Question 1 · Short Answer
6.25 marksLet \(f(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3x+1}}\), where \(x > 0\).
(a) Prove that \(f(2+h) - f(2) = \frac{-3h}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{3h+7}(\sqrt{3h+7}+\sqrt{7})}\).
(b) Hence, find \(f'(2)\) from first principles.
(a) Prove that \(f(2+h) - f(2) = \frac{-3h}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{3h+7}(\sqrt{3h+7}+\sqrt{7})}\).
(b) Hence, find \(f'(2)\) from first principles.
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Worked solution
(a) \begin{aligned} f(2+h) - f(2) &= \frac{1}{\sqrt{3(2+h)+1}} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{3(2)+1}} \\ &= \frac{1}{\sqrt{3h+7}} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{7}} \\ &= \frac{\sqrt{7} - \sqrt{3h+7}}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{3h+7}} \\ &= \frac{(\sqrt{7} - \sqrt{3h+7})(\sqrt{7} + \sqrt{3h+7})}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{3h+7}(\sqrt{7} + \sqrt{3h+7})} \\ &= \frac{7 - (3h+7)}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{3h+7}(\sqrt{3h+7}+\sqrt{7})} \\ &= \frac{-3h}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{3h+7}(\sqrt{3h+7}+\sqrt{7})} \end{aligned}
(b) By first principles,
\begin{aligned} f'(2) &= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(2+h) - f(2)}{h} \\ &= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{1}{h} \left( \frac{-3h}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{3h+7}(\sqrt{3h+7}+\sqrt{7})} \right) \\ &= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{-3}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{3h+7}(\sqrt{3h+7}+\sqrt{7})} \\ &= \frac{-3}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{7}(\sqrt{7}+\sqrt{7})} \\ &= \frac{-3}{7(2\sqrt{7})} \\ &= -\frac{3}{14\sqrt{7}} = -\frac{3\sqrt{7}}{98} \end{aligned}
(b) By first principles,
\begin{aligned} f'(2) &= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(2+h) - f(2)}{h} \\ &= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{1}{h} \left( \frac{-3h}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{3h+7}(\sqrt{3h+7}+\sqrt{7})} \right) \\ &= \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{-3}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{3h+7}(\sqrt{3h+7}+\sqrt{7})} \\ &= \frac{-3}{\sqrt{7}\sqrt{7}(\sqrt{7}+\sqrt{7})} \\ &= \frac{-3}{7(2\sqrt{7})} \\ &= -\frac{3}{14\sqrt{7}} = -\frac{3\sqrt{7}}{98} \end{aligned}
Marking scheme
(a)
- 1M for setting up difference of fractions and rationalizing numerator
- 1A for correctly completing the algebraic proof
(b)
- 1M for applying definition of derivative \(f'(2) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(2+h)-f(2)}{h}\)
- 1M for substituting expression from (a) and cancelling \(h\)
- 1.25A for correct exact value \(-\frac{3}{14\sqrt{7}}\) or \(-\frac{3\sqrt{7}}{98}\)
- 1M for setting up difference of fractions and rationalizing numerator
- 1A for correctly completing the algebraic proof
(b)
- 1M for applying definition of derivative \(f'(2) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(2+h)-f(2)}{h}\)
- 1M for substituting expression from (a) and cancelling \(h\)
- 1.25A for correct exact value \(-\frac{3}{14\sqrt{7}}\) or \(-\frac{3\sqrt{7}}{98}\)