Mensuration Formulas
Mensuration Formulas
1
y
1
The graph of y = cos x
The graph of y = cos x is the graph of y = sin x
shifted, or translated,
2
units to the left.
For, sin (x +
2
) = cos x. The student familiar with the sum
formula can easily prove that. (Topic 20.)
Again, the height of the curve at every point
is the line value of the cosine.
The graph of y = sin ax
Since the graph of y = sin x has period 2, then
the constant a in
y = sin ax
indicates the number of periods in an interval of
length 2. (In y = sin x, a = 1.)
For example, if a = 2 --
y = sin 2x
-- that means there are 2 periods in an interval of
length 2.
If a = 3 --
y = sin 3x
-- there are 3 periods in that interval:
While if a = --
y = sin x
-- there is only half a period in that interval:
The constant a thus signifies how frequently
the function oscillates; so many radians per unit
of x.
(In physics, when the independent variable is the time t, the
constant is written as ("omega") -- sin t. is called the
angular frequency; so many radians per second.)
Problem 4.
a) For which values of x are the zeros of y = sin
mx?
At mx = n; that is, at x =
n
m
.
b) What is the period of y = sin mx?
2
m
. Since there are m periods in 2, then one period is
2
divided by m. Compare the graphs above.
Problem 5. y = sin 2x.
a) What does the 2 indicate?
In an interval of
length 2, there are 2
periods.
b) What is the period of that function?
2
2
=
c) Where are its zeros?
At x =
n
2
.
Problem 6. y = sin 6x.
a) What does the 6 indicate?
In an interval of
length 2, there are
6 periods.
b) What is the period of that function?
2
6
=
3
c) Where are its zeros?
At x =
n
6
.
Problem 7. y = sin x.
a) What does indicate?
In an interval of length 2,
there is one fourth of a
period.
b) What is the period of that function?
2
=
2
4
=
8
.
c) Where are its zeros?
At x =
n
= 4n.
The graph of y = tan x
Here is one period of the graph of y =
tan x:
Why is that the graph? Consider
the line value DE of tan x in the 4th
and 1st quadrants:
As radian x goes
from
2
to
2
, tan x takes on all real values.
That is,
for
2
< x <
2
,
< tan x < .
Quadrants IV and I constitute a
complete period of y = tan x. In
quadrant IV, tan x is negative; in
quadrant I, it is positive; and tan 0 = 0.
Again, here is the graph:
At the quadrantal
angles
2
and
2
, tan x does not exist.
Therefore
the lines x =
2
and
x =
2
are vertical asymptotes.
(Topic 18 of
Precalculus.)
Here is the complete graph of y
= tan x.
The graph of Quadrants IV and I
is repeated in Quadrant II (where tan x
is negative) and quadrant III (where tan
x is positive), and periodically along the
entire x-axis.
Problem 7. What is the period of y =
tan x?
One period is from
2
to
2
. Hence the period is the
distance between those two points:
.
INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
The inverse relations
The range of y = arcsin x
The range of y = arctan x
The range of y = arccos x
The range of y = arcsec x
THE ANGLES in theoretical work will be in radian measure. Thus if
we are given a radian angle,
for example, then we can evaluate a
6
function of it.
sin
6
= .
(Topic 13.)
Inversely, if we are given a value of the sine function -- -- then
the challenge is to name the angle.
sin x = .
"The sine of what angle is equal to ?"
We could answer:
"The angle whose sine is is
6
."
The algebraic abbreviation for that sentence is
"arcsin =
6
."
arcsin x is called the inverse sine function. It is the angle whose sine is x.
Strictly, arsin x is the arc whose sine is
x. Because in the unit circle, the length
of that arc is the radian measure. Topic
14.
Thus the inverse of the function
y = sin x
"The number y is the sine of the radian angle x"
is
y = arcsin x.
"y is the radian angle whose sine is the number x."
Corresponding to each trigonometric function, there is its
inverse function:
arcsin x,
arccos x,
arctan x,
arccsc x,
arcsec x,.
arccot x.
The inverse relations
If we put
f(x) = sin x
and
g(x) = arcsin x,
then according to the definition of inverse functions (Topic 19
of Precalculus):
f(g(x)) = x and g(f(x)) = x.
sin(arcsin x) = x and arcsin(sin x) = x.
In particular,
arcsin x = y
implies, on taking the inverse function -- the sine -- of both sides:
x = sin y.
Problem 1. What does each of the following imply?
To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area.
To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload").
Do the problem yourself first!
a) arccos N = . N = cos .
b) arctan t = . t = tan .
c) arcsec u = a. u = sec a.
d) arccot 1 =
4
. 1 = cot
4
.
Example 1. Evaluate arcsin
2
-- "the angle whose sine is
2
."
Solution.
2
is the sine of what angle?
2
= sin
4
(Topic 4).
That is,
arcsin
2
=
4
.
The range of y = arcsin x
But
4
is not the only angle whose
sine is
2
.
2
is the sine of every 1st
and
2nd quadrant angle whose corresponding acute angle is
4
sin
3
4
=
2
.
sin (
4
+ 2 ) =
2
.
And so on.
For the function y = arcsin x to be single-valued, then, we
must restrict the values of y. How will we do that? We will
restrict them to those angles that have the smallest absolute
value.
In that same way, we will restrict the range of each inverse trigonometric
function. (Topic 3 of Precalculus.)
4
is the angle of
smallest absolute value
whose sine is
2
.
Example
2. Evaluate arcsin (
2
).
Solution. Angles whose sines are negative fall in the 3rd and
4th quadrants. (Topic 15.) The angle of smallest absolute value
is in the 4th
quadrant. It is the angle
4
.
arcsin (
2
) =
4
.
For angles whose sine is negative, we always choose a 4th quadrant angle. In
fact,
arcsin (x) = arcsin x.
arcsin() = arcsin
=
6
.
*
To see that arcsin(x) = arcsin x, look here:
= .
= .
That is,
arcsin(x) = arcsin x.
Here, then, is the range of the function y = arcsin x.
To restrict the range of arcsin x is
equivalent to restricting the
domain of sin x to those same
values. This will be the case with
all the restricted ranges that
follow.
Another notation for arcsin x is sin
1
x. Read: "The
inverse sine of x." 1 here is not an exponent (See Topic
19 of Precalculus.)
Problem 2. Evaluate the following in radians.
a) arcsin 0 = 0. (Topic 15.)
b) arcsin 1 = /2. (Topic 15.)
c) arcsin (1) = /2. (Topic 15.)
/3. (Topic 5.)
/3.
/6.
The range of y = arctan x
Similarly, we must restrict the range of y = arctan x. Like
y = arcsin x, y = arctan x has its smallest absolute values in
the 1st and 4th quadrants.
Note that y -- the angle whose
tangent is x -- must be greater
than
2
and less than
2
. For, at those quadrantal
angles, the tangent does not
exist.
(Topic 15.)
For angles whose tangent is postive, we choose a 1st quadrant angle. For
angles whose tangent is negative, we choose a 4th quadrant angle. Like
arcsin (x),
arctan (x) = arctan x.
= .
= .
Therefore,
arctan(x) = arctan x.
Problem 3. Evaluate the following.
a) arctan 1 =
4
b) arctan (1) =
4
c) tan
1
=
3
d) tan
1
( ) =
3
e) arctan 0 = 0 f)
=
6
The range of y = arccos x
The values of y = arccos x will have their smallest absolute
values when y falls within the 1st or 2nd quadrants.
Example 3. Evaluate
a) arccos
Solution. The radian angle whose cosine is is
3
(60).
b) arccos ()
Solution. An angle x whose cosine is negative falls in the
2nd quadrant.
And the cosine of a 2nd quadrant angle is the negative of the cosine of its
supplement. (Topic 16.) This implies:
An angle whose cosine is x is the supplement
of the angle whose cosine is x.
arccos (x) = arccos x.
Therefore,
arccos () = arccos
=
=
2
3
Problem 4. Evaluate the following.
a) arccos 1 = 0 b) arccos (1) =
c) cos
1
2
=
4
d) cos
1
(
2
) =
3
4
e) arccos 0 =
2
f)
=
5
6
The range of y = arcsec x
In calculus, sin
1
x, tan
1
x, and cos
1
x are the most important
inverse trigonometric functions. Nevertheless, here are the
ranges that make the rest single-valued.
Similarly for y = arccsc x.
TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES
Reciprocal identities
Tangent and cotangent identities
Pythagorean identities
Sum and difference formulas
Double-angle formulas
Half-angle formulas
Products as sums
Sums as products
AN IDENTITY IS AN EQUALITY that is true for any value of the
variable. (An equation is an equality that is true only for certain
values of the variable.)
In algebra, for example, we have this identity:
(x + 5)(x 5) = x 25.
The significance of an identity is that, in calculation, we may
replace either member of the identity with the other. We use an
identity to give an expression a more convenient form. In calculus
and all its applications, the trigonometric identities are of central
importance.
On this page we will present the main identities. The student will have no better
way of practicing algebra than by proving them. Links to the proofs appear
below.
Reciprocal identities
sin =
1
csc
csc =
1
sin
cos =
1
sec
sec =
1
cos
tan =
1
cot
cot =
1
tan
Proof
Again, the point about an identity is that, in calculation, we
may replace either member of the identity with the other. Thus if
we see
"sin ", then we may, if we wish, replace it with "
1
csc
"; and,
symmetrically, if we see
"
1
csc
", then we may replace it with "sin
".
Tangent and cotangent identities
tan =
sin
cos
cot =
cos
sin
Proof
Pythagorean identities
a) sin + cos = 1
b) 1 + tan = sec
c) 1 + cot = csc
a') sin = 1 cos. cos = 1 sin.
These are called Pythagorean identities, because, as we will
see in their proof, they are the trigonometric version of the
Pythagorean theorem.
The two identities labeled a') -- "a-prime" -- are simply different versions of a).
The first shows how we can express sin in terms of cos ; the second shows
how we can express cos in terms of sin .
Note: sin -- "sine squared theta" -- means (sin ).
Example 1. Show:
Solution: The problem means that we are to write the left-hand
side, and then show, through substitutions and algebra, that we can
transform it to look like the right hand side. We begin:
Reciprocal identities
on adding the fractions
Pythagorean identities
Reciprocal identities
That is what we wanted to show.
Sum and difference formulas
sin ( + ) = sin cos + cos sin
sin ( ) = sin cos cos sin
cos ( + ) = cos cos sin sin
cos ( ) = cos cos + sin sin
Note: In the sine formulas, + or on the left is also + or
on the right. But in the cosine formulas, + on the left becomes
on the right; and vice-versa.
Since these identities are proved directly from geometry, the student is not
normally required to master the proof. However, all the identities that follow are
based on these sum and difference formulas. The student should definitely know
them.
To see the proof of the sum formulas, click here.
Example 2. Evaluate sin 15.
Solution.
sin
15
Formulas
Topics 4 and
5
Example 3. Prove:
Solution.
Tangent
identity
Formulas
We will now construct tan by dividing the first term in the
numerator by cos cos . But then we must divide every term by
cos cos :
That is what we wanted to prove.
Double-angle formulas
Proof
There are three versions of cos 2 . The first is in terms of
both cos and sin . The second is in terms only of cos . The
third is in terms only of sin
Example 4. Show: sin
2
Solution. sin 2 = 2 sin cos Formulas
We will now construct tan by dividing by cos . But to
preserve the equality, we must also multiply by cos .
Lesson 5 of
Algebra
Reciprocal
identities
Pythagorean
identities
That is what we wanted to prove.
Example 5. Show: sin x
Solution. sin x
-- according to the previous identity with =
x
2
.
Half-angle formulas
The following half-angle formulas are inversions of the double-
angle formulas, because is half of 2 .
The plus or minus sign will depend on the quadrant. Under the radical, the cosine
has the + sign; the sine, the sign.
Proof
Example 6. Evaluate cos
8
.
Solution.
Since
8
is half of
4
, then according to the half angle
formula:
Topic 4
Lesson 23 of Algebra
Lesson 27 of Algebra
Products as sums
a) sin cos
= [sin ( + ) + sin ( )]
b) cos sin
= [sin ( + ) sin ( )]
c) cos cos
= [cos ( + ) + cos ( )]
d) sin sin
= [cos ( + ) cos ( )]
Proof
Sums as products
e) sin A + sin B = 2 sin (A + B) cos (A B)
f) sin A sin B = 2 sin (A B) cos (A + B)
g) cos A + cos B = 2 cos (A + B) cos (A B)
h) cos A cos B = 2 sin (A + B) sin (A B)
In the proofs, the student will see that the identities e)
through h) are inversions of a) through d) respectively, which are
proved first. The identity f) is used to prove one of the main
theorems of calculus, namely the derivative of sin x.
The student should not attempt to memorize these identities. Practicing their
proofs -- and seeing that they come from the sum and difference formulas -- is
enough.
Proof of the product and sum formulas
Products as sums
a) sin cos
= [sin ( + ) + sin ( )]
b) cos sin
= [sin ( + ) sin ( )]
c) cos cos
= [cos ( + ) + cos ( )]
d) sin sin
= [cos ( + ) cos ( )]
Proof
These formulas are also derived from the sum and difference formulas.
To derive (a), write
sin ( + ) = sin cos + cos sin
sin ( )
= sin cos cos sin
and add vertically. The last terms in each line will cancel:
sin ( + ) + sin ( ) = 2 sin cos .
Therefore, on exchanging sides,
2 sin cos = sin ( + ) + sin ( ),
so that
sin cos = [sin ( + ) + sin ( )].
This is the identity (a)).
Formula (b) is derived in exactly the same manner, only instead of
adding, subtract sin ( ) from sin ( + ).
Formulas (c) and (d) are derived similarly. To derive (c), write
cos ( + ) = cos cos sin sin ,
cos ( ) = cos cos + sin sin ,
and add. To derive (d), subtract.
Let us derive (d). On subtracting, the first terms on the right will cancel. We will have
cos ( + ) cos ( ) = 2 sin sin .
Therefore, on solving for sin sin ,
sin sin = [cos ( + ) cos ( )].
Sums as products
e) sin A + sin B = 2 sin (A + B) cos (A B)
f) sin A sin B = 2 sin (A B) cos (A + B)
g) cos A + cos B = 2 cos (A + B) cos (A B)
h) cos A cos B = 2 sin (A + B) sin (A B)
Proof
The formulas (e), (f), (g), (h) are derived from (a), (b), (c), (d)
respectively; that is, (e) comes from (a), (f) comes from (b), and so on.
To derive (e), exchange sides in (a):
[sin ( + ) + sin ( )] = sin cos ,
so that
sin ( + ) + sin ( ) = 2 sin cos . . . . . . (1)
Now put
+ = A
and
= B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2)
The left-hand side of line (1) then becomes
sin A + sin B.
This is now the left-hand side of (e), which is what we are trying to
prove.
To complete the righthand side of line (1), solve those simultaneous equations (2) for and
.
On adding them, 2 = A + B,
so that
= (A + B).
On subtracting those two equations, 2 = A B,
so that
= (A B).
On the righthand side of line (1), substitute those expressions for
and . Line (1) then becomes
sin A + sin B = 2 sin (A + B) cos (A B).
This is the identity (e).
Read it as follows:
"sin A + sin B equals twice the sine of half their sum
times the cosine of half their difference."
Identities (f), (g), and (h) are derived in exactly the same manner from
(b), (c), and (d) respectively.
Proof of the sum formulas
Theorem. sin ( + ) = sin cos + cos sin
and
cos ( + ) = cos cos sin sin .
Proof. Let the straight line AB revolve to the point C and sweep out the
angle , and let it continue to D and sweep out the angle ;
draw DE perpendicular to AB.
Then we are to determine sin ( + ), which is
ED
DA
,
and cos ( + ), which is
AE
DA
.
Draw DF perpendicular to AC,
draw FG perpendicular to AB,
and draw FH perpendicular to ED.
Then angle HDF is equal to angle .
For, since the straight line AC crosses the parallel lines HF, AB, it makes the
alternate angles equal (Theorem 8);
therefore angle HFA is equal to angle .
And by the construction, angle DFH is the complement of angle HFA;
therefore angle HDF (the complement of DFH) is also equal to angle .
Now,
ED = GF + HD.
Therefore, on dividing by DA,
sin ( + ) =
ED
DA
=
GF
DA
+
HD
DA
=
GF
AF
AF
DA
+
HD
FD
FD
DA
= sin cos + cos sin .
Next,
EA = GA FH.
Therefore,
cos ( + ) =
EA
AD
=
GA
AD
FH
AD
=
GA
AF
AF
AD
FH
DF
DF
AD
= cos cos sin sin .
This is what we wanted to prove.
The difference formulas can be proved from the sum formulas, by
replacing + with +(), and using these identities:
cos () = cos
sin () = sin .
Topic 16
Proof of the double-angle and half-angle formulas
Double-angle formulas
Proof
The double-angle formulas are proved from the sum formulas by
putting = . We have
sin 2 = sin ( + ) = sin cos + cos sin
= 2 sin cos .
cos 2 = cos ( + ) = cos cos sin sin
cos 2 = cos sin . . . . . . . (1)
This is the first of the three versions of cos 2 . To derive the second
version, in line (1) use this Pythagorean identity:
sin = 1 cos .
Line (1) then becomes
cos 2 = cos (1 cos )
= cos 1 + cos .
cos 2 = 2 cos 1. . . . . . . . . . (2)
To derive the third version, in line (1) use this Pythagorean identity:
cos = 1 sin .
We have
cos 2 = 1 sin sin ;.
cos 2 = 1 2 sin . . . . . . . . . . (3)
These are the three forms of cos 2 .
Halfangle formulas
. . . . . . . (2')
. . . . . . . (3')
Whether we call the variable or does not matter. What matters is the
form.
Proof
Angle is half of the angle 2 . Therefore, in line (2), if we
put 2 = , then will equal
2
:
cos = 2 cos
, we will have the half-angle formula for the
2
cosine.
So, on exchanging sides and transposing 1, we have
2 cos
2
= (1 + cos )
cos
2
comes from putting 2 = in line (3). On
transposing, line (3) becomes
2 sin
2
=
.
This is the halfangle formula for the sine.
note :should be first
RATIO AND PROPORTION
The natural numbers: Cardinal and ordinal
Parts of natural numbers
Parts, plural
The ratio of natural numbers
The names of the fractions
Proportions
The theorem of the alternate proportion
The theorem of the same multiple
Similar figures
TRIGONOMETRY historically is the study of triangles. The name literally
means measurement of triangles. It begins with the study of right
triangles, which are triangles that have a right angle, and with the
ratios-- the relationships -- of their sides. Now the meaning of a ratio
depends on what we mean by the parts of a number. And we name
parts with ordinal numbers: the third part, the fourth, the fifth, and so
on. So with those we shall begin.
