Republic of the Philippines

CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

Week 8: THE DEFINITION OF THE DERIVATIVE

The expression
𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥0 )
lim
𝑥→𝑥0 𝑥 − 𝑥0
computes more than just the slope of the tangent line. The fraction in the limit also gives us the relative change of the
function on the time or space interval [𝑥0 , 𝑥]. Thus, we may interpret this limit as the instantaneous rate of change
of 𝒇 with respect to 𝒙.

Definition of the Derivative

Let 𝑓 be a function defined on an open interval 𝐼 ⊆ ℝ, and let 𝑥0 𝜖𝐼. The derivative of 𝑓
at 𝑥0 is defined to be
𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥0 )
𝑓 ′ (𝑥0 ) = lim
𝑥→𝑥0 𝑥 − 𝑥0
if this limit exists. That is, the derivative of 𝑓 at 𝑥0 is the slope of the tangent line at
(𝑥0 , 𝑓(𝑥0 )), if it exists.
Notations: If 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), the derivative of 𝑓 is commonly denoted by
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑𝑦
𝑓 ′ (𝑥), 𝐷𝑥 [𝑓(𝑥)], [𝑓(𝑥)], [𝑦],
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

Example 1: Compute 𝑓′(1) for 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 1.

Solution:

Here, 𝑥0 is fixed to be equal to 1. Using the definition above,

𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(1)
𝑓 ′ (1) = lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
Remember that what we are computing, 𝑓′(1), is just the slope of the tangent line to 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) at 𝑥 = 1.

Note that 𝑓(1) = 2,

(3𝑥 − 1) − 2
𝑓 ′ (1) = lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
3(𝑥 − 1)
= lim
𝑥→1 𝑥 − 1

= lim 3
𝑥→1
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

=3
2𝑥
Example 2: Compute 𝑓′(1) for 𝑓(𝑥) = .
𝑥+1

Solution:

We see that 𝑓(1) = 1. From the definition

2𝑥
−1
𝑓 ′ (1) = lim + 1
𝑥
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
To simplify the complex fraction:
2𝑥
−1 𝑥+1
𝑓 ′ (1) = lim + 1
𝑥 ∙
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥+1
2𝑥 − (𝑥 + 1)
= lim
𝑥→1 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑥−1
= lim
𝑥→1 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)
1 1
= lim =
𝑥→1 (𝑥 + 1) 2

Example 3: Compute 𝑓′(1) for 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = √𝑥 + 8

Solution:
Note that 𝑓 (1) = 3.

√𝑥 + 8 − 3
𝑓 ′ (1) = lim
𝑥→1 𝑥−1
Rationalize the numerator (meaning, multiplying by √𝑥 + 8 + 3),

√𝑥 + 8 − 3 √𝑥 + 8 + 3
𝑓 ′ (1) = lim ∙
𝑥→1 𝑥−1 √𝑥 + 8 + 3
(𝑥 + 8) − 9
= lim
𝑥→1 (𝑥 − 1)(√𝑥 + 8 + 3)

1
= lim
𝑥→1 √𝑥 +8+3
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

1
=
6

Alternative Definition of the Derivative

Let 𝑓 be a function defined on an open interval 𝐼 ⊆ ℝ, and let 𝑥 ∈ 𝐼. The derivative of 𝑓
at 𝑥 is defined to be
𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓 ′ (𝑥 ) = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
If this limit exists.