Evaluate Limit Of Function Using Derivative Values

by Alex Johnson 51 views

When faced with a limit problem like lim⁑xβ†’22f(2x)βˆ’3x24βˆ’x2\lim _{x \rightarrow 2} \frac{2 f(2 x)-3 x^2}{4-x^2}, especially one that provides a table of function and derivative values, our goal is to leverage that information to find the limit. This particular problem requires a careful application of limit properties and, very likely, L'HΓ΄pital's Rule, given its indeterminate form. The table provides us with specific values for f(x)f(x) and fβ€²(x)f'(x) at x=1x=1. While x=1x=1 might seem distant from the limit point of x=2x=2, the structure of the expression often guides us to use these values indirectly. Let's first examine the behavior of the numerator and the denominator as xx approaches 2. The denominator, 4βˆ’x24-x^2, clearly approaches 4βˆ’22=04-2^2 = 0. Now, let's look at the numerator, 2f(2x)βˆ’3x22f(2x) - 3x^2. As xβ†’2x \rightarrow 2, 2xβ†’42x \rightarrow 4. The problem statement, however, doesn't give us f(4)f(4) or fβ€²(4)f'(4). This suggests we might need to make an assumption or that there's a misunderstanding in how the provided table should be used. Assuming the table intended to provide values relevant to the limit, or that the problem implies a specific function behavior at x=2x=2 not explicitly stated, we'd typically check if the numerator also approaches 0. If the numerator approaches a non-zero value while the denominator approaches 0, the limit would be infinite. If both approach 0, we have an indeterminate form 0/00/0, which is a strong indicator for L'HΓ΄pital's Rule. Let's proceed with the assumption that the numerator also approaches 0. This would mean 2f(2β‹…2)βˆ’3(2)2=02f(2 \cdot 2) - 3(2)^2 = 0, so 2f(4)βˆ’12=02f(4) - 12 = 0, which implies f(4)=6f(4) = 6. This value isn't directly in our table, reinforcing the idea that we might be missing context or a key piece of information regarding f(x)f(x)'s behavior at x=2x=2 or x=4x=4. However, if we strictly use the provided table and assume the question implicitly requires evaluation at x=1x=1 to inform the limit at x=2x=2 (which is unusual without further context), we would be stuck. A more standard problem of this type would either provide values at x=2x=2 or x=4x=4, or imply a function that allows derivation at x=2x=2. Let's hypothesize a common scenario for such problems: the table should have included values for x=2x=2 or the function f(x)f(x) is such that we can deduce f(2)f(2) and fβ€²(2)f'(2) are relevant. Given the limit is as xβ†’2x \rightarrow 2, it's most probable that the table is incomplete or the question expects us to realize that L'HΓ΄pital's rule applied to the original expression will eventually require the derivative of the numerator and denominator. The derivative of the denominator 4βˆ’x24-x^2 is βˆ’2x-2x. As xβ†’2x \rightarrow 2, this approaches βˆ’4-4. For the numerator 2f(2x)βˆ’3x22f(2x) - 3x^2, its derivative is found using the chain rule: ddx(2f(2x))βˆ’ddx(3x2)=2fβ€²(2x)β‹…2βˆ’6x=4fβ€²(2x)βˆ’6x\frac{d}{dx}(2f(2x)) - \frac{d}{dx}(3x^2) = 2f'(2x) \cdot 2 - 6x = 4f'(2x) - 6x. Now, applying L'HΓ΄pital's Rule, the limit becomes lim⁑xβ†’24fβ€²(2x)βˆ’6xβˆ’2x\lim _{x \rightarrow 2} \frac{4f'(2x) - 6x}{-2x}. This form requires fβ€²(4)f'(4) to be known. If the table is indeed for x=1x=1 only, and no other values are given or implied, the problem as stated is unsolvable without additional information or clarification. It's highly likely that the problem statement or the provided table is flawed. A standard solvable version would either give f(2)f(2) and fβ€²(2)f'(2) or f(4)f(4) and fβ€²(4)f'(4), or perhaps a function definition. Let's assume, for the sake of demonstrating the method, that the table should have contained values for x=2x=2. If we had f(2)f(2) and fβ€²(2)f'(2), and assuming the indeterminate form 0/00/0 holds, we would evaluate 4fβ€²(2β‹…2)βˆ’6β‹…2βˆ’2β‹…2=4fβ€²(4)βˆ’12βˆ’4\frac{4f'(2 \cdot 2) - 6 \cdot 2}{-2 \cdot 2} = \frac{4f'(4) - 12}{-4}. This still requires fβ€²(4)f'(4). If, however, the limit was xβ†’1x \rightarrow 1, and the table provided values for x=1x=1, then the expression would be lim⁑xβ†’12f(2x)βˆ’3x24βˆ’x2\lim _{x \rightarrow 1} \frac{2 f(2 x)-3 x^2}{4-x^2}. The denominator approaches 4βˆ’12=34-1^2 = 3. The numerator approaches 2f(2)βˆ’3(1)22f(2) - 3(1)^2. We don't have f(2)f(2). This confirms the original problem statement's table seems mismatched with the limit's target value. Let's re-evaluate the possibility that the table values at x=1x=1 are meant to be used in a way that's not immediately obvious, perhaps through some property not commonly recalled. However, in standard calculus, limits involving derivatives at a point 'a' typically require function/derivative values at 'a' or points that can be directly substituted into the differentiated expression. The structure 2f(2x)βˆ’3x24βˆ’x2\frac{2 f(2 x)-3 x^2}{4-x^2} as xβ†’2x \rightarrow 2 points to needing information about ff and its derivative at x=4x=4 (from 2x2x) and at x=2x=2 (from x2x^2 and βˆ’x2-x^2). If the question implies f(x)f(x) is a simple polynomial, we might be able to infer values, but without that, we rely on the provided data. The most plausible interpretation is that the table is incomplete and should have included values for x=2x=2 or x=4x=4. Let's assume the question meant for the limit to be as xβ†’1x \rightarrow 1, and the table provided values at x=1x=1. In that hypothetical scenario: lim⁑xβ†’12f(2x)βˆ’3x24βˆ’x2\lim _{x \rightarrow 1} \frac{2 f(2 x)-3 x^2}{4-x^2}. Denominator β†’4βˆ’12=3\rightarrow 4-1^2 = 3. Numerator β†’2f(2)βˆ’3(1)2\rightarrow 2f(2) - 3(1)^2. We don't have f(2)f(2). This hypothetical also fails. The problem as stated, with the table provided, appears to have a disconnect.

Let's reconsider the core problem: lim⁑xβ†’22f(2x)βˆ’3x24βˆ’x2\lim _{x \rightarrow 2} \frac{2 f(2 x)-3 x^2}{4-x^2}. The denominator 4βˆ’x2β†’04-x^2 \rightarrow 0 as xβ†’2x \rightarrow 2. For the limit to be a finite value (as implied by