Tricky difference quotient problem i am stuck

[ihatecats2014]

Homework Statement

find f(a+h)-f(a)/h for the f (x)= 2x+3x²

Homework Equations

f(a+h)-f(a)/h

The Attempt at a Solution

f(a+h)-f(a)/h
=2(a+h)-3(a+h)²-2x+3x²
=2a+2h-3a²-3h²-2a+3a²
=2h-3h²/h

that is where i am stuck
help please

 

[iamalexalright]

First, what is (a + h)^{2} ?

And what is -f(a) equivalent to?

 

[ihatecats2014]

whoops, (a+h)^2 = a^2+2ah+h^2
but -f(a) is correct right?

 

[iamalexalright]

notice the second line you wrote (2(a+h)-3(a+h)^{2}-2x+3x^{2})

See something wrong with the last term ?

 

[Mark44]

Homework Statement

find f(a+h)-f(a)/h for the f (x)= 2x+3x²

Homework Equations

f(a+h)-f(a)/h

The Attempt at a Solution

f(a+h)-f(a)/h

You need more parentheses here.
This should be (f(a + h) - f(a))/h

=2(a+h)-3(a+h)²-2x+3x²

What happened to the h divisor? And as above, the entire numerator needs parentheses around it.

=2a+2h-3a²-3h²-2a+3a²

Still missing the h.

=2h-3h²/h

that is where i am stuck
help please

 

[ihatecats2014]

so 2a+2h-3a^2-6ah-6h^2-2a+3a^2
=2h-6ah-6h^2/h
=2h(3a+3)/h
then what

oh ok i see

 

[iamalexalright]

No, this is still not correct - you are doing your algebra wrong

f(a + h) - f(a) =
f(a + h) - (2x + 3x^{2}) =
f(a + h) + (-1)*(2x + 3x^{2})

You are not distributing the minus sign correctly

can you see how to fix it?

 

[ihatecats2014]

yes, sorry my eyes are not working,
so i got it down to 2h+6ah+3h^2/h
so the answer has to be 6a+3h+2
if not don't bother i quit

No, this is still not correct - you are doing your algebra wrong

f(a + h) - f(a) =
f(a + h) - (2x + 3x^{2}) =
f(a + h) + (-1)*(2x + 3x^{2})

You are not distributing the minus sign correctly

can you see how to fix it?

 

[Mentallic]

And the limit is h approaches 0 so you cancel out the h. You can always check your answer by just taking the derivative of the function.