3.

1 Derivative of a Function

Calculus AB
 Vocab/Formulas
• Derivative:
– From 2.4 we defined slope of a curve of y = f(x) at a point
where x=a as

– When it exists, this limit is called the derivative of f at a. f’(x)

is the derivative of the function.

• Differentiable: a function is differentiable at a point

when the f’(x) exists
– If the function is differentiable at every point in the domain, it
is a differentiable function
Notation
Example 1: Differentiate
 Alternate Definition
• Derivative at a point x=a:

(a, f(a))

a
Example 3: Use the alternative derivative
formula to differentiate at x = a
Example 4: Graph the derivative of the given
function.
Example 5: Sketch f given the following
information:
a.) f(0)=0 b.) The graph below is f’ c.) f is
continuous
 Vocab
• Right-Hand Derivative:

• Left-Hand Derivative:
Example 6: Show that there are LH & RH
derivatives at x = 0 but no derivative
Assignment
Pg. 105
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