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AP Calculus AB Course Study Guide Differentiation: Definition and Basic Derivative Rules

This document provides an overview of key concepts in differential calculus, including: 1) Definitions of derivatives, derivatives as limits, and the basic rules of differentiation like power rules, constant multiple rules, and sum and difference rules. 2) How to take derivatives of trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. 3) Concepts of continuity, discontinuity, and differentiability - focusing on the requirements for a function to be continuous and differentiable at a point.

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327 views5 pages

AP Calculus AB Course Study Guide Differentiation: Definition and Basic Derivative Rules

This document provides an overview of key concepts in differential calculus, including: 1) Definitions of derivatives, derivatives as limits, and the basic rules of differentiation like power rules, constant multiple rules, and sum and difference rules. 2) How to take derivatives of trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. 3) Concepts of continuity, discontinuity, and differentiability - focusing on the requirements for a function to be continuous and differentiable at a point.

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AP Calculus AB Course Study Guide

Differentiation: Definition and Basic Derivative


Rules
From Simple Studies, https://simplestudies.edublogs.org & @simplestudies4

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What is a derivative?
● Derivative: The slope of the tangent line at a particular point; also known as the
instantaneous rate of change.
● The derivative of f(x) is denoted as f’(x) or

(Picture credit to Bartleby)

Derivatives as Limits

f’(c) = lim f(x) -


f(c)
x→c x-c

f’(x) = lim
f(x+h) - f(x)
x→
c h
Steps to find derivatives as limits:
(c) f’(x) = lim
1) Identify the form of the derivative first (look at the image above)… is it form a? b? c?
2) Identify f(x)
f(x+△x) - f(x)
3) Derive f(x) using the corresponding △ x → 0next to each form
equations
4) Plug in the “c” value if △ x
applicable.
Example:
1) This is form A.
3
lim x - 2) f(x) = (x)3
(2x)3
3) Derive → f’(x) = 3x2

4) Plug in the limit → f’(2) = 3(2)2 = 12


● Differentiable: A function f(x) is differentiable at x=a if f’(a) exists.
Rules of Differentiation

Constant Rule d [c] = 0


dx

Power Rule d [xn] = nxn-1


dx

Constant Multiple Rule d [c f(x)] = c f’(x)


dx

Sum and Difference Rule d [f(x) + g(x)] = f’(x)+g’(x)


dx

d [f(x) - g(x)] = f’(x)-g’(x)


dx

Sine and Cosine d [sinx] = cosx


dx

d [cosx] = -sinx
dx

Constant Rule
If the function is just a number, then it would equal 0 because there’s nothing to derive.
Example: f(x) = 5
f’(x) = 0
Constant Multiple Rule
Example: f(x) = 5x4
f’(x) = 5 ⋅ 4x3
f’(x) = 20x3
Sum and Difference Rule
Example: f(x) = 3x + 5x3
f’(x) = 3 + 15x2
𝑑
Power Rule: [xn] = nxn-1
𝑑𝑥

Example: f(x)=3x2
f’(x) = 2 ⋅ 3x2-1
f’(x) = 6x
Product Rule: f(x) = f(x) ⋅ g(x)
f’(x) = f’(x) ⋅ g(x) + g’(x) ⋅ f(x)
Example: f(x) = 2x2⋅5x
f’(x) = 4x ⋅ 5x + 5 ⋅ 2x2 = 20x2 + 10x2 = 30x2
Quotient Rule:

(Picture Credits: andymath_


Example: f(x) = 2/4x
f’(x) = (4x)(0)-(2)(4)/(4x)2 = 0 - 8 / 16x2 = -1/2x2

Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions:

Picture Credits: monkarlomonskie


● HINT: If the original function starts with C, then the derivative is negative!
○ Example: cosx, cotx, & cscx

Derivative Rule for LN


● HINT: [Derive over copy]
○ Example: h(x) = ln(2x^2 + 1)
■ First derive 2x^2 + 1. That would be 4x! And then put that over the
original function, which would be 2x^2 + 1.
■ Your answer would then be 4x/(2x^2 + 1)

Deriving Exponential Functions

d_ [au ] =u ln d__
_
dx dx
Positiv
a
Co ln
e real Derivat
numbe ive of

Continuity
A function f is continuous at “c” if:
● The value exists- The value of the function is defined at “c” and f(c) exists.
● The limit exists - The limit of the function must exist at “c”.
○ The left and right limits must equal.
● Function=limit. The value of the function at “c” must equal the value of the limit at “c”
Discontinuity
● Removable → discontinuity at “c” is called removable if the function can be

continuous by defining f(c)

● Non-removable → discontinuity at “c” is called non-removable if the function cannot

be made continuous by redefining f(c)

Picture Credits: calcworkshop

Differentiability
In order for a function to be differentiable at x = c:
● The function must be continuous at x = c
● Its left and right derivative must equal each other at x = c
Example:
2x+1, x > 2
f(x) =
x3-x-1, x ≤ 2

● Continuity → 2x+1 = x3-x-1 → 2(2)+1 = (2)3-2-1 → 5 = 5

● Differentiability → 2 = 3x2-1 → 2 = 3(2)2-1 → 2 ≠11


○ This function is continuous but not differentiable!

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