THE DERIVATIVE

Engr. Cynthia V. Plaza

Instructor
Delta Notation
•  𝑚
  𝑠𝑒𝑐 =¿

 this called average rate of change of the function f on the interval

between and

Example: Let Starting at , change x to 1.5. Then What is the average

rate of change?
Solution
• 

 averarage rate of change of change

The Derivative
•If   and is in the domain of f, then by the instantaneous rate of change
of f at we mean the limit of the average rate of change between and
as approaches 0:

 𝑚 𝑡𝑎𝑛 =¿
  𝑑𝑦
¿
𝑑𝑥

Provided that this limit exists. This limit is also called the derivative of f
at .
Notation for Derivatives
• 

The value of the derivative is a function of x, and will be denoted by any

of the following expressions:
EXAMPLE
•If   a body starts out at rest and then falls a distance of s feet in t
seconds, then physical laws imply that s = 16 t2. Find as t changes from
to . Use the result to find at t changes 3 to 3.2.
SOLUTION
• 

when t changes from 3 to 3.2:

Find ds/dt of the previous function and
interpret the result.
•Solution
 

For the instantaneous velocity

 Find the derivative of using delta method.
• 
SOLUTION
• 
Practice Problem
•1.  Find , given . What then is the value of y when x = 4.99?
2. Find the average velocity for feet and t changes from 2 to 3 seconds.
3. Find the increase in the volume of a spherical balloon when its radius
is increased from inches from 2 to 3 inches.
4. Find the slope of the tangent line to the following curves at the point
x = 1:

a. b. c.

5. Find the derivative of . Examine f’(0).