Unit V: Big Question

Explain in detail where the formula for the difference quotient comes from now that you know!  Include all appropriate terminology (secant line, tangent line, h/delta x, etc).  Your post must include text and some form of media (picture/video) to support.







A regular positive parabola, a slope is found using m=y(sub2)-y(sub1)/x(sub2)-x(sub1). This is basically what we are doing again, only for a tangent line for a single point. This is important to remember! Two points on the parabola are plotted, the second point must be a tad bit to the right and up of the other. Make sure to label the points. In the original formula, "x sub 1" becomes "x" and "y sub 1" because "f(x). Next we draw a line that connects the points, and call that distance "h". So then it becomes "x+h" and "f(x+h)". Next we plug in the new points. Next we just cancel out the +/- x values and we get the difference quotient, or "derivative".












source: sciencehq.com