FINDING SLOPE FUNCTIONS.

Introduction: In this activity, we will use the Geogebra Derivative Checker to find the slope function for many different functions. Remember that with the slope function, we can find the slope of a graph at any point! We call these derivatives and they are incredibly useful. If we are talking about a function , its derivative is denoted and if , or For example, as we discovered previously, if ,

Step 1: Use the Geogebra Derivative Checker to plot the derivatives for the functions below. Draw the result on the graph provided. Then, guess the function using the orange item, and try to figure out what the derivate is. Once you find it, write it in the space to the right and then find the slope of the graph at the points . GRAPH FUNCTION

DERIVATIVE

SLOPES calculate the slope at

and

GRAPH

FUNCTION

DERIVATIVE

SLOPES calculate the slope at

and

GRAPH

FUNCTION

DERIVATIVE

SLOPES calculate the slope at

and

Step 2: Using the same method, find the derivatives of the following functions. For each group, fill in the box to the right as to why the derivatives make sense. Function Derivative Why does this make sense?

Function

Derivative

Why does this make sense?

Function

Derivative

Why does this make sense?

What rule or rules do you think you can come up with?

Step 3: Using the same method, find the derivatives of the following functions. For each group, fill in the box to the right as to any patterns you notice. Function Derivative Whats the pattern?

Function

Derivative

Whats the pattern?

What rule or rules do you think you can come up with?

Step 4: Either using Geogebra, or filling in from your tables above or the new rules you have, find the derivatives of the following.. Function Derivative Whats the pattern?

Summary of your rules: 1. [CONSTANT FUNCTION] If ,

2. [CONSTANT TIMES A FUNCTION]

If

3. [POWER RULE]

If

4. [SUM-DIFFERENCE RULE]

If