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Module 3

Calculus 1
Math 30/Math Ed 132/Math 130
Derivatives

Prepared by

Nick Wais Sibaen

Mathematics Department
College of Numeracy and Applied Sciences
Benguet State University

Contact Information of the Subject Teacher


E-mail: n.sibaen@bsu.edu.ph Facebook: Nick Wais Sibaen Mobile: 0910 296 8446 (SMART)
Instructions
✓ This module covers topics on the different types of functions as follows:
➢ An Intuitive Approach to Derivatives
➢ Properties od Differentiation
➢ Differentiation Formulas
➢ Interpretations of Derivative

✓ Students are encouraged to use all possible resources available to facilitate understanding of the
topics.
✓ This module also includes Summative Test 3. Answers to this test are due on March 4, 2022.
The submission of answers will be through a google form. This means that summative test 3 will
be converted to a google form, from which you will indicate/provide answer 2. The google form
will be posted in our Google Classroom. Also, you will be asked to turn in your complete
solution to the items.

✓ Google Meets will be scheduled to support this module. The google meets will primarily discuss
parts of the module that the students find difficult or confusing. These meets will allow students
to ask their questions in preparation to answering the summative test. Also, we will show the
solution for the Practice Exercises included in the module. The schedule of the meets will be
posted in our Facebook Messenger Group Chat.
Derivatives
3.1. An Intuitive Approach to Derivatives
We begin our discussion of derivatives by considering the graph of function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) as presented
below. Apart from the function, we also see a line (Line L) crossing the function at two points. This is called
a “secant” line. Let us further call the points of intersections as A and B. We also see that point A has
coordinates (𝑥, 𝑓(𝑥)) and B has coordinates (𝑥 + Δ𝑥, 𝑓(𝑥 + Δ𝑥).

The slope (m) of Line L is the ratio of the lengths of the legs of the right triangle constructed from
the points of intersection A and B.
rise f ( x + x) − f ( x)
m= =
run x
Now, let us move point B closer to point A. Let us move several times such that each time, B
becomes even closer to A.

Page 1
Prepared by
Nick Wais Sibaen
This material is for BSU students only.
If we move point B close to point A, but not exactly overlapping point A, line L approaches a
limiting position. In fact, the line L is approaching a tangent line, tangent to 𝑓(𝑥) at point A. Recall that a
tangent line is a line intersecting a curve at only one point. The only point of intersection is called the “point
of tangency”.
We also realize that since the line is approaching a limiting position, Line L will never become any
of the following figures.

Since Line L is approaching a certain position, we can relate this to the concept of limits we
discussed earlier. The idea presented above, with the aid of the idea of limits, can be expressed or written
mathematically. To do so, let us dig deeper to what actually happens while we have been moving point B
closer to point A. The distance Δ𝑥 becomes smaller and smaller or equivalently, Δ𝑥 is approaching zero.

Page 2
Prepared by
Nick Wais Sibaen
This material is for BSU students only.
Also, the slope corresponding to the lines formed by moving point B towards point A also changes. Since
the line is approaching a limiting position, it follows that that slope also approaches a certain number. Let us
𝑑𝑦
call this number 𝑑𝑥 (since slope is practically the amount of change in 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) over the amount of change
in x). Mathematically, we write

dy f ( x + x) − f ( x) → amount of changein y = f ( x)


= lim
dx x→0 x → amount of changein x ( x + x − x)
𝑑𝑦
The number 𝑑𝑥 is called the DERIVATIVE of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) with respect to 𝑥. The
process of computing for the derivative of a functions is called DIFFERENTIATION. Here are other
notations to mean the derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).

y' read as “y prime”

f '( x) read as “f prime of x”

Dx  y  read as the “derivative of y with respect to x”

Example 3.1.1

Compute for the derivative of the following function: 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1.


To compute for the derivative, we are going to use the definition we derived above.

