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
- 8. Definite Integrals3h 25m
1. Limits and Continuity
Finding Limits Algebraically
Problem 13b
Textbook Question
Finding Limits
In Exercises 9–24, find the limit or explain why it does not exist.
lim h →0 ((x + h)² ― x²)/h

1
Recognize that the given expression is a difference quotient, which is often used to find the derivative of a function at a point. Here, the function is f(x) = x².
Substitute the expression (x + h)² for f(x + h) and x² for f(x) in the difference quotient: ((x + h)² - x²) / h.
Expand the expression (x + h)² to get x² + 2xh + h².
Substitute the expanded form back into the difference quotient: ((x² + 2xh + h²) - x²) / h.
Simplify the expression by canceling out x² and then divide each term by h: (2xh + h²) / h = 2x + h. Finally, take the limit as h approaches 0, which results in 2x.
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