given y = x^2 - 7x + 5, find dy/dx from first principles

using the delta method for first principles derivation:
Define the differential: dy/dx = limit as h -> 0 f(x+h) - f(x)/h where f(x) = ysubstitute the equation into the differential: dy/dx = (x+h)^2 - 7*(x+h) + 5 - (x^2 - 7x +5)/hexpand the brackets to form quadratic: dy/dx = x^2 + h^2 + 2xh - 7x -7h + 5 - x^2 + 7x - 5/hcancel out the variables: dy/dx = h^2 + 2xh - 7h / hdivide by h: dy/dx = h + 2x - 7Finish it off by taking the limit of h to be 0: dy/dx = 2x - 7 Simple method to follow with an example for a 5 mark question that consistently comes up in core 1.

DB
Answered by Dafydd B. Maths tutor

8939 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Given that y = (3x^4 + x)^5, find dy/dx using the chain rule.


Given that (cos(x)^2 + 4 sin(x)^2)/(1-sin(x)^2) = 7, show that tan(x)^2 = 3/2


Solve dy/dx= (x√(x^2+3))/e^2y given that y=0 when x=1, giving your answer in the form y = f(x)


What the integral of e^2x*x? (limits 0,1)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning