# 3.2 The derivative as a function

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• Define the derivative function of a given function.
• Graph a derivative function from the graph of a given function.
• State the connection between derivatives and continuity.
• Describe three conditions for when a function does not have a derivative.
• Explain the meaning of a higher-order derivative.

As we have seen, the derivative of a function at a given point gives us the rate of change or slope of the tangent line to the function at that point. If we differentiate a position function at a given time, we obtain the velocity at that time. It seems reasonable to conclude that knowing the derivative of the function at every point would produce valuable information about the behavior of the function. However, the process of finding the derivative at even a handful of values using the techniques of the preceding section would quickly become quite tedious. In this section we define the derivative function and learn a process for finding it.

## Derivative functions

The derivative function gives the derivative of a function at each point in the domain of the original function for which the derivative is defined. We can formally define a derivative function as follows.

## Definition

Let $f$ be a function. The derivative function    , denoted by ${f}^{\prime },$ is the function whose domain consists of those values of $x$ such that the following limit exists:

${f}^{\prime }\left(x\right)=\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{f\left(x+h\right)-f\left(x\right)}{h}.$

A function $f\left(x\right)$ is said to be differentiable at $a$    if $f\left(a\right)$ exists. More generally, a function is said to be differentiable on $S$    if it is differentiable at every point in an open set $S,$ and a differentiable function    is one in which ${f}^{\prime }\left(x\right)$ exists on its domain.

In the next few examples we use [link] to find the derivative of a function.

## Finding the derivative of a square-root function

Find the derivative of $f\left(x\right)=\sqrt{x}.$

Start directly with the definition of the derivative function. Use [link] .

$\begin{array}{ccccc}\hfill {f}^{\prime }\left(x\right)& =\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\sqrt{x+h}-\sqrt{x}}{h}\hfill & & & \begin{array}{c}\text{Substitute}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}f\left(x+h\right)=\sqrt{x+h}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{and}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}f\left(x\right)=\sqrt{x}\hfill \\ \text{into}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{f}^{\prime }\left(x\right)=\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{f\left(x+h\right)-f\left(x\right)}{h}.\hfill \end{array}\hfill \\ & =\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\sqrt{x+h}-\sqrt{x}}{h}·\frac{\sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x}}{\sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x}}\hfill & & & \begin{array}{c}\text{Multiply numerator and denominator by}\hfill \\ \sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{without distributing in the}\hfill \\ \text{denominator.}\hfill \end{array}\hfill \\ & =\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{h}{h\left(\sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x}\right)}\hfill & & & \text{Multiply the numerators and simplify.}\hfill \\ & =\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{1}{\left(\sqrt{x+h}+\sqrt{x}\right)}\hfill & & & \text{Cancel the}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}h.\hfill \\ & =\frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}\hfill & & & \text{Evaluate the limit.}\hfill \end{array}$

## Finding the derivative of a quadratic function

Find the derivative of the function $f\left(x\right)={x}^{2}-2x.$

Follow the same procedure here, but without having to multiply by the conjugate.

$\begin{array}{ccccc}\hfill {f}^{\prime }\left(x\right)& =\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{\left({\left(x+h\right)}^{2}-2\left(x+h\right)\right)-\left({x}^{2}-2x\right)}{h}\hfill & & & \begin{array}{c}\text{Substitute}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}f\left(x+h\right)={\left(x+h\right)}^{2}-2\left(x+h\right)\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{and}\hfill \\ f\left(x\right)={x}^{2}-2x\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{into}\hfill \\ {f}^{\prime }\left(x\right)=\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{f\left(x+h\right)-f\left(x\right)}{h}.\hfill \end{array}\hfill \\ & =\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{{x}^{2}+2xh+{h}^{2}-2x-2h-{x}^{2}+2x}{h}\hfill & & & \text{Expand}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\left(x+h\right)}^{2}-2\left(x+h\right).\hfill \\ & =\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{2xh-2h+{h}^{2}}{h}\hfill & & & \text{Simplify.}\hfill \\ & =\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\frac{h\left(2x-2+h\right)}{h}\hfill & & & \text{Factor out}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}h\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{from the numerator.}\hfill \\ & =\underset{h\to 0}{\text{lim}}\left(2x-2+h\right)\hfill & & & \text{Cancel the common factor of}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}h.\hfill \\ & =2x-2\hfill & & & \text{Evaluate the limit.}\hfill \end{array}$

Find the derivative of $f\left(x\right)={x}^{2}.$

${f}^{\prime }\left(x\right)=2x$

We use a variety of different notations to express the derivative of a function. In [link] we showed that if $f\left(x\right)={x}^{2}-2x,$ then ${f}^{\prime }\left(x\right)=2x-2.$ If we had expressed this function in the form $y={x}^{2}-2x,$ we could have expressed the derivative as ${y}^{\prime }=2x-2$ or $\frac{dy}{dx}=2x-2.$ We could have conveyed the same information by writing $\frac{d}{dx}\left({x}^{2}-2x\right)=2x-2.$ Thus, for the function $y=f\left(x\right),$ each of the following notations represents the derivative of $f\left(x\right)\text{:}$

${f}^{\prime }\left(x\right),\text{}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{dy}{dx},\text{}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{y}^{\prime },\text{}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\frac{d}{dx}\left(f\left(x\right)\right).$