Natural numbers: cardinal and ordinal
The natural numbers are the counting numbers. They have two forms,
cardinal and ordinal. The cardinal forms are
One, two, three, four, and so on.
They answer the question How much? or How many?. The ordinal forms
are
First, second, third, fourth, and so on.
They answer the question Which one?.
Parts of natural numbers
We say that a smaller number is a part of a larger number if the larger
number is its multiple.
Here are the first few multiples of 5:
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35.
5 is the first multiple of 5. 10 is the second multiple; 15, the third; and so
on.
5 is a part of each one of those, except itself.
Now, since 15, for example, is the third multiple of 5, we say that 5 is the third part of 15. We
use that same ordinal number to name the part.
5 is the fourth part of 20. It is the fifth part of 25; the sixth part of 30. And so on.
5 is which part of 10? We do not say the second part. We say half. 5 is half of 10.
So with the exception of half, we name the parts with ordinal numbers. Each ordinal number
names which part.
Again, 5 is not a part of itself. There is no such thing as the first part.
(See Skill in Arithmetic, Lesson 15.)
It is important to understand that we are not speaking here of proper
fractions -- numbers that are less than 1, and that we need for measuring. We
are explaining how the ordinal numbers -- third, fourth, fifth, and so on --
name the parts of the cardinal numbers. We will come to those fractional
symbols shortly.
Problem 1. 7 is which part of 28? The fourth.
To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area.
To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload").
Problem 2. Which part of 45 is 9? The fifth.
Problem 3. 6 is which part of 12? Half.
Problem 4. What number is the eighth part of 24? 3
Problem 5. 3 is the tenth part of what number? 30
Parts, plural
The figure shows that we have divided 15 into thirds, that is, into three equal
parts, and that each 5 is a third part of 15.
5, 10, 15.
Therefore, 10 -- which is two 5's -- is two third parts of 15. One third.
Two thirds. 5, 10.
Now, 10 is not a part of 15, because 15 is not a multiple of 10. We say that it is parts of 15,
plural: Two third parts, or simply two thirds. Those words are to be taken literally.
Similarly, if we divide 15 into fifths, that is, into five equal parts --
-- then
3 is the fifth part of 15.
6 is two fifth parts of 15.
9 is three fifth parts of 15. (Count them!)
12 is four fifth parts of 15, or simply four fifths.
And 15 is all five of its fifth parts.
We can now say what we mean by
The ratio of natural numbers
Definition. The ratio of two natural numbers is their relationship with
respect to relative size that we can express verbally in a sentence. Specifically,
it is their relationship in which one number is a multiple of the other (so many
times it), a part of it, or parts of it.
(Skill in Arithmetic, Lesson 17.)
Example 1. Multiple What ratio has 15 to 5?
Answer. 15 is three times 5.
That is the ratio -- the relationship -- of 15 to 5.
We do not answer "3 to 1," because we want to name the ratio of 15 to 5 explicitly. It
is true that 15 is to 5 in the same ratio as 3 is to 1. 3 is three times 1, just as 15 is three
times 5.
The two numbers in a ratio are called the terms; the first term
and the second.
Notice that we answer with a complete sentence beginning with the first term: "15 is
three times 5." For, a ratio is a relationship.
Example 2. Part What ratio has 5 to 15?
Answer. 5 is the third part of 15.
That is the inverse ratio of 15 to 5. The terms are exchanged.
Example 3. Parts What ratio has 10 to 15?
Answer. 10 is two thirds of 15.
Those are the three kinds of ratio: One number is a multiple of
the other -- so many times it -- a part of it, or parts of it.
Problem 6. What ratio have the following? Answer with a complete
sentence beginning with the first term.
a) 2 to 10? 2 is the fifth part of 10.
b) 10 to 2?
10 is five times 2. A larger number will be so many
times a smaller.
c) 7 to 1? 7 is seven times 1.
d) 1 to 7? 1 is the seventh part of 7.
e) 25 to 100? 25 is the fourth part of 100.
f) 75 to 100? 75 is three fourths of 100.
g) 12 to 6? 12 is two times 6, or twice as much as 6, or double 6.
h) 6 to 12? 6 is half of 12.
The names of the fractions
In English, the proper fractions have the same names as the ratio of
the
numerator to the denominator. The number we write as 1 over 3 --
1
3
--
is called "one-third" because of the ratio of 1 to 3. 1 is one third of 3.
And the fraction
1
3
has that same ratio to 1.
For that reason, fractions are called rational numbers. Fractions
have the same ratio to 1 as two natural numbers.
Fractional symbols may therefore be regarded as ratio symbols, in that they signify the
ratio of the numerator to the denominator.
1
2
=
2
4
=
5
10
=
9
18
, etc.
1 is to 2 as 2 is to 4 as 5 is to 10, etc.
Each numerator is half of its denominator.
Example 4. What ratio has 3 to 4?
Answer. We can express the ratio of any smaller number to a larger
simply by letting each number say its name. 3 is three fourths of 4. 3
says its cardinal name "three." 4 says its ordinal name "fourths."
On the practical side, since the student has very likely learned the
names of the fractions first, then the ratio of 3 to 4 is expressed by the
name of the fraction
3
4
Proportions
A proportion is a statement that two ratios are the same.
5 is to 15 as 8 is to 24.
5 is the third part of 15, just as 8 is the third part of 24.
We will now introduce this symbol 5 : 15 to signify the ratio of
5 to 15. A proportion will then appear as follows:
5 : 15 = 8 : 24.
"5 is to 15 as 8 is to 24."
Or, we can represent a proportion with fractional symbols --
5
15
=
8
24
-- and read it the same way:
"5 is to 15 as 8 is to 24."
Example 5. 12 : 2 = 42 : 7. ("12 is to 2 as 42 is to 7.")
Why is this a proportion?
Answer. Because 12 is six times 2, just as 42 is six times 7.
Problem 7. Complete this proportion, 3 : 12 = 7 : ?
28. 3 is the fourth part of 12, and 7 is the fourth part of 28.
The theorem of the alternate proportion
The numbers in a proportion are called the terms: the 1st, the 2nd,
the 3rd, and the 4th.
1st : 2nd = 3rd : 4th
We say that the 1st and the 3rd are corresponding terms, as are
the 2nd and the 4th.
The following is the theorem of the alternate proportion:
If four numbers are proportional, then the
corresponding terms are also proportional.
That is, as the first term is to the third, so the second will be to the fourth.
If
a : b = m : n,
then, alternately,
a : m = b : n.
Since
1 : 3 = 5 : 15,
then alternately,
1 : 5 = 3 : 15.
(Skill in Arithmetic: Lesson 17, Question 2.)
Example 6. Complete this proportion:
4 : 5 = 12 : ?
Now, 4 is four fifths of 5 ("
4
5
") , but it is not obvious what number 12
is four fifths of.
Alternately, however, 4 is a third of 12 -- or we could say that 4 has been multiplied by
3. Therefore 5 also must be multiplied by 3,
4 : 5 = 12 : 15
That is,
4 : 5 = 3 4 : 3 5
As one 4 is to one 5, so any number of 4's will be to an equal number of 5's. Three 4's
are four fifths of three 5's.
This is the theorem of the same multiple.
If we multiply two numbers by the same number,
then the products will have the same ratio
as the numbers we multiplied.
Example 7. Complete this proportion, 5 : 8 = 35 : ?
Answer. Look at it alternately. 35 is seven times 5. Therefore the
missing term will be seven times 8, which is 56.
Problem 8. Complete this proportion, 4 : 9 = 24 : ?
54. The term corresponding to 4 is 6 4.
Therefore, the missing term must be 6 9.
We shall often make use of this basic property of the square
root radical:
A radical multiplied by itself
produces the radicand.
(See Lesson 26 of Algebra, Radicals.)
Problem 9. Complete this proportion: : 2 = 3 : ?
2 . For, has been multiplied by ; therefore 2
also must be multiplied by .
Example 9. Solve this proportion -- 8 : 12 = 2 : ?
Answer. To produce 2, 8 has been divided by 4. Therefore 12
also must be divided by 4.
8 : 12 = 2 : 3
The theorem of the same multiple may be inverted to mean
that we may divide both terms by the same number.
An all too common method these
days is to make this an algebra
problem.
8
12
=
2
x
The student is taught to cross-
multiply and solve for x. That is
a method for people who do not
understand ratio and proportion.
It is taught in order not to teach
ratio and proportion verbally. It
stems from a 19th century
resistance to language in
mathematics.
Example 10. Solve this proportion -- 2 : 11 = 9 : ?
Solution. How was 2 multiplied to produce 9? It was
multiplied by
9
2
:
9
2
2 = 9.
Therefore 11 will also be multiplied by
9
2
:
9
2
11 =
99
2
= 49.
Similar figures
Trigonometry depends on the meaning of similar figures.
Similar figures are equiangular, and the sides
that make the equal angles are proportional.
To say then that figures ABCDE, PQRST are similar, is to say that
the angle at A is equal to the angle at P, the angle at B is equal to the
angle at Q, etc.; and, proportionally, as AB is to BC, so PQ is to QR.
And so on, for each pair of equal angles and the sides that make them.
For triangles to be similar, however, it is sufficient
that they be equiangular. (Theorem 15 of "Some
Theorems of Plane Geometry.") From that it follows:
Right triangles will be similar if an
acute angle of one
is equal to an acute angle of the other.
In the right triangles ABC, DEF, if the acute angle at B is equal to
the acute angle at E, then those triangles will be similar. Therefore
the sides that make the equal angles will be proportional. For
example,
BC : CA = EF : FD.
If BC were twice as long as CA, then EF would
also be twice as long as FD.
And alternately, the corresponding sides are proportional:
BC : EF = CA : FD.
If BC were half of EF, then CA would also be
half of FD.
Problem 10. The right triangles HJK, LMN are
similar, with HJ = 3 cm,
JK = 4 cm, and KH = 5 cm. If LM = 12 cm, then how
long are MN and NL?
Alternately,
LM : HJ = MN : JK.
Since LM is four times HJ, then MN will be
four times JK -- it will be 16 cm.
Similarly, NL will be four times KH, it will be 20 cm.
To put the whole thing more simply: The side
corresponding to HJ has been multiplied by 4.
Therefore, since the triangles are similar, every side will
be multiplied by 4.
Problem 11. Triangles ABC, DEF are similar.
AB = 6 cm, BC = 11 cm, CA = 7 in, and DE = 18 cm. How long
are EF and DF?
The side corresponding to AB has been multiplied
by 3. Therefore every side will be multiplied by 3.
EF = 33 cm, and DF = 21 cm.
*
Our definition of a proportion has been in terms of the
ratio of natural numbers. The sides of a triangle, however,
are not natural numbers. They are lengths, which are
magnitudes -- things that have size -- they are not
numbers. And magnitudes do not necessarily have the
same ratio as natural numbers. They can be
"incommensurable." Hence a new theory of ratio and
proportion is required which will be applicable to
magnitudes. The interested student is referred to Topic 11
of The Evolution of the Real Numbers, in particular the
section "The new theory of proportions."
Definitions of the Trigonometric Functions
of an Acute Angle
BEFORE DEFINING THE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS, we must see how to
relate the angles and sides of a right triangle.
A right triangle is composed of a
right angle, the angle at C, and two
acute angles, which are angles less
than a right angle. It is conventional
to label the acute angles with Greek
letters. We will label the angle at B
with the letter ("THAY-ta"). And
we will label the angle at A with the
letter ("fie").
As for the sides, the side AB, opposite the
right angle, is called the hypotenuse ("hy-
POT'n-yoos"). Each acute angle is formed by the hypotenuse and the side adjacent to the
angle. Thus, angle is formed by the hypotenuse and side BC. Angle is formed by the
hypotenuse and side AC.
With respect to angle , though, side AC is its opposite side. While side BC is the side
opposite .
The ratios of sides
Any two sides of the triangle will have a ratio -- a relationship -- to one
another. It is possible to form six such ratios: the ratio of the opposite side
to the hypotenuse; the adjacent side to the hypotenuse; and so on. Those six
ratios have historical names and abbreviations, with which the student will
have to make peace. They are the following.
sine of = sin =
opposite
hypotenuse
cosecant of = csc =
hypotenuse
opposite
cosine of = cos =
adjacent
hypotenuse
secant of = sec =
hypotenuse
adjacent
tangent of = tan =
opposite
adjacent
cotangent of = cot =
adjacent
opposite
Notice that each ratio in the right-hand column is the inverse, or the reciprocal, of the ratio in
the left-hand column.
The reciprocal of sin is csc ; and vice-versa.
The reciprocal of cos is sec .
And the reciprocal of tan is cot .
Each ratio moreover is a function of the acute angle. That is, one
quantity is a "function" of another if its value depends on the value of the
other. The circumference of a circle is a function of the radius, because the
size of the circumference depends on the size of the radius, and when the
radius changes, the circumference also will change. As we will see in the
next Topic, the value of each ratio depends only on the value of the acute
angle. That is why we say that those ratios are functions of the acute angle.
We call them the trigonometric functions of an acute angle. All of
trigonometry is based on the definitions of those functions.
Problem 1. Complete the following with either "opposite," "adjacent to,"
or "hypotenuse."
To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area.
To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload").
a) In a right triangle, the side opposite the right angle is called the
a) hypotenuse.
b) CA is called the side opposite angle .
c) BC is called the side adjacent to angle .
d) AC is called the side adjacent to angle .
e) BC is called the side opposite angle .
Problem 2. The sides of a right triangle are in the ratio 3 : 4 : 5, as shown.
Name and evaluate the six trigonometric functions of angle .
sin =
4
5
csc =
5
4
cos =
3
5
sec =
5
3
tan =
4
3
cot =
3
4
Problem 3. The sides of a right triangle are in the ratio 8 : 15 : 17, as
shown. Name and evaluate the six trigonometric functions of angle .
sin =
15
17
csc =
17
15
cos =
8
17
sec =
17
8
tan =
15
8
cot =
8
15
Notice that the sides of this triangle satisfy, as they must, the
Pythagorean theorem:
8 + 15 = 17
64 + 225 = 289
Problem 4. A straight line makes an angle with the x-axis. The value
of which function of is equal to its slope?
Problem 5. The height of a triangle. Every triangle, right-angled or
not, will have at least two acute angles.
Let them be the base angles at A and B, so that the base will be the
side c. Show that the height h drawn to that base is
h =
_____c_____
cot A + cot B
.
Hint: The height h will cut the entire triangle into two right
triangles.
Let x be the segment of the base containing the angle A. Then the
remaining segment is the difference between the whole c and that
segment: c x.
In the right triangle containing the acute angle A,
x
h
= cot A, or x = h cot A . . . (1)
In the right triangle containing the acute angle B,
c x
h
= cot B, or c x = h cot B.
On substituting the expression for x from line (1),
c h cot A = h cot B,
which implies
c = h cot A + h cot B = h(cot A + cot B).
Therefore, on solving for h,
h =
_____c_____
cot A + cot B
.
Problem 6. The area of a triangle. Prove: The area of a triangle is equal
to one-half the sine of any angle times the product of the two sides that make the
angle.
Specifically, prove that
Area of triangle ABC = sin A bc = bc sin A.
The area of a triangle is equal to one-half the base times the
height. In triangle ABC, let the base be c. Then
Area = ch.
Now,
sin A = h/b,
so that
h = b sin A.
Therefore in the expression for the Area, replace h with b sin A:
Area = cb sin A.
TRIGONOMETRY OF RIGHT TRIANGLES
Similar figures
All functions from one function
Complements
Cofunctions
PLANE TRIGONOMETRY is based on the fact of similar figures.
(Topic 1.) We saw:
Figures are similar if they are equiangular
and the sides that make the equal angles
are proportional.
For triangles to be similar, however, it is sufficient that they be
equiangular. (Theorem 15 of "Some Theorems of Plane Geometry.")
From that it follows:
Right triangles will be similar if an acute angle of
one
is equal to an acute angle of the other.
In the right triangles ABC, DEF, if the acute angle at B is
equal to the acute angle at E, then those triangles will be similar.
Therefore the sides that make the equal angles will be
proportional. Whatever ratio CA has to AB, FD will have to DE.
If CA were half of AB, for example, then FD would also be half
of DE.
A trigonometric Table is a table of ratios of sides. In the
Table, each value of sin represents the ratio of the opposite side
to the hypotenuse -- in every right triangle with that acute angle.
If angle is 28, say, then in every right triangle with a 28 angle, its sides will
be in the same ratio. We read in the Table,
sin 28 = .469
This means that in a right triangle having an acute angle of 28, its opposite side
is 469 thousandths of the hypotenuse, which is to say, a little less than half.
It is in this sense that in a right triangle, the trigonometric ratios -- the sine, the
cosine, and so on -- are "functions" of the acute angle. They depend only on the
acute angle.
Example. Indirect measurement. Trigonometry is used
typically to measure things that we cannot measure directly.
For example, to measure the height h of a flagpole, we could measure a distance
of, say, 100 feet from its base. From that point P, we could then measure the
angle required to sight the top . If that angle, called the angle of elevation,
turned out to be 37, then
so that
h
100
= tan 37
so that
so that h = 100 tan 37.
From the Table, we find
tan 37 = .754
Therefore, on multiplying by 100,
h = 75.4 feet.
(Skill in Arithmetic: Multiplying and dividing by powers of 10.)
All functions from one function
If we know the value of any one trigonometric function, then --
with the aid of the Pythagorean theorem -- we can find the rest.
Example 1. In a right triangle, sin =
5
. Sketch the triangle, place
13
the ratio numbers, and evaluate the remaining functions of .
To find the unknown side x, we have
x + 5 = 13
x = 169 25 = 144.
Therefore,
x = = 12.
(Lesson 26 of Algebra.)
We can now evaluate all six functions of :
sin =
5
13
csc =
13
5
cos =
12
13
sec =
13
12
tan =
5
12
cot =
12
5
Example 2. In a right triangle, sec = 4. Sketch the triangle,
place the ratio numbers, and evaluate the remaining
functions of .
To say that sec = 4, is to say that the hypotenuse is
to the adjacent side in the ratio 4 : 1. (4 =
4
1
)
To find the unknown side x, we have
x + 1 = 4
x = 16 1 = 15.
Therefore,
x = .
We can now evaluate all six functions of :
sin =
4
csc =
4
cos =
1
4
sec = 4
tan =
cot =
1
Problem 1. In a right triangle, cos =
2
5
. Sketch the triangle and
evaluate sin .
To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area.
To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload").
Problem 2. cot = . Sketch the triangle and evaluate csc .
Complements
Two angles are called complements of one another if together they
equal a right angle. Thus the complement of 60 is 30. This is
the degree system of measurement in which a full circle, made up
of four right angles at the center, is called 360. (But see Topic 12:
Radian Measure.)
