Question

Find the linear approximation L(x) of the function f(x) at the given basepoint x = a.

f(x) = x^4 − 3x^2, a = −1

Answer 1

The linearization of a fuction f(x), denoted L(x), is given by:
\[L(x)=f(a)+f'(a)(x-a)\]
Compute f'(a) and f(a) and you're done.