Calculate the difference quotient for 𝑓(𝑥)=5−𝑥2 at 𝑎=5.

Answer 1

I assume f(x)=5-x^2 :-)

I got you Ash! I would start with the definition and boiling it down to an simple expression then plug in x=5

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

[(5-(a+h)^2)-(5-a^2)]/h=

[5-(a^2+2ah+h^2)-5+a^2]/h=

[5-a^2-2ah-h^2-5+a^2]/h=

[-2ah-h^2]/h=

-2a-h: Now at a=5

-2(5)-h=

-10-h