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Definition of A Derivative-Converted-1

BCAL NOTES

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30 views4 pages

Definition of A Derivative-Converted-1

BCAL NOTES

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At the end of this module, I can:

1. Apply the definition of the derivative of a function at a given


number.
2. Relate the derivative of a function to the slope of the tangent
line.
3. Derive the differentiation rules.
4. Apply the differentiation rules in computing the derivatives of
algebraic, exponential and trigonometric functions.

Differentiation is the crucial point in the study of calculus. The limit used to
determine the slope of a tangent line is also used to define one of the 2
fundamental operations of calculus – Differentiation.

Definition of the Derivative of a Function


The derivative of 𝑓 at 𝑥 is given by
𝑓(𝑥1 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥1 )
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
provided the limit exists. For all 𝑥 for which this limit exists, 𝑓′ is a
function of 𝑥.
𝑓(𝑥1 +∆𝑥)−𝑓(𝑥1 )
If 𝑥1 is a particular number in the domain of 𝑓, then 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim if
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
the limit exists.

In this formula if we let 𝑥1 + ∆𝑥, then "∆𝑥 → 0” is equivalent to “𝑥 → 𝑥1 ”


𝑓(𝑥)−𝑓(𝑥1 )
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim if the limit exists.
𝑥→𝑥1 𝑥−𝑥1

These quotients are called standard difference quotients of the function 𝑓 at the
number 𝑥1 .

The derivative of a function of x is also a function of x. The “new” function gives


the slope of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑓 at the point (𝑥, 𝑓(𝑥)), provided
that the graph has a tangent line at that point.

The process of finding the derivative of a function is called differentiation.

A function is differentiable at 𝑥 if its derivative exists at 𝑥 and is differentiable on


an open interval (a, b) if it is differentiable at every point in the interval.

Notations for Derivative

The derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) may be written in any of the following ways:

• 𝑦′
• 𝑓 ′ (𝑥)
𝑑𝑦
• 𝑑𝑥
𝑑
• [𝑓(𝑥)]
𝑑𝑥
• 𝐷𝑥 [𝑓(𝑥)]

The use of the symbol 𝒇′ for the derivative of the function 𝑓 was introduced by
French mathematician Joseph Louis Lagrange (1736 – 1813) in the 18th century.
This notation emphasizes that the function 𝒇′ is derived from the function 𝑓 and
its value at 𝑥 is 𝒇′(𝒙).
𝑑𝑦
The symbols 𝑑𝑥 as a notation for the derivative was first used by the German
mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646 – 1716). In the 17th century,
Leibniz and Sir Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727), working independently introduced
almost simultaneously the derivative.
𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦
= lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
= 𝑓′(𝑥)

Example 1: Use the definition of the derivative of a function to determine the


derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 .

Solution: Using the definition of derivative, we have the following:


𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)2 − 𝑥 2
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥∆𝑥 + (∆𝑥)2 − 𝑥 2
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
∆𝑥(2𝑥 + ∆𝑥)
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
Therefore, the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) is 𝟐𝒙.

Example 2: Using 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 find 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) at the point

a) (2, 4)
b) (−2, 4)

Solution: We know from Example 1 that 𝑓′(𝑥) is 2𝑥. So, we can conclude the
following:

a) At (2, 4), the slope of the tangent line is 𝑓 ′ (2) = 2(2) = 4.


b) At (−2, 4), the slope of the tangent line is 𝑓 ′ (−2) = 2(−2) = −4.
Example 3: Use the definition of the derivative of a function to determine the
derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 4.

Solution: Using the definition of the derivative, we have the following:


𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
((𝑥 + ∆𝑥)3 − 4) − (𝑥3 − 4)
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
(𝑥3 + 3𝑥2 ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥(∆𝑥)2 + (∆𝑥)3 − 4) − (𝑥3 − 4)
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
∆𝑥(3𝑥2 + 3𝑥∆𝑥 + (∆𝑥)2
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
Therefore, the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) is 𝟑𝒙𝟐 .

Now that you know the definition of the derivative of a function, observe the
derivatives for examples 1 and 3. What patterns do you see? Use these results to
answer the “Activity and Analysis: Looking for Patterns” discussion in Canvas.

Reference:
(CHED, 2016) – Teaching Guide in Basic Calculus
(J. B. Bacani et. al, 2016) – Basic Calculus (For Senior High School)
(R. Larson et. al, 2010) – Calculus, 9th ed.

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