Find the linear approximation to f (x) = \sqrt[3]{x} about x = 1.
We have f(x)=\ {\sqrt[3]{x}}=x^{1/3}, so f (1) = 1, and f^{\prime}(x)={\textstyle\frac{1}{3}}x^{-2/3}, implying that f^{\prime}(1)={\textstyle\frac{1}{3}}. Inserting these values into (7.4.1), when a = 1, yields
f(x)\approx f(a)+f^{\prime}(a)(x-a) (7.4.1)
{{\sqrt[3]{{x}}}\approx f(1)+f^{\prime}(1)(x-1)=1+{\textstyle{\frac{1}{3}}}(x-1)} (x close to 1)
For example, {\sqrt[3]{1.03}}\approx1+\textstyle{\frac{1}{3}}(1.03-1)=1.01. The correct value to four decimals is 1.0099.