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12th grade The derivative as a limit; slope of a tangent worksheet

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The derivative as a limit; slope of a tangent

Grade 12 Math Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.

  1. Ari rationalizes [f(9 + h) − f(9)]/h for f(x) = 6√x and lets h → 0. What is f′(9)?

  2. Bo rationalizes [f(4 + h) − f(4)]/h for f(x) = 12√x and lets h → 0. What is f′(4)?

  3. Esme rationalizes [f(36 + h) − f(36)]/h for f(x) = 3√x and lets h → 0. What is f′(36)?

  4. By the limit, f(x) = x² − 4x has f′(a) = 2a − 4. Kira wants the x where the tangent slope is 6. What is that x?

  5. By the limit, f(x) = x² + 6x has f′(a) = 2a + 6. Luz wants the x where the tangent slope is 0. What is that x?

  6. By the limit, f(x) = x² − 3x has f′(a) = 2a − 3. Milo wants the x where the tangent slope is 5. What is that x?

  7. Pia sees the limit of [(4 + h)³ − 64]/h as h → 0. It is f′(a) for one function f and one point a. Which pair is it?

    • f(x) = x³ at x = 4
    • f(x) = x³ at x = 64
    • f(x) = (4 + x)³ at x = 4
    • f(x) = x³ − 64 at x = 0
  8. Ren sees the limit of [√(9 + h) − 3]/h as h → 0. It is f′(a) for one function f and one point a. Which pair is it?

    • f(x) = √x at x = 9
    • f(x) = √x at x = 3
    • f(x) = √x − 3 at x = 0
    • f(x) = √(9 + x) at x = 9
  9. Tala sees the limit of [(2 + h)⁵ − 32]/h as h → 0. It is f′(a) for one function f and one point a. Which pair is it?

    • f(x) = x⁵ at x = 2
    • f(x) = x⁵ − 32 at x = 0
    • f(x) = (2 + x)⁵ at x = 2
    • f(x) = x⁵ at x = 32
  10. Zee sees the limit of [1/(5 + h) − 1/5]/h as h → 0. It is f′(a) for one function f and one point a. Which pair is it?

    • f(x) = 1/x at x = 1/5
    • f(x) = 1/(5 + x) at x = 5
    • f(x) = 1/x − 1/5 at x = 0
    • f(x) = 1/x at x = 5
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12th grade The derivative as a limit; slope of a tangent worksheet – printable
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About this worksheet

The derivative as a limit and the slope of a tangent. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

  • I can find f′(a) as the limit of the difference quotient for quadratics, cubes, k/x and k√x.
  • I can estimate a derivative from a tangent line drawn on a graph.
  • I can write the tangent line at a point and say which f and a a limit describes.

Standard: none (beyond CCSS)

Words to know

difference quotient: [f(a + h) − f(a)]/h: the slope of a secant from a to a + h.

derivative f′(a): The limit of the difference quotient as h → 0: the tangent's slope.

tangent line: The line through (a, f(a)) with slope f′(a).

Common mistakes

Lost a factor of 2: (a + h)² has the middle term 2ah, and √a + √a is 2√a.

Gave the function's value instead of its slope. The derivative is the limit of the difference quotient.

Divided the run by the rise. Slope is rise over run.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with the derivative as a limit; slope of a tangent?

Lost a factor of 2: (a + h)² has the middle term 2ah, and √a + √a is 2√a.

Are these 12th grade math worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

More calculus

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