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Question 8526: Finite Difference Quotient at a Specified Nonzero Step

On this page
  1. Original question and givens
  2. Definition and scope
  3. Step-by-step derivation
  4. Reverse checks
  5. Result
  6. This question review and source binding

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← Question derivation index · Original question batch

R0016-08526 · q-20261007-advance-20261008-r04-derivative-0051

Original question and givens

On all R, f(t)=(0)t²+(2)t+(3), allowing a2=0. At x=4 and nonzero finite h=-1, compute (f(x+h)−f(x))/h. Give a reduced fraction with positive denominator, retaining /1 for integers.

  • G001 — On all R, f(t)=(0)t²+(2)t+(3), allowing a2=0. At x=4 and nonzero finite h=-1, compute (f(x+h)−f(x))/h. Give a reduced fraction with positive denominator, retaining /1 for integers.

Definition and scope

Use the original question domain, assumptions and cited MKO definitions. This item has second-context mathematical and bilingual review, with the model, answer and every arithmetic step independently recomputed from the original parameters; the source question remains a candidate.

Step-by-step derivation

S001 · implies

Before

declared real formula on all R;derivative means the two-sided h->0 quotient limit

After

finite-step evaluation and derivative existence are separate

Conditions: none

A derivative is the two-sided limit of[f(x+h)−f(x)]/h as h→0 with h≠0.One finite evaluation is not evidence that an arbitrary function is differentiable.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: derivative_limit_definition_scope · Uses: G001

S002 · calculation

Before

at original x a*x := mul(0, 4)

After

at original x a*x = 0

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S001

S003 · calculation

Before

at original x a*x+b := sum(0, 2)

After

at original x a*x+b = 2

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S002

S004 · calculation

Before

at original x (a*x+b)*x := mul(2, 4)

After

at original x (a*x+b)*x = 8

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S003

S005 · calculation

Before

at original x f(x) := sum(8, 3)

After

at original x f(x) = 11

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S004

S006 · implies

Before

f(t)=(0)*t^2+(2)*t+(3);x=4;f(x)=11;h!=0

After

f(x+h)-f(x)=h*(2*(0)*(4)+(2)+(0)*h)

Conditions: none

Expand(x+h)²=x²+2xh+h²,cancel the original terms,and factor out h.The a2=0 lower-degree case is valid;no nonzero-leading-coefficient assumption is added.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: quadratic_increment_factorization · Uses: G001, S005

S007 · calculation

Before

twice quadratic coefficient := mul(2, 0)

After

twice quadratic coefficient = 0

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S006

S008 · calculation

Before

twice a times x := mul(0, 4)

After

twice a times x = 0

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S007

S009 · calculation

Before

linear part of quotient := sum(0, 2)

After

linear part of quotient = 2

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S008

S010 · calculation

Before

shifted input x+h := sum(4, -1)

After

shifted input x+h = 3

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S009

S011 · calculation

Before

at shifted x a*x := mul(0, 3)

After

at shifted x a*x = 0

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S010

S012 · calculation

Before

at shifted x a*x+b := sum(0, 2)

After

at shifted x a*x+b = 2

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S011

S013 · calculation

Before

at shifted x (a*x+b)*x := mul(2, 3)

After

at shifted x (a*x+b)*x = 6

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S012

S014 · calculation

Before

at shifted x f(x) := sum(6, 3)

After

at shifted x f(x) = 9

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S013

S015 · calculation

Before

finite increment f(x+h)-f(x) := sub(9, 11)

After

finite increment f(x+h)-f(x) = -2

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S014

S016 · calculation

Before

specified finite quotient := div(-2, -1)

After

specified finite quotient = 2

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S015

S017 · calculation

Before

finite-step quadratic correction := mul(0, -1)

After

finite-step quadratic correction = 0

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S016

S018 · calculation

Before

expanded finite quotient := sum(2, 0)

After

expanded finite quotient = 2

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S017

S019 · calculation

Before

finite quotient minus derivative := sub(2, 2)

After

finite quotient minus derivative = 0

Conditions: none

Evaluate exactly with this step's source operands and operation order.Check a denominator is nonzero before division.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: exact_rational_arithmetic · Uses: G001, S018

S020 · implies

Before

h=-1;finite quotient=2/1;derivative value=2

After

difference=0;a2*h=0

Conditions: none

Keep the specified nonzero h:the answer is a finite quotient and differs from the derivative by a2*h.Special cases such as an affine model can agree numerically,but this does not identify a general finite quotient with a derivative or prove differentiability.

Step identifiers and dependencies

Rule: finite_difference_not_derivative_limit · Uses: G001, S019

Reverse checks

  • S020 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.
  • S019 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute finite quotient minus derivative with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S018 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute expanded finite quotient with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S017 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute finite-step quadratic correction with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S016 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute specified finite quotient with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S015 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute finite increment f(x+h)-f(x) with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S014 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute at shifted x f(x) with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S013 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute at shifted x (a*x+b)*x with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S012 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute at shifted x a*x+b with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S011 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute at shifted x a*x with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S010 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute shifted input x+h with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S009 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute linear part of quotient with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S008 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute twice a times x with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S007 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute twice quadratic coefficient with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S006 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.
  • S005 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute at original x f(x) with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S004 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute at original x (a*x+b)*x with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S003 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute at original x a*x+b with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S002 · premise_and_result_audit — Recompute at original x a*x with exact rational arithmetic, not rounded decimals.
  • S001 · premise_and_result_audit — Check against the original data and this step's premises; a one-way implication is not an equivalence.

Result

2/1

The full substitutions and premise checks give the original answer; source identity,format and status are unchanged.

This question review and source binding

Review date: 2026-10-26

Original questions, answers, step expressions, numeric ASTs and historical records are retained. Source candidate labels remain historical and are not overwritten as formal proof.

Source hashes and review receipts
  • input commit: 0f7be61e2c22317a4075561dc822c87d881a50db
  • original question SHA-256: a9b0e2e0882ca79c3fa670cf92acc9e517a99fb094393dd7177a16afaa06f359
  • candidate record SHA-256: 8da6895e6cfbd019ccd2df32af3fb1d7237f01ca914c3d6307ca5d8a4b319419
  • semantic review receipt SHA-256: 00fcddb10a9fb0f56697308976a52e68e2537472bd8e68ecbe96d3c4553f4ad2
  • question-first witness SHA-256: 198e04380b2d32aef2375b07ca0df1f8afa454d1184993173fad8a3c9187a3d1
  • Lean: NOT_RUN · human review: NOT_PERFORMED
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