Final answer:
To find the derivative of the function f(x) = 5x² - 3x using the limit definition, apply the definition and simplify to get f'(x) = 10x - 3, which is the derivative of the original function.
Step-by-step explanation:
You are interested in finding the derivative of the function f(x) = 5x² - 3x using the limit definition of the derivative. The limit definition of a derivative is f'(x) = lim_(h->0) (f(x+h) - f(x))/h. Let's apply this to the given function.
First, we apply the function to x + h:
- f(x + h) = 5(x + h)² - 3(x + h)
Now, we expand and simplify:
- f(x + h) = 5(x² + 2xh + h²) - 3x - 3h
- f(x + h) = 5x² + 10xh + 5h² - 3x - 3h
Next, we construct the difference quotient:
- (f(x + h) - f(x))/h = (5x² + 10xh + 5h² - 3x - 3h - (5x² - 3x))/h
- (f(x + h) - f(x))/h = (10xh + 5h² - 3h)/h
- (f(x + h) - f(x))/h = 10x + 5h - 3
Finally, we take the limit as h approaches 0:
- f'(x) = lim_(h->0) (10x + 5h - 3)
- f'(x) = 10x - 3
Therefore, the derivative of f(x) = 5x² - 3x is f'(x) = 10x - 3.