Take note that the definition involves the expressions 𝑓(𝑥 + Δ𝑥) and 𝑓(𝑥). Of course, for 𝑓(𝑥),
we simply substitute the original function, which is (2𝑥 + 1) in this particular example. For 𝑓(𝑥 + Δ𝑥), we
will have to evaluate the function at 𝑥 + Δ𝑥. This means that we substitute the expression (𝑥 + Δ𝑥) to all
“xs” in the function.

f ( x + x) = 2( x + x) + 1

= 2 x + 2x + 1 2( x + x) = 2 x + 2x


Let us now go ahead and compute for the derivative of y.
dy f ( x + x) − f ( x)
= lim definition
dx x → 0 x
f ( x +x ) f ( x)
 

= lim
( 2 x + 2x + 1)− ( 2 x + 1) substitution
x →0 x
2 x + 2x + 1 − 2 x − 1
= lim −(2𝑥 + 1) = −2𝑥 − 1
x →0 x
2x
= lim simplifying: 2𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 0; 1 − 1 = 0
x →0 x

2Δ𝑥
= lim 2 simplifying: Δ𝑥
=2
x →0

=2 the limit of a constant is the constant itself


The derivative of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1 is 2.

Page 3
Prepared by
Nick Wais Sibaen
This material is for BSU students only.
Example 3.1.2

Compute for the derivative of the following function: 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2.


f ( x + x) − f ( x)
y ' = lim definition
x →0 x
Note
f ( x +x ) =3( x +x ) −( x +x ) + 2
2

(
= 3 x 2 + 2 xx + x
2
) − x − x + 2
2
=3 x2 + 6 xx +3x − x −x + 2
We put a bar over Δ𝑥 when the exponent is greater than 1 to keep us reminded that Δ𝑥 is a single quantity and should not
be trated as Δ times 𝑥.

f ( x +x ) f ( x)

( 3x )

( )
2
2
+ 6 xx + 3x − x − x + 2 − 3 x − x + 2 2

y ' = lim substitution


x →0 x
2
3x 2 + 6 xx + 3x − x − x + 2 − 3x 2 + x − 2
y ' = lim −(3𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2) = −3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2
x →0 x
2
6 xx + 3x − x
y ' = lim simplifying
x →0 x
x ( 6 x + 3x − 1)
y ' = lim factoring out Δ𝑥 (we can do this
x → 0 x
since Δ𝑥 is common to all three
terms in the numerator
y ' = lim ( 6 x + 3x − 1) simplifying
x →0

y ' = 6 x + 3 ( 0) −1 computing the limit through


substitution
y ' = 6x −1 simplifying
The derivative of 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2 is 6𝑥 − 1.
Example 2.1.3
1
Compute for the derivative of the following function: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 −4.
f ( x + x) − f ( x)
f '( x) = lim definition
x →0 x

Note: f ( x +x ) =
1
( x +x )3 − 4
1
= 2 3
x3 +3 x2 x +3 x x + x − 4

f ( x +x )
 f ( x)

 
 1 −  1 
 3 ___ 2 ___ 3
  x3 − 4 
f '( x) = lim  x + 3 x 2
x + 3 x  x +  x − 4  substitution
x → 0 x

Page 4
Prepared by
Nick Wais Sibaen
This material is for BSU students only.
(x 3
) (
− 4 − x 3 + 3 x 2 x + 3 x x + x − 4
2 3
)
f '( x) = lim
(x 3
+ 3 x 2 x + 3 x x + x − 4
2 3
)( x 3
−4 )
the formula 1 1 b+ a
+ = was used to
x →0 x a b ab

combine the two rational


expressions in the numerator
2 3
x 3 − 4 − x 3 − 3 x 2 x − 3 x x − x + 4

f '( x) = lim
( x + 3x x + 3xx
3 2 2
+ x − 4
3
)( x 3
−4 ) ( 2 3
− x3 + 3 x 2 x + 3 x x + x − 4 )
x → 0 x 3 2 2
= − x − 3 x x − 3 x x − x + 4
3

2 3
−3 x 2 x − 3 x x − x

f '( x) = lim
( x + 3x x + 3xx
3 2 2
+ x − 4
3
)( x 3
−4 )
simplifying
x → 0 x

f '( x) = lim
) (
x −3 x 2 − 3 xx − x

1
2

factoring out Δ𝑥
( x + 3x x + 3xx + x − 4) ( x − 4) x
x →0 3 2 2 3 3

f '( x) = lim
( −3x − 3xx − x ) 2 2

x 
1
=1
( x + 3x x + 3xx + x − 4) ( x − 4)
x →0 3 2 2 3 3 x

f '( x) =
( −3x 2
− 3x ( 0 ) − ( 0 )
2
) computing the limit via
(x 3
+ 3x 2
( 0 ) + 3x ( 0 ) + ( 0 ) − 4 )( x3 − 4 )
substitution
−3 x 2
f '( x) = simplifying
( )(
x − 4 x3 − 4
3
)
−3x 2 ( x −4)( x −4) is the same as ( x −4)
f '( x) =
3 3 3 2

(x )
2
3
−4
−3𝑥 2
The derivative of 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2 is (𝑥 3 −4)2.

