Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
2. Intro to Derivatives
Tangent Lines and Derivatives
Problem 44a
Textbook Question
Use the definition of the derivative to determine d/dx (√ax+b), where a and b are constants.
![](/channels/images/assetPage/verifiedSolution.png)
1
Step 1: Recall the definition of the derivative, which is given by the limit: \( f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} \).
Step 2: Identify the function \( f(x) = \sqrt{ax + b} \) and substitute it into the definition of the derivative.
Step 3: Compute \( f(x+h) = \sqrt{a(x+h) + b} = \sqrt{ax + ah + b} \).
Step 4: Substitute \( f(x) \) and \( f(x+h) \) into the derivative definition: \( f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\sqrt{ax + ah + b} - \sqrt{ax + b}}{h} \).
Step 5: To simplify the expression, multiply the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the numerator: \( \frac{\sqrt{ax + ah + b} - \sqrt{ax + b}}{h} \times \frac{\sqrt{ax + ah + b} + \sqrt{ax + b}}{\sqrt{ax + ah + b} + \sqrt{ax + b}} \).
Recommended similar problem, with video answer:
![](/channels/images/assetPage/verifiedSolution.png)
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
5mPlay a video:
Was this helpful?
Watch next
Master Slopes of Tangent Lines with a bite sized video explanation from Nick
Start learningRelated Videos
Related Practice