Problem 3. Name the complement of each angle.
a) 70 20 b) 20 70 c) 45 45 d) 90
The point about complements is that, in a right
triangle, the two acute angles are
complementary. For, the three angles of the
right triangle are together equal to two right
angles (Theorem 9); therefore, the two acute
angles together will equal one right angle.
(When we come to radian measure, we will see that 90 =
2
, and
therefore the complement of is
2
.)
Cofunctions
There are three pairs of cofunctions:
The sine and the cosine
The secant and the cosecant
The tangent and the cotangent
And here is the significance of a cofunction:
A function of any angle is equal to the cofunction
of its complement.
This means, for example, that
sin 80 = cos 10.
The cofunction of the sine is the cosine. And 10 is the
complement of 80.
Problem 4. Answer in terms of cofunctions.
a) cos 5 = sin 85 b) tan 60 = cot 30 c) csc 12 =
sec 78
d) sin (90 ) = cos e) cot = tan (90 )
In the figure:
sin =
a
c
cos =
a
c
Thus the sine of is equal to the cosine of its complement.
sec =
c
b
csc =
c
b
The secant of is equal to the cosecant of its complement.
tan =
a
b
cot =
a
b
The tangent of is equal to the cotangent of its complement.
THE ISOSCELES RIGHT TRIANGLE
AN ISOSCELES RIGHT TRIANGLE is a standard mathematical object. The
student should know the ratios of the sides.
(An isosceles triangle has two equal sides. See Definition 8 in Some Theorems of Plane
Geometry. The theorems cited below will be found there.)
Theorem. In an isosceles right triangle the sides are in the ratio 1:1: .
Proof. In an isosceles right triangle, the equal sides make the right angle.
They are in the ratio 1 : 1.
To find the ratio number of the hypotenuse h, we have, according to the Pythagorean theorem,
h = 1 + 1 = 2.
Therefore,
h = .
(Lesson 26 of Algebra.) And therefore the three sides are in the ratio
1 : 1 : .
Note that since the right triangle is isosceles, then the angles at the base
are equal. (Theorem 3.) Therefore each of those acute angles is 45.
(For the definition of measuring angles by "degrees," see Topic 12.)
Example 1. Evaluate sin 45 and tan 45.
Answer. For any problem involving 45, the student should not consult the
Table. Rather, sketch the triangle and place the ratio numbers.
We see:
sin 45 =
1
= ,
on rationalizing the denominator. (Lesson 26 of Algebra.)
tan 45 =
1
1
= 1.
Problem. Evaluate cos 45 and csc 45.
cos 45 =
1
= .
Thus cos 45 is equal to sin 45; they are complements.
csc 45 =
1
= .
Example 2. Solve the isosceles right triangle whose side is 6.5 cm.
Answer. To solve a triangle means to know all three sides and all three
angles. Since this is an isosceles right triangle, the only problem is to find
the unknown hypotenuse.
But in every isosceles right triangle, the sides are in the ratio 1 : 1 : , as shown on the right.
In the triangle on the left, the side corresponding to 1 has been multiplied by 6.5. Therefore
every side will be multiplied by 6.5. The hypotenuse will be 6.5 . (The theorem of the
same multiple.)
Whenever we know the ratio numbers, we use this method of similar
figures to solve the triangle, and not the trigonometric Table.
(In Topic 6, we will solve right triangles the ratios of whose sides we do not know.)
Example 3. In an isosceles right triangle, the hypotenuse is inches.
How long are the sides?
Answer. The student should sketch the triangles and place the ratio
numbers.
How has the side corresponding to been multiplied?
According to the rule for multiplying radicals, it has been multiplied by . Therefore, all
the sides will be multiplied by . And 1 = .
Next Topic: The 30-60-90 Triangle
THE 30-60-90 TRIANGLE
A 30-60-90 TRIANGLE is another standard mathematical object. The
student should know the ratios of the sides.
Theorem. In a 30-60-90 triangle the sides are in the ratio 1 : 2 : .
We will prove that below.
(For the definition of measuring angles by "degrees," see Topic 12.)
Note that the smallest side, 1, is opposite the smallest angle, 30; while
the largest side, 2, is opposite the largest angle, 90. (Theorem 6). (For, 2 is
larger than . Also, while 1 : : 2 correctly corresponds to the sides
opposite 30-60-90, many find the sequence 1 : 2 : easier to remember.)
The cited theorems are from the Appendix, Some theorems of plane geometry.
Here are examples of how we take advantage of knowing those ratios.
First, we can evaluate the functions of 60 and 30.
Example 1. Evaluate cos 60.
Answer. For any problem involving a 30-60-90 triangle, the student
should not use a table. The student should sketch the triangle and place the
ratio numbers.
Since the cosine is the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse, you
can see that cos 60 = .
Example 2. Evaluate sin 30.
Answer. According to the property of cofunctions (Topic 3), sin 30 is
equal to cos 60. sin 30 = .
You can see that directly in the figure above.
Problem 1. Evaluate sin 60 and tan 60.
To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area.
To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload").
The sine is the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse.
sin 60 =
= .
2
Lesson 5 of Algebra.
The tangent is ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent.
tan 60 =
1
= .
Problem 2. Evaluate cot 30 and cos 30.
The cotangent is the ratio of the adjacent side to the opposite.
Therefore, on inspecting the figure above, cot 30 =
1
= .
Or, more simply, cot 30 = tan 60. Problem 1.
As for the cosine, it is the ratio of the adjacent side to the
hypotenuse. Therefore,
cos 30 =
2
= .
Before we come to the next Example, here is how we relate the sides
and angles of a triangle:
If an angle is labeled capital A, then the side opposite will be labeled
small a. Similarly for angle B and side b, angle C and side c.
Example 3. Solve the right triangle ABC if angle A is 60, and side c is 10
cm.
Solution. To solve a triangle means to know all three sides and all three
angles. Since this is a right triangle, and angle A is 60, then the remaining
angle B is its complement, 30.
Now in every 30-60-90 triangle, the sides are in the ratio 1 : 2 : , as shown on the
right. Whenever we know the ratios of the sides, we can solve the triangle by the method of
similar figures.
And so in triangle ABC, the side corresponding to 2 has been multiplied by 5. Therefore
every side will be multiplied by 5. Side b will be 5 1, or simply 5 cm, and side a will be 5
cm.
Alternatively, we could say that the side adjacent to 60 is always half of
the hypotenuse. Therefore, side b will be 5 cm. Now, side b is the side that
corresponds to 1. And it has been multiplied by 5. Therefore, side a must
also be multiplied by 5. It will be 5 cm.
Whenever we know the ratio numbers, the student should use this
method of similar figures to solve the triangle, and not the trigonometric
Table.
(In Topic 6, we will solve right triangles the ratios of whose sides we do not know.)
Problem 3. In the right triangle DFE, angle D is 30, and side DF is
3 inches. How long are sides d and f ?
The student should draw a similar triangle in the same
orientation. Then see that the side corresponding to was multiplied
by . Therefore, each side will be multiplied by . Side d will be 1
= . Side f will be 2 .
Problem 4. In the right triangle PQR, angle P is 30, and side r is 1 cm.
How long are sides p and q ?
The side corresponding to 2 has been divided by 2. Therefore,
each side must be divided by 2. Side p will be , and side q will be
.
Problem 5. Solve the right triangle ABC if angle A is 60, and the
hypotenuse is 18.6 cm.
The side adjacent to 60 is always half of the hypotenuse --
therefore, side b is 9.3 cm.
But this is the side that corresponds to 1. And it has been multiplied
by 9.3. Therefore, side a will be multiplied by 9.3.
It will be 9.3 cm.
Example 4. ABC is an equilateral triangle whose height AD is 4 cm.
Find the length of the side x.
Solution 1. Since the triangle is equilateral, it is also equiangular, and
therefore the the angle at B is 60
The height of a triangle is the straight line drawn from the vertex at right angles to the base.
Therefore, triangle ADB is a 30-60-90 triangle.
For this problem, it will be convenient to form the proportion with
fractional symbols:
x
4
=
2
That implies
x =
4 2
=
8
.
On taking to be approximately 1.732,
_8_
1.732
4.619 cm.
Solution 2.
The side corresponding to was multiplied to become 4. How was it
multiplied?
By
4
:
4
= 4.
Compare the previous topic.
Therefore the hypotenuse 2 will also be multiplied by
4
:
4
2 =
8
,
which, again, is approximately 4.619 cm.
Problem 6. Inspect the values of 30, 60, and 45 -- that is, look at the
two triangles --
-- and decide which of those angles is the value of x in each equation.
a) sin x = cos x. x = 45. b) tan x = 1. x = 45.
c) sin x = . x = 30 d) cos x = . x = 60.
e) sin x = . x = 60
f)
cos x = . x = 45.
x = 30. h) csc x = 2. x = 30.
Example 5. Solve this equation for angle x:
2 sin (x 10) = 0.
Solution. 2 sin (x 10) = 0
implies
sin (x 10) = .
Now, the sine of what angle is ?
sin 60 = .
Therefore,
x 10 = 60.
x = 70.
Problem 7. Solve this equation for angle x:
3 csc (2x + 6) 6 = 0.
3 csc (2x + 6) 6 = 0
implies
csc (2x + 6) = 2.
2x + 6 = 30
x + 3 = 15
x = 12.
Problem 8. Prove: The area A of an equilateral triangle whose side is s, is
A = s.
The area A of any triangle is equal to one-half the sine of any
angle times the product of the two sides that make the angle. (Topic
2, Problem 6.)
In an equilateral triangle each side is s , and each angle is 60.
Therefore,
A = sin 60s.
Since sin 60 = (Problem 1),
A = s = s.
Problem 9. Prove: The area A of an equilateral triangle inscribed in a circle of
radius r, is
A =
3
4
r.
The three radii divide the triangle into three congruent triangles
(Side-side-side); hence each radius bisects each vertex into two 30
angles.
If we extend the radius AO, then AD is the perpendicular bisector of
the side CB. (Theorem 2.) Triangle OBD is therefore a 30-60-90
triangle.
If we call each side of the equilateral triangle s, then in the right
triangle OBD,
s
r
= cos 30 = .
Therefore,
s = r
so that
s = 3r.
Now, according to the previous problem, the area A of an
equilateral triangle is
A = s.
Therefore,
A = s = 3r =
3
4
r.
That is what we wanted to prove.
Problem 10. Prove: The angle bisectors of an equilateral triangle meet at a point
that is two thirds of the distance from the vertex of the triangle to the base.
Let ABC be an equilateral triangle, let AD, BF, CE be the angle
bisectors of angles A, B, C respectively; then those angle bisectors meet at
the point P such that AP is two thirds of AD.
First, triangles BPD, APE are congruent.
For, since the triangle is equilateral and BF, AD are the
angle bisectors, then angles PBD, PAE are equal and each
30;
and the side BD is equal to the side AE, because in an
equilateral triangle the angle bisector is the perpendicular
bisector of the base (Theorem 2);
angles PDB, AEP then are right angles and equal.
Therefore triangles BPD, APE are congruent: Angle-side-
angle.
Now,
BP
PD
= csc 30 = 2.
There
fore,
BP =
2PD.
But AP = BP, because triangles APE, BPD are
conguent, and those are the sides opposite the
equal angles.
Therefore, AP = 2PD.
Therefore AP is two thirds of the whole AD.
Which is what we wanted to prove.
The proof
Here is the proof that in a 30-60-90 triangle the sides are in the
ratio 1 : 2 : . It is based on the fact that a 30-60-90 triangle is
half of an equilateral triangle.
Draw the equilateral triangle ABC. Then each of its equal
angles is 60. (Theorems 3 and 9)
Draw the straight line AD bisecting the angle at A into two
30 angles.
Then AD is the perpendicular bisector of BC (Theorem 2).
Triangle ABD therefore is a 30-60-90 triangle.
Now, since BD is equal to DC, then BD is half of BC.
This implies that BD is also half of AB, because AB is equal
to BC. That is,
BD : AB = 1 : 2
From the Pythagorean theorem, we can find
the third side AD:
AD + 1 = 2
AD = 4 1 = 3
AD = .
Therefore in a 30-60-90 triangle the sides are in the ratio 1 : 2 : ; which is
what we set out to prove.
SOLVING RIGHT TRIANGLES
This is a topic in traditional trigonometry. It does not come up in calculus.
To SOLVE A TRIANGLE means to know all three sides and all three angles.
When we know the ratios of the sides, we use the method of similar
figures. That is the method to use when solving an isosceles right
triangle or a 30-60-90 triangle. When we do not know the ratio
numbers, then we must use the Table of ratios. The following
example illustrates the method.
The general method
Example 1. Given an acute angle and one side. Solve the right triangle
ABC if angle A is 36, and side c is 10 cm.
Solution. Since angle A is 36, then angle B is 90
36 = 54.
To find an unknown side, say a, proceed as follows:
1.
Make the unknown side the numerator of a
fraction, and make the known side the
denominator.
Unknown
Known
=
a
10
2. Name that function of the angle.
Unknown
Known
=
a
10
= sin 36
3. Use the trigonometric Table to evaluate that function.
Unknown
Known
=
a
10
= sin 36 = .588
4. Solve for the unknown side.
a = 10 .588 cm = 5.88 cm
Problem 1. Solve the triangle for side b.
To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area.
To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload").
To consult the Table, click here.
Unknown
Known
=
b
10
= cos 36 = .809
b = 10 .809 = 8.09 cm
Problem 2. To measure the width of a river. Two trees stand opposite
one another, at points A and B, on opposite banks of a river.
Distance AC along one bank is perpendicular to BA, and is measured to be
100 feet. Angle ACB is measured to be 79. How far apart are the trees;
that is, what is the width w of the river? (Table)
Unknown
Known
=
w
100
= tan 79 = 5.145,
from the Table. Therefore,
w = 100 5.145 = 514.5 ft
(To measure the height of a flagpole, and for the meaning of the angle of elevation, see the
Example in Topic 3.)
Example 2. Find the distance of a boat from a lighthouse if the lighthouse
is 100 meters tall, and the angle of depression is 6.
Solution. The angle of depression is the angle below straight ahead --
horizontal -- that an oberver must look in order to see something below the
observer. Thus in order to see the boat, the lighthouse keeper must look
down 6.
Now, the triangle formed by the lighthouse and the distance d of the boat from the lighthouse,
is right-angled. And since the angle of depression is 6, then the alternate angle is also 6.
(Euclid, I. 29.)
If d is the distance of a boat from the lighthouse, then
d
100
= cot 6 = 9.514, from the Table.
Therefore,
d = 951.4 meters.
Example 3. Given two sides of a right triangle. Solve the right
triangle ABC given that side c = 25 cm and side b = 24 cm.
Solution. To find the remaining side a, use the
Pythagorean theorem:
a + 24 = 25
a = 625 576 = 49
a = = 7.
Next, to find angle A, we have
cos A =
24
25
=
96
100
, on multiplying each term by 4.
= .96
(See Skill in Arithmetic: Fractions into decimals.)
We must now inspect the Table to find the angle whose cosine is
closest to .96, or, since this is a three place Table, .960.
We find
cos 16 = .961
Therefore,
Angle A 16.
Finally,
Angle B = 90 16 = 74.
We have solved the triangle.
Problem 3. Solve the right triangle ABC given that c = 10 cm and
b = 8 cm.
To find the remaining side a, use the
Pythagorean theorem:
a + 8 = 10
a = 100 64 = 36
a = = 6 cm.
To find angle A, we have
cos A =
8
10
= .8.
Now inspect the Table to find the angle whose cosine is closest
to .8, or, since this is a three place Table, .800.
Find cos 37 = .799.
Therefore, Angle A 37. Angle B = 90 37 = 53.
COMPLEX
OR IMAGINARY
NUMBERS
The basic property of i
Negative radicand
Powers of i
Algebra with complex numbers
The real and imaginary components
Complex conjugates
WE ARE ABOUT TO SEE that a complex, or imaginary, number is
one whose square is negative. Compare Lesson 13.
Let us begin by recalling that in the lesson on radicals, we saw how to
solve any equation in this form:
x = a.
The solution is
x = .
If we apply that rule to this equation --
x = 1
-- then
x = .
But is not a real number. There is no positive or negative
number whose square is negative. It turns out to be extremely useful in
mathematics and science, however, to say that this equation,
x + 1 = 0,
has a solution.
is called a complex number or an imaginary number. It is the complex
unit. Its symbol is i.
i = .
The complex number i is purely algebraic. That is, we call it a
"number" because it will obey all the rules we normally associate
with a number. We may add it, subtract it, multiply it, and so on.
The following defines the complex unit i, and is its fundamental algebraic
property:
i = 1
Example 1. 3i 4i = 12i = 12(1) = 12.
Example 2. 5i 6i = 30i = 30.
We can see, then, that the factor i changes the sign of a product.
Problem 1. Evaluate the following.
a) i = 1 b) i 2i = 2i = 2(1) = 2
c) (3i) = 3i = 9 d) 5i 4i = 20i = 20
Negative radicand
If a radicand is negative --
, where a > 0,
-- then we can simplify it as follows:
= = = i .
Examples 3.
= i
= i = 2i
=
i = 2i
Problem 2. Express each of the following in terms of i.
a)
= i
b)
= 3i
c) = 7i
d)
= i
e)
= i
f)
= 2i
g)
= 3i
h)
= 5i
i)
= 7i
Powers of i
Let us begin with i
0
, which is 1. (Any number with exponent 0 is 1.) Each
power of i can be obtained from the previous power by multiplying it by i.
We have:
i
0
= 1
i
1
= i
i
2
= 1
i
3
= 1 i = i
i
4
= i i = i = (1) = 1
And we are back at 1 -- the cycle of powers will repeat! Any power of i
will be either
1, i, 1, or i
-- according to the remainder upon dividing the exponent n by 4.
Examples 4 .
i
9
= i, because on dividing 9 by 4, the remainder is 1. i
9
= i
1
.
i
18
= 1, because on dividing 18 by 4, the remainder is 2. i
18
= i
2
.
i
35
= i, because on dividing 35 by 4, the remainder is 3. i
35
= i
3
.
i
40
= 1, because on dividing 40 by 4, the remainder is 0. i
40
= i
0
.
Note: Even powers of i will be either 1 or 1, according as the exponent is a
multiple of 4 or 2 more than a multiple of 4. While odd powers will be either i or
i.
Problem 3. Evaluate each power of i.
a) i
3
= i b) i
4
= 1 c) i
6
= i
2
= 1
d) i
9
= i
1
= i e) i
12
= i
0
= 1 f) i
17
= i
1
= i
g) i
27
= i
3
= i h) i
30
= i
2
= 1 i) i
100
= i
0
= 1
Algebra with complex numbers
Complex numbers follow the same rules as real numbers. For example, to
multiply
(2 + 3i)(2 3i)
the student should recognize the form (a + b)(a b) -- which will produce the
difference of two squares. Therefore,
(2 + 3i)(2 3i) = 4 9i
= 4 9(1)
= 4 + 9
= 13.
