Math 1304 Calculus I 2.8 – The Derivative
Definition of Derivative Definition: The derivative of a function f at a number a, denoted by f’(a) is given by the formula
Definition of Derivative Definition: The derivative of a function f the function whose formula is given by
Definition of Derivative An alternate formula for derivative at a point a is
Graphing Example Given a graph of a function, graph its derivative (do y=sin(x) in class)
Examples Find the derivative of
Example f(x) = |x|
Differentiable Definition (differentiable at a point): A function is said to be differentiable at a if f’(a) exists. Definition (differentiable on an interval): A function is said to be differentiable on an interval if f’(a) exists for all points a of the interval.
Differentiable implies Continuous Theorem: If f is differentiable at a then it is continuous at a. Note: the reverse is not true.
Various Notations There are several different ways of denoting the derivative of a function y=f(x) The symbols D and d/dx are called differentiation operators.
Second Derivatives We may take the derivative of the derivative. This is called the second derivative. Some notation: Alternate notations:
Third Derivatives We may continue taking derivatives to get the third, fourth, and more derivatives Some notation for the third: Alternate notations:
Nth Derivatives Notations for the nth derivative: