Saint Paul University Surigao Calculus 1 Professor: Dr. Jenny C.

Cano

MODULE 5
APPLICATIONS OF DERIVATIVES
 Calculus 1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 Derive the equations of tangent and normal lines to curves.

 Solve problems involving rate of change and related rates.
 Find approximations to the roots of equations using the
Newton-Raphson method.
 Calculus 1

TANGENT LINE VS. SECANT LINE

 The tangent line is defined as the line that intersects the curve at only one point,
while the secant line is the line intersecting the curve in two or more distinct points.

However, this definition

does not apply to other
curves. There are
tangent lines to a given
curve at a point, say P,
that intersect other
portions of the curve.
 Calculus 1

TANGENT LINE VS. SECANT LINE

 The tangent line is defined as the line that intersects the curve at only one point,
while the secant line is the line intersecting the curve in two or more distinct points.

The line t is a tangent line

to the curve at point P
which intersects other
portion of the curve.
 Calculus 1

SLOPE
 The slope of a line is defined as the tangent of its angle of inclination 𝜃 or
equivalently, as the ratio of the change in vertical distance (rise) to the change
in horizontal distance (run) as the point moves along the line in either
direction.
Note:
The slope of a line is
constant, but the slope of a
curve is not constant and
must be determined for each
particular point of interest.
 Calculus 1

SLOPE OF TANGENT AND SECANT LINES

As point Q approaches point

P, then ℎ is approaching zero.
Hence, the limiting position of
Q the secant line is the tangent
line, if it exists.

P
 Calculus 1

SLOPE OF TANGENT AND SECANT LINES

Therefore, the slope 𝑚 of a

curve 𝑓(𝑥) at 𝑥, 𝑓 𝑥 is
equal to the slope of its
Q tangent line at 𝑥, 𝑓 𝑥 .
Symbolically,
𝑓 𝑥 + ℎ − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑚 = lim = 𝑓′ 𝑥
P ℎ→0 ℎ
or
𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑚 = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
 Calculus 1

SLOPE OF TANGENT AND SECANT LINES

Example: Find the equation of the line tangent to the curve 𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥 2 at the point
on the curve when 𝑥 = −1.

Solution:
𝑓 𝑥 = 1 − 𝑥2 → 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = −2𝑥
Thus, the slope of the tangent line when 𝑥 = −1 is
𝑓 ′ −1 = −2 −1 = 2
Note also that 𝑓 −1 = 1 − −1 2 = 0.
Now, using the point-slope form formula, the equation of the tangent line is
𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚 𝑥 − 𝑥1
𝑦 − 0 = 2 𝑥 − −1
𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 2
 Calculus 1

NORMAL LINE
The normal line to a curve at a given point is the line perpendicular to the tangent line
at that point.
 Calculus 1

NORMAL LINE
Example: (From the previous problem)
Find the equation of the normal line to the curve 𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥 2 at the point when 𝑥 = −1.

Solution:
Note that 𝑓 ′ −1 = 2.
1 1
So, the slope of the normal line is − 𝑓′ −1 = − 2.
Hence, the equation of the normal line at 𝑃(−1,0) is
1
𝑦−0=− 𝑥+1
2
2𝑦 = −𝑥 − 1
𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 1 = 0
 Calculus 1

RATE OF CHANGE
Here, we will discuss the derivative as a way of determining the rate of change of one
variable with respect to another variable.
First, we need to distinguish the average rate and the instantaneous rate of change.

Note that
∆𝑥 means the change in the position of 𝑥.
 Calculus 1

AVERAGE RATE OF CHANGE

The average rate of change of 𝑓(𝑥) with respect to 𝑥 in the interval 𝑥, 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 is the
slope of the secant line joining the points 𝑥, 𝑓 𝑥 and 𝑥 + ∆𝑥, 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 on the
graph of 𝑓(𝑥).

Thus, it is given by
∆𝑦 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥)
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
 Calculus 1

AVERAGE RATE OF CHANGE

Example: Suppose the function is defined by 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥. Find the average rate of
change of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥 over the interval 1, 3 .
Solution:
From the given interval, 𝑥1 = 1 and 𝑥2 = 3.
Also,
∆𝑦 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥) ∆𝑦 𝑓(𝑥2 ) − 𝑓(𝑥1 )
= → =
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥 𝑥2 − 𝑥1
Hence,
∆𝑦 𝑓 3 − 𝑓(1) 32 − 3 − (12 − 1)
= = =3
∆𝑥 3−1 2

Therefore, on the average, 𝑦 increases 3 units per unit increase in 𝑥 over the interval [1, 3].
 Calculus 1

INSTANTANEOUS RATE OF CHANGE

The instantaneous rate of change of 𝑓(𝑥) with respect to 𝑥 at the point 𝑥, 𝑓 𝑥 is the
slope of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑓(𝑥).

