Derivative of Simple Functions
Bridge Course, August 2012
Intuition: The derivative of a function f(x) assigns measures the “slope” (i.e. how quickly the value of f(x) changes as the value of x changes) of the function at the point x. It is denoted , or just f′(x).
Figure 1: f(x) = e^x with a tangent to f at x = 2.5
Definition: Consider a function f = f(x) defined over real-line. Then f′(x) is defined as
.
Note:
The Definition can also looks like
for putting epsilon equal to negative of the previous defined one.
And a more fundamental definition which consider the derivative of a function at particular point c
From these definitions,
we know that if derivative of a function exists , then
is also the derivative of f.
(Note : here we assumed we know that sum of limits is also a limit)
Examples: Derivative computation
Consider a few examples of derivative computation:
When limits exist Maxima CODE
1. Consider f(x) = x. Then diff(x,x,1)
Hence the slope of the function is 1 everywhere.
2. Consider f(x) = 2x. Then . diff(2*x,x,1)
3. Consider f(x) = x2. Then .
Hence the slope of the function changes with x – in particular, the larger the magnitude of x, the larger the slope. diff(x∧2,x,1)
(a) f'(0) (b) f'(1) (c) f'(2)
Figure 2: slope of the function changes with different x
When derivatives do not exist
1. |x|, for x = 0. diff(abs(x),x,1)
Figure 3: f(x) = |x|
Proof: we have
Assume the derivative exists.
Consider the sequence
Then,
Note that: If n is odd, then is -1.If n is even, then is 1.
Therefore, does not exist and hence derivative of |x|, for x=0 does not exist.
2. for x = 0. diff(1/x,x,1)
Figure 4: f(x) =
Proof: Consider the function f(x) = for x ̸= 0. We have
Note that: If a is equal 0, the derivative of f(x) becomes negative infinity. Therefore, the derivative of for x = 0 does not exist.
More examples
1. Let f(x) = . Find f′(x) diff(x∧n,x,1)
2. Let f(x) = sin x. Find f′(x) diff(sin(x),x,1)
Another Intuitive way :
3. Let f(x) = ln x. Find f′(x) and f′(100) diff(log(x),x,1)
And hence, f′(100) = 1/100
Detailed derivation for the above example
Useful limits before doing exercise:
Link to the derivation to the above limits
Exercises
1. Compute the derivative of f(x) by using definition of derivative
(a) f(x) = + 2x + 1 diff(x∧3+2*x+1,x,1)
(b) diff(x∧2,x,1) and diff(-x∧2,x,1)
(c) f(x) = cos x diff(cos(x),x,1)
(d) f(x) = tan x diff(tan(x),x,1)
(e) f(x) = diff(e∧x,x,1)
2. Determine if f′(x) exists at x = 0 and find the value if it exists
(a) f(x) = ln x diff(log(x),x,1)
(b) f(x) = ln(1 + x) diff(log(1+x),x,1)
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