DMMMSU-MLUC DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS
LIMITS, FIRST PRINCIPALS, RULES OF
DIFFERENTIATION AND THE EQUATION OF A TANGENT
TO A FUNCTION

1. LIMITS
 When finding a limit, we look at what happens to a function value of a curve
(y – value) as we get closer and closer to a specific x – value on the curve.
 When writing a limit, we use the notation lim f (x)
xc

 The abbreviation ‘lim’ tells us we are finding a limit

 The notation ‘𝑥 → 𝑐’ tells us which specific value the x – value is
approaching
 ƒ(𝑥) represents the function with which we are working

 Examples:

1
The DERIVATIVE of a function gives the GRADIENT (or rate of change) of that
function at any point on the curve.

2. FIRST PRINCIPLES & THE RULES OF DIFFERENTIATION

d dy
NOTATION [
Dx f ( x)
'( x)
dx dx
 all mean the same thing ]

Given: 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 Given: 𝑦 = 3𝑥2

Then: 𝑓 ′(𝑥) = 6𝑥 Then: 𝑑𝑦

= 6𝑥
𝑑𝑥
OR
Given: D𝑥[3𝑥 ] 2
Given: 𝑑
(3𝑥2)
𝑑𝑥

Then: D𝑥[3𝑥 ] 2
Then: 𝑑
(3𝑥2)
𝑑𝑥
= 6𝑥 = 6𝑥

3. EQUATIONS OF TANGENTS TO GRAPHS OF FUNCTIONS

 The average gradient on the curve between two points is given by:
y  y1
m 2 or f (x  h)  f (x)
m h
x2  x1
 The derivative gives the gradient of a point (one point) on a curve and that is also
the gradient of a tangent to the curve at the given point.
 The derivative can be determined by using the first principle or the
differentiation rule.
Note: The first principles method is only used if instructed otherwise use the rule

 Method to determine the equation of a tangent to any graph:

ACTIVITY 1

1.1 Determine the limit, if it exists:

lim x  2 
2
1.1.1 x2
(2)
3  h 2  9
1.1.2 lim (3)
h0 h

1.2 Determine the derivative of ƒ(𝑥) = 2𝑥2 − 𝑥 from first principles. (5)

𝑑𝑦
1.3 Determine if :
𝑑𝑥
1.3.1 𝑦 = ( 𝑥 + 𝑥−2)2 (4)

1.3.2 𝑥𝑦2 = 4 (3)

4
1.4 If it is given that ƒ(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − ,
𝑥2

1.4.1 Determine the gradient of the tangent at the point where 𝑥 = 2. (3)

1.4.2 Determine the equation of the tangent in question 1.4.1 above. (3)

1.5 Given: f (x)  2x 2  1

1.5.1
(4)

1.5.2 Use your answer in 1.5.1 to calculate f ' (3) from the first principles. (2)

1.5.3 (1)

1.6

1.6.1 y  (4  2x)2 (3)

1.6.2 (3)
ACTIVITY 2

2.1 (5)

2.2
(4)

2.3

2.3.1 (1)
2.3.2 For which value of x will the gradient of g be the same as the gradient in (1)
Question 2.3.1
[11]

ACTIVITY 3

3.1 Given: ƒ(𝑥) = 5 − 2𝑥2

3.1.1 Determine f /(𝑥) from first principles: (5)

1
3.1.2 The line g(x) = − 𝑥 + 𝑝 is a tangent to the graph of f at the point A.
8
Determine the coordinates of A. (4)

3.2 Determine:
3.2.1  2 3
Dx 3x  3x (4)
 x



dx 5 5
y
3.2.2 , if x  .
dy 4
2
(2)
3.3 Given: ƒ(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 2𝑥2
Determine the equation of the tangent to ƒ at the point where 𝑥 = 2 . (6)
ACTIVITY 4
3
4.1 Differentiate from first Principles the function f x   (5)
x
4.2 Determine y' using the rules of differentiation:
x 2  3x 
4.2.1 1 (4)
y
3
t x4
4.2.2 y  (4)
25 7t
3
4.3 The graph of ℎ(𝑥) = −𝑥3 + 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 is shown below. A(–1 ; 3,5) and
2
B(2 ; 10) are the turning points of ℎ. The graph passes through the origin and
further cuts the x –axis at C and D.

4.3.1 (2)
4.3.2 (5)
ACTIVITY 5

5.1

5.1.1 (5)
5.1.2 (2)

5.2 (5)

5.3 (3)

5.4

(4)

5.5 The function ƒ(𝑥) = −2𝑥3 + 21𝑥2 − 60𝑥 + 43 is sketched below.

The turning points of the graph of ƒ are T(2 ; –9) and S(5 ; 18).

5.5.1 (5)