Math Is Fun Forum

nycmathguy

Member

Registered: 2021-06-02

Posts: 53

Slope of the Secant Line

Given  f (x) = x^2 − 1, find the slope of the secant line containing the points
P = (−1, f (−1)) and Q = (−1 + h, f (−1 + h)).

Solution:

By carefully looking at this problem, I think the first step is to
evaluate f(-1) and f(-1 + h). Is the second step to find f ' (x)?

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,640

Re: Slope of the Secant Line

Yes.  This is just like the question I have just done with y = x^3.

B

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

nycmathguy

Member

Registered: 2021-06-02

Posts: 53

Re: Slope of the Secant Line

Yes.  This is just like the question I have just done with y = x^3.

B

I will also play with this question some more on my days off.