Section 2.

1 - The Derivative and the Tangent Line Problem

Tangent Line Problem
Given a function and point on the function,
find the equation of the tangent line at the given point.
f  x

P
Definition of the Derivative of a Function
The derivative of f at x is given by
f  x  x   f  x 
f  x   lim

x 0 x

Slope of a function at any point, x, is given by the derivative.

Differentiation is the process of finding the derivative.
A function is differentiable at a point if the derivative exists at that point.

Notations for the Derivative

dy d
f  x, , y,  f  x  
dx dx
 Differentiability and Continuity

 If a function is not continuous at x  c, then it is also not differentiable at x  c.

 If a function is not differentiable at x  c, then it might still be continuous at x  c.
 If a function is differentiable at x  c, then it is also continuous at x  c.
 If a function is continuous at x  c, then it is not always differentiable at x  c.

f  x  x  2 f  x 
1
f  x  x
1
3
x 1
Ex 1:

Ex 2: