Calculus 2.

1 Day 1 Notes
Average and Instantaneous Rate of Change

Average Rate of Change

f ( b )−f (a)
m=
b−a

For a linear function, the average rate of change is constant. For a non-linear function, the average rate of
change is not constant. We can determine the average rate of change for non-linear functions by finding the
slope of the secant line that connects the 2 points.

1) Find the average rate of change on the interval [0,4]. Show the
calculations that lead to your answer!

2) Find the average rate of change on the

interval [2,4]. Show the calculations that
lead to your answer

3) A ball thrown in the air has a height of h(t) = - 16t² + 50t + 3 feet after t seconds. Find the average rate
of change of h between  t  = 0 and t = 2 and describe the meaning in context

One of the most important skills you’ll use in Calculus is finding an expression for the slope of a secant line.
f ( b )−f (a)
msec =
b−a
Calculus 2.1 Day 1 Notes
Write an expression for the slope of the secant line of

[
f ( x )=sin x on the interval
−π
2
,π
]

Write an expression for the slope of the secant line of f ( x )= √ x−3 on the interval [ p , w ].

Write an expression for the slope of the secant line of f ( x) on the interval [ x , x+ h]

Instantaneous Rate of Change

A tangent at a point is a straight

line that touches a curve only
once at that specific point. A
secant cuts through the curve.
Calculus 2.1 Day 1 Notes
Each curve can have an infinite number of tangents because there can be a tangent at every point. This is
because these graphs can have a tangent at every x-value.

The slope of the tangent line tells us the exact value of the rate of change of the function at the given point,
known as the instantaneous rate of change.

But how can we use the slope formula if there’s only 1 point?

Partner Task

Consider the function f ( x )=3 x−x 2, with graph shown at right.

Big Question: How fast is the graph of f(x) changing at x 1, that is, what is the slope
of the tangent line at x 1 ?

Using your calculator, evaluate the average rates of change on the given intervals:
Interval Work Answer

[1, 2]

[1, 1.5]
Calculus 2.1 Day 1 Notes

[1 ,1.1]

[1, 1.1]

[1, 1.01]

[1, 1.001]

Based on your mathematical observations, what would you guess the rate of change is at x=1? In other words,
what is the slope of the tangent line at x=1?

How could we find instantaneous rate of change for any x value and any f(x)? Can you write a formula for this,
considering what you’ve learned so far this year in class?

Limit Definition of the Derivative

Notation Graph Description

∆ y y 2− y 1
m= =
∆ x x 2−x 1
Calculus 2.1 Day 1 Notes

∆y f (x ¿¿ 1)
m= =f ( x ¿¿ 2)− ¿¿
∆x x 2−x 1

∆y f (x ¿¿ 1)
m= =f ( x ¿¿ 2)− ¿¿
∆x h

∆ y f ( x+ h)−f ( x )
m= =
∆x h

dy f (x+ h)−f (x)

f ' ( x )= =lim
dx h → 0 h

This slope function is called the derivative function of f(x) or f’(x).  Read as “f prime of x”
dy
It can also be written as or y’.  Read as “y prime”
dx

The Limit Definition of the Derivative

If f is a differentiable function, the derivative function f ’ ( x) is defined as
f ( x +h ) −f ( x )
f ’( x)=lim
h→0 h
Calculus 2.1 Day 1 Notes

Ex 1: Write an expression for the slope of the tangent line of f(x)= x 2.

Ex 2: Write, but do not evaluate, an expression for the derivative of the function f ( x )= √ x .

Ex 3: Write, but do not evaluate, an expression for f ’ ( x), given f ( x )=x 3 — 3 x +1