Again, the factor i changes the sign of the term.
Problem 4. Multiply.
a) (1 + i )(1 i ) = 1 2i = 1 + 2 = 3
b) (3 i ) = 9 6i + 2i, upon squaring the binomial,
= 9 6i 2
= 7 6i
c) (2 + 3i)(4 5i) = 8 10i + 12i 15i
= 8 + 2i + 15
= 23 + 2i
Problem 5. (x + 1 + 3i)(x + 1 3i)
a) What form will that produce? The difference of two squares.
b) Multiply out.
(x + 1 + 3i)(x + 1 3i) = (x + 1) 9i
= x + 2x + 1 + 9
= x + 2x + 10
c) (x 2 i )(x 2 + i ) = (x 2) 2i
= x 4x + 4 + 2
= x 4x + 6
The real and imaginary components
Here is the standard form of a complex number:
a + bi,
where both a and b are real. For example,
3 + 2i.
a -- that is, 3 in the example -- is called the real component (or the real
part). b (2 in the example) is called the imaginary component (or the
imaginary part). Again, the components are real.
Problem 6. Name the real component a and the imaginary component b.
a) 3 5i a = 3, b = 5. b) 1 + i a = 1, b = .
c) i a = 0, b = 1. d) 6 a = 6, b = 0.
Complex conjugates
The complex conjugate of a + bi is a bi. The main point about a
conjugate pair is that when they are multiplied --
(a + bi)(a bi)
-- a positive real number is produced. For, that form is the difference of two
squares:
(a + bi)(a bi) = a bi = a + b
The product of a conjugate pair is equal to the sum of the squares of the components.
Problem 7. Calculate the positive real number that results from multiplying
each number with its complex conjugate.
a) 2 + 3i. (2 + 3i)(2 3i) = 2 + 3 = 4 + 9 = 13
b) 3 i . (3 i )(3 + i ) = = 3 + ( )= 9 + 2 = 11
c) u + iv. (u + iv)(u iv) = u + v
d) 1 + i. (1 + i)(1 i) = 1 + 1 = 2
e) i. (i)(i) = i = 1
Word problems that lead to
simultaneous equations
Section 2
Back to Section 1: Examples
Problem 1. A woman is now 30 years older than her son. 15 years ago, she
was twice as old. What are the present ages of the woman and her son?
Let x be the present age of the woman.
Let y be 45 years.
Therefore x, the age of the woman, is 75 years.
Problem 2. A total of 925 tickets were sold for $5,925. If adult tickets cost
$7.50, and children's tickets cost $3.00, how many tickets of each kind were
sold? (Compare Example 2.)
Let x be the number of adult tickets. Let y be the number of childeren's
tickets.
Here are the equations:
1) Total number of tickets: x + y = 925
2) Total money collected: 7.5x + 3y = 5,925
In equation 2), make the coefficients into whole numbers by multiplying both
sides of the equation by 10:
1) x + y = 925
2') 75x + 30y = 59,250
To eliminate y, for example:
Multiply equation 1) by 30, and add.
The solution is: x = 700, y = 225.
Problem 3. Mr. B. has $20,000 to invest. He invests part at 6%, the rest at
7%, and he earns $1,280 interest. How much did he invest at each rate?
(Compare Example 3.)
Let x be how much he inveted at 6%. Let y be how much he inveted at
7%.
Here are the equations:
1) Total investment: x + y = 20,000
2) Total interest: .06x + .07y = 1,280
2') 6x + 7y = 128,000
To eliminate x, for example, from equations 1) and 2'):
,Multiply equation 1) by 6, and add.
The solution is: x = $12,000. y = $8,000.
Problem 4. Edgar has 20 dimes and nickels, which together total $1.40. How
many of each does he have? (Compare the Problem in Section 1.)
Let x be the number of dimes. Let y be be the number of nickels.
Here are the equations:
1) Total number of coins: x + y = 20
2) Total value: .10x + .05y = 1.40
2') 10x + 5y = 140
To eliminate x, for example, from equations (1) and (2'), multiply equation
(1) by (10), and add.
The solution is: x = 8 dimes. y = 12 nickels.
Problem 5. How many gallons of 20% alcohol solution and how many of
50% alcohol solution must be mixed to produce 9 gallons of 30% alcohol
solution? (Compare Example 4.)
(9 gallons of 30% alcohol solution = .3 9 = 2.7 gallons of pure alcohol.)
Let x be the number of gallons of 20% solution. Let y be the number of
gallons of 50% solution.
Here are the equations:
1) Total number of gallons: x + y = 9
2) Total gallons of pure alcohol: .2x + .5y = 2.7
2') 2x + 5y = 27
To eliminate x, for example, from equations 1) and 2'), multiply equation 1)
by 2, and add.
The solution is: x = 6 gallons. y = 3 gallons.
Problem 6. 15 gallons of 16% disenfectant solution is to be made from 20%
and 14% solutions. How much of those solutions should be used?
(15 gallons of 16% solution = .16 15 = 2.4 gallons of pure disenfectant.)
Let x be the number of gallons of 20% solution. Let y be the number of
gallons of 14% solution.
Here are the equations:
1) Total number of gallons: x + y = 15
2) Total gallons of pure disenfectant: .20x + .14y = 2.4
2') 20x + 14y = 240
To eliminate x, for example, from equations 1) and 2'), multiply equation 1)
by 20, and add.
The solution is: x = 5 gallons. y = 10 gallons.
Problem 7. It takes a boat 2 hours to travel 24 miles downstream and 3 hours
to travel 18 miles upstream. What is the speed of the boat in still water, and
how fast is the current? (Compare Example 6.)
Let x be the speed of the boat in still water. Let y be the speed of the current.
Here are the equations:
To eliminate y, simply add the equations.
The solution is: x = 9 mph. y = 3 mph.
Problem 8. An airplane covers a distance of 1500 miles in 3 hours
when it flies with the wind, and in 3
1
3
hours when it flies against the
wind. What is the speed of the plane in still air? (Compare Example 6.)
Let x be the speed of the plane in still air. Let y be the speed of the wind.
Here are the equations:
1) Speed with the wind: x + y =
1500
3
= 500
2) Speed against the wind : x y =
To eliminate y, simply add the equations.
1) Downstream speed: x + y =
24
2
= 12
2) Upstream speed: x y =
18
3
= 6
The solution is: x = 475 mph.
Back to Section 1
WORD PROBLEMS
THAT LEAD TO
SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS
Section 1: Examples
General problem
Ticket problem
Investment problem
Coin problem
Mixture problems
Upstream/Downstream problem
Section 2: Problems
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES of problems that lead to
simultaneous equations.
Example 1. Andre has more money than Bob. If Andre gave Bob $20, they
would have the same amount. While if Bob gave Andre $22, Andre would
then have twice as much as Bob. How much does each one actually have?
Solution. Let x be the amount of money that Andre has. Let y be the amount that Bob has.
Always let x and y answer the question -- and be perfectly clear about what they represent!
Now there are two unknowns. Therefore there must be two equations. (In general, the number
of equations must equal the number of unknowns.) How can we get two equations out of the
given information? We must translate each verbal sentence into the language of algebra.
Here is the first sentence:
"If Andre gave Bob $20, they would have the same amount."
Algebraically:
1) x 20 = y + 20.
(Andre -- x -- has the same amount as Bob, after he gives him $20.)
Here is the second sentence:
"While if Bob gave Andre $22, Andre would then have twice as much
as Bob."
Algebraically:
2) x + 22 = 2(y 22).
(Andre has twice as much as Bob -- after Bob gives him $22.)
To solve any system of two equations, we must reduce it to one
equation in one of the unknowns. In this example, we can solve equation 1)
for x --
x 20 = y + 20
implies x = y + 40
-- and substitute it into equation 2):
y + 40 + 22 = 2(y 22).
That is,
y + 62 = 2y 44,
y 2y = 44 62,
according to the techniques of Lesson 9,
y = 106
y = 106.
Bob has $106. Therefore, according to the exression for x, Andre has
106 + 40 = $146.
Example 2. 1000 tickets were sold. Adult tickets cost $8.50, children's cost
$4.50, and a total of $7300 was collected. How many tickets of each kind
were sold?
Solution. Let x be the number of adult tickets. Let y be the number of children's tickets.
Again, we have let x and y answer the question. And again we must get two equations out of the
given information. Here they are:
1) Total number of tickets: x + y = 1000
2) Total money collected: 8.5x + 4.5y = 7300
In equation 2), we will make the coefficients into whole numbers by
multiplying both sides of the equation by 10:
1) x + y = 1000
2') 85x + 45y = 73,000
We call the second equation 2' ("2 prime") to show that we obtained it
from equation 2).
These simultaneous equations are solved in the usual way.
The solutions are: x = 700, y = 300.
To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area.
To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload").
Do the problem yourself first!
Example 3. Mrs. B. invested $30,000; part at 5%, and part at 8%. The total
interest on the investment was $2,100. How much did she invest at each
rate?
Solution.
1) Total investment: x + y = 30,000
2) Total interest .05x + .08y = 2,100
(To change a percent to a decimal, see Skill in Arithmetic, Lesson 4.)
Again, in equation 2) let us make the coefficients whole numbers by
multiplying both sides of the equation by 100:
1) x + y = 30,000
2') 5x + 8y = 210,000
These are the simultaneous equations to solve.
The solutions are: x = $10,000, y = $20,000.
Problem. Samantha has 30 coins, consisting of quarters and dimes, which
total $5.70. How many of each does she have?
To see the answer, pass your mouse from left to right
over the colored area.
To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload").
Do the problem yourself first!
Let x be the number of quarters. Let y be the number of dimes.
The equations are:
1) Total number of coins: x + y = 30
2) Total value: .25x + .10y = 5.70
To eliminate y:
Multiply equation 1) by 10 and equation 2) by 100:
1') 10x 10y = 300
2') 25x + 10y = 570
Add:
15x = 270
x =
270
15
x = 18
Therefore, y = 30 18 = 12.
Example 4. Mixture problem 1. First:
"36 gallons of a 25% alcohol solution"
means: 25%, or one quarter, of the solution is pure alcohol.
One quarter of 36 is 9. That solution contains 9 gallons of pure alcohol.
Here is the problem:
How many gallons of 30% alcohol solution and how many of 60%
alcohol solution must be mixed to produce 18 gallons of 50% solution?
"18 gallons of 50% solution" means: 50%, or half, is pure alcohol. The
final solution, then, will have 9 gallons of pure alcohol.
Let x be the number of gallons of 30% solution. Let y be the number of
gallons of 60% solution.
1) Total number of gallons x + y = 18
2) Gallons of pure alcohol .3x + .6y = 9
2') 3x + 6y = 90
Equations 1) and 2') are the two equations in the two unknowns.
The solutions are: x = 6 gallons, y = 12 gallons.
Example 5. Mixture problem 2. A saline solution is 20% salt. How much
water must you add to how much saline solution, in order to dilute it to 8
gallons of 15% solution?
(This is more an arithmetic problem than an algebra problem.)
Solution. Let s be the number of gallons of saline solution. Now all the salt will come from
those s gallons. So the question is, What is s so that 20% of s -- the salt -- will be 15% of 8
gallons?
.2s = .15 8 = 1.2
That is,
2s = 12.
s = 6.
Therefore, to 6 gallons of saline solution you must add 2 gallons of
water.
Example 6. Upstream/Downstream problem. It takes 3 hours for a boat to
travel 27 miles upstream. The same boat can travel 30 miles downstream in 2
hours. Find the speeds of the boat and the current.
Solution. Let x be the speed of the boat (without a current). Let y be the
speed of the current.
The student might review the meanings of "upstream" and "downstream," Lesson 25. We saw
there that speed, or velocity, is distance divided by time:
v =
d
t
Therefore, according to the problem:
Upstream speed =
Upstream distance
Upstream time
=
27
3
= 9
Downstream speed =
Downstream distance
Downstream time
=
30
2
= 15
Here are the equations:
1) Upstream speed: x y = 9
2) Downstream speed: x + y = 15
Enjoy!
(The solutions are: x = 12 mph, y = 3 mph.)
Section 2: Problems
THE DERIVATIVE
The rate of change of a function
at a specific value of x
The slope of a straight line
The slope of a tangent line to a curve
A secant to a curve
The definition of the derivative
The derivative of f(x)= x
Differentiable at x
Notations for the derivative
A simple difference quotient
Section 2: Problems
The derivative of f(x) = 2x 5
The equation of a tangent to a curve
The derivative of f(x) = x
CALCULUS IS CONCERNED WITH THINGS that do not change at a
constant rate. The values of the function called the
derivative
will be that varying rate of change.
Now, the slope of a straight line indicates a constant rate
of change.
As we move from any point A on the line to any point B, the
slope is the number
y
x
=
=
Change in y-cordinate
Change in x-cordinate
.
(Topic 8 of Precalculus.)
That number indicates how the value of y changes when
the value of x changes. y/x is constant. A straight line has
one and only one slope.
If x represents time, for example, and y represents distance, then a
straight line graph that relates them indicates constant speed.
45 miles per hour, say -- at every moment of time.
The slope of a tangent line to a curve
Calculus however is concerned with rates of change that are
not constant.
If this curve represents distance Y versus time X, then
the rate of change the speed at each moment of time is
not constant. The question that calculus asks is: "What is the
rate of change at exactly the point P ?" If we can name the
slope of a tangent line to the curve at that point, then that will
be the answer. And the method for finding that slope that
number was the remarkable discovery by both Isaac
Newton (1642-1727) and Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716). That
method is the one for finding what is called the derivative.
A secant to a curve
A secant is a straight line that cuts a curve. (A tangent is a
straight line that just touches a curve.) Hence, consider a
secant line that cuts the curve at points P and Q. Then the
slope of the secant is the average rate of change between those
two points. For example, if
then on changing from x1 to x2, the function has changed an
average of 4 units of y for every 5 units of x. But once again,
the question calculus asks is: How is the function changing
exactly at x1? What is the slope of
the tangent to the curve at P?
We cannot, of course,
evaluate
y
x
exactly at P --
because y
and x
would then both be 0, and
the value of
y
x
would be
completely
ambiguous.
Therefore we will consider shorter and shorter intervals of x, which will
result in a sequence of secants --
-- a sequence of slopes. And we will define the tangent at P to
be the limit of that sequence
That slope, that limit, will be the value of what we will
call the "derivative."
The definition of the derivative
Let y = f(x) be a continuous function, and let the
cordinates of a fixed point P on the graph be (x, f(x)). (Topic
4 of Precalculus.) Let x now change by an amount x. Then
the new x-cordinate is x + x.
It is the x-cordinate of Q on the graph.
But when the value of x changes, there is a corresponding change y
in the value of y, that is, in the value of f(x). Its new value is f(x + x). The
cordinates of Q are (x + x , f(x + x)).
Then
Finally:
The slope of the tangent line at
P
is the limit of the ratio of the
change in the function
to the change in the independent
variable,
as that change approaches 0.
Since x -- not x -- is the variable that
approaches 0, x will remain constant, and that
limit will be a function of x. Since it will be
derived from f(x), we call it the derived function
or the derivative of f(x). And to remind us
that it was derived from f(x), we denote it by f
'(x) -- "f-prime of x."
Since the
theorems on
limits make it
easy to
evaluate a
limit, it is easy
to lose sight of
its actual
meaning. With
regard to the
derivative, it is
the number
which that ratio
can approach
as closely as
we desire.
This quotient --
-- is called the Newton quotient, or the
difference quotient. Calculating and
simplifying it is a fundamental task in
differential calculus.
Again, the difference quotient is a function of x.
But to simplify our written calculations, instead of
writing x, we will write h.
x = h
y = f (x + h) f (x)
The difference quotient then becomes
We now express the definition of the
derivative as follows.
DEFINITION 5. By the derivative of a
function f(x), we mean the following limit, if
it exists:
We call that limit f '(x) -- "f-prime of
x" -- and we say that f itself is differentiable
at x, and that f has a derivative.
Again, in taking that limit, the variable
that is approaching 0 is h, not x, and we are
to regard x as being fixed. It is the specific
value at which we are evaluating the rate of
change of f(x).
In practice, we have to simplify the
difference quotient before letting h
approach 0. We have to express the
numerator --
f (x + h) f (x)
-- in such a way that we can divide it by h.
As an example, we will apply the definition to prove
the following:
THEOREM. f(x) = x
implies
f '(x) = 2x.
Proof. Here is the difference quotient,
which we will proceed to simplify:
1)
(x + h) x
h
2) =
x + 2xh + h x
h
3) =
2xh + h
h
4) = 2x + h.
In going from line 1) to line 2), we
squared the binomial x + h. (Lesson 18 of
Algebra.)
In going to line 3), we subtracted the xs. That is, we
subtracted f(x).
In going to line 4), we divided the numerator by h.
(Lesson 20 of Algebra.)
We can do that because h is never equal to 0, even
when we take the limit (Lesson 2).
We now complete the definition of the derivative and
take the limit:
f '(x) =
(2x + h)
= 2x.
This is what we wanted to prove.
Whenever we apply the definition, we have to
algebraically manipulate the difference quotient so
that we can simply replace h with 0. In fact, the
entire theory of limits, with all its complexities and
subtleties, was invented to justify just that (Poor
Newton and Leibniz were criticized for offering
justifications that the inventors of limits didn't like.)
We may put h = 0 here, because the difference
quotient reduces to 2x + h, and is therefore a
polynomial in h.
Differentiable at x
According to the definition, a function will
be differentiable at x if a certain limit exists
there. Graphically, this means that the
graph at that value of x will have a tangent
line. At which values, then, would a
function not be differentiable?
Where it does not have a tangent line
Above are two examples. The function on the left
does not have a derivative at x = 0, because the
function is discontinuous there. At x = 0 there is
obviously no tangent.
As for the graph on the right, it is the absolute value
function, y = |x|. (Topic 5 of Precalculus.) And it is
not possible to define the tangent line at x = 0,
because the graph makes an acute angle there. In
fact, the slope of the tangent line as x approaches 0
from the left, is 1. The slope approaching from the
right, however, is +1. The slope of the tangent line
at 0 -- which would be the derivative at x = 0 --
therefore does not exist . (Definition 2.2.)
The absolute value function
nevertheless is continuous at x = 0. For,
the left-hand limit of the function itself as x
approaches 0 is equal to the right-hand
limit, namely 0. This illustrates that
continuity at a point is no guarantee of
differentiability -- the existence of a tangent
-- at that point.
(Conversely, though, if a function is differentiable at
a point -- if there is a tangent -- it will also be
continuous there. The graph will be smooth and
have no break.)
Since differential calculus is the study of derivatives,
it is fundamentally concerned with functions that are
differentiable at all values of their domains.
Such functions are called differentiable functions.
Can you name an elementary class of differentiable
functions?
