I think it's more transparent to use:
\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}

That might show you a bit better what happens to everything.

-Dan
topsquark, you don't need to take the limit as x -> 0. The problem does not ask for the slope of the tangent line at x = 0. It just ask for the rate of change from 0 to x.
Rusho said:
I get
= -2x^2 + 3x + 0 / x - 0

= -2x^2 + 3x / x
There should be no minus sign in front of the 2x2, and you seem to be missing some parentheses. :)
It should read:
\frac{2x ^ 2 + 3x}{x} or (2x ^ 2 + 3x) / x
Now, you can simplify that expression a little bit further, right?
Can you go from here? :)
 
Ok, so I just do this:

=2x^2 + 3x/x

=x(2x + 3) / x

=2x + 3
 
Last edited:
As long as x is not 0!
 
Well 0! = 1, so I don't think that would be a problem ;)
 
ksinclair13 said:
Well 0! = 1, so I don't think that would be a problem ;)
Err, I don't understand, why is factorial involved in here? :confused:
 
It was joke, son, a joke! (The ;) was a give-away)

ksinclair13, you can get the actual :wink: by typing ": w i n k :" without the spaces or by going to "advanced" and clicking on the icon.
 
Okay, thank you. :wink:

I always use the quick reply, but now I know how to do it with that as well :smile:
 
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