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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from Sasha, a student: Simplify the difference quotient f(x) − f(a)/ x-a I thought I had gotten the answer right at x^2+a^2 but it is wrong. My work is below, can you help? f(x)=(x^3-12)-(a^3-12)/x-a |
Hi Sasha,
When you have
\[\frac{x^3 - a^3}{x - a}\]
you need to factor the numerator as the difference of cubes.
Penny
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