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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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I am trying to take the limit of f(x) = [f(x+h)-f(x)] / h If you try taking the limit by substituting the limiting value h=0, you get 0/0, which of course is not the right answer. You rewrite f(x+h)-f(x) so it has a factor of h in it, which you cancel with the h in the denominator before you substitute h=0. But I am not sure how to do this. Thanks. |
Kirstin,
You need to know what f is; in some cases it cannot even be done (these functions are called "nondifferentiable") and in other cases the math may be quite complicated.
If f is a polynomial it's straightforward algebra. If it's a trig function you may need to use some careful limit arguments.
If you are having difficulty with a particular function let us know.
Good Hunting
RD
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