ar 5.4 FIRST DeRIvative In this part, we wi ig used to analyze the sate oo ine So-called “derivative® of a function change of a quantity. 5.4.1 RATE OF CHANGE The rate of change of a Ii - r in variable is equal to the ateopntes Moreover, this steepness or rate of metion with respect to its independent ‘or slope of its straight-line graph. # change is constant. . lowever, if the function under consideration is not linear, ita rate of change with respect to its independent variable is atill the stecpness of its graph, which, in this case, is the slope of the line tangent to the graph at the point in question. Since the graph is not a straight line, its steepness or rate of change is not constant but varies from point to point. 5.4.2 THE DERIVATIVE Given a function f, a related function may be derived to express the . slope of its tangent in terms of the x-coordinate of the point of tangency. The derived function is known as the derivation of f and is frequently denoted by the symbol /", read f prime.” ‘The derivative f(s) expresses the slope of the tangent to fiz) as a function of the x-cacrdinate of the point of the y = tafgency. . 1S 5.4.3 INCREMENT METHOD IN FINDING — THE DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION ; Derivatives can be obtained in simple caves by direct use of fx) = lim f(x + ax)— f(x) oF y=lim ay. This procedure will be Ax30 Ax acv0 ar called che “increment method," or the “A-process.” if the d-notation is used. Later, by this method, general formulas will be derived which will be cnabla us to obtain derivatives without use A-process,The A-process for differen’ 1 2. 3. tiating a function fix) ed number d consider x aa a fix meaty + Sy) to obtain y + Ay = Replaca x by (x + 4x) and y by iy flx + dx) find dy = f(x + Ax) ~ f(x) Subtract to find dy ay fe ax) ~ f(x) Divide by Ax and simplify: a ax Evaluate the limit of = as Ax-—>0, to obtein yx = f'G) = lim fy dx0 Ax The Derivative lim f(x + Ax) - £60 f= Axr30 Ax The symbol fim ia an abbreviation of the word “limit”. The expression above is read “the limit as Ax approaches zero” and indicates that Ax is to get closer and closer to zero in the formula that follows, The equation defining the derivative is read “f prime of x equals the limit as Ax approaches zero of f(x + 4x)~ f(x), ax Example I: Find the derivative of the function f(x) = yru-5x46. MF py oti FE +Ad- 1) ox oy 4340 a = lim DUE+ dx) + 6 ~ 5x4 6) xd = = lim “8%~ Sax + 6+ 5x6 an ax—_— . Example 2: Find the derivative of the function f(x) = —3x2 + 2x — 8. Ayo ax =f) = da, f(z + Ax)— f(x) ax = lim tn SMES ae ata ota . 4x90 Ax _b8G? dates ox") Ox + Bix — _ gs] 4 9x2 - 2x48 is Ax . lim 2O=42= sae? + 268, dx AX . = lim Are ==-64+2 Ax(~6x — 34x + 2) AxFind the derivati crivative of the following functions using the limit approach. 10. fix) = 4x +6 f(x) = Ee + 6x fix) = — fix) = x3 + 3x? Kx) = xt : . : mo f(x) = -20 f(x) = lix? + 2x48 f(x) = f(x) = 8x? ffx) = ax? + be