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mouse over the colored area.
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Think about this yourself first!
P
o
l
y
n
o
m
i
a
l
s
.
Notations for the derivative
Since the derivative
is this limit:
then a symbol
for the
derivative is
(Read: "dee-y, dee-x.")
For example, if
y = x,
then, as we have seen,
= 2x.
"Dee-y, dee-x -- the derivative of y with
respect to x -- is 2x."
We also write
y '(x) = 2x.
"y-prime of x is equal to 2x."
This symbol
by itself:
d
dx
("dee,
dee-x")
, is called the
differentiating
operator. We are to take the derivative of
what follows it. For example,
d
dx
f(x) signifies the derivative with respect to
x of f(x).
d
dt
(4t
3
5) signifies the derivative with
respect to t of (4t
3
5).
And so on.
A simple difference quotient
The difference quotient is a
version of
y
x
. And at
times we
will use the latter. That is, the change in
the value of a function y = f(x) is y + y.
Hence the difference quotient is
At times it will be convenient to
express the difference quotient as
Note: As x approaches 0 -- as the
point Q moves closer to P along the
curve -- then y, or equivalently, f also
approaches 0. That is,
The student should now do
Problems that require the definition of
the derivative.
RULES
FOR
DERIVATIVES
The derivative of a constant
The derivative of y = x
The derivative of a sum or difference
The derivative of a constant times a function
The product rule
The power rule
The derivative of the square root
THE DEFINTION of the derivative is fundamental. (Definition 5.)
The student should be thoroughly familiar with it. From that
definition it is possible to prove various rules, some of which we
will present in this Lesson. The student will find it extremely
helpful to state each rule verbally.
For example,
1.
"The derivative of a constant is 0."
We should expect this, because the slope of a horizontal line
y = c is 0.
2.
"The derivative of a variable with respect to itself is 1."
Again, this is an expected result, because 1 is the slope of the
straight line y = x. (Topic 9 of Precalculus.)
3.
"The derivative of a sum or difference
is equal to the sum or difference of the derivatives."
This follows from Theorem 1 on limits, Lesson 2.
For example,
d
dx
(x x + 5) = 2x 1,
according to the Theorem of Lesson 4, and 1, 2, and 3 above.
4.
d
dx
c f(x) = c
d
dx
f(x)
"The derivative of a constant times a function
is equal to the constant times the derivative of the function."
d
dx
5x = 5 2x = 10x.
d
dx
8x = 8 1 = 8.
This follows from Theorem 5 on limits, Lesson 2.
Problem 1. Calculate the derivative of 4x 6x + 2.
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8x 6.
Problem 2. Calculate the derivative of y =
x
a
, where a is a constant.
Since
x
a
=
1
a
x
(Lesson 5 of Algebra),
then y' =
1
a
.
Rule 4.
5. ( f g)' = f g' + g f '
"The derivative of a product of two functions is equal
to
the first times the derivative
of the second
plus the second times the
derivative of the first."
This is the product rule. We will prove it below.
Example. Accepting for the moment that the derivative of
sin x is cos x (Lesson 12), then
d
dx
x sin x = x cos x + 2x sin x.
Problem 3. Calculate the derivative of 5x sin x.
5x cos x + 5 sin x
Proof of the product rule
To prove the product rule, we will express the difference
quotient simply
as
y
x
. (Lesson 5.) And so let
y = f g.
Then a change in y -- y -- will produce corresponding
changes in f and g:
y + y = (f + f )(g + g)
On multiplying out the right-hand side,
y + y = f g + f g + g f + f g.
To form
y
x
, we subtract y -- which is f g -- from both sides, and
divide by x:
y
x
= f
g
x
+ g
f
x
+ f
g
x
Now let x 0. Hence y will approach 0, as will
both f and g, so that the last term on the right approaches
0.
Therefore, since the limit of a sum is equal to the sum of the limits
(Theorem 1 of limits):
dy
dx
= f
dg
dx
+ g
df
dx
This is the product rule.
The power rule
6.
d
x
n
= nx
n1
dx
"The derivative of a power of x
is equal to the product of
the exponent times
x with the exponent reduced by
1."
That is called the power rule. For example,
d
dx
x
5
= 5x
4
It is usual to prove the power rule by means of the
binomial theorem. See Topic 24 of Precalculus, especially
Problem 5. On applying the definition of the derivative,
subtracting x
n
, dividing the numerator by h and taking the
limit, the rule follows.
However, we have seen that the power rule is true when n = 1:
d
dx
x
1
= 1 x
0
= 1;
that it is true when n = 2:
d
dx
x
2
= 2x;
and that it is true when n = 3 (Problem 2 of Lesson 5):
d
dx
x
3
= 3x.
It seems natural, then, to give a proof by induction;
(Topic 26 of Precalculus). The induction hypothesis will
be that the power rule is true for n = k:
d
dx
x
k
= k x
k1
,
and we must show that it is true for n = k + 1; i.e. that
d
dx
x
k+1
= (k + 1) x
k
.
Now,
d
dx
x
k+1
=
d
dx
x x
k
d
dx
x
k+1
=
x k x
k1
+ x
k
1, according to the product rule,
d
dx
x
k+1
= k x
k
+ x
k
d
dx
x
k+1
= (k + 1)x
k
.
Therefore, if the power rule is true for n = k, then it is also true for its
succesor, k + 1. And since the rule is true for n = 1, it is therefore true
for every natural number.
Problem 4. Calculate the derivative of x
6
3x
4
+ 5x
3
x + 4.
6x
5
12x
3
+ 15x 1
We will see in Lesson 14 that the power rule is valid
for any exponent n. The student should begin
immediately to use that result.
Example. The derivative of the square root.
See Lesson 29 of Algebra: Rational Exponents.
Problem 5. Calculate the derivative of .
Problem 6. Calculate the derivative of x .
Problem 7. Caculate the derivate of
1
x
5
.
d
dx
1
x
5
=
d
dx
x
5
= 5x
6
THE CHAIN RULE
The derivative of a function of a function
The chain rule
Proof of the chain rule
The derivative of a function of a function
Let
f (x) = x
5
and g(x) = x + 1.
If we now let g(x) be the argument of f, then f will be a function of g.
f (g(x)) = (x + 1)
5
.
(Topic 3 of Precalculus.)
What is the derivative of f (g(x)) ?
First, note that
d f(x)
dx
= 5x
4
.
That is: The derivative of f with respect to its argument (which in
this case is x) is equal to 5 times the 4th power of the argument.
This means that if g -- or any variable -- is the argument of f, the same form applies:
d f(g)
dg
= 5g
4
.
d f(h)
dh
= 5h
4
.
d f(v)
dv
= 5v
4
.
In other words, we can really take the derivative of a function of an
argument only with respect to that argument.
Therefore, since g = x + 1,
d f(g)
dg
= 5g
4
= 5(x + 1)
4
.
Next, the derivative of g is 2x. And what is called the chain rule
states the following:
df(g(x))
dx
=
df(g)
dg
dg(x)
dx
"If f is a function of g and g is
a function of x,
then the derivative of f with
respect to x
is equal to the derivative of
f(g) with respect to g
times the derivative of g(x)
with respect to x."
Therefore according to the chain rule, the derivative of
(x + 1)
5
is
5(x + 1)
4
2x.
Note: In (x + 1)
5
, x + 1 is "inside" the 5th power, which
is "outside." We take the derivative from outside to inside. When
we take the outside derivative, we do not change what is inside. We
then multiply by the derivative of what is inside.
To decide which function is outside, decide which you would have to evaluate
last.
To evaluate
(x + 1)
5
,
you would first have to evaluate x + 1. Then you would take its
5th power. The 5th power therefore is outside. That is why we take
that derivative first.
When we write f(g(x)), f is outside g.
We take the derivative of f with
respect to g first.
Example 1. f(x) =
. What is its derivative?
Solution. This has the form f (g(x)). What function is f, that is,
what is outside, and what is g, which is inside?
g is x
4
2, because that is inside the square root function, which is f. The
derivative of the square root is given in the Example of Lesson 6. For any
argument g of the square root function,
Here, g is x
4
2. Therefore, since the derivative of x
4
2
is 4x
3
,
d
dx
= (x
4
2)
4x
3
= 2x
3
(x
4
2)
.
Example 2. What is the derivative of y = sin
3
x ?
Solution. This is the 3rd power of sin x. To decide which function is outside,
how would you evaluate that?
You would first evaluate sin x, and then take its 3rd power. sin x is inside the
3rd power, which is outside.
Now, the derivative of the 3rd power -- of g
3
-- is 3g. Therefore, accepting for
the moment that the derivative of sin x is cos x (Lesson 12), the derivative of
sin
3
x -- from outside to inside -- is
3 sinx cos x.
Example 3. What is the derivative of
1
x
3
+ 1
?
Solution. x
3
+ 1 is inside the function
1
x
= x
1
, whose derivative
is x
2
; (Problem 3, Lesson 4). We have, then,
1
x
3
+ 1
= (x
3
+ 1)
1
.
Therefore, its derivative is
(x
3
+ 1)
2
3x
Example 4. Assume that y is a function of x. y = y(x). Apply
the
chain rule to
d
dx
y .
Solution.
dy
=
dy
dy
= 2y
dy
.
dx dy dx dx
y, which we are assuming to be a function of x, is inside the
function y. The derivative of y with respect to y is 2y. As for
the derivative of
y with respect to x, we can only indicate it as
dy
dx
. (See Lesson 5.)
Problem 1. Calculate the derivative of (x 3x + 5)
9
.
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9(x 3x + 5)
8
(2x 3)
Problem 2. Calculate the derivative of (x
4
3x + 4)
2/3
.
2/3(x
4
3x + 4)
1/3
(4x
3
6x)
Problem 3. Calculate the derivative of sin
5
x.
5 sin
4
x cos x
Problem 4. Calculate the derivative of sin x
5
.
The inside function is x
5
-- you would evaluate that last.
The outside function is sin x. (This is the sine of x
5
.) Therefore, the
derivative is
cos x
5
5x
4
.
Problem 5. Calculate the derivative of sin (1 + 2 ).
cos (1 + 2 )x
1/2
Problem 6. Calculate the derivative of
(sin x)
3/4
cos x
Example 5. More than two functions. The
chain rule can be extended to more than two
functions. For example, let
f(x) =
.
The outside function is the square root.
Inside that is (1 + a 2nd power). And inside that
is sin x.
The derivative therefore is
(1 + sinx)
1/2
2 sin x cos x =
sin x cos x
.
Problem 7. Calculate the derivative of
(Compare Example 3.)
[sin (x + 5)]
2
cos (x + 5) 2x
=
2x cos (x + 5)
sin(x + 5)
Problem 8. Calculate the derivative of
Problem 9. Assume that y is a function of x, and
apply the chain rule to express each derivative
with respect to x.
a)
d
dx
y
3
=
3y
dy
dx
b)
d
dx
sin y =
cos y
dy
dx
c)
d
dx
=
y
dy
dx
Proof of the chain rule
To prove the chain rule let us go back to basics.
Let f be a function of g, which in turn is a
function of x, so that we have f(g(x)). Then when
the value of g changes by an amount g, the value
of f will change by an amount f. We will have the
ratio
f
g
.
Again, since g is a function of x, then when x
changes by an amount x, g will change by an
amount g. We will have the ratio
g
x
.
But the change in x affects f because it
depends on g. We will have
f
x
. It will be the product of those ratios:
f
x
=
f
g
g
x
.
Let us now take the limit as x approaches 0.
Then the change in g(x) -- g -- will also approach
0. Therefore, since the limit of a product is equal to the
product of the limits (Lesson 2), and by definition of
the derivative:
df
dx
=
df
dg
dg
dx
This is the chain rule.
MORE RULES
FOR
DERIVATIVES
The quotient rule
Proof of the quotient rule
Implicit differentiation
The derivative of an inverse function
The quotient rule
The following is called the quotient rule:
"The derivative of the quotient of two functions is equal to
the denominator times the derivative of the numerator
minus the numerator times the derivative of the denominator
all divided by the square of the denominator."
For example, accepting for the moment that the derivative of sin
x is cos x (Lesson 12):
Problem 1. Calculate the derivative of
x
sin x
.
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To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload").
Do the problem yourself first!
sin x 2x x cos x
sin
2
x
Problem 2. Use the chain rule to calculate the derivative of
sinx
x
3
.
x 2 sin x cos x sinx 3x
x
6
=
x sin x(2x cos x 3 sin x)
x
6
=
sin x(2x cos x 3 sin x)
x
4
Problem 3. Calculate the derivative of
x 5x 6
2x + 1
.
(2x + 1)(2x 5) (x 5x 6) 2
(2x + 1)
=
4x 8x 5 2x + 10x + 12
(2x + 1)
=
2x + 2x + 7
(2x + 1)
Problem 4. Calculate the derivative of
3x x + 4
.
See the Example, Lesson 6.
=
=
=
Proof of the quotient rule
THEOREM.
Proof. Since g = g(x), then
d
dx
1
g
=
d
dg
1
g
dg
dx
=
1
g
g'
according to the chain rule, and Problem 3 of Lesson 5.
Therefore, according to the product rule (Lesson 6),
This is the quotient rule, which we wanted to prove.
Implicit differentiation
Consider the following:
x + y = r
This is the equation of a circle with radius r. (Lesson 17 of
Precalculus.)
Let us calculate
dy
dx
. To do that, we could solve for y and then take the
derivative. But rather than do that, we will take the derivative of each
term. As for y, we consider it implicitly a function of x, and therefore
we may apply the chain rule to it. Then we will solve for
dy
dx
.
d
dx
x +
d
dx
y =
d
dx
r
2x + 2y
dy
dx
= 0
dy
dx
=
x
y
.
This is called implicit differentiation. We treat y as a function of
x and apply the chain rule. The derivative that results generally
contains both x and y.
Problem 5. 15y + 5y
3
+ 3y
5
= 5x
3
. Calculate y'.
15y' + 15yy' + 15y
4
y'
=
15x
2
y'(1 + y + y
4
)
=
x
y'
=
x
1 + y + y
4
Problem 6.
Calculate y'.
=
0
=
y'
=
Problem 7.
a) In this circle,
x + y = 25,
a) what is the y-cordinate when x = 3?
y = 4 or 4. For,
(3) + (4) = 5
b) What is the slope of the tangent to the circle at (3, 4)?
3
4
. For, the derivative is
x
y
.
c) What is the slope of the tangent to the circle at (3, 4)?
3
4
Problem 8. In the first quadrant, what is the slope of the
tangent to this circle,
(x 1) + (y + 2) = 169,
when x = 6?
[Hint: 5 + 12 = 13 is a Pythagorean triple.]
In the first quadrant, when x =
6, y = 10.
(6 1) + (10 + 2)
= 13.
y' =
x 1
y + 2
. Therefore the slope is
6 1
10 + 2
=
5
12
Problem 9. Calculate the slope of the tangent to this curve
at (2, 1):
x
3
3xy + y
3
= 1
3x (3x 2y y' + y 3) + 3y y'
=
0
according to the product rule.
3x 6xy y' 3y + 3y y'
=
0
x 2xy y' y + y y'
=
0
y'(y 2xy)
=
y x
y'
=
y x
y 2xy
Therefore, at (2, 1):
y'
=
(1) 2
(1) 2 2 1
=
3
5
=
3
5
The derivative of an inverse function
When we have a function y = f(x) -- for example
y = x
-- then we can often solve for x. In this case,
On exchanging the variables, we have
is called the inverse function of y = x.
Let us write
f(x) = x
g(x) =
And let us call f the direct function and g the inverse function.
The formal relationship between f and g is the following:
f( g(x)) = g( f(x)) = x.
(Topic 19 of Precalculus.)
Here are other pairs of direct and inverse functions:
f(x) = sin x g(x) = arcsin x
f(x) = a
x
g(x) = log
a
x
f(x) = x
3
g(x) =
Now, when we know the derivative of the direct
function f, then from it we can determine the derivative of g.
Thus, let g(x) be the inverse of f(x). Then
f(g(x) = x.
Now take the derivative with respect to x:
This implies the following
Theorem.
"The derivative of an inverse function is
equal to
the reciprocal of the derivative of the direct
function
when its argument is the inverse
function."
Example. Let f(x) = x, and
Then f( g) = g.
Therefore,
INSTANTANEOUS VELOCITY
AND
RELATED RATES
Rectilinear motion
The definition of instantaneous velocity
Related rates
ONE OF THE most important applications of calculus is to motion in a
straight line, which is called rectilinear motion.
Consider a point P moving in a straight line. Let s be the distance
measured from a fixed point O to any position of P, and let t be the time
elapsed. Then to each value of t there will correspond a distance s. s will
be a function of t:
s = f(t).
When we know f(t), we have what is called the equation of motion.
Now, in a time interval t, there will be a change s -- P will move to
the point P'. By definition,
s
t
= The average velocity in moving from P to P'.
For example, if at t = 30 sec, s = 100 meters,
and at t = 35 sec, s = 210 m, then
s
t
=
110 m
5 sec
= 22 meters per second.
But that is the average velocity in moving between those two points.
The question calculus asks is: What is the exact velocity at the point P
itself?
If P moves with constant velocity -- which is called uniform motion
-- then we don't need calculus for that. In other words, if the equation
of motion is
s = 22 t,
then at every instant of time, the velocity is 22 m/sec. For, the slope of
that line, which is 22, is rate of change of s with respect to t, which by
definition is the velocity.
In each 1 second of time, the point P moves a distance of 22
meters.
s
t
= 22 meters per second.
That is not a realistic picture, of course, because at 0 seconds the
velocity is surely not 22 meters/sec There must have been an
acceleration
to that constant velocity. During that acceleration, the velocity was not
constant. The graph was not a straight line.
The definition of instantaneous velocity
For any kind of motion, uniform or not, by v(t) -- the instantaneous
velocity at time t of a moving object whose position is s(t) -- we mean
the
limit of the average velocity,
s
t
, as t approaches 0.
v(t), velocity, is a continuous function. Therefore according to the
definition of a continuous function, we may name the limit of v(t) as t
approaches any value t
0
, by evaluating v(t
0
).
*
The variable t is approaching 0 as a limit.
Therefore t is never equal to 0. What is
called the "instantaneous velocity at time t" is
a definition. It is the value of s/t can be
approached as closely as we desire. If we took
that expression literally -- "the instantaneous
velocity at 3:06:55 PM" -- then at that instant
there would be no motion! Motion requires a
change of time with its corresponding change
of distance. In other words, if we think of time
(or any quantity modeled on a straight line)
as actually composed of points, or instants,
rather than intervals, then we create
unnecessary paradoxes. That was recognized
in ancient times, and is one of the paradoxes
of Zeno.
See the Introduction to plane geometry.
