Expert: Paul Klarreich - 2/6/2008

Question
given the function f(x) = 3x^2 +4x +12 find the slope of the line connecting (3,f(3)) and (5,f(5)).

I am not sure how to get started with this problem.
Thank you  

Answer
Questioner:   Jill
Category:  Calculus
Private:  No
 
Subject:  Calculus - Tangent & Secant lines
Question:  given the function f(x) = 3x^2 +4x +12 find the slope of the line connecting (3,f(3)) and (5,f(5)).

I am not sure how to get started with this problem.
Thank you
......................
Hi, Jill,
If that's all you need, then you just use the slope formula:
   y2 - y1
m = --------
   x2 - x1
and put in:

   f(5) - f(3)
m = ----------
     5 - 3
and do the arithmetic.