given the function f(x)=8 - 7x, find the diff...
given the function f(x)=8 - 7x, find the difference quotient (f(a + h)-f(a))/h. (f(a + h)-f(a))/h =
Answer
# Explanation:
## Step1: Find $f(a + h)$
Substitute $x=a + h$ into $f(x)$: $f(a + h)=8-7(a + h)=8-7a-7h$.
## Step2: Find $f(a)$
Substitute $x = a$ into $f(x)$: $f(a)=8-7a$.
## Step3: Calculate $f(a + h)-f(a)$
$(8-7a - 7h)-(8 - 7a)=8-7a-7h - 8 + 7a=-7h$.
## Step4: Calculate the difference - quotient
$\frac{f(a + h)-f(a)}{h}=\frac{-7h}{h}=-7$.
# Answer:
$-7$