Practice Exercise 1
Using the definition of a derivative, differentiate the following.
1. f ( x) = 5 x3 − 2 x 2 + 7
5
2. f ( x) =
x

Page 5
Prepared by
Nick Wais Sibaen
This material is for BSU students only.
3.2. Properties of Differentiation

For any function 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥), the following derivative properties hold.

Property 1. d  f ( x)  g ( x)  = d  f ( x)   d  g ( x) 
dx dx dx
This property allows one to break a sum or difference of two functions (can be extended to more
than two functions) into different derivatives. We take note that this property is only applicable for sum and
difference, and should not be applied to products and quotients. This means that the derivative of a product
is not equal to the product of the derivatives of each factor and the derivative of a quotient is not the same
as the derivative of the functions being divided.
d d d
 f ( x)  g ( x)    f ( x)    g ( x)  and d  f ( x)  dx

d
 f ( x)  .
dx dx dx  
dx  g ( x)  dx  g ( x) 
d

The formulas for dealing with products and quotients will be dealt later.
Example 3.2.1
a. d  4 x 2 − 2 x + 1 = d  4 x 2  − d  2 x  + d 1
dx dx dx dx
b. d  −7 x 7 − 2 x5 + 3x3 − x  = d  −7 x 7  − d  2 x5  + d 3x3  − d  x 
dx   dx dx   dx dx

Property 2. d  cf ( x)  = c d  f ( x) 
dx dx
The derivative of a function multiplied to a constant is the same as the product of the constant and
the derivative of the function. This property allows one to factor out a constant from the function being
differentiated.

Example 3.2.2

The result from example 3.2.1.a can be further rewritten applying property 2 as follows:
d d d d d d
 4 x 2  −  2 x  + 1 = 4  x 2  − 2  x  + 1 .
dx dx dx dx dx dx
Similarly, the results from example 3.2.1.b can be rewritten as follows by way of property 2.
d d d d d d d d
 −7 x 7  −  2 x5  + 3x3  −  x  = −7  x 7  − 2  x5  + 3  x3  −  x  .
dx dx   dx dx dx dx dx dx

3.3. Differentiation Formulas

We use the following formulas so that we can compute the derivative of a function faster since our
solutions is far shorter compared to when we compute using the definition. We emphasize however that
these formulas are derived using the definition of derivative that we presented earlier.

Formu1a 1. d  c  = 0 where c is any constant


dx
This formula states that the derivative of any constant is simply zero.

Page 6
Prepared by
Nick Wais Sibaen
This material is for BSU students only.
Examples 3.3.1
a. d  4 = 0 d. d   = 0
dx dx
b. d  −3 = 0 e. d  e  = 0
dx dx
c. d  23  = 0 f. d  e − e  = 0
dx dx  

Formula 2. d  x n  = nx n −1
dx  
This is called the POWER FORMULA for the single term polynomial 𝑥 𝑛 . Note that we can only
use this formula if n is a number and not another variable. This formula tells us that the derivative of a
power 𝑥 𝑛 is computed by bringing down the power 𝑛, and becomes a coefficient, and then subtract 1 from
the power.

Examples 3.3.2
a. d  x3  = 3x3−1 = 3x 2
dx  
b. d  x 7  = 7 x 7 −1 = 7 x 6
dx
c. d  x  = 1x1−1 = 1x 0 = 1  0 = 0
dx
d. d  x  = 13 x −1 = 13 x − = 1
1 1 2
3 3 3

dx  
2
3x 3

e. d  z −5  = −5 z −5−1 = −5 z −6 = − 56
dz z
f. d t   =  t  −1
dz

Formula 3. d  f ( x)  g ( x)  = f ( x) g '( x) + g ( x) f '( x)


dx
This is called the PRODUCT RULE. As mentioned earlier, the derivative of a product is NOT
equal to the product of the derivatives of each factor. The product rule is applied using the following steps:

✓ STEP 1: Multiply the first function to the derivative of the second function.
✓ STEP 2: Multiply the second function to the derivative of the first function.
✓ STEP 3: Add the results from steps 1 and 2.

