Slopes or Derivatives for functions

◼ Smooth functions
y = f(x) = x2
y = f(x) = - x2

◼ Non-smooth function/discontinuous derivative function

y = f(x)
= |x| = ABS(x)

Negative slope Positive slope

y = f(x) = x3
Derivative does not exist
◼ Discontinuous function
Discontinuous function, Derivative
does not exist Dipankar Bose - XLRI
Use of derivative in GRC Non-linear

◼ Candidates for local optimal point → When derivative

changes its sign while moving from LHS to RHS
◼ Derivative will be either ZERO or
◼ The function is discontinuous and the Derivative does
not exist or
◼ The function is non-smooth and the Derivative does not
exist
◼ Central differencing
◼ Uses two points in opposite directions to check the sign
change rule
◼ Forward differencing
◼ Uses a single point, slightly different from the current
point Dipankar Bose - XLRI