Thus, it is given by
𝑑𝑦 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥)
= lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
 Calculus 1

INSTANTANEOUS RATE OF CHANGE

Example: Suppose the function is defined by 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥. Find the instantaneous rate
of change of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥 at the point 𝑥 = −1.

Solution:
Note that
𝑑𝑦
𝑦= 𝑥2 −𝑥 → = 2𝑥 − 1
𝑑𝑥
So, at 𝑥 = −1,
𝑑𝑦
= 2 −1 − 1 = −3
𝑑𝑥

Therefore, 𝑦 is decreasing by 3 units at the point 𝑥 = −1.

 Calculus 1

RECTILINEAR MOTION
Here, we will learn how to solve velocity and acceleration using derivatives.

Let the position of a vehicle P on a coordinate line 𝑙 at time 𝑡 be 𝑠(𝑡). Then,

∆𝑠
(i) The average velocity ∆𝑣 of P at time 𝑡1 to 𝑡2 is ∆𝑣 = ∆𝑡 .
𝑑𝑠
(ii) The instantaneous velocity 𝑣(𝑡) of P at time 𝑡 is 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑠 ′ 𝑡 = .
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑠
(iii) The speed of P at time 𝑡 is 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑑𝑡
.
′ 𝑑𝑣
(iv) The acceleration 𝑎(𝑡) of P at time 𝑡 is 𝑎 𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 = .
𝑑𝑡
 Calculus 1

RECTILINEAR MOTION
∆𝑠
Example: Suppose a one-peso coin is dropped from a height average velocity is ∆𝑣 = ∆𝑡
of 100 meters and its height 𝑠 at time 𝑡 is 𝑠 𝑡 = 100 − 4.9𝑡 2 𝑑𝑠
where 𝑠 is measured in meters and 𝑡 is measured in seconds. instantaneous velocity is 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑠 ′ 𝑡 = 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑠
(1) Find the average velocity on the interval [1, 3]. speed is 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑑𝑡
(2) What is the velocity of the object when it hits the ground? 𝑑𝑣
acceleration is 𝑎 𝑡 = 𝑣 ′ 𝑡 = 𝑑𝑡

Solutions:
∆𝑠 𝑠 3 −𝑠(1) 100−4.9 32 − 100−4.9 1
(1) ∆𝑣 = ∆𝑡
=
3−1
=
2
= −19.6 𝑚/𝑠

𝑑𝑠
(2) 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑑𝑡 = −4.9 2 𝑡 = −9.8𝑡
Now, we need to solve first time 𝑡. Since 𝑠 = 0 at this point, 0 = 100 − 4.9𝑡 2 → 𝑡 = 4.52 𝑠𝑒𝑐.
Hence, 𝑣 𝑡 = −9.8 4.52 = −44.3 𝑚/𝑠
 Calculus 1

RELATED RATES
 Calculus 1

RELATED RATES
 Calculus 1

RELATED RATES
 Calculus 1

RELATED RATES
 Calculus 1

RELATED RATES
 Calculus 1

RELATED RATES
 Calculus 1

RELATED RATES
 Calculus 1

RELATED RATES
 Calculus 1

RELATED RATES
 Calculus 1

NEWTON’S METHOD OF APPROXIMATION

Newton’s method of approximation, or known as Newton-Raphson method, is
a method for approximating solutions to equations using derivatives.

In approximating the solutions to 𝑓 𝑥 = 0, we assume an initial approximation 𝑥0 where 𝑥0

is in an interval [𝑎, 𝑏] such that 𝑓(𝑎) and 𝑓(𝑏) have opposite signs, say 𝑓(𝑎) is negative and
𝑓(𝑏) is positive.

