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Diffcal Chap2 Derivative of A Function Default Lecture

This document discusses the concept of the derivative in calculus. It defines the derivative as the average rate of change of a dependent variable y with respect to an independent variable x over a small change or increment in x. It presents the formula for calculating the derivative as the limit of the change in y over the change in x as the change in x approaches zero. It also introduces the four-step rule for finding the derivative of simple functions by substituting variables, taking the difference, dividing by the change in x, and taking the limit. Several examples of functions and their derivatives are provided.

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8 views

Diffcal Chap2 Derivative of A Function Default Lecture

This document discusses the concept of the derivative in calculus. It defines the derivative as the average rate of change of a dependent variable y with respect to an independent variable x over a small change or increment in x. It presents the formula for calculating the derivative as the limit of the change in y over the change in x as the change in x approaches zero. It also introduces the four-step rule for finding the derivative of simple functions by substituting variables, taking the difference, dividing by the change in x, and taking the limit. Several examples of functions and their derivatives are provided.

Uploaded by

malakasme2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Differential Calculus

CHAPTER II:
The Derivative of a
Function
CONTENTS

Chapter II DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION


▰INCREMENT
▰DERIVATIVE
▰FOUR-STEP RULE
THE DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION

INCREMENT
Increment of 𝑥 is a condition where 𝑥 changes
from one fixed value denoted by 𝑥1 to another 𝑥2 .
In symbol, it is denoted by ∆𝑥, which read a
“delta 𝑥”, which is an increment of 𝑥. ∆𝑦 is an increment
of 𝑦, and ∆𝑓(𝑥) is an increment of 𝑓(𝑥).
This increment may be positive or negative.
THE DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION

DERIVATIVE
In a condition where an increment of ∆𝑦
of the given function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is being divided
∆𝑦
by ∆𝑥, denoted by ∆𝑥 , this gives the average rate
of change of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥 with a given
interval from 𝑥 to 𝑥 + ∆𝑥. In symbol:

∆𝑦 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓 𝑥
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
THE DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION

DERIVATIVE
In a condition where an increment of ∆𝑦
of the given function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is being divided
∆𝑦
by ∆𝑥, denoted by ∆𝑥 , this gives the average rate
of change of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥 with a given
interval from 𝑥 to 𝑥 + ∆𝑥. In symbol:

∆𝑦 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓 𝑥
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
THE DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION

∆𝑦 𝑓 𝑥+∆𝑥 −𝑓 𝑥
The =
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
approaches a limit as the increment of ∆𝑥 approaches zero, for a
fixed value of 𝑥. The derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥 is the limit if there is a given value of 𝑥.

𝑑𝑦
Thus, the symbol of the derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥 is and by definition:
𝑑𝑥

𝒅𝒚 ∆𝒚 𝒇 𝒙 + ∆𝒙 − 𝒇 𝒙
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒅𝒙 ∆𝒙→𝟎 ∆𝒙 ∆𝒙→𝟎 ∆𝒙
THE DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION

To denote a derivative, other symbols may be used. These are 𝐷𝑥 𝑦, 𝐷𝑥 𝑓 𝑥 , 𝑦 ′ , 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 ,


𝑑
𝑓 𝑥 where 𝑥 is the independent variable and 𝑦 is the dependent variable.
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
Differentiation is the process of finding ,
where 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 is expected to be known.
𝑑𝑥
This makes the derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 to exists and 𝑓 𝑥 is considered as differentiable function.

The Four-Step Rule is the summary of the procedure for finding the derivative of a given
function.
FOUR-STEP RULE

From the definition of the derivative and the properties of limits, the derivatives of
simple functions can be obtained directly using the four-step rule.
STEP 1: Substitute 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 for 𝑥 and 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 for 𝑦.
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)

STEP 2: Subtract the second from the first to eliminate 𝑦.


∆𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓 𝑥
FOUR-STEP RULE

STEP 3: Divide both sides by ∆𝑥.


∆𝑦 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓 𝑥
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
STEP 4: Determine the limit as ∆𝑥 approaches 0.
𝒅𝒚 ∆𝒚 𝒇 𝒙 + ∆𝒙 − 𝒇 𝒙
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒅𝒙 ∆𝒙→𝟎 ∆𝒙 ∆𝒙→𝟎 ∆𝒙
EXAMPLES

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 5
EXAMPLES

𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 18
EXAMPLES

3
𝑦= 2
𝑥
EXAMPLES

2
𝑦=
𝑥−1
EXAMPLES

𝑦 = 𝑥−2

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