Find the arc length of the graph of f(x) = In (sinx) on the interval [Π/4, Π/2].
Sand falling freely from a lorry form a conical shape whose height is always equal to one-third the radius of the base. a. How fast is the volume increasing when the radius of the base is (1m) and increasing at the rate of 1/4cm/sec Pls help me solve
show that lim f(x) + lim g(x)=m+l
list the basic elementary differentials
Differentiation and integration
yes
Damien
proper definition of derivative
the maximum rate of change of one variable with respect to another variable
terms of an AP is 1/v and the vth term is 1/u show that the sum of uv terms is 1/2(uv+1)
what is calculus?
calculus is math that studies the change in math, such as the rate and distance,
Tamarcus
what are the topics in calculus
Augustine
what is limit of a function?
what is x and how x=9.1 take?
what is f(x)
the function at x
Marc
also known as the y value so I could say y=2x or f(x)= 2x same thing just using functional notation your next question is what is dependent and independent variables. I am Dyslexic but know math and which is which confuses me. but one can vary the x value while y depends on which x you use. also
Marc
up domain and range
Marc
enjoy your work and good luck
Marc
I actually wanted to ask another questions on sets if u dont mind please?
Inembo
I have so many questions on set and I really love dis app I never believed u would reply
Inembo
Hmm go ahead and ask you got me curious too much conversation here
am sorry for disturbing I really want to know math that's why *I want to know the meaning of those symbols in sets* e.g n,U,A', etc pls I want to know it and how to solve its problems
Inembo
and how can i solve a question like dis *in a group of 40 students, 32 offer maths and 24 offer physics and 4 offer neither maths nor physics , how many offer both maths and physics*
Inembo
next questions what do dy mean by (A' n B^c)^c'
Inembo
The sets help you to define the function. The function is like a magic box where you put inside stuff(numbers or sets) and you get out the stuff but in different shapes (forms).
I dont understand what you wanna say by (A' n B^c)^c'
(A' n B (rise to the power of c)) all rise to the power of c
Inembo
Aaaahh
Ok so the set is formed by vectors and not numbers
A vector of length n
But you can make a set out of matrixes as well
I I don't even understand sets I wat to know d meaning of all d symbolsnon sets
Inembo
High-school?
yes
Inembo
am having big problem understanding sets more than other math topics
Inembo
So f:R->R means that the function takes real numbers and provides real numer. For ex. If f(x) =2x this means if you give to your function a real number like 2,it gives you also a real number 2times2=4
pls answer this question *in a group of 40 students, 32 offer maths and 24 offer physics and 4 offer neither maths nor physics , how many offer both maths and physics*
Inembo
If you have f:R^n->R^n you give to your function a vector of length n like (a1,a2,...an) where all a1,.. an are reals and gives you also a vector of length n... I don't know if i answering your question. Otherwise on YouTube you havr many videos where they explain it in a simple way
I would say 24
Offer both
Sorry 20
Actually you have 40 - 4 =36 who offer maths or physics or both.
I know its 20 but how to prove it
Inembo
You have 32+24=56who offer courses
56-36=20 who give both courses... I would say that
solution: In a question involving sets and Venn diagram, the sum of the members of set A + set B - the joint members of both set A and B + the members that are not in sets A or B = the total members of the set. In symbolic form n(A U B) = n(A) + n (B) - n (A and B) + n (A U B)'.
Mckenzie
In the case of sets A and B use the letters m and p to represent the sets and we have: n (M U P) = 40; n (M) = 24; n (P) = 32; n (M and P) = unknown; n (M U P)' = 4
Mckenzie
Now substitute the numerical values for the symbolic representation 40 = 24 + 32 - n(M and P) + 4 Now solve for the unknown using algebra: 40 = 24 + 32+ 4 - n(M and P) 40 = 60 - n(M and P) Add n(M and P), as well, subtract 40 from both sides of the equation to find the answer.
Mckenzie
40 - 40 + n(M and P) = 60 - 40 - n(M and P) + n(M and P) Solution: n(M and P) = 20
Mckenzie
thanks
Inembo
Simpler form: Add the sums of set M, set P and the complement of the union of sets M and P then subtract the number of students from the total.
Mckenzie
n(M and P) = (32 + 24 + 4) - 40 = 60 - 40 = 20
Mckenzie
how do i evaluate integral of x^1/2 In x
first you simplify the given expression, which gives (x^2/2). Then you now integrate the above simplified expression which finally gives( lnx^2).
by using integration product formula
Roha
find derivative f(x)=1/x
-1/x^2, use the chain rule
Andrew
f(x)=x^3-2x
Mul
what is domin in this question
noman
all real numbers . except zero
Roha
please try to guide me how?
Meher
what do u want to ask
Roha
?
Roha
the domain of the function is all real number excluding zero, because the rational function 1/x is a representation of a fractional equation (precisely inverse function). As in elementary mathematics the concept of dividing by zero is nonexistence, so zero will not make the fractional statement
Mckenzie
a function's answer/range should not be in the form of 1/0 and there should be no imaginary no. say square root of any negative no. (-1)^1/2
Roha
domain means everywhere along the x axis. since this function is not discontinuous anywhere along the x axis, then the domain is said to be all values of x.
Andrew
Derivative of a function
Waqar
right andrew ... this function is only discontinuous at 0
Roha
of sorry, I didn't realize he was taking about the function 1/x ...I thought he was referring to the function x^3-2x.
Andrew
yep...it's 1/x...!!!
Roha
true and cannot be apart of the domain that makes up the relation of the graph y = 1/x. The value of the denominator of the rational function can never be zero, because the result of the output value (range value of the graph when x =0) is undefined.
Mckenzie
👍
Roha
Therefore, when x = 0 the image of the rational function does not exist at this domain value, but exist at all other x values (domain) that makes the equation functional, and the graph drawable.
Mckenzie
👍
Roha
Roha are u A Student
Lutf
yes
Roha
What is the first fundermental theory of Calculus?
do u mean fundamental theorem ?
Roha
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