Topic: Definition of the derivative

Question: Use the definition of the derivative to find the simplified form of
the limit.

f (x) = x 3 − 2x

Answer choices:

(x + Δx)3 − 2(x + Δx)

A f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

B f′(x) = lim (3x 2 + 3xΔx + Δx 2 − 2)

Δx→0

C f′(x) = lim (Δx 2 − 2)

Δx→0

(x + Δx)3 − (x 3 − 2x)
D f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

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Solution: B

After replacing x with (x + Δx) in f (x),

f (x) = (x + Δx)3 − 2(x + Δx)

we’ll substitute for f (x + Δx).

(x + Δx)3 − 2(x + Δx) − f (x)

f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

Then plug f (x) into the definition.

(x + Δx)3 − 2(x + Δx) − (x 3 − 2x)

f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

x 3 + x 2Δx + 2x 2Δx + 2xΔx 2 + xΔx 2 + Δx 3 − 2x − 2Δx − x 3 + 2x

f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

Collect like terms,

x 2Δx + 2x 2Δx + 2xΔx 2 + xΔx 2 + Δx 3 − 2x − 2Δx + 2x

f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

x 2Δx + 2x 2Δx + 2xΔx 2 + xΔx 2 + Δx 3 − 2Δx

f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

3x 2Δx + 3xΔx 2 + Δx 3 − 2Δx

f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

then factor Δx out of the numerator and cancel out that common factor
from the numerator and denominator.

Δx(3x 2 + 3xΔx + Δx 2 − 2)
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

144
f′(x) = lim (3x 2 + 3xΔx + Δx 2 − 2)
Δx→0

145
Topic: Definition of the derivative

Question: Use the definition of the derivative to find the derivative of the
function.

f (x) = x 2

Answer choices:

A f′(x) = 0

B f′(x) = 2

C f′(x) = 2x

D f′(x) = x 2 + 2x

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Solution: C

After replacing x with (x + Δx) in f (x),

f (x) = (x + Δx)2

we’ll substitute for f (x + Δx).

(x + Δx)2 − f (x)
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

Then plug f (x) into the definition.

(x + Δx)2 − x 2
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

x 2 + xΔx + xΔx + Δx 2 − x 2
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

Collect like terms,

xΔx + xΔx + Δx 2
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

2xΔx + Δx 2
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

then factor Δx out of the numerator and cancel out that common factor
from the numerator and denominator.

Δx(2x + Δx)
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

f′(x) = lim (2x + Δx)

Δx→0

147
Now we evaluate the limit using substitution, which means we’ll substitute
Δx = 0.

f′(x) = 2x + 0

f′(x) = 2x

148
Topic: Definition of the derivative

Question: Use the definition of the derivative to find the derivative of the
function.

f (x) = 2 − x 2 + x

Answer choices:

A f′(x) = 2

B f′(x) = 2x

C f′(x) = − 2x

D f′(x) = − 2x + 1

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Solution: D

After replacing x with (x + Δx) in f (x),

f (x) = 2 − (x + Δx)2 + (x + Δx)

we’ll substitute for f (x + Δx).

2 − (x + Δx)2 + (x + Δx) − f (x)

f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

Then plug f (x) into the definition.

2 − (x + Δx)2 + (x + Δx) − (2 − x 2 + x)
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

2 − (x 2 + xΔx + xΔx + Δx 2) + x + Δx − 2 + x 2 − x
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

2 − x 2 − xΔx − xΔx − Δx 2 + x + Δx − 2 + x 2 − x
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

Collect like terms,

2 − xΔx − xΔx − Δx 2 + x + Δx − 2 − x
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

−xΔx − xΔx − Δx 2 + x + Δx − x
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

−xΔx − xΔx − Δx 2 + Δx
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

−2xΔx − Δx 2 + Δx
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

150
then factor Δx out of the numerator and cancel out that common factor
from the numerator and denominator.

Δx(−2x − Δx + 1)
f′(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx

f′(x) = lim (−2x − Δx + 1)

Δx→0

Now we evaluate the limit using substitution, which means we’ll substitute
Δx = 0.

f′(x) = − 2x − 0 + 1

f′(x) = − 2x + 1

151