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

8539 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

There are two lines in the x-y plane. The points A(-2,5) and B(3,2) lie on line one (L1), C(-1,-2) and D(4,1) lie on line two (L2). Find whether the two lines intersect and the coordinates of the intersection if they do.


Use the geometric series formula to find the 9th term in this progression : 12 18 27...


How does integration work?


How is the factor theorem used?


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