Homework Help: Calculus AP

Posted by jackie on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 9:34pm.

i wanna KNOW IF im DOING RIGHT.

Evaluate the difference quotient for the given function. Simplify your answer.
f(x)=x+3/x+1, [f(x)-f(1)]/(x-1)

simplify my answer:
[(x+3)/(x+1) - (1+3)/(1+1)]/(x-1)

= [x+3/x+1 - 4/2] / (x-1)

= [2(x+3)-4(x+1)/2(x+1)] / (x-1)

= [2x+6-4x-4/2(x+1)] / (x-1)

= [-2x+2x/2(x+1)] /(x-1)

= [-2(x-1)/2(x+1)]/(x-1)
so my answer is -1

Calculus AP - jackie, Monday, June 4, 2012 at 9:35pm
i mean my answer is -1/(x+1)
Calculus AP - Reiny, Monday, June 4, 2012 at 10:19pm
correct,
but why didn't you reduce the 4/2 in the second step to 2, it would have made the algebra a lot easier.
Calculus AP - jackie, Monday, June 4, 2012 at 11:21pm
oh 4/2 is 2. ok
thanks

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