2.

2 THE DERIVATIVE

DEFINITION 2.1
The derivative of the function f at the point x = a is
defined as

provided the limit exists. If the limit exists, we say that f

is differentiable at x = a.

An alternative form is

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.1 Finding the Derivative at a Point

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.1 Finding the Derivative at a Point

Solution

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.2 Finding the Derivative at an Unspecified

P i t
Point

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.2 Finding the Derivative at an Unspecified

P i t
Point
Solution

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

DEFINITION 2.2
The derivative of the function f is the function f‘ given by

The domain of f’ is the set of all x’s for which this limit
exists.

The process of computing a derivative is called

differentiation. Further, f is differentiable on an open
interval I if it is differentiable at every point in I .

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.3 Finding the Derivative of a Simple

R ti
Rationall FFunction
ti

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.3 Finding the Derivative of a Simple

R ti
Rationall FFunction
ti
Solution

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.3 Finding the Derivative of a Simple

R ti
Rationall FFunction
ti
Solution

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.5 Sketching the Graph of f’ Given the

G h off f
Graph
Given the graph of f in the
figure, sketch a plausible
graph of f’.

Keep in mind that the value

of the derivative function at
a point is the slope of the
tangent line at that point.

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.5 Sketching the Graph of f’ Given the

G h off f
Graph
Solution

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.6 Sketching the Graph of f Given the

G h off f’
Graph
Given the graph of f’ in the
figure, sketch a plausible
graph of f.

Keep in mind that the slope

of the tangent line of f at a
point is the value of f’ at
that point.

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.6 Sketching the Graph of f Given the

G h off f’
Graph
Solution

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

Alternative Derivative Notations

If we write y = f (x), the following are all alternatives for
denoting the derivative:

The expression

is called a differential operator and tells you to take the

derivative of whatever expression
p follows.

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

Differentiability Implies Continuity

We observed that f (x) = |x| does not have a tangent line
at x = 0 (i.e., it is not differentiable at x = 0), although it is
continuous everywhere.

Thus, there are continuous functions that are not

differentiable.

But, are there differentiable functions that are not

continuous? No.

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

THEOREM 2.1
If f is differentiable at x = a, then f is continuous at x = a.

Note that Theorem 2.1

2 1 says that if a function is not
continuous at a point, then it cannot have a derivative at
that point.
point

It also turns out that functions are not differentiable at

any point where their graph has a “sharp” corner, as is
the case for f (x) = |x| at x = 0.
0
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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.7 Showing That a Function Is Not

Diff
Differentiable
ti bl att a Point
P i t

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.7 Showing That a Function Is Not

Diff
Differentiable
ti bl att a Point
P i t
Solution

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.7 Showing That a Function Is Not

Diff
Differentiable
ti bl att a Point
P i t
Solution

Since the one‐sided limits do not

agree (0 = 2), f’ (2) does not exist
((i.e.,, f is not differentiable at
x = 2).

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

Examples of Points of Non‐Differentiability

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

Examples of Points of Non‐Differentiability

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

Numerical Differentiation
There are many times in applications when it is not
possible or practical
p p to compute
p derivatives symbolically.
y y

This is frequently
q y the case where we have onlyy some data
(i.e., a table of values) representing an otherwise unknown
function.

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.8 Approximating a Derivative Numerically

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.8 Approximating a Derivative Numerically

Solution

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.9 Estimating Velocity Numerically

Suppose that a sprinter reaches the following distances
in the given times. Estimate the velocity of the sprinter at
the 6‐second mark.

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 2.2 THE DERIVATIVE

EXAMPLE 2.9 Estimating Velocity Numerically

Solution

Based on the table,

table conjecture
that the sprinter was reaching a
peak speed at about the 6 6‐second
second
mark. Thus, accept an estimate of
35 2 ft/s.
35.2 ft/s (There is not a single
correct answer to this question.)

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