Calculus 2.

2 Defining the Derivative Notes

Write your questions
and thoughts here!
This derivative is an expression that calculates the instantaneous rate of change (slope of the
tangent line) of a function at any given 𝑥-value. In other words, it gives us the slope of the
function at a point!
𝑓 𝑥 𝑥 𝑓 𝑥 2𝑥
 y


𝑓 1



𝑓 2

x
       𝑓 2


1. If 𝑓 𝑥 𝑥, find 𝑓 2 and explain the meaning.

2. If 𝑓 𝑥 represents how many meters you have run and 𝑥 represents the minutes, describe
in full sentences the following:
𝑓 8 1,500 𝑓 3 161

After 8 minutes, I ran 1,500 meters. At the 3rd minute, I was running 161
meters per minute.

Notation for the Derivative:

Lagrange Leibniz

𝑑𝑦
𝑓 𝑥 𝑦
𝑑𝑥

Defintion of the Derivative:

This limit gives an expression that calculates the instantaneous rate of change (slope
of the tangent line) of 𝑓 𝑥 at any given 𝑥-value.

𝒇 𝒙 𝒉 𝒇 𝒙
𝒇 𝒙 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒉→𝟎 𝒉
Write your questions Find the derivative using the Definition of the Derivative (limits).
and thoughts here!
3. 𝑓 𝑥 2𝑥 7𝑥 1 4. 𝑦

Equation of the Tangent Line:

The line tangent to the curve of 𝑓 𝑥 at 𝑥 𝑎 can be represented in point-slope form:
𝑦 𝑦 𝑚 𝑥 𝑥

𝒚 𝒇 𝒂 𝒇 𝒂 𝒙 𝒂

5. If we know ℎ 5 2, and the derivative of ℎ is given by ℎ 𝑥 , write an

equation for the line tangent to the graph of ℎ at 𝑥 5.

6. The graph of 𝑓 𝑥 , the derivative of 𝑓, is shown at the  y

right. If 𝑓 2 7, write an equation of the line tangent to 

the graph of 𝑓 at 2, 7 .



𝑓 𝑥


x
      

2.2 Defining the Derivative
Calculus
Practice
𝒅𝒚
Find the derivative using limits. If the equation is given as 𝒚 , use Leibniz Notation: . If the equation is
𝒅𝒙
given as 𝒇 𝒙 , use Lagrange Notation: 𝒇 𝒙 . WRITE SMALL!!
1. 𝑓 𝑥 7 6𝑥 2. 𝑦 5𝑥 𝑥

3. 𝑦 √5𝑥 2 4. 𝑓 𝑥

For each problem, use the information given to identify the meaning of the two equations in the context of
the problem. Write in full sentences!
5. 𝐶 is the number of championships Sully has won 6. 𝑑 is the distance (in miles) from home when you
while coaching basketball. 𝑡 is the number of years walk to school. ℎ is the number of hours since 7:00
since 2002 for the function 𝐶 𝑡 . a.m. for the function 𝑑 ℎ .
𝐶 12 3 and 𝐶 12 0.4 𝑑 0.5 1.2 and 𝑑 0.5 11
 7. 𝑊 is the number of cartoon shows Mr. Kelly 8. 𝑔 is the number of gray hairs on Mr. Brust’s head.
watches every week. 𝑥 is the number of children 𝑥 is the number of students in his 4th period.
Mr. Kelly has for the function 𝑊 𝑥 . 𝑔 26 501 and 𝑔 15 130
𝑊 7 25 and 𝑊 7 3

For each problem, create an equation of the tangent line of 𝒇 at the given point. Leave in point-slope.
9. 𝑓 7 5 and 𝑓 7 2 10. 𝑓 2 3 and 𝑓 2 4 11. 𝑓 𝑥 3𝑥 2𝑥;
𝑓 𝑥 6𝑥 2; 𝑥 2

12. 𝑓 𝑥 10√6𝑥 1; 13. 𝑓 𝑥 cos 2𝑥; 14. 𝑓 𝑥 tan 𝑥;

𝑓 𝑥 ; 𝑥 4 𝑓 𝑥 2 sin 2𝑥 ; 𝑥 𝑓 𝑥 sec 𝑥 ; 𝑥
√

2.2 Defining the Derivative Test Prep

15. Let 𝑓 𝑥 lim . For what value of 𝑥 does 𝑓 𝑥 4?

→

(A) 4 (B) 1 (C) 1 (D) 2 (E) 4

16. The graph of the function 𝑓, along with a table of values, are shown below. Approximate the value
of 𝑓 5.5 using data from the table. Show computations that lead to your answer.
y







x
       
𝑥 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7
𝑓 𝑥 2.169 2.321 2.459 5 4.5 4

17. The figure below shows the graph of the line tangent to the graph of 𝑓 at 𝑥 0.
y
Of the following, which must be true?

(A) 𝑓 0 𝑓 0

(B) 𝑓 0 𝑓 0
x
   
(C) 𝑓 0 𝑓 0

(D) 𝑓 0 𝑓 0