function notation

[wind]

I was not sure where to post this, but I have a question about notation.

When finding the limit of a function we write "[f(a + h) - f(a)] / h". However, if the equation givin to you is named something like, "f(x)=" or "P(g)=", then do I substitute those letters for "f" and "a" in the equation? In other words, if it was "f(x)=", would I write "[f(x + h) - f(x)] / h"?

 

[stapel]

In the limit formulation, the "f" is standing in for "whatever the name of the function is". If the function were "Q(x)", then you would use "Q" instead of "f".

You generally use the "a + h" when you're taking the limit at some particular point x = a. You generally use the "x + h" when you're taking the symbolic limit at plain old x.

Eliz.

 

[wind]

Thank you