Differentiation a WHAT IS THE DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION? ‘An example: average and instantaneous velocity ‘Suppose a particle is moving in straight line so that a time ¢ seconds, itis /(C) = ¢# metres fom the origin. ‘What isthe particle's average velocity over the time period ¢— 1 tot = 37 “The average velocity from ‘Consider h approaching zero, Then the average velocity approaches the lastantaneous velocity att = 1, Thus the instantancous velocity at ie ¢ = 1is given by li fa+h-fQ Boa 8 [Note each average velocity corresponds tothe gradient’ ofa chord onthe raph y = fC, from pelwe=1+h, ‘The instantaneous velocity corresponds tothe gradient of «tangent linet the graph “The gradient ofthe tangent inet y = f(0) att = ais given by fle py f@tOte@e in 2 A cae “This is the derivative ofthe funtion f- mt DiteritionTHE DERIVATIVE ‘Whenever we have the graph of a function, we can consider the slope or gradient of the graph ata point and how this gradient varies. So consider a graph y = f(x). The gradient of a chord from x = a tox = a+ his given by Definition: If the limit tim (24D -S@) 1 % ‘exists then we say that fis differentiable at x= a, and we ell off atx =a. limit f(a), he derivative If is differentiable at every point in an interval (a,b), then we say f is differentiable on the interval (a,b). It fis differentiable at every pont in its domain, we say fis a differentiable function, I we consider the value ofthe derivative f(a) at different points, we obtain the derivative function f"(2)- (Our inital example shows that if f(x) = x* then f”(x) = 2x. Digeromation m2Remark on notation: The derivative of f(x) is often written "(2 1EY'= FC], ste commen notion fr th deste s iy a expressing the it thatthe derivative gives the ato of smal change in to smal change ina Other, less common notations, fr the derivative of y= f(3) ate goad Eg gle. (You can think ofthe symbol as meaning "ak th eva of) Dien eas was ese meted independently hy ne Nevin an Gates Wilhelm Lib. The notation (3) ide to Newton, The ntaton inde wo Let Calculating a derivative from first principles Derivatives canbe ealeulated directly from the definition, as the following example shows, g For each ofthe following functions f(x) find f(x), dietly fom the definition of the derivative © f@)ax - fo). lin SE . + fee Itis possible to show directly, by a similar argument thatthe derivative cf (2) FIG) = ne In practice, rather than using frst principles, we usually find derivativesby using known derivatives, together with certain differentiation rules. Diferentiaion usDIFFERENTIABILITY ‘A function f(x) has a derivative atx = a ithe graph ofthe function has a non-vetical tangent line at x = a, Roughly, this means tata function is differentiable a points oF XQ JE" Examples of non-differentiable functions 1+ The graph of the function has a sharp point Consider f(2) fe 279 Ajra oo FA + The function isnot continuous ‘Consider the Heaviside step funtion. Rr a0, «+ The tangent line is vertical Differentiability vs continuity If a function f(x) is discontinuous at x = a, then the graph y= f(2) cannot te smooth, s0 {£(@) cannot be diferentiable at So iff) isdferetiable at x = a, then f(2) is eontinuous atx = a. However the converse isnot re: there are funetions that are continuous a pitt, but not differentiable there For example we saw that (1) = [xl and g(x) = YF are both continuous atx differentiable there, , but not Ditreition 14Determine the continuity and diferentiabilty of the following functions 5 06 dilatdl — DIFFERENTIATION RULES Cf and g are diferentible functions, and we know thei derivatives, then various ‘We could then differentiate to obtain vw lie ce. However, thee is no nced 10 find an explicit expression for yin terms of x in order to astenitey Toft yep salon Step 1. Differentiate, with respect tothe variable >, both sides ofthe equation: Step2. Digeretaion 120‘Note: Using implicit diteretiation, we obtain dy /dx in terms ofboth x and y. So at any point (9) satisfying the equation x? +, the derivative is given by —x/y (provided y + 0). ‘We can check that the two formulas for dy /dx agree: — # = In this case it was possible to write y explicit in tems of x. In ther cases it may be ‘complicated or impossible to vite explicitly in terms of x, but implicit sifferentiation may Mill be use & Find te slope ofthe curve x2 +3429 = 6 atthe point (Ui) si B (dy 3))- £0 ryQ Given sinGy) = x find at (1, $)- Dilewkiche goth B(=t)-26] Ae boy cals) £69) =1 fee cols) (igest)= | x ons) A. Lge) % aby) [Ug sB Bh 2 0 de bale HJ ee ee a a4 whee £G-50) #0. Sh ~hgrtgt [-° Bose 9! A Dd ule toe 4 bral, we ale B= O a Bylo # yl Fun ia he cae vill get ail Poalexs0, is &O boo a ey pk om oe Aszuedd seh Ty fed whee He me 1 rel, we de Poo oh : wo 3 Se. 2 2M. 3 4 Hoe OS 9 ‘Sobsihy fe qehe of 1h cue gee Wn y20. Oh 0r0-0 & 220. Ma 42%, Gy} +220 Penna s Bo jxme so ZS. cae yokes alt Guy )= (00) at 7Finding derivatives of inverse functions we have a function f with an inverse f~2, and we can differentiate f, thon we ean find the ies > fe » 1h difesteby, Ly y 42: s 4 HIGHER DERIVATIVES After differentiating a function, there is no reason to stop! We ean find secon, thin, and higher derivatives. ‘The sco hh deatves ae enced © FM), fC), F(X) (Newton notation) 3 02 (eienoton Q Find the 7 derivative of the funetion f(x) Mee Pr) 0 (Gna) cosx. sin tanz sect x Ing Sint osx 1 ro Tan" 1 ive Digeenation nr(CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING 1, Trueor false? If f(a) # g(a) then f"(a) # o'(@). False 2, ‘Trueor false? Theres a funtion which is continuous on (1.5) but not iferentiable at xsd Toe not diferentible. 4, Truwor false? If f(s) i defied forall xbut (0) is not defined, hen te raph oF {F taust have a sharp comer at the point where x=0. 3. Trueorfalse? If function isnot continuous, then it 5, Trucorfalse? If g(x) isavenica shi of f(3) then (@) = £9) The 6 Tw ot fle? The derivative ofa polynomial isalwaysa polynomial 7. Trwcor false? f(Q)=3 and g2)=5 then te gaphot +g haslope$ a x=2. — 8 Teor ile? ffl) indeed forall, hen f'G) is defi forall. 6), 9, Teor fie? fa functions perio thn sits devatve, ine 10 nM 12, Tweor fe? fy satin equation »?+29-1=0 then exits oral pons onthe cae ie + dy .% je 5 s em % hh wk deed i the oe fe He he ' fo ted Ihe we Shih 7k o& Mo Sul posh 5} Diterntoton J, sl, 128