Need help solving: Let f(x) = (1/2)x2 . Then (f(a + h) - f(a))/ (h) is...?

[abel muroi]

I was given this problem.

Let f(x) = (1/2)x² . The fraction (f(a + h) - f(a))/ (h) is...



A. a + (1/2)h

B. 1/h [(1/2)x²(a + h) - (1/2)x²(h)]

C. a

D. 2x

E. 2a


Can someone explain to me how i can begin to solve this?

 

[pka]

I was given this problem.
Let f(x) = 1/2x² . The fraction (f(a + h) - f(a))/ (h) is...

Unless you learn to post correctly, you are wasting everyone's time.

Is it \(\displaystyle f(x)=\dfrac{x^2}{2}\text{ OR }\dfrac{1}{2x^2}\)? OR is it something else altgether?

 

[abel muroi]

Unless you learn to post correctly, you are wasting everyone's time.

Is it \(\displaystyle f(x)=\dfrac{x^2}{2}\text{ OR }\dfrac{1}{2x^2}\)? OR is it something else altgether?

I edited my original post. Sorry for the confusion

 

[stapel]

I was given this problem.

Let f(x) = (1/2)x² . The fraction (f(a + h) - f(a))/ (h) is...

What did you get when you plugged "a" in for "x"?

What did you get when you plugged "a + h" in for "x"?

What did you get when you subtracted these and simplified?

What did you get when you divided this result by "h" and simplified?

Please be complete. Thank you!