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Limits and Derivatives: Theorem 1

The document discusses limits and derivatives in calculus. It defines limits as the value a function approaches as the input values get closer to a given number. It discusses left-hand and right-hand limits, and how the limit of a sum/difference/product/quotient of functions is the sum/difference/product/quotient of the individual limits. It also covers limits of polynomials and rational functions. Derivatives are defined as the rate of change of a function and rules are given for finding derivatives of sums, differences, products and quotients. Standard derivatives like for linear, quadratic and trigonometric functions are also presented.

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Rounak Basu
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40 views

Limits and Derivatives: Theorem 1

The document discusses limits and derivatives in calculus. It defines limits as the value a function approaches as the input values get closer to a given number. It discusses left-hand and right-hand limits, and how the limit of a sum/difference/product/quotient of functions is the sum/difference/product/quotient of the individual limits. It also covers limits of polynomials and rational functions. Derivatives are defined as the rate of change of a function and rules are given for finding derivatives of sums, differences, products and quotients. Standard derivatives like for linear, quadratic and trigonometric functions are also presented.

Uploaded by

Rounak Basu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Limits and Derivatives

Introduction
• Calculus is that branch of mathematics which mainly deals with the study of change in the
value of a function as the points in the domain change.

Limits
• In general as x → a, f(x) → l, then l is called limit of the function f(x)

• Symbolically written as
• For all the limits, function should assume at a given point x = a
• The two ways x could approach a number an either from left or from right, i.e., all the values
of x near a could be less than a or could be greater than a.
• The two types of limits
o Right hand limit
▪ Value of f(x) which is dictated by values of f(x) when x tends to from the right.
o Left hand limit.
▪ Value of f(x) which is dictated by values of f(x) when x tends to from the left.
• In this case the right and left hand limits are different, and hence we say that the limit of f(x)
as x tends to zero does not exist (even though the function is defined at 0).

Algebra of limits
Theorem 1

Let f and g be two functions such that both exist, then

o Limit of sum of two functions is sum of the limits of the function s,i.e

o Limit of difference of two functions is difference of the limits of the functions, i.e.

o Limit of product of two functions is product of the limits of the functions, i.e.,

o Limit of quotient of two functions is quotient of the limits of the functions (whenever
the denominator is non zero), i.e.,

o In particular as a special case of (iii), when g is the constant function such that g(x) = λ, for
some real number λ, we have

Limits of polynomials and rational functions


• A function f is said to be a polynomial function if f(x) is zero function or if f(x) =
where aiS is are real numbers such that an ≠ 0 for some natural
number n.
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• We know that

Hence,

• Let be a polynomial function

• A function f is said to be a rational function, if f(x) = where g(x) and h(x) are polynomials
such that h(x) ≠ 0.
Then

• However, if h(a) = 0, there are two scenarios –


o when g(a) ≠ 0
▪ limit does not exist
o When g (a) = 0.
▪ g(x) = (x – a)k g1(x), where k is the maximum of powers of (x – a) in g(x)
▪ Similarly, h(x) = (x – a)l h1 (x) as h (a) = 0. Now, if k ≥ l, we have

If k < l, the limit is not defined.


Theorem 2
For any positive integer n

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Proof

Note:
The expression in the above theorem for the limit is true even if n is any
rational number and a is positive.
Limits of Trigonometric Functions

Theorem 3
Let f and g be two real valued functions with the same domain such that f(x) ≤ g(x) for all x in the
domain of definition,

For some a, if both

Theorem 4 (Sandwich Theorem)

Let f, g and h be real functions such that f(x) ≤ g(x) ≤ h(x) for all x in the common domain of
definition.

For some real number

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To Prove:

Proof:
We know that sin (– x) = – sin x and cos (– x) = cos x. Hence, it is sufficient to prove the

inequality for

• is the centre of the unit circle such that the angle AOC is x radians and
• Line segments B A and CD are perpendiculars to OA. Further, join AC. Then
• Area of ∆OAC < Area of sector OAC < Area of ∆ OAB

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Hence Proved

The following are two important limits

Proof:

The function is sandwiched between the function cos x and the constant function which
takes value 1.

Since , also we know that

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Using the fact that x → 0 is equivalent to . This may be justified by putting y=
Derivatives

• Some Real time Applications


o People maintaining a reservoir need to know when will a reservoir overflow knowing the
depth of the water at several instances of time
o Rocket Scientists need to compute the precise velocity with which the satellite needs to
be shot out from the rocket knowing the height of the rocket at various times.
o Financial institutions need to predict the changes in the value of a particular stock
knowing its present value.
o Helpful to know how a particular parameter is changing with respect to some other
parameter.
• Derivative of a function at a given point in its domain of definition.
• Definition 1
o Suppose f is a real valued function and a is a point in its domain of definition.
o The derivative of f at a is defined by

Provided this limit exists.


o Derivative of f(x) at a is denoted by f′(a)
• Definition 2
o Suppose f is a real valued function, the function defined by

Wherever limit exists is defined to be derivative of f at x


o Denoted by f′(x).
o This definition of derivative is also called the first principle of derivative.

Thus

o f′(x) is denoted by or if y = f(x), it is denoted by dy/dx.


o This is referred to as derivative of f(x) or y with respect to x.
o It is also denoted by D (f(x)).
o Further, derivative of f at x = a

is also denoted by

Theorem 5
o Let f and g be two functions such that their derivatives are defined in a common domain. Then
o Derivative of sum of two functions is sum of the derivatives of the functions.

o Derivative of difference of two functions is difference of the derivatives of


the functions.

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o Derivative of product of two functions is given by following product rule.

o Derivative of quotient of two functions is given by the following quotient


rule (whenever the denominator is non–zero).

o Let u =f (x) = and v = g (x).


▪ Product Rule:
• (uv) ′ = u’ v+ uv′.
• Also referred as Leibnitz rule for differentiating product of functions
▪ Quotient rule

o Derivative of the function f(x) = x is the constant

Theorem 6
o Derivative of f(x) = xn is nxn-1 for any positive integer n.
o Proof
o By definition of the derivative function, we have

o This can be proved as below alternatively

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Theorem 7

o Let be a polynomial function, where ais are all real


numbers and an ≠ 0. Then, the derivative function is given by

Quick Reference:

• For functions f and g the following holds:

• Following are some of the standard limits

• Derivatives
o The derivative of a function f at a is defined by

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o Derivative of a function f at any point x is defined by

• For functions u and v the following holds:

• Following are some of the standard derivatives

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