Example 3.3.3
( x + 1) ( x3 − 3) = ( x + 1) ( x3 − 3) + ( x3 − 3) ( x + 1)
d  d d
dx  dx dx
* d ( x3 −3)= d ( x3 )− d (3) applying property 1
dx dx dx
2 2
= 3x − 0 = 3x applying the power rule (formula 2) and derivative of a
constant (formula 1)

Page 7
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Nick Wais Sibaen
This material is for BSU students only.
* d ( x+1)= d ( x)− d (1)
dx dx dx
=1− 0 =1 applying formulas 2 and 1
d 3
dx
(
x −3 ) d
dx
( x +1)
 
d 
dx  ( )
( x + 1) x3 − 3  = ( x + 1) 3x ( 2
)+ (x 3
−3 ) (1) substitution

= 3x3 + 3x 2 + x3 − 3 multiplying 3𝑥 2 to (𝑥 + 1) and 1 to (𝑥 3 − 3)


= 4 x3 + 3x 2 − 3 simplifying

Example 3.3.4
d 
dx 
( x )( x 11
− 3x5 ) 

= ( x ) dxd ( x − 3x ) + ( x − 3x ) dxd ( x )
11 5 11 5
applying the product rule

= ( x ) (11x − 3  5 x ) + ( x − 3x ) ( x )
1 −1
11−1 5 −1 11 5 1
2
2
applying the power rule

= ( x ) (11x − 15 x ) + ( x − 3x ) ( x )
10 4 11 5 1 − 12
2 simplifying

x11 − 3x5
( )( )
1
1 1
= x 11x10 − 15 x 4 + 1
rewriting: 2 𝑥 −2 = 1
2x 2 2𝑥 2

x − 3x5
( )(
11
= x 11x10 − 15x 4 +
2 x
) rewriting:
1
1
2𝑥 2
=2
1
√𝑥

x − 3x5
11
= 11x10 x − 15x 4 x + multiplying √𝑥 to (11𝑥 10 −
2 x
15𝑥 4 )

Formula 4. d  f ( x)  =
d
g ( x) dx  f ( x) − f ( x) dxd  g ( x) 
 g ( x) 
2
dx  g ( x) 
This rule is called the QOUTIENT RULE. This is applicable in differentiating a quotient of two
functions. Students are again warned that
d  f ( x)  dx

d
 f ( x)  .
 
dx  g ( x)  dx  g ( x) 
d

To use the formula, we follow the following steps:

✓ STEP 1: Multiply the derivative of the numerator to the denominator.


✓ STEP 2: Multiply the derivative of the denominator to the numerator.
✓ STEP 3. Subtract the result of step 1 by the result of step 2.
✓ STEP 4: Divide the result of step 3 by the square of the denominator.

As a strategy, we may memorize the following guide to help us


recall the quotient formula:

Page 8
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Nick Wais Sibaen
This material is for BSU students only.
ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ 𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑑 (ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ)−ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ 𝑑(𝑙𝑜𝑤)
Derivative ( 𝑙𝑜𝑤 ) = 𝑙𝑜𝑤 2

The derivative of high over low is equal to low times derivative


of high minus high times the derivative of low all over low
square.

Example 3.3.5

d 5 x
8 d
5 − 5 dxd  x8 
=
dx
applying the quotient rule
dx  x8   x8 
2

x8 ( 0 ) − 5 8 x7  d
5 = 0 , d
 x8  = 8 x 7
= applying formulas 1 and 2; dx dx

x16
0 − 40x 7
= simplifying
x16
−40x 7
= 16 rewriting
x
−40 𝑥7 1
= 9 simplifying: 𝑥 16 = 𝑥 7−16 = 𝑥 −9 = 𝑥 9
x

Example 3.3.6

d  x3 − 3x 
 
dx  x 2 + 5 

=
(x 2
+5 ) d
dx
 x3 − 3 x  − x3 − 3x ( ) d
dx
 x 2 + 5
applying the quotient rule
2
 x 2 + 5

