Exercise · ZW-DERIVATIVE-005 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Using the limit definition of the derivative, what is \(f'(2)\) if \(f(x)=x^{3}\)?

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  • A. \(12\)

Explanation

The difference quotient is \(\dfrac{f(2+h)-f(2)}{h}=\frac{\left(h + 2\right)^{3} - 8}{h}\). As h → 0 it tends to \(12\), which is f'(2).

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Review the concept: Derivative

The derivative of \(f\) at \(a\) is the limit of the difference quotient as \(h\to0\). It measures the instantaneous rate of change and is the slope of the tangent line at \((a,f(a))\).

\[f'(a)=\lim_{h\to0}\frac{f(a+h)-f(a)}{h}\]

More practice problems: derivative

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