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Introductory Calculus: Sketching Gradient Function Graphs

This document provides information on sketching gradient function graphs, evaluating limits, differentiating from first principles, basic laws of differentiation including product rule and quotient rule, composite functions, and finding equations of tangents and normals to a curve. Key points include how turning points, inflection points, and sections of positive/negative gradient on the original function graph correspond to x-intercepts, turning points on/off the x-axis on the gradient graph. It also outlines the basic steps for evaluating limits, differentiating using first principles, and applying differentiation rules and chain rule to functions.

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Johndoe
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71 views3 pages

Introductory Calculus: Sketching Gradient Function Graphs

This document provides information on sketching gradient function graphs, evaluating limits, differentiating from first principles, basic laws of differentiation including product rule and quotient rule, composite functions, and finding equations of tangents and normals to a curve. Key points include how turning points, inflection points, and sections of positive/negative gradient on the original function graph correspond to x-intercepts, turning points on/off the x-axis on the gradient graph. It also outlines the basic steps for evaluating limits, differentiating using first principles, and applying differentiation rules and chain rule to functions.

Uploaded by

Johndoe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

INTRODUCTORY CALCULUS

Topic Summary-Page 1

SKETCHING GRADIENT FUNCTION GRAPHS


When sketching the gradient function graph from the function graph or vice versa apply the facts below.

Example:

The graph of y = f (x)


turning point
point of horizontal inflection
point of oblique inflection
section of positive gradient
section of negative gradient
y
A

The graph of y = f '(x)


x-intercept
turning point on the x-axis
turning point off the x-axis
section above the x-axis
section below the x-axis
y = f (x)

E
x
B

D
C

The graph of y = f (x)


turning point at A
point of oblique inflection at B
turning point at C
point of oblique inflection at D
point of horizontal inflection at E

The graph of y = f '(x)


x-intercept at A'
turning point off the x-axis at B'
x-intercept at C'
turning point off the x-axis at D'
turning point on the x-axis at E'

D'

A'

C'

E'

B'
Useful Hints
The graph of y = f (x)
horizontal line
oblique line
parabola
cubic curve
quartic graph

The graph of y = f '(x)


x axis
horizontal line
oblique line
parabola
cubic curve

INTRODUCTORY CALCULUS
Topic Summary-Page 2

EVALUATING LIMITS
To evaluate a limit you simply substitute the given value into the function rule

lim f ( x)

x c

= f (c)

When this substitution produces a zero in the denominator you must


(i) factorise the numerator
(ii) cancel and then
(iii) substitute

DIFFERENTIATING FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES


f ( x h) f ( x )
f '(x) = lim
h 0
h

BASIC LAWS OF DIFFERENTIATION


f (x) = xn

f '(x) = nxn 1

f (x) = axn

f '(x) = anxn 1

f (x) = c

f '(x) = 0

(where c is a constant)

f (x) = mx

f '(x) = m

(where m is a constant)

PRODUCT RULE

QUOTIENT RULE

y' = uv' + vu'

OR

dy
dv
du
= u
+ v
dx
dx
dx

y' =

vu uv
v2
du

OR
dv

dy
v
u
= dx
dx
dx
2

COMPOSITE FUNCTIONS

TANGENTS AND NORMALS

To differentiate functions in the form (ax + b)n


you apply the chain rule...

To find the equation of the tangent (normal) to a


curve you must

dy
dx

dy
du

du
dx

OR

Apply the rule


d
[ f (x)]n = n [ f (x)]n 1 f '(x)
dx

(i) differentiate the function to give f (x)


(ii) substitute the given x value into f (x) in
order to establish m (

1
for the normal)
m

(iii) use y y1 = m (x x1) to produce the

equation

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