=
(x 2
)(
+ 5 3x 2 − 3 − x3 − 3x ) ( ) ( 2x ) d  x3 −3 x  = d  x3  − d 3 x = 3 x 2 − 3(1) = 3 x 2 − 3
dx   dx   dx
;
( x + 5)
2
2

d  x 2 + 5  = d  x 2  + d  5 = 2 x + 0 = 2 x
dx   dx   dx

=
( 3x 4
− 3x 2 + 15 x 2 − 15 − 2 x 4 − 6 x 2 ) ( ) ( x +5)(3 x −3)=3 x
2 2 4
−3 x 2 +15 x 2 −15
;
( x −3 x )( 2 x ) = 2 x − 6 x
3 4 2

(x )
2
2
+5
3x 4 − 3x 2 + 15 x 2 − 15 − 2 x 4 + 6 x 2
= simplifying
( )
2
x2 + 5
x + 18 x − 15
4 2
= final answer
(x )
2
2
+5

Page 9
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This material is for BSU students only.
Example 3.3.7

d  z 
dz  z − z 

=
(z − z ) d
dz  z  − ( z ) dzd  z − z 
applying the quotient rule
2
z − z 
 

( )
z − z (1) − ( z ) 1 −

 2 z
1 
 d  z  =1 d   d   d   1
dz  z − z  = dz  z  − dz  z  = 1 − 2 z
= 2
dz ;
z − z 
 

( )
z − z − z −


z 
2 z

( z− z )

1 −
1 

= 2 multiplying 1 to and 𝑧 to  2 z
z − z 
 
z
z− z −z+
= 2 z simplifying
2
z − z 
 
z
− z+
= 2 z simplifying: 𝑧 − 𝑧 = 0
2
z − z 
 
−2 z + z
= 2 z 2 combining the numerator
z − z 
 
−z 1
1
= 2
𝑎
𝑏
= 𝑎𝑏
2 z  z − z 
− z −𝑧 −𝑧 1 1
= = 1 = −𝑧1−2 = −𝑧 2 = −√𝑧
2 √𝑧
2  z − z  𝑧2

Practice Exercise 2
Using the different properties and differentiation, compute for the derivative of the following functions.
1. f ( x) = 4 x 9 − 7 x 4 + 9
2. f ( x) = ( )(
x − x 2− x )
x2
3. f ( x) =
1− x

Page 10
Prepared by
Nick Wais Sibaen
This material is for BSU students only.
3.4. Interpretations of the Derivative

The following are the most common interpretations of derivatives. Such interpretations are still
based on the definition of derivative that we illustrated in the earlier part of this chapter.

Rate of Change

Suppose a quantity is represented by some function say 𝑓(𝑥) at any 𝑥, then the derivative 𝑓 ′ (𝑥)
represents the formula for the “instantaneous” rate of change of 𝑓(𝑥) at any 𝑥 value. If 𝑥 = 𝑎, 𝑓 ′ (𝑎) is the
instantaneous rate of change at 𝑥 = 𝑎 . Instantaneous rate of change refers to change in the rate at an
instant.

Example 3.4.1

A water tank is being filled with water. Suppose that the volume of water at 𝑡 minutes is given by
𝑉(𝑡) = 𝑡 2 − 6𝑡 − 1, answer the following.

a. Is the amount of water being poured in the tank increasing or decreasing at 𝑡 = 2?


b. Is the amount of water being poured in the tank increasing or decreasing at 𝑡 = 5?
c. Is the amount of water being poured in the tank changing faster at 𝑡 = 2 or 𝑡 = 5?
d. Is there a time where the volume of water is not changing at all? If so, at what time?

This problem involves the computation of the derivative of 𝑉(𝑡). The terms “increasing”,
“decreasing”, and “changing” gives us a clue that we need the rate of change. A formula for the rate of
change of the amount of water being poured at any given time 𝑡 is computed as follows:
d 2
V '(t ) = t − 6t − 1
dt 
d d d
V '(t ) = t 2  −  6t  − 1 applying property 1
dt dt dt
d d d
V '(t ) = t 2  − 6 t  − 1 applying property 2
dt dt dt
V '(t ) = 2t − 6 cu. units / min applying the power rule and formula 1

Computing 𝑉′(𝑡) at 𝑡 = 2, we have

V '(2) = 2 ( 2) − 6 = 4 − 6 = −2cu. units / min

This result answers the first question. Since the rate of change at 𝑡 = 2 (value of the derivative
at 𝑡 = 2) is negative, the amount of water being poured is decreasing.

