Activity 10

OBJECTIVE MATERIAL REQUIRED

To verify that for a function f to be Hardboard, white sheets, pencil,
continuous at given point x0, scale, calculator, adhesive.
∆y = f ( x0 + ∆x ) – f ( x0 ) is
arbitrarily small provided. ∆x is
sufficiently small.

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION
1. Paste a white sheet on the hardboard.
2. Draw the curve of the given continuous function as represented in the Fig. 10.
3. Take any point A (x0, 0) on the positive side of x-axis and corresponding to
this point, mark the point P (x0, y0) on the curve.
Y

N1
N2
Dy4
D x4 P Dy3 Dy2 Dy1
T2 T1

X¢ A
(x0 – D x4 ) M4 x0 M (x + D x3) M2(x0 + D x2) M1(x0 + D x1) X
D x3 D x3 0
2
D x1
Y¢
Fig. 10

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DEMONSTRATION
1. Take one more point M1 (x0 + ∆x1, 0) to the right of A, where ∆x1 is an
increment in x.
2. Draw the perpendicular from M1 to meet the curve at N1. Let the coordinates
of N1 be (x0 + ∆x1, y0 + ∆y1)
3. Draw a perpendicular from the point P (x0, y0) to meet N1M1 at T1.
4. Now measure AM1 = ∆ x1 (say) and record it and also measure N1T1 = ∆y1 and
record it.
5. Reduce the increment in x to ∆x2 (i.e., ∆x2 < ∆x1) to get another point
M2 ( x0 + ∆x2 ,0 ) . Get the corresponding point N2 on the curve
6. Let the perpendicular PT1 intersects N2M2 at T2.
7. Again measure AM 2 = ∆x2 and record it.
Measure N 2 T2 = ∆y2 and record it.
8. Repeat the above steps for some more points so that ∆x becomes smaller
and smaller.

OBSERVATION

S.No. Value of increment Corresponding

in x0 increment in y

1. ∆x1 = ∆y1 =

2. ∆x2 = ∆y2 =

3. ∆x3 = ∆y3 =

4. ∆x4 = ∆y4 =

5. ∆x5 = ∆y5 =

Mathematics 125

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 06. ∆x6 = ∆y6 =

07. ∆x7 = ∆y7 =

08. ∆x8 = ∆y8 =

09. ∆x9 = ∆y9 =

10.

2. So, ∆y becomes _________ when ∆x becomes smaller.

3. Thus ∆lim
x →0
∆y = 0 for a continuous function.

APPLICATION
This activity is helpful in explaining the concept of derivative (left hand or right
hand) at any point on the curve corresponding to a function.

126 Laboratory Manual

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