Use the limit process to find the slope of the graph of the function at the specified point.Use a graphing utility to confirm your result. $g ( x ) = x ^ { 2 } - 8 x , \quad ( 7 , - 7 )$
A) $m = - 7$
B) $m = 7$
C) $m = - 6$
D) $m = 6$
E) $m = 8$

Question

Use the limit process to find the slope of the graph of the function at the specified point.Use a graphing utility to confirm your result.   $g ( x ) = x ^ { 2 } - 8 x , \quad ( 7 , - 7 )$  
A) $m = - 7$
B) $m = 7$
C) $m = - 6$
D) $m = 6$
E) $m = 8$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The slope of the tangent line at a point is the derivative of the function evaluated at that point. The derivative of $g(x) = x^2 - 8x$ is $g'(x) = 2x - 8$. Evaluating at $x = 7$, $g'(7) = 2(7) - 8 = 14 - 8 = 6$.

Use the Limit Process to Find the Slope of the Graph