Computing 𝑉′(𝑡) at 𝑡 = 5, we have

V '(5) = 2 (5) − 6 = 10 − 6 = 4 cu. units / min

This result answers the second question. Since the rate of change at 𝑡 = 5 (value of the derivative
at 𝑡 = 5) is positive, we say that the amount of water being poured is increasing.

Page 11
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This material is for BSU students only.
Warning
The common error that students do when answering this types of questions is to simply substitute
𝑡 = 2 and 𝑡 = 5 in the given function. This however just gives the volume at 𝑡 = 2 and 𝑡 = 5 and does not
describe the “rate of change” of volume or “how fast” the volume is changing at a moment.

We answer the third problem by comparing the magnitude of the rate of change at 𝑡 = 2 and 𝑡 =
5. This means that we disregard the signs (“changing” means either decreasing or increasing) and focus on
the magnitude of the values of the derivative at the specific times. Since 4 is greater than 2, we conclude that
the amount of water being poured is changing faster at 𝑡 = 5.

The fourth question is about whether there is a time where the amount of water being poured is
neither increasing nor decreasing but is poured at a constant rate. In terms of the derivative, a constant rate
of change means that the value of the derivative is zero. So that, there is a time that the rate of change is
constant when there exist a 𝑡 value corresponding to a derivative value equal to 0. We can answer this by
equating the derivative to zero, and then solving for 𝑡.

V '(t) = 2 (t ) − 6 = 0
2t = 6
2t 6
=
2 2
t =3

The rate of change is constant at 𝑡 = 3.

Example 3.4.2

How fast is the area of a circle changing with respect to its radius? How fast is the area changing at
𝑟 = 5?

The first question is equivalent to identifying a formula that gives the rate of change of the area of a
circle at any given radius 𝑟. We recall that the area of a circle is

A =  r2
d
A' =  r 2  differentiating
dr
d 2
A' =  r  applying property 2
dr  
A ' =   2r = 2 r units applying the power rule, and then simplifying

The area of circle is changing with respect to its radius by 2𝜋𝑟 units.

The second question is asking for the value of the derivative at 𝑟 = 5.


At 𝑟 = 5,
A ' = 2 ( 5) = 10 units

Page 12
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This material is for BSU students only.
Derivative as the Slope of the Tangent Line

The derivative of a function, say 𝑓(𝑥) can also be interpreted as a formula that computes the slope
of the tangent line at any point 𝑥.

Example 3.4.3
Compute for the slope of the tangent line, tangent to 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 at
a. 𝑥 = 1
b. 𝑥 = 4
c. 𝑥 = −3
1
d. 𝑥 = − 2

Solution

Compute first for the derivative of the function. Then, evaluate this derivative at the specified 𝑥
values.
f ( x) = x3 − 3x 2 + x − 2
d 3
f '( x) =  x − 3x 2 + x − 2 
dx
f '( x) = 3 x 2 − 6 x + 1

a. 𝑥 = 1
f '(1) = 3 (1) − 6 (1) + 1
2

= 3 − 6 +1
= −2

The slope of the tangent line, tangent to 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 at 𝑥 = 1 is −2.

b. 𝑥 = 4
f '(4) = 3 ( 4 ) − 6 ( 4 ) + 1
2

= 3 (16) − 6 ( 4) + 1
= 48 − 24 + 1
= 48 − 24 + 1
= 25

The slope of the tangent line, tangent to 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 at 𝑥 = 4 is 25.

c. 𝑥 = −3
f '(−3) = 3 ( −3) − 6 ( −3) + 1
2

= 3 ( 9) − 6 ( −3) + 1
= 27 + 18 + 1
= 46

The slope of the tangent line, tangent to 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 at 𝑥 = −3 is 46.

Page 13
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This material is for BSU students only.
1
d. 𝑥 = − 2
f '(− 12 ) = 3 ( − 12 ) − 6 ( − 12 ) + 1
2

= 3 ( 14 ) + 3 + 1
= 34 + 4
= 34 + 164
= 194

1 19
The slope of the tangent line, tangent to 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 at 𝑥 = − is .
2 4

Practice Exercise 3
Solve the following problems.
1. How fast is the surface area and volume of a sphere changing with respect to its radius?
1
2. What is the slope of the tangent line, tangent to 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + at 𝑥 = −5.
𝑥2

Page 14
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Nick Wais Sibaen
This material is for BSU students only.

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