Math Homework Help

Question

Let f(x)=1/2x²-1. Find the slope m_PQ of the secant line that contains points P=(2,f(2)) and Q=(2+h,f(2+h)) and the compute m_PQ for h=0.01.

Answer 1

m = Δy / Δx, from Algebra 1.

m = [(0.5)((2 + h)² - 1) - (0.5)(2)² - 1] / [(2 + h) - 2]