Example. Let the following be the equation of motion:
s(t) = 6t + t + 8
Let t be measured in seconds and s in meters.
a) What is the position -- the distance from the origin -- at the end
of 10 seconds?
Answer. s(10) = 6 10 + 10 + 8 = 618 meters.
b) What is the velocity at the end of 10 seconds?
Answer.
ds
dt
= 12t + 1
= 12 10 + 1
= 121 m/sec.
Problem 1. It has been found by experiment that a body falling
from rest under the influence of gravity, follows approximately this
equation of motion:
s(t) = 4.9 t .
s is the distance fallen measured in meters; t is the time elapsed
measured in seconds.
a) At the end of 3 seconds, how far has the body fallen?
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s(3) = 4.9 3 = 4.9 9 = 44.1 m.
b) What is its velocity at the end of 3 seconds?
ds
dt
=
9.8 t
=
9.8 3
=
29.4 m/sec.
The second derivative
The derivative of y = f(x) -- y'(x) -- will itself be a function of x.
This new function may also be differentiable, in which case we
call the derivative of the first derivative of y the second derivative.
The notation for
the second derivative is
or y''.
Consider this equation of motion,
s(t) = 3t .
Then the first derivative is the velocity v:
v =
ds
dt
= 6t.
The second derivative is the rate of change of the velocity with respect to time.
That is called the acceleration a:
a =
ds
dt
= 6.
If t is measured in seconds and s in meters, then the units of
velocity are meters per second, which we abbreviate as m/sec. The
units of acceleration are then meters per second per second, which we
abbreviate as m/sec.
Problem 2. A body moves in a straight line according to this
equation of motion:
s(t) = 10t 4t + 8,
where t is measured in seconds and s in meters.
a) What is its position at the end of 5 sec?
s(5) = 10 5 4 5 + 8 = 238 m.
b) What is the equation for its velocity v at any time t ?
v(t) =
ds
= 20t 4.
dt
c) What is its velocity v at the end of 5 seconds?
v(5) =
20 5 4
= 96
m/sec.
d) What is the equation for its acceleration a at any time t ?
a(t) =
ds
dt
=
dv
dt
= 20.
e) What is its acceleration at the end of 5 seconds?
a(5) = 20 m/sec.
The acceleration is constant.
Problem 3. Under the influence of gravity, a body
moves according to this equation of motion:
s(t) = gt + s
0
a) What is the physical significance of the constant s
0
?
It is the body's initial position, s(0).
b) How fast is the body moving after 5 seconds?
v(t) =
ds
dt
= gt. At t = 5, v(5) = 5g.
c) What is the physical significance of the constant
g?
g =
ds
dt
. g is the acceleration due to gravity, which is
approximately 9.8 m/sec.
Related rates
Example 1.
a) If the radius of a circle is expanding, write the
equation that shows
a) how fast the area of the circle is expanding.
(A = r.)
Solution. We are to calculate
dA
dt
. We have
A = r.
On differentiating implicitly with respect to t (Lesson 8):
dA
dt
=
=
b) If the radius is expanding at the rate of 2
cm/min, how fast is the area
a) expanding when the radius is 15 cm?
Solution. We are given
that
dr
dt
= 2 cm/min. Therefore,
when
r = 15 cm,
dA
dt
= 2 15 2
188.4 cm/min.
Example 2. A boy is walking at the rate of 5
miles per hour toward the foot of a flag pole 60
feet high. At what rate is his distance from the
top of the pole changing when he is 80 feet from
its foot?
Solution. Draw a picture In all problems of this type,
draw a picture.
Let the boy be at the point A, which is a
distance x from the foot of the flag pole. Let s be
his distance from the top of the pole.
We are to calculate
ds
dt
.
The figure is a right triangle. Therefore,
1) s = x + 3600.
Differentiate implicitly with respect to t.
2s
ds
dt
= 2x
dx
dt
.
Therefore,
ds
dt
=
x
s
dx
dt
.
Now, we are given x = 80 feet,
and
dx
dt
= 5 mi/hour. We write
the
minus sign because x is decreasing as he
approaches the flag pole.
According to line 1),
Therefore,
Problem 4. The side of an square is a cm long,
and is increasing at the rate of b cm per hour.
How fast is the area increasing?
2ab cm/hour.
Problem 5. The side of an equilateral triangle
is a cm long, and is increasing at the rate of b
cm per hour. How fast is the area increasing?
ab cm/hour.
Problem 6.
a) The surface area S of a sphere is given by
the formula S = 4r.
If r changes with time, how does S change?
dS
dt
= 8r
dr
dt
b) The volume V of a sphere is given by the
formula V =
4
3
r
3
.
If r changes with time, how does V change?
dV
dt
= 4r
dr
dt
c) Prove:
dV
dt
= r
dS
dt
.
dV
dt
= 4r
dr
dt
= 8r
dr
dt
= r 8r
dr
dt
= r
dS
dt
.
Problem 7. The base and height of a
rectangle are b and h, and they are
changing at the rates p, q respectively.
Prove that the area A is changing at the
rate bq + hp.
A = bh.
Accordingto
the product
rule:
dA
dt
= b
dh
dt
+ h
db
dt
= bq + hp.
Problem 8.
a) A ladder 50 feet long is leaning
against a wall. If the foot of the
ladder
a) is being pulled away from the wall
at a certain rate, derive the formula
a) for how fast the top of the ladder
is descending.
a) (Let x be the distance of the foot
of the ladder from the wall,
a) and let h be the distance of the top
from the ground. Draw a
a) picture )
dh
dt
=
x
h
dx
dt
=
If the foot is being pulled away
at the rate of 3 ft/min, then
b) when the foot is 14 feet from the
wall, how fast is the top
b) descending?
7/8 ft/min.
c) when is the top descending at
the rate of 4 ft/min?
When the bottom is 40 feet from the wall.
d) When will the top and
bottom move at the same rate?
When the bottom is 25 feet from the
wall.
MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM
VALUES
The turning points of a graph
WE SAY THAT A FUNCTION f(x) has a relative maximum value at x = a,
if f(a) is greater than any value in its immediate neighborhood.
We call it a "relative" maximum because other values of the function may in fact be greater.
We say that a function f(x) has a relative minimum value at x = b,
if f(b) is less than any value in its immediate neighborhood.
Again, other values of the function may in fact be less. With that understanding, then, we will
drop the term relative.
The value of the function, the value of y, at either a maximum or a minimum is called an extreme
value.
Now, what characterizes the graph at an extreme value? The tangent to the curve is horizontal.
We see this at the points A and B above. The slope of each tangent line -- the derivative when
evaluated at a or b -- is 0.
f '(x) = 0.
Moreover, at points immediately to the left of a maximum -- at a point C
-- the slope of the tangent is positive: f '(x) > 0. While at points immediately
to the right -- at a point D -- the slope is negative: f '(x) < 0.
In other words, at a maximum, f '(x) changes sign from + to .
At a minimum, f '(x) changes sign from to + . We can see that at the points E and F.
We can also observe that at a maximum, at A, the graph is concave
downward. (Topic 14 of Precalculus.) While at a minimum, at B, it is concave
upward.
A value of x at which the function has either a maximum or a minimum
is called a critical value. In the figure, the critical values are x = a and x = b.
The critical values determine turning points, at which the tangent is parallel to the x-axis. The
critical values -- if any -- will be the solutions to the equation f '(x) = 0.
Example 1. Let f(x) = x 6x + 5.
Are there any critical values -- any turning points? If so, do they determine a maximum or a
minimum? And what are the cordinates on the graph of that maximum or minimum?
Solution. f '(x) = 2x 6 = 0 implies x = 3. (Lesson 15 of Algebra.)
x = 3 is the only critical value. It is the x-cordinate of the turning point. To determine the y-
cordinate, evaluate f at that critical value -- evaluate f(3):
f(x) = x 6x + 5
f(3) = 3 6 3 + 5
= 4.
The extreme value is 4. To see whether it is a maximum or a
minimum, in this case we can simply look at the graph.
f(x) is a parabola, and we can see that the turning point is a minimum.
By finding the value of x where the derivative is 0, then, we have
discovered that the vertex of the parabola is at (3, 4).
But we will not always be able to look at the graph. The algebraic
condition for a minimum is that f '(x) changes sign from to + . We see
this at the points E, B, F above. The value of the slope is increasing
Now to say that the slope is increasing, is to say that, at a critical value, the second derivative
(Lesson 9) -- which is rate of change of the slope -- is positive.
Again, here is f(x):
f(x) = x 6x + 5.
f '(x) = 2x 6.
f ''(x) = 2.
f '' evaluated at the critical value 3 -- f ''(3) = 2 -- is positive. This tells us
algebraically that the critical value 3 determines a minimum.
Sufficient conditions
We can now state these sufficient conditions for extreme values of a function
at a critical value a:
The function has a minimum value at x = a if f '(a) = 0
and f ''(a) = a positive number.
The function has a maximum value at x = a if f '(a) = 0
and f ''(a) = a negative number.
In the case of the maximum, the slope of the tangent is decreasing -- it is
going from positive to negative. We can see that at the points C, A, D.
Example 2. Let f(x) = 2x
3
9x + 12x 3.
Are there any extreme values? That is, are there any critical values -- solutions to f '(x) = 0 -- and
do they determine a maximum or a minimum? And what are the cordinates on the graph of that
maximum or minimum -- where are the turning points?
Solution. f '(x) = 6x 18x + 12 = 6(x 3x + 2)
= 6(x 1)(x 2)
= 0
implies:
x = 1 or x = 2.
(Lesson 37 of Algebra.)
Those are the critical values. Does each one determine a maximum or
does it determine a minimum? To answer, we must evaluate the second
derivative at each value.
f '(x) = 6x 18x + 12.
f ''(x) = 12x 18.
f ''(1) = 12 18 = 6.
The second derivative is negative. The function therefore has a
maximum at x = 1.
To find the y-cordinate -- the extreme value -- at that maximum we
evaluate f(1):
f(x) = 2x
3
9x + 12x 3
f(1) = 2 9 + 12 3
= 2.
The maximum occurs at the point (1, 2).
Next, does x = 2 determine a maximum or a minimum?
f ''(x) = 12x 18.
f ''(2) = 24 18 = 6.
The second derivative is positive. The function therefore has a
minimum at x = 2.
To find the y-cordinate -- the extreme value -- at that minimum, we evaluate f(2):
f(x) = 2x
3
9x + 12x 3.
f(2) = 16 36 + 24 3
= 1.
The minimum occurs at the point (2, 1).
Here in fact is the graph of f(x):
Solutions to f ''(x) = 0 indicate a point of
inflection at those solutions, not a maximum or
minimum. An example is y = x
3
. y'' = 6x = 0
implies x = 0. But x = 0 is a point of inflection
in the graph of y = x
3
, not a maximum or
minimum.
Another example is y = sin x. The solutions
to y'' = 0 are the multiplies of , which are
points of inflection.
Problem 1. Find the cordinates of the vertex of the parabola,
y = x 8x + 1.
To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area.
To cover the answer again, click "Refresh" ("Reload").
Do the problem yourself first!
y' = 2x 8 = 0.
That implies x = 4. That's the x-cordinate of the
vertex. To find the y-cordinate, evaluate y at x = 4:
y = 4 8 4 + 1 = 15.The
vertex is at (4, 15).
Problem 2. Examine each function for maxima and
minima.
a) y = x
3
3x + 2.
y' = 3x 6x = 3x(x 2) = 0 implies
x = 0 or x = 2.
y''(x) = 6x 6.
y''(0) = 6.
The second derivative is negative. That means there is
a maximum at x = 0. That maximum value is
y(0) = 2.Next,
y''(2) = 12 6 = 6.
The second derivative is positive. That means
there is a minimum at x = 2. That minimum value
is
y(2) = 2
3
3 2 + 2 = 8 12 + 2 = 2.
b) y = 2x
3
3x + 12 x + 10.At x = 1 there is a
maximum of y = 17.
At x = 2 there is a
minimum of y = 10.
c) y = 2x
3
+ 3x + 12 x 4.
Since f '(x) = 0 has no real solutions, there
are no extreme values.
d) y = 3x
4
4x
3
12x + 2.
At x = 0 there is a
maximum of y = 2.
At x = 1 there is a
minimum of y = 3.
At x = 2 there is a
minimum of y
=30.
APPLICATIONS
OF
MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM
VALUES
FINDING a maximum or a minimum (Lesson 10) has its application in
pure mathematics, where we could find the largest rectangle that has a
given perimeter. It also has its application to commercial problems,
such as finding the least dimensions of a carton that is to contain a
given volume.
Example 1. Find the dimensions of the rectangle that, for a given
perimeter, will have the largest area.
Solution. Let the base of the rectangle be x, let its height be y, let A be its area, and let P be the
given perimeter. Then
P = 2x + 2y,
and
A = xy.
Since we are going to maximize A, we would like to have A as a
function only of x. And we can do that because in the expression for P we
can solve for y:
y = (P 2x) = P x.
Therefore,
A = x(P x)
= xP x.
On taking the derivative of A and setting it equal to 0,
dA
dx
= P 2x = 0,
x = P.
The base is one quarter of the perimeter. We can now find the value of y:
y = P P = P.
The height is also one quarter of the perimeter. That figure is a square
The rectangle that has the largest area for a given perimeter
is a square.
(Note: The value we found is a maximum, because the second
derivative is negative.)
All maximum-minimum problems follow this same procedure:
Write the function whose maximum or minimum value is to be determined.
(In the Example, we wrote A = xy.)
The resulting expression will typically contain more than one variable. Use the
information given in the problem to express every variable in terms of a single variable.
(In the Example, we expressed y in terms of x.)
Find the critical value of that single variable by taking the derivative and setting it
equal to 0.
(In the Example, we took the derivative of A with respect to x.)
If necessary, determine the values of the other variables.
(In the Example, we evaluated y by substituting the critical value of x.)
In the following, notice how we follow these steps.
Example 2. A box having a square base and an open top is to contain 108
cubic feet. What should its dimensions be so that the material to make it will
be a minimum? That is, what dimensions will cost the least?
Solution. Let x be the side of the square base, and let y be its height. Then
Area of base = x.
Area of four sides = 4xy.
Let M be the total amount of material. Then
M = x + 4xy.
Now, how shall we express y in terms of x?
We have not yet used the fact that the volume must be 108 cubic feet. The volume is equal to
xy = 108.
Therefore,
y =
108
x
and therefore in the expression for M,
4xy = 4x
108
x
=
M =
=
This implies, on multiplying through by the denominator x
2
:
2x
3
432 = 0
x
3
= 216
x = 6 feet.
We can now evaluate y:
y =
These are the dimensions that will cost the least.
Example 3. Find the dimensions of the rectangle with the most area that
can be inscribed in a semi-circle of radius r. Show, in fact, that the area of
that rectangle is r.
Solution. First, it should be clear that there is a rectangle with the
greatest area, as the figures above show.
Let x be the base of the rectangle, and let y be its height. Then, since r is the radius:
= r
= r
x + 4y = 4r.
Therefore,
y =
Let A be the area we want to maximize. A = xy. That is,
A =
According to the product rule:
dA
dx
=
x + (4r x) = 0.
This implies:
x = 2r
x =
This is the base of the largest rectangle. As for the height y:
y =
y =
y =
The area of this largest rectangle, then, is
Problem 1. Find two numbers whose sum is 42 and whose product will be
the largest.
(Hint: Call the two numbers x and y. For convenience, call the product something. You will
then have two equations in two unknowns. Express the product as function of a single
variable, and find its maximum.)
The two numbers are 21 and 21.
Problem 2. You have a given length of fence. Using the wall of a house
as one side of a rectangular fence, how would you place the fence around
the other three sides in order to enclose the largest possible area?
Place half the fence parallel to the
house.
Problem 3. Find the dimensions of the rectangle of maximum area
that can be inscribed in a circle of radius r. Show, in fact, that that area
will be 2r.
That figure is a square. Each side of the square is r.
Problem 4. A can is to be constructed in the form of a right
circular cylinder. If it is to contain a given volume V, what
dimensions will require the least amount of material?
Show, in fact, that the height h of the can must equal its width, which is twice the
radius r.
V = rh.
First, the top and bottom of the can are each a circle. And the
area of the lateral surface is equivalent to a rectangle whose
dimensions are 2r h. Therefore,
The area A of the material =
2r + 2rh.
From the formula for V, express h in terms of r.
h =
V
r
Therefore,
A =
2r +
2V
r
dA
dr
=
A therefore has a minimum at
r =
Therefore,
h =
Compare Lesson 29 of Algebra, Problem 2.
The height of the can must equal its width, which is 2r.
Problem 5. Find the volume V of the largest right circular cone
that can be inscribed in a sphere of radius r.
V =
1
3
(area of the base) (height).
Let P be the center of the sphere of radius r. Let APB be the
height of the cone, and call that height h. Then PB = h r.
Let s be the radius of the cone. Then
V =
1
3
sh.
We want to maximize V as a function of h alone. Therefore we
must express s in terms of h and the constant r.
Now, s and h r are the sides of a right triangle. Therefore,
s + (h r)
=
r
s + h 2hr + r
=
r
s =
2hr h.
Therefore,
V =
1
3
(2hr h)h.
=
3
(2hr h).
dV
dh
=
3
(4hr 3h).
V therefore has a maximum at
h =
4
3
r.
Upon substituting that value for h in the expression for V
above, that maximum volume is:
V =
32
81
r.
DERIVATIVES OF
TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
The derivative of sin x
The derivative of cos x
The derivative of tan x
The derivative of cot x
The derivative of sec x
The derivative of csc x
THE DERIVATIVE of sin x is cos x. To prove that, we will use the
following identity:
sin A sin B = 2 cos (A + B) sin (A B).
(Topic 20 of Trigonometry.)
Problem 1. Use that identity to show:
sin (x + h) sin x =
sin (x + h) sin x = 2 cos (x + h + x) sin (x + h x)
=
2 cos (2x + h) sin h
=
Before going on to the derivative of sin x, however, we must prove a
lemma; which is a preliminary, susidiary theorem needed to prove a principle
theorem. That lemma requires the following identity:
Problem 2. Show that tan divided by sin is equal to
1
cos
:
tan
sin
=
1
cos
.
(See Topic 20 of Trigonometry.)
tan
sin
=
tan
1
sin
=
sin
cos
1
sin
=
1
cos
The lemma we have to prove is discussed in Topic 14 of Trigonometry.
(Take a look at it.) Here it is:
LEMMA. When is measured in radians, then
Proof. It is not possible to prove that by applying the usual theorems on
limits (Lesson 2). We have to go to geometry, and to the meanings of sin
and radian measure.
Let O be the center of a unit circle, that is, a circle of radius 1;
and let be the first quadrant central angle BOA, measured in radians.
Then, since arc length s = r, and r = 1, arc BA is equal to . (Topic 14
of Trigonometry.)
