The definition of a derivative is:
#y'(x) = lim_(hto0)(y(x+h)-y(x))/h#
Given:
#y(x) = sqrt(2x+3)#
Then:
#y(x+h) = sqrt(2(x+h)+3)#
Let's find an equation for h.
Square both sides:
#(y(x+h))^2 = 2(x+h)+3#
Use the distributive property:
#(y(x+h))^2 = 2x+ 2h+3#
Please observe that #2x + 3# is the same as #(y(x))^2#:
#(y(x+h))^2 = (y(x))^2 + 2h#
Subtract #(y(x))^2# from both side and flip the equation:
#2h = (y(x+h))^2 - (y(x))^2#
Divide both sides by 2:
#h = ((y(x+h))^2 - (y(x))^2)/2#
Substitute this for h into the definition:
#y'(x) = lim_(hto0)(y(x+h)-y(x))/(((y(x+h))^2 - (y(x))^2)/2)#
Flip the 2 up to the numerartor:
#y'(x) = lim_(hto0)(2(y(x+h)-y(x)))/((y(x+h))^2 - (y(x))^2)#
We know how the difference of two squares factors, #(a^2-b^2)=(a+b)(a-b)#, so we can do this to the denominator:
#y'(x) = lim_(hto0)(2(y(x+h)-y(x)))/((y(x+h) + y(x))(y(x+h) - y(x)))#
Please observe that a common factor cancels:
#y'(x) = lim_(hto0)(2cancel((y(x+h)-y(x))))/((y(x+h) + y(x))cancel((y(x+h) - y(x))))#
Here is the equation with the cancelled factors removed:
#y'(x) = lim_(hto0)2/(y(x+h) + y(x))#
Now it is ok to let #hto0#
#y'(x) = 2/(y(x) + y(x))#
#y'(x) = 2/(2y(x))#
#y'(x) = 1/(y(x))#
#y'(x) = 1/sqrt(2x+3)#