If 𝑥𝑛 is an approximation to a solution to 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑓 ′ 𝑥𝑛 ≠ 0, then the next approximation

is given by
𝑓(𝑥𝑛 )
𝑥𝑛+1 = 𝑥𝑛 − ′
𝑓 𝑥𝑛
 Calculus 1

NEWTON’S METHOD OF APPROXIMATION

Example: Approximate the solution to cos 𝑥 = 𝑥 in the In approximating the solutions to 𝑓 𝑥 = 0,
we assume an initial approximation 𝑥0 where
interval [0, 2]. Use Newton’s method to find an approximation 𝑥0 is in an interval [𝑎, 𝑏] such that 𝑓(𝑎) and
correct to six decimal places. 𝑓(𝑏) have opposite signs, say 𝑓(𝑎) is
negative and 𝑓(𝑏) is positive.
Solution:
𝑓 𝑥 = cos 𝑥 − 𝑥 → 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = − sin 𝑥 − 1 If 𝑥𝑛 is an approximation to a solution to
Note that 𝑓 0 = cos 0 − 0 = 1 and 𝑓 2 ≈ −2.41615. So, the interval [0, 2] 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑓 ′ 𝑥𝑛 ≠ 0, then the next
contains a solution to 𝑓(𝑥). approximation is given by
Let us consider the initial approximation 𝑥0 = 1. 𝑓(𝑥𝑛 )
𝑥𝑛+1 = 𝑥𝑛 − ′
So, 𝑓 𝑥𝑛
𝑓 𝑥0 cos 1 − 1
𝑥1 = 𝑥0 − ′ =1− = 0.7503638679
𝑓 𝑥0 − sin 1 − 1
Continuing the process, we get
𝑥2 = 0.7391128909, 𝑥3 = 0.7390851334, 𝑥4 = 0.7390851332
Since 𝑥3 & 𝑥4 agree to more than six decimal places, the approximation
process terminates.
Therefore, the solution is approximately 𝑥4 = 0.739085 .
 Calculus 1

NEWTON’S METHOD OF APPROXIMATION

In approximating the solutions to 𝑓 𝑥 = 0,
Example: Approximate the solution to 3
𝑥=0 we assume an initial approximation 𝑥0 where
using Newton’s method. 𝑥0 is in an interval [𝑎, 𝑏] such that 𝑓(𝑎) and
𝑓(𝑏) have opposite signs, say 𝑓(𝑎) is
Solution: negative and 𝑓(𝑏) is positive.
1 −2
3
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 → 𝑓′ 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 If 𝑥𝑛 is an approximation to a solution to
3
If 𝑎 = −1 & 𝑏 = 8, then 𝑓 𝑎 = 𝑓 −1 = −1 & 𝑓 𝑏 = 𝑓 8 = 2. 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑓 ′ 𝑥𝑛 ≠ 0, then the next
approximation is given by
So, we can consider [−1, 8]. 𝑓(𝑥𝑛 )
Using the initial approximation 𝑥0 = 1, 𝑥𝑛+1 = 𝑥𝑛 − ′
𝑓 𝑥𝑛
𝑓 𝑥0 1
𝑥1 = 𝑥0 − ′ = 1 − = 1 − 3 = −2
𝑓 𝑥0 1
3
3
𝑓 𝑥1 −2
𝑥2 = 𝑥1 − ′ = −2 − = −2 − (−6) = 4
𝑓 𝑥1 1
3
3 (−2)2
Thus, we get 𝑥1 = −2, 𝑥2 = 4, 𝑥3 = −8, 𝑥4 = 16, …
In this case, Newton’s method fails. 𝑥 = 0 is an obvious solution.
Let’s check your progress!
 Calculus 1

PROBLEM #1

Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 1 at the point 𝑥0 = 1.

Answer: 𝑦 − 3𝑥 + 3 = 0
 Calculus 1

PROBLEM #2

Find the equation of the normal line to the curve 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 at the point 𝑥0 = 1.

Answer: 𝑦+𝑥−1=0
 Calculus 1

PROBLEM #3

𝑥
Let 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 +1. Find the instantaneous rate at which 𝑦 changes with 𝑥 at the point 𝑥 = 2.

3
Answer: − 25
 Calculus 1

PROBLEM #4

Water is leaking from a conical funnel at the rate of 6.5 𝑐𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐. If the radius of the
base of the funnel is 12 cm and the height is 25 cm, find the rate at which the water
1
level is dropping when it is 7 cm from the top. Note: 𝑉 = 3 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
Express your answer up to four decimal places.
𝑑ℎ
Answer: 𝑑𝑡
= −0.0277 cm/sec
Calculus 1