Math 148 The Derivative Function In-class Activity Fall 2020

Each student will work on this, but AFTER STEP 1, check with your teammates online that you all have
the same results. Discuss and resolve any discrepancies.
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Everything on this worksheet involves this function: f (x )=( x−2 ) −( x−2) +3

1. Use a straight edge to draw a short tangent lines at (a , f ( a)) for the following values of a:
a=0.8 , 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, 2.8, 3.2, 3.6 (so you have drawn 8 short tangent lines)

2. Graph f (x) on your TI calculator in the same window as is used for the graph above. Make sure it looks like
the graph above! (if your graph does not look like the above – you likely have the window set wrong)

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3. Use the dx function on your TI Calculator to determine the slope (rounded to the tenths place) of each tangent
line drawn and label each short line you drew in part #1 with its slope. (see video in Canvas for how this works)

4. Fill in the table below for the new derivative function f ' (x )

x 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6

f ' (x )

5. Plot the ordered pairs in the above table on the graph above. Use the points to sketch a reasonably accurate
graph of f ' (x ) .