Draw angle B'OA equal to angle , thus making arc AB' equal to arc BA;
draw the straight line BB', cutting AO at P;
and draw the straight lines BC, B'C tangent to the circle.
Then
BB' < arc BAB' < BC + CB'.
Now, in that unit circle, BP = PB' = sin , (Topic 17 of Trigonometry),
so that BB' = 2 sin ;
and BC = CB' = tan . (For, tan =
BC
OB
=
BC
1
= BC.)
The continued inequality above therefore becomes:
2 sin < 2 < 2 tan .
On dividing each term by 2 sin :
1 <
sin
<
1
cos
.
(Problem 2.) And on taking reciprocals, thus changing the sense:
1 >
sin
> cos .
(Lesson 11 of Algebra, Theorem 5.)
On changing the signs, the sense changes again :
1 <
sin
< cos ,
(Lesson 11 of Algebra, Theorem 4),
and if we add 1 to each term:
0 < 1
sin
< 1 cos .
Now, as becomes very close to 0 ( 0), cos becomes very close to
1; therefore, 1 cos becomes very close to 0. The expression in the
middle, being less than 1 cos , becomes even closer to 0 (and on the left is
bounded by 0), therefore the expression in the middle will definitely approach
0. This means:
Which is what we wanted to prove.
The student should keep in mind that for a variable to "approach" 0 or any limit (Definition 2.1),
does not mean that the variable ever equals that limit.
The derivative of sin x
d
dx
sin x = cos x
To prove that, we will apply the definition of the derivative (Lesson 5).
First, we will calculate the difference quotient.
sin (x + h) sin x
h
=
, Problem 1,
=
, on dividing numerator
and denominator by 2,
=
We will now take the limit as h 0. But the limit of a product is equal
to the product of the limits. (Lesson 2.) And the factor on the right has the
form sin /. Therefore, according to the Lemma, its limit is 1. Therefore,
d
dx
sin x = cos x.
We have established the formula.
The derivative of cos x
d
dx
cos x = sin x
To establish that, we will use the following identity:
cos x = sin (
2
x).
A function of any angle is equal to the cofunction of its complement.
(Topic 3 of Trigonometry).
Therefore, on applying the chain rule:
We have established the formula.
The derivative of tan x
d
dx
tan x = secx
Now, tan x =
sin x
cos x
. (Topic 20 of Trigonometry.)
Therefore according to the quotient rule:
d
dx
tan x =
d
dx
sin x
cos x
=
cos x cos x sin x(sin x)
cosx
=
cosx + sinx
cosx
=
1
cosx
= secx.
We have established the formula.
Problem 3. The derivative of cot x. Prove:
d
dx
cot x = cscx
d
dx
cot x =
d
dx
cos x
sin x
=
sin x(sin x) cosx cos x
sinx
=
(sinx + cosx)
sinx
=
1
sinx
=
cscx.
The derivative of sec x
d
dx
sec x = sec x tan x
Since sec x =
1
cos x
= (cos x)
1
, then, on using the chain rule and
the general power rule:
We have established the formula.
Problem 4. The derivative of csc x. Prove:
d
dx
csc x = csc x cot x
d
dx
csc x =
d
dx
1
=
sin x
=
=
=
=
Example. Calculate the derivative of sin ax.
Solution. On applying the chain rule,
d
dx
sin ax = cos ax
d
dx
ax = cos ax 2ax = 2ax cos ax.
Problem 5. Calculate these derivatives.
a)
d
sin 5x =
5 cos 5x
dx
b)
d
dx
sinx =
sin x cos x
c)
d
dx
2 cos 3x =
6 sin 3x
d)
d
dx
x cos x =
cos x x sin x
e)
d
dx
sin 2x cos x =
2 cos 2x cos x sin 2x sin x
f)
d
dx
tan (3x) =
18x sec (3x)
g)
d
dx
2 cot
x
2
=
csc
x
2
h)
d
dx
sec 4x =
4 sec 4x tan 4x
i)
d
dx
a csc bx =
ab csc bx cot bx
j)
=
Problem 6. ABC is a right angle, and the straight line AD is rotating
so that the angle is increasing in the positive
direction. At what rate -- how many radians per
second -- is it increasing if BC is constant at 3 cm,
and AB (call it x) is decreasing at the rate of
3 cm/sec, and its length is 6 cm?
Therefore,
DERIVATIVES OF
INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
The derivative of y = arcsin x
The derivative of y = arccos x
The derivative of y = arctan x
The derivative of y = arccot x
The derivative of y = arcsec x
The derivative of y = arccsc x
IT IS NOT NECESSARY to memorize the derivatives of this Lesson. The
student, rather, should know now to derive them.
In Topic 19 of Trigonometry, we introduced the inverse trigonometric
functions.
In particular, we saw:
y = arcsin x implies sin y = x.
And similarly for each of the inverse trigonometric functions.
Problem 1. If y = arcsin x, show:
Begin:
y = arcsin x
implies
1) sin y
=
x.
Therefore, according to the Pythagorean identity a':
cos y =
=
according to line 1).
We take the positive sign, because cos y is positive for all values
of y in the range. (Topic 19 of Trigonometry.) For a similar
reason, all the derivatives that follow will have a positive sign.
Problem 2. If y = arcsec x, show:
Begin:
y = arcsec x
implies
sec y
=
x.
Therefore, according to the Pythagorean identity b:
tan y =
=
Again, we take the positive sign. tan y is positive for all values of
y in the range. (Topic 19 of Trigonometry.)
The derivative of y = arcsin x
The derivative of the arcsin of its argument
is equal to 1 over the square root
of 1 plus the argument squared.
Here is the proof:
y = arcsin x
implies
sin y = x.
Therefore, on taking the derivative with
respect to x:
according to Problem 1. Which is what we wanted to prove.
Note: We could have used the theorem of Lesson 8 directly:
We will use that theorem in the proofs that follow.
= 1;
=
=
Problem 3. Calculate these derivatives. [In parts a) and b), use the chain
rule.]
a)
d
dx
arcsin x =
b)
d
dx
=
c)
d
dx
x arcsin x =
The derivative of y = arccos x
The derivative of arccos x is the negative of the derivative
of arcsin x. That will be true for each pair of cofunctions.
The derivative of arccot x will be the negative
of the derivative of arctan x.
The derivative of arccsc x will be the negative
of the derivative of arcsec x.
For, beginning with arccos x:
The angle whose cosine is x is the complement
of the angle whose sine is x.
arccos x =
arcsin x.
2
cos = sin . Therefore, if is the angle whose cosine is x, it
is the complement of , the angle whose sine is x.
And similarly for each pair of cofunctions.
Since the derivative of
2
is 0, the result follows.
Problem 4. Calculate these derivatives.
a)
d
dx
arccos
x
a
=
b)
d
dx
x arccos 2x =
The derivative of y = arctan x
d
dx
arctan x =
1
1 + x
First,
y = arctan x implies tan y = x.
Therefore, according to the theorem of Lesson 9:
Lesson 12,
Which is what we wanted to prove.
Therefore, the derivative of arccot x is its negative:
d
dx
arccot x =
1
1 + x
Problem 5. Calculate these derivatives.
a)
d
dx
arctan (ax) =
2ax
1 + a
2
x
4
b)
d
dx
arccot
x
a
=
a
a + x
c)
d
dx
arctan
2
x
=
2
x + 4
d)
d
dx
arccot 2x =
2
4x + 1
The derivative of y = arcsec x
Again,
y = arcsec x implies sec y = x.
Therefore, according to the theorem of Lesson 9:
, Lesson 12,
according to Problem 2.
This is what we wanted to prove.
The derivative, therefore, of arccsc x is its negative:
d
dx
arccsc x =
Problem 6. Calculate these derivatives.
a)
d
dx
arcsec
x
a
=
b)
d
dx
arcsec
1
x
=
c)
d
dx
arccsc 2x =
d)
d
dx
=
14
DERIVATIVES OF LOGARITHMIC
AND
EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The derivative of ln x
The derivative of e with a functional exponent
The derivative of ln u(x)
The general power rule
THE SYSTEM OF NATURAL LOGARITHMS has the number called e as it base; it
is the system we use in all theoretical work. (In the next Lesson, we
will see that e is approximately 2.718.) The system of natural
logarithms is in contrast to the system of common logarithms, which
has 10 as its base and is used for most practical work.
We denote the logarithmic function with base e as ln x.
ln x = loge x.
y = ln x implies e
y
= x.
In other words, this logarithm function --
y = ln x
-- has for its inverse the exponential function,
y = e
x
.
Here are the inverse relations:
ln e
x
= x and e
ln x
= x.
And the logarithm of the base itself is always 1:
ln e = 1.
(Topic 20 of Precalculus.)
The function y = ln x is continuous and defined for all positive values of x. It will obey the
usual laws of logarithms:
1. ln ab = ln a + ln b.
2. ln
a
b
= ln a ln b.
3. ln a
n
= n ln a.
(Topic 20 of Precalculus.)
Like all the rules of algebra, these will obey the rule of symmetry.
For example,
n ln a = ln a
n
.
The derivative of ln x
We will now apply the definition of the derivative to prove:
d
dx
ln x =
1
x
In the course of the proof, we will see that it becomes necessary to make the following definition
of the base of the system of natural logs: e.
That is, a limit in the proof will have the same form as the limit above.
In the next lesson we will see that upon changing the
variable from x to
1
n
, the familiar definition follows.
Here is the difference quotient:
according to the 2nd law;
=
on multiplying by x/x;
=
according to the 3rd law.
We will now take the limit as h approaches 0. Then according to Theorem 3:
=
Now, if we define that limit as the base e, then
=
=
=
That is what we wanted to prove.
To see that this limit
-- that is, e, exists as x approaches 0, here is the graph of
y has a definite value as x approaches 0. And in the next Lesson we will see
that it is approximately 2.718.
The derivative of e
x
We will now prove:
d
dx
e
x
= e
x
"The derivative of e
x
with respect to x
is equal to e
x
."
Since y = e
x
is the inverse of y = ln x, we can obtain its derivative as follows:
y = e
x
implies ln y = ln e
x
= x.
Therefore on taking the derivative of both sides with respect to x, and
applying the chain rule to ln y:
= 1.
y' = y.
That is,
= e
x
.
e
x
is its own derivative. What does that imply? It implies the meaning of
exponential growth. For we say that a quantity grows "exponentially" when
it grows at a rate that is proportional to its size. That is, the bigger it is at any
given time, the faster it's growing at that time. A typical example is
population. The more individuals there are, the more births there will be,
and hence the greater the rate of change of the population -- the number of
births in each year.
All exponential functions have the form a
x
, where a is the base. Therefore, to say that the rate
of growth is proportional to its size, is to say that the derivative of a
x
is proportional to a
x
.
d
dx
a
x
= ka
x
,
where k is the constant of proportionality. (Lesson 39 of Algebra.) When we
calculate that derivative below, we will see that that constant becomes ln a.
In the system of natural logarithms, in which e is the base, we have the
simplest constant possible, namely 1.
d
dx
e
x
= e
x
.
The derivative of e with a functional exponent
When y = e
u(x)
, then according to the chain rule:
That is,
"The derivative of e with a functional exponent
is equal to e with that exponent
times the derivative of that exponent."
Example 1. Calculate the derivative of e
2x + 3
.
Solution.
Problem 1. Calculate the derivative of e
x
.
e
x
2x = 2x e
x
Problem 2. Calculate the derivative of the following.
a) e
sin x
. e
sin x
cos x
b) e
x
. e
x
(1) = e
x
c) xe
x
. According to the product rule: xe
x
+ 2x
e
x
d)
According to the quotient rule:
=
=
The derivative of ln u(x)
When y = ln u(x), then according to the chain rule:
That is,
Example 2.
Example 3.
d
dx
ln sin x =
1
sin x
cos x =
cos x
sin x
= cot x.
Example 4. Find the derivative of ln x.
Solution. We may apply the laws of logarithms:
d
dx
ln x =
d
dx
2 ln x, 3rd law,
= 2
d
dx
ln x
=
2
x
.
Example 5. Find the derivative of ln
x
3x 4
.
Solution. According to the 2nd Law:
d
dx
ln
x
3x 4
=
d
dx
[ln x ln (3x 4)]
=
=
=
Problem 3. Differentiate the following.
a) ln x
3
.
d
dx
ln x
3
=
d
dx
3 ln x
=
3
x
b) (ln x)
3
.
3(ln x)
1
x
=
3(ln x)
x
c) ln (3x 4x).
1
3x 4x
(6x 4)
=
6x 4
3x 4x
e) ln cos x.
1
cos x
(sin x)
=
sin x
cos x
=
tan x
Problem 4. Calculate the derivative of ln
2
x
.
d
dx
ln
2
x
=
d
dx
(ln 2 ln x) = 0
1
x
=
1
x
Problem 5. The derivative of logax. According to the rule for changing
from base e to a different base a:
Topic 20 of Precalculus.
Calculate the limit of that derivative
a) when x is greater than 1 and becomes larger.
That derivative approaches 0, that is,
becomes smaller.
b) when x is less than 1 and becomes smaller.
That derivative becomes larger.
The general power rule
We can now prove that for any exponent n:
d
dx
x
n
= nx
n1
Let
y = x
n
.
Then
Ln y= n ln x (3rd Law).
Therefore, on taking the derivative with respect to x:
so that
y' =
n
x
y
=
n
x
x
n
= nx
n1
.
That is what we wanted to prove.
Problem 6. Calculate the derivative of
The derivative of a
x
We will prove:
d
dx
a
x
= ln a a
x
"The derivative of an exponential function with base a
is equal to the natural logarithm of the base
times the exponential function."
Let
y = a
x
.
Then on taking the natural logarithm of both sides:
ln y = x ln a. (3rd Law)
Therefore,
=
But by the chain rule:
=
Therefore,
= ln a.
= ln a
y' = ln a y
That is,
= ln a a
x
.
This is what we wanted to prove.
Example 6.
d
dx
2
x
= ln 2 2
x
.
Problem 7. Calculate the derivative of
y = 10
5x
.
By the chain
rule:
15
EVALUATING e
IN THE previous lesson, we saw the following definition of e:
On changing the variable from x to
1
, we have:
n
e =
By letting n take on larger and larger values
in
we can come
closer and closer to a decimal value for e.
= 2.25
= 2.489
= 2.594
= 2.6534
= 2.705
= 2.7169
2.7169 is an approximate value for e.
As a more efficient approach, we can derive a sequence that converges
to e more rapidly. To
let us apply the binomial theorem
(Topic 24 of Precalculus):
(a + b)
n
=
a
n
+ na
n 1
b + a
n 2
b
2
+ a
n 3
b
3
+ . . .
On putting a = 1 and b =
1
n
, we get
Now, e is the limit of that sum as n becomes infinite. When that
happens, each fraction that depends on n approaches 1, because 1 is the
quotient of the leading coefficients. (Lesson 4.)
Therefore, on taking the limit of that sum as n becomes infinite:
Notice: Each term can be derived from the previous term. The
second term follows from the first by dividing it by 1. The next term
follows by dividing by 2. The next term, by dividing by 3. The next, by 4.
And so on. e is the limit of the sequence of partial sums. Here is the sum of
the first 10 terms expressed as decimals:
1
1st term
1.000000
12nd term (dividing by 1) 1.000000
13rd term (dividing by 2) 0.500000
14th term (dividing by 3) 0.166667
15th term (dividing by 4) 0.041667
16th term (dividing by 5) 0.008333
17th term (dividing by 6) 0.001389
18th term (dividing by 7) 0.000198
19th term (dividing by 8) 0.000025
10th term (dividing by 9) 0.000003
Sum 2.718282
And so after only 10 terms, we obtain a value of e accurate to 6 decimal
digits. That is an example of a rapidly converging series.
e however, like , is an irrational number.
Problem. In this term of the binomial theorem,
a
n 2
b
show that, on putting a = 1 and b =
1
n
, the term becomes
Examples on Centroids
Find the Centroid of the following geometric shape m R m S 12 , 6 = = :
y-axis
R
2S/3
T
3
S
x-axis
2
R
2
R
3
S
3
2S
Take moments about x-axis:
=
i
i i
A
A y
y
Or, equivalently,
T
A y A y A y = + + .......
2 2 1 1
( ) y S R S
S
S R
S
S S |
.
|
\
|
+ = |
.
|
\
|
+ |
.
|
\
|
.
2
1
2
.
3
) .
2
1
(
2
( )( ) ( )y R S S R
S
S 2
3
) ( + = + |
.
|
\
|
( )y R S R S S 2 3 ) 3 ( + = +
( )
( )
m y 8 2
10
28
30
84
12 2 6 3
12 3 6 6
= = =
+
+
=
( )
( ) R S
R S S
y
2 3
3
+
+
=
Take moments about y-axis:
=
i
i i
A
A x
x
Or, equivalently,
T
A x A x A x = + + .......
2 2 1 1
( ) x S R S
R
S R
S
R S S |
.
|
\
|
+ = |
.
|
\
|
+ |
.
|
\
|
+ .
2
1
2
.
3
) .
2
1
(
2
( )x R S R
S
R S 2
3
2
+ = + |
.
|
\
|
+
( ) R S
R RS S
x
2 3
3 3
2 2
+
+ +
=
( )
m x 6 7
10
76
5
38
5
24 12 2
15
72 36 6
12 2 6 3
12 3 6 12 3 6
2 2
= = =
+ +
=
+ +
=
+
+ +
=
1. A basic knowledge of how to use the main functions of a scientific
calculator to perform calculations together with some elementary mental
checks of the results obtained by the calculator:
For the following expressions :
i. Find their values by using the calculator
ii. Find their values by mental check
iii. Calculate the percent error between mental estimation and the exact
value.
a. =
4 61
7 28
2 51
i. using the calculator:
93 23 =
ii. mental check:
25
2
1
50
60
30
50 = = ~
iii. the percent error in mental estimation from exact value:
% 5 . 4 % 47 . 4 % 100
93 . 23
25 93 . 23
% 100 ~ =
=
calculator
mental calculator
b. =
4 121
7 71
2 38
i. using the calculator 56 22 =
ii. mental check 33 . 23
3
1
70
120
70
40 = = ~
iii. the percent error in mental estimation from exact value
% 4 . 3 % 100
56 . 22
33 . 23 56 . 22
% 100 =
=
calculator
mental calculator
c.
