Question

find the slope of y(x)=1/2 x^2 when x=2

Answer 1

do you know derivatives?

Answer 2

Do you mean the slope of the tangent line? Are you taking calculus?

Answer 3

yes i am, but i am trying to find the instantaneous rate of change only for this problem

Answer 4

That's what the first derivative is, so take the derivative of the function and plug in a 2.

Answer 5

that's not what i'm supposed to do for this problem...

Answer 6

Who says?

Answer 7

my advanced physics teacher. the point of the problem is to be able to find the instantaneous rate of change.

Answer 8

thats what a derivative is.

Answer 9

never mind i figured it out (it's using lim(h -> 0) f(x+h)-f(x) / h )

Answer 10

You're welcome.

Answer 11

thats what a derivative is.

Answer 12

a derivative is taking the limit..