=
4 29
7 19
2 88
i. using the calculator
1 . 59 =
ii. mental check
60 20 3
30
20
90 = = ~
iii. the percent error in mental estimation from exact value
% 5 . 1 % 100
1 . 59
60 1 . 59
% 100 =
=
calculator
mental calculator
2. A knowledge of the Order of Operations (BEDMAS):
Find the value of the following expression :
a. = + 1 2 18 36 6 5 15
305 324 19 1 324 18 1 9 36 6 3 = = + = + =
b. = 40 18 36 72 6 9 45
154 184 30 40 144 30 40 2 72 6 5 = = = =
c. = + 60 9 18 36 2 5 80
20 72 92 60 72 32 60 2 36 2 16 = = + = + =
d. = + 3 2 14 6 6 11 77
3 3 42 42 3 7 6 6 7 = + = + =
e. = + 20 5 9 18 4 5 12 48
0 20 40 20 20 5 2 4 5 4 = + = + =
3. Use of loading units including those for large loads and the use of rounding
to the nearest load unit.
a. Write 40.5668kN to the nearest Newton.
kN 567 40 = to the nearest Newton
b. Write 20.0454kN to the nearest Newton.
kN 045 20 = to the nearest Newton
c. Write 32.8805kN to the nearest Newton.
kN 881 32 =
to the nearest Newton
d. Write 65.5806kN to the nearest Newton.
kN 581 65 =
to the nearest Newton
e. Write 92.4432kN to the nearest Newton.
kN 443 92 =
to the nearest Newton
.
a. Convert 40kN to Mega Newton (MN).
MN
kN
MN
kN 04 0
1000
1
40 = =
b. Convert 20kN to Mega Newton (MN).
MN
kN
MN
kN 02 0
1000
1
20 = =
c. Convert 32kN to Mega Newton (MN).
MN
kN
MN
kN 032 0
1000
1
32 = =
d. Convert 65kN to Mega Newton (MN).
MN
kN
MN
kN 065 0
1000
1
65 = =
e. Convert 92kN to Mega Newton (MN).
MN
kN
MN
kN 092 0
1000
1
92 = =
4. Converting from one system of units to another.
a. Convert 10.2 feet to millimeters.
b. Convert 15.3 feet to millimeters.
mm mm
m
mm
ft
m
ft 4663 44 . 4663
1
1000
1
3048 0
3 15 ~ =
=
c. Convert 20.6 feet to millimeters.
mm mm
m
mm
ft
m
ft 6279 88 6278
1
1000
1
3048 0
6 20 ~ =
=
d. Convert 16.2 feet to millimeters.
mm mm
m
mm
ft
m
ft 4938 76 4937
1
1000
1
3048 0
2 16 ~ =
=
e. Convert 18.5 feet to millimeters.
mm mm
m
mm
ft
m
ft 5639 8 5638
1
1000
1
3048 0
5 18 ~ =
=
5. Rounding to significant figures (s.f.) and to decimal places.
a. Round 14.4568 to 5s.f. and to 2d.p.
5 s.f.
457 14 =
2 d.p. 46 14 =
b. Round 12.4555 to 4s.f. and to 3d.p.
4 s.f.
46 12 =
3 d.p. 5 12 =
c. Round 16.4583 to 2s.f. and to 2d.p.
2 s.f.
16 =
2 d.p. 46 16 =
d. Round 18.04508 to 6s.f. and to 3d.p.
6 s.f.
0451 18 =
2 d.p. 05 18 =
e. Round 19.4537 to 3s.f. and to 3d.p.
3 s.f.
5 19 =
3 d.p. 454 19 =
As part of their training of using a variety of mathematical techniques, the new
apprentices were asked to apply the Binomial Expansion in estimating very small
errors for the following practical problem that they faced when they measured
the
length of a square glass cladding panel to calculate its area and found that the
measurement was 0.7% too large.
The trainees were asked to:
1. Estimate the corresponding error in calculating the area using the Binomial
Expansion in estimating very small errors.
2. The approximate value of the area if the measured length was 52.6cm.
Solution:
Let the real length of the square glass l =
Therefore, the measured length of the square glass l l l
m
o + = =
The percent error % 100 % = =
l
l o
c
Therefore, the error in the length of the square glass
100
.l
l
c
o = =
Therefore, the measured length of the square glass
|
.
|
\
|
+ = + = + =
100
1
100
. c c
o l
l
l l l
Let the real Area of the square glass
2
l A = =
Therefore, the measured Area of the square glass A A A
m
o + = =
2
2
2
2
100
1
100
.
) ( |
.
|
\
|
+ = |
.
|
\
|
+ = + = =
c c
o l
l
l l l l A
m m
Applying the Binomial Expansion in estimating very small errors:
|
.
|
\
|
+ ~
100
2
1
2
c
l A
app
|
.
|
\
|
+ ~
100
2
1
c
A A
app
A A A
app
100
2c
+ ~
A A
100
2c
o ~
this is the binomial expansion in estimating small errors
exact
The corresponding error in calculating the area using the Binomial Expansion in
estimating very small errors will be:
A A 014 0 ~ o
Real Area
2
l A = =
100
) .( l l
l
m
o c
o
=
A A
100
7 0 2
~ o
A A A
m
= o
l l l
m
o c c o . . . 100 =
m
l l . ). 100 ( c o c = +
) 100 (
.
c
c
o
+
=
m
l
l
cm l 4 0 366 0
) 7 0 100 (
6 . 52 7 0
~ =
+
= o
cm l l l
m
2 . 52 4 0 6 52 = = = o
Real Area
2 2 2
2725 ) 2 52 ( cm l A = = = =
Measured area
2 2 2
2767 ) 6 52 ( cm l A
m m
= = = =
2
42 2725 2767 . cm A A A exact
m
= = = o
2
38 2725
100
7 0 2
100
2
cm A A ~
= ~
c
o
2
2763 38 2725
100
2
cm A A A
app
= + = + ~
c
Theorem Bin by found A e approximat . . . . .o
| | 3 P
To demonstrate the importance of acquiring the necessary mathematical
techniques needed
to solve simultaneous linear equations, an application in the analysis of statically
determinant truss, which frequently occurs in Civil Engineering, is demonstrated
below .
When the force balance (in the x and y directions) is applied to the vertices 1, 2, 3
of the
truss, the analysis ends up with a system of six equations for the six unknowns;
3 2 2 3 2 1
, , , , , V V H F F F needed to be evaluated.
The first two equations of the system of six equations are:
0 5 0 866 0
3 1
= + F F (1)
L
F F F =
3 1
866 0 5 0 (2)
The trainees were asked to graphically solve the first two linear simultaneous
equations for
3 1
. . F and F .
Where :
a. Newton F
L
. 1000 =
b. Newton F
L
. 1500 =
c. Newton F
L
. 2000 =
d. Newton F
L
. 3000 =
Task4
| | 1 M
A shed is 5.0m long and 3.0m wide. A concrete path of constant width is laid all
the way
around the shed. the area of the path is (choose only one):
a. 12.5
2
m .
b. 13.0
2
m .
c. 13.5
2
m .
d. 14.0
2
m .
e. 14.5
2
m .
The trainees were asked to:
1. Setup the equation to calculate the total area of the path.
2. Using the result in part (1) to set up the quadratic equation necessary to
calculate
the width to the nearest centimeter. (use the formula method to find the
roots of
the quadratic equation.)
Task5
| | 1 D
To achieve higher grades, I asked the trainees to carry out the solution of Task 3
for the
rest of the forces
3 2 2 2
, , , V V H F using appropriate and relevant mathematical
techniques to
show a high level of clarity and methodology in developing multistage
calculations. The
remaining equations are:
0 866 0
2 2 1
= + + H F F (3)
0 5 0
2 1
= + V F (4)
0 5 0
3 2
= F F (5)
0 866 0
3 3
= + V F (6)
Moment of Inertia
Figure 1A Figure 1B
Worked Example
Worked Example
Worked Example
Worked Example
Section properties
Calculating the section modulus
To calculate the section modulus, the following formula applies:
where I = moment of inertia,
y = distance from centroid to top or bottom edge of the rectangle=
For symmetrical sections the value of Z is the same above or below the centroid.
For asymmetrical sections, two values are found: Z max and Z min.
To calculate the value of Z for a simple symmetrical shape such as a rectangle:
Where
and y =
This gives the formula for Z as:
Note: The standard form of writing the value of Z is to write it as a number x 10
3
mm
3
, eg a
value of 2,086 is written as 2.086 x 10
3
.
Calculating Z
Properties of Sections
This table provides formula for calculating section Area, Moment of inertia, Polar
moment of inertia, Section modulus, Radius of gyration, and Centroidal distance, for
various cross section shapes.
Formula for rectangular, triangular, hollow circle and full circle sections is provided.
Nomenclature:
A = Area, in^2
I = Moment of inertia, in^4
J = Polar moment of inertia, in^4
Z = Section modulus, in^3
k = Radius of gyration, in
y = Centroidal distance, in
Rectangle relationships:
A = b * h
I = b * h^3 / 12
Z = b * h^2 / 6
k = 0.289 * h
y = h / 2
Triangle relationships:
A = b * h / 2
I = b * h^3 / 36
Z = b * h^2 / 24
k = 0.236 * h
y = h / 3
Circle relationships:
A = 3.14159 * d^2 / 4
I = 3.14159 * d^4 / 64
Z = 3.14159 * d^3 / 32
J = 3.14159 * d^4 / 32
k = d / 4
y = d / 2
Hollow circle relationships:
A = 3.14159 / 4 * (d^2 - di^2)
I = 3.14159 / 64 * (d^4 - di^4)
Z = 3.14159 / (32 * d) * (d^4 - di^4)
J = 3.14159 / 32 * (d^4 - di^4)
k = sqrt((d^2 + di^2) / 16)
y = d / 2
Elastic section modulus
For general design, the elastic section modulus is used, applying up to the yield point for most
metals and other common materials.
The elastic section modulus is determined by I / y, where I is the second moment of area (or
moment of inertia) and y is the distance from the neutral axis to any given fibre.
[1]
. It is often
reported using y = c, where c is the distance from the neutral axis to the most extreme
compression fibre, as seen in the table below. It is also often used to determine the yield moment
(M
y
) such that M
y
= S
y
, where
y
is the yield strength of the material.
[1]
Section modulus equations
[2]
Cross-
sectional
shape
Figure Equation Comment
Rectangle
Solid arrow
represents
neutral
axis
doubly
symmetric
I-section
(strong axis)
NA
indicates
neutral
axis
doubly
symmetric
I-section
(weak axis)
NA
indicates
neutral
axis
Circle
[2]
Solid arrow
represents
neutral
axis
Circular tube
Solid arrow
represents
neutral
axis
Rectangular
tube
NA
indicates
neutral
axis
Diamond
NA
indicates
neutral
axis
C-channel
NA
indicates
neutral
axis
[edit] Plastic section modulus
The Plastic section modulus is used for materials where (irreversible) plastic behaviour is
dominant. The majority of designs do not intentionally encounter this behaviour.
The plastic section modulus depends on the location of the plastic neutral axis, or PNA. The
PNA is defined as the axis that splits the cross section into two equal areas so that the area of
compression equals the area of tension. So, for a square cross section the plastic and elastic
neutral axis coincide, but given a T-shape for example, this isn't necessarily the case.
The plastic section modulus is then the sum of the areas of the cross section on each side of the
PNA (which are equal) multiplied by the distance from the local centroids of the two areas to the
PNA:
Z = A
C
y
C
+ A
T
y
T
Rectangular section
For the two flanges of an
I-beam with the web
excluded
[3]
where: b
1
,b
2
=width, t
1
,t
2
=thickness, y
1
,y
2
are
the distances from the neutral axis to the
centroids of the flanges respectively.
Solid Circle
Hollow Circle
The plastic section modulus is used to calculate the plastic moment, M
p
, or full capacity of a
cross-section. The two terms are related by the yield strength of the material in question, F
y
, by
M
p
=F
y
*Z. Sometimes Z and S are related by defining a 'k' factor which is something of an
indication of capacity beyond first yield. k=Z/S
Therefore for a rectangular section, k=1.5
Order of Operations
Problem: Evaluate the following
arithmetic expression:
3 + 4 x 2
Solution:
Student
1
Student
2
3 + 4 x 2 3 + 4 x 2
= 7 x 2 = 3 + 8
= 14 = 11
It seems that each student interpreted the problem differently,
resulting in two different answers. Student 1 performed the
operation of addition first, then multiplication; whereas student 2
performed multiplication first, then addition. When performing
arithmetic operations there can be only one correct answer. We
need a set of rules in order to avoid this kind of confusion.
Mathematicians have devised a standard order of operations for
calculations involving more than one arithmetic operation.
Rule 1: First perform any calculations inside parentheses.
Rule 2: Next perform all multiplications and divisions, working
from left to right.
Rule 3: Lastly, perform all additions and subtractions, working
from left to right.
The above problem was solved correctly by Student 2 since
she followed Rules 2 and 3. Let's look at some examples of
solving arithmetic expressions using these rules.
Example 1: Evaluate each expression using the rules for order of
operations.
Solution:
Order of Operations
Expression Evaluation Operation
6 + 7 x 8 = 6 + 7 x 8 Multiplication
= 6 + 56 Addition
= 62
16 8 - 2 = 16 8 - 2 Division
= 2 - 2 Subtraction
= 0
(25 - 11) x 3 = (25 - 11) x 3 Parentheses
= 14 x 3 Multiplication
= 42
In Example 1, each problem involved only 2 operations. Let's look
at some examples that involve more than two operations.
Example 2: Evaluate 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) 3 - 7 using the order of operations.
Solution:
Step 1: 3 + 6 x (5 + 4) 3 - 7 = 3 + 6 x 9 3 - 7 Parentheses
Step 2: 3 + 6 x 9 3 - 7 = 3 + 54 3 - 7 Multiplication
Step 3: 3 + 54 3 - 7 = 3 + 18 - 7 Division
Step 4: 3 + 18 - 7 = 21 - 7 Addition
Step 5: 21 - 7 = 14 Subtraction
Example 3: Evaluate 9 - 5 (8 - 3) x 2 + 6 using the order of operations.
Solution:
Step 1: 9 - 5 (8 - 3) x 2 + 6 = 9 - 5 5 x 2 + 6 Parentheses
Step 2: 9 - 5 5 x 2 + 6 = 9 - 1 x 2 + 6 Division
Step 3: 9 - 1 x 2 + 6 = 9 - 2 + 6 Multiplication
Step 4: 9 - 2 + 6 = 7 + 6 Subtraction
Step 5: 7 + 6 = 13 Addition
In Examples 2 and 3, you will notice that multiplication and division
were evaluated from left to right according to Rule 2. Similarly,
addition and subtraction were evaluated from left to right, according
to Rule 3.
When two or more operations occur inside a set of parentheses,
these operations should be evaluated according to Rules 2 and 3.
This is done in Example 4 below.
Example 4: Evaluate 150 (6 + 3 x 8) - 5 using the order of operations.
Solution:
Step 1: 150 (6 + 3 x 8) - 5 = 150 (6 + 24) - 5 Multiplication
inside
Parentheses
Step 2: 150 (6 + 24) - 5 = 150 30 - 5 Addition inside
Parentheses
Step 3: 150 30 - 5 = 5 - 5 Division
Step4: 5 - 5 = 0 Subtraction
Example 5: Evaluate the arithmetic expression below:
Solution: This problem includes a fraction bar (also called a
vinculum), which means we must divide the numerator
by the denominator. However, we must first perform
all calculations above and below the fraction bar
BEFORE dividing.
Thus
Evaluating this expression, we get:
Example 6: Write an arithmetic expression for this problem. Then
evaluate the expression using the order of operations.
Mr. Smith charged Jill $32 for parts and $15 per hour for
labor to repair her bicycle. If he spent 3 hours repairing
her bike, how much does Jill owe him?
Solution: 32 + 3 x 15 = 32 + 3 x 15 = 32 + 45 = 77
Jill owes Mr. Smith $77.
Summary: When evaluating arithmetic expressions, the order of
operations is:
- Simplify all operations inside parentheses.
- Perform all multiplications and divisions, working from left
to right.
- Perform all additions and subtractions, working from left to
right.
If a problem includes a fraction bar, perform all
calculations above and below the fraction bar before
dividing the numerator by the denominator.
Order of Operations with Exponents
Problem: Evaluate this arithmetic expression: 18 + 36 3
2
In the last lesson, we learned how to evaluate an arithmetic expression with
more than one operation according to the following rules:
Rule 1: Simplify all operations inside parentheses.
Rule 2: Perform all multiplications and divisions, working from left to right.
Rule 3: Perform all additions and subtractions, working from left to right.
However, the problem above includes an exponent, so we cannot solve it
without revising our rules.
Rule 1: Simplify all operations inside parentheses.
Rule 2: Simplify all exponents, working from left to right.
Rule 3: Perform all multiplications and divisions, working from left to right.
Rule 4: Perform all additions and subtractions, working from left to right.
We can solve the problem above using our revised order of operations.
Problem: Evaluate this arithmetic expression 18 + 36 3
2
Solution:
18 + 36 3
2
= 18 + 36 9 Simplify all exponents (Rule 2)
18 + 36 9 = 18 + 4 Division (Rule 3)
18 + 4 = 22 Addition (Rule 4)
Let's look at some other examples that involve our new rules for order of
operations.
Example 1: Evaluate 5
2
x 2
4
Solution:
5
2
x 2
4
= 25 x 2
4
Simplify all exponents,
working from left to right
(Rule 2)
25 x 2
4
= 25 x 16
25 x 16 = 400 Multiplication (Rule 3)
Example 2: Evaluate 289 - (3 x 5)
2
Solution:
289 - (3 x 5)
2
= 289 - 15
2
Simplify all
operations inside
parentheses (Rule 1)
289 - 15
2
= 289 - 225
Simplify all
exponents (Rule 2)
289 - 225 = 64 Subtraction (Rule 4)
Example 3: Evaluate 8 + (2 x 5) x 3
4
9
Solution:
8 + (2 x 5) x 3
4
9 = 8 + 10 x 3
4
9 Simplify all
operations inside
parentheses
(Rule 1)
8 + 10 x 3
4
9 = 8 + 10 x 81 9 Simplify all
exponents (Rule
2)
8 + 10 x 81 9 = 8 + 810 9 Perform all
multiplications
and divisions,
working from left
to right (Rule 3)
8 + 810 9 = 8 + 90
8 + 90 = 98 Addition (Rule 4)
Example 4: An interior decorator charges $15 per square foot to
lay a carpet, and an installation fee of $150. If the
room is square and each side measures 12 feet, how
much will it cost to carpet it?
Solution: If one side of the square-shaped room is 12 feet, then
the area of the room is (12 feet)
2
.
15 x 12
2
+ 150 = 15 x 144 + 150
Simplify all
exponents (Rule
2)
15 x 144 + 150 = 2,160 + 150
Multiplication
(Rule 3)
2,160 + 150 = 2,310 Addition (Rule 4)
Answer: It will cost $2,310 to carpet this room.
Summary
:
To help us remember the order of operations, we can use the
mnemonic PEMDAS, which stands for:
Please
Excuse
My
Dear
Aunt
Sally
Parenthes
es,
Exponent
s,
Multiplication &
Division,
Addition &
Subtraction
Note that although there are six words, they correspond to four
rules.