MODULE 3

Basic Concepts of Derivatives

• Illustrate a line tangent to the graph of a function at a given
point.
• Apply the definition of the derivative of a function at a given
number; and
• Relate the derivative of a function to the slope of the tangent
line.
• Determine the relationship between differentiability and
continuity of a function.
• Solve problems involving tangent and normal line using
differentiation.
 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 ∆𝑦 𝑦0 − 𝑦2
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = = =
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 ∆𝑥 𝑥0 − 𝑥2

𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 ∆𝑦 𝑦0 − 𝑦2
tan 𝜃 = = =
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 ∆𝑥 𝑥0 − 𝑥2

Where
∆𝑥 = 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑎 𝑥
∆𝑦 = 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑦 (𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑎 𝑦)
Step 1: In the given equation, replace 𝑥 with 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 and 𝑦 with 𝑦 + ∆𝑦,
then simplify.
Step 2: Find ∆𝑦 by subtracting the given equation from the equation
obtained in Step 1. Simplify.
Step 3: Divide both sides of the equation obtained in Step 2 by ∆𝑥.
Simplify.
Step 4: Find the limit as ∆𝑥 → 0.

𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥)
= lim = lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆E→F ∆𝑥 ∆E→F ∆𝑥
Step 1: Step 3:
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 0 + 5 ∆𝑦 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3 ∆𝑥 0
=
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
= 3[𝑥 0 + 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 0 ] + 5 ∆𝑦
= 6𝑥 + 3∆𝑥
Step 2: ∆𝑥
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 Step 4:
𝑑𝑦
= 3𝑥 0 + 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3 ∆𝑥 0 + 5 = lim (6𝑥 + 3∆𝑥)
− 𝑦 = 3𝑥 0 + 5 𝑑𝑥 ∆E→F

0 𝒅𝒚
∆𝑦 = 6𝑥∆𝑥 + 3 ∆𝑥 = 𝟔𝒙
𝒅𝒙
 3
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = ∆𝑦 −3∆𝑥
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4 =
∆𝑥 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4 𝑥 − 4 (∆𝑥)
3 3
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 𝑦 = −
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4 𝑥 − 4 −3
∆𝑦 =
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4 𝑥 − 4
3 𝑥 − 4 − 3(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4)
∆𝑦 = 𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦 −3
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4 𝑥 − 4 = lim = lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆E→F ∆𝑥 ∆E→F 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4 𝑥 − 4
3𝑥 − 12 − 3𝑥 − 3∆𝑥 + 12 3
∆𝑦 = =−
(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 − 4) 𝑥 − 4 (𝑥 − 4)

−3∆𝑥 𝟑
=−
∆𝑦 = 𝒙−𝟒 𝟐
(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 − 4)
 𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 7 − 3(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)

𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 𝑦 = 7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 7 − 3𝑥

7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 7 − 3𝑥
∆𝑦 = 7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 7 − 3𝑥 W
7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 7 − 3𝑥

7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − (7 − 3𝑥)
∆𝑦 =
7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 7 − 3𝑥

7 − 3𝑥 − 3∆𝑥 − 7 + 3𝑥
∆𝑦 =
7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 7 − 3𝑥
 7 − 3𝑥 − 3∆𝑥 − 7 + 3𝑥 𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦
∆𝑦 = = lim
7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 7 − 3𝑥 𝑑𝑥 ∆E→F ∆𝑥
−3
= lim
−3∆𝑥 ∆E→F 7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 7 − 3𝑥
∆𝑦 =
7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 7 − 3𝑥
−3
∆𝑦
=
−3∆𝑥 =
∆𝑥 7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 7 − 3𝑥 (∆𝑥) 7 − 3𝑥 + 7 − 3𝑥
∆𝑦
=
−3 𝟑
∆𝑥 7 − 3 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 7 − 3𝑥 =−
𝟐 𝟕 − 𝟑𝒙
 𝑑𝑦 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥)
= lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆E→F ∆𝑥

[ 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 Y − 2 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 8 − (𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟖)
= lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥

𝑥 Y + 3𝑥 0 ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥 ∆𝑥 0
+ ∆𝑥 Y
− 2𝑥 − 2∆𝑥 + 8 − 𝑥 Y + 2𝑥 − 8
= lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥
 𝑥 Y + 3𝑥 0 ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥 ∆𝑥 0 + ∆𝑥 Y − 2𝑥 − 2∆𝑥 + 8 − 𝑥 Y + 2𝑥 − 8
= lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥

3𝑥 0 ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥 ∆𝑥 0 + ∆𝑥 Y − 2∆𝑥
= lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥

∆𝑥 3𝑥 0 + 3𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 0 −2
= lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥

= lim (3𝑥 0 + 3𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 0 − 2)

∆E→F

𝑑𝑦
= 3𝑥 0 − 2
𝑑𝑥
When 𝑥 = −2,
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 3𝑥 0 − 2

= 3 −2 0 −2

= 12 − 2

𝒎 = 𝟏𝟎
To find the equation of the tangent line, use the point-slope formula.
𝑦 − 𝑦2 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥2 )

The computed slope is 10 and the given point is (−2, 4).

𝑦 − 4 = 10(𝑥 − −2 )
𝑦 − 4 = 10 𝑥 + 2
𝑦 − 4 = 10𝑥 + 20
𝑦 = 10𝑥 + 24

The equation of the tangent line is 𝒚 = 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝟐𝟒.

Differentiation – the operation of finding the derivative of a
function.
*If a function has a derivative for a particular value of 𝑥, the
function is said to be differentiable at the value of 𝑥.
-If a function 𝑓(𝑥) is differentiable at 𝑥 = 𝑎, then the
function 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑎. In other words,
differentiability implies continuity.

The derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).

𝒅𝒚
𝒇′(𝒙) 𝒚′ 𝑫𝒙 𝒚
𝒅𝒙
 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1
c
2 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 1 − (2𝑥 + 1)
𝑓 𝑥 = lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥

2𝑥 + 2∆𝑥 + 1 − 2𝑥 − 1
= lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥

2∆𝑥
= lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥

= lim 2
∆E→F

𝒇c 𝒙 = 𝟐
The function has a derivative and is
therefore differentiable. The graph of
𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1 is shown.

The derivative is 2 and the slope of

the line is 2. There is no hole or
break in the line. Therefore, 𝑓 𝑥 =
2𝑥 + 1 is a continuous function. It is
continuous for all values of 𝑥.

*A polynomial function is continuous

at every real number.
 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−5

(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 5 − 𝑥 − 5 (𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 5 + 𝑥 − 5
= lim W
∆E→F ∆𝑥 (𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 5 + 𝑥 − 5

𝒙 + ∆𝒙 − 𝟓 − 𝒙 + 𝟓
= lim
∆𝒙→𝟎 ∆𝒙( (𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 5 + 𝑥 − 5)

1
= lim
∆E→F (𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 5 + 𝑥 − 5

1
=
𝑥−5+ 𝑥−5

1
𝑓c 𝑥 =
2 𝑥−5
 c
𝟏
𝒇 𝒙 =
𝟐 𝒙−𝟓

𝒇′(𝒙) is not differentiable at 𝒙 =

𝟏
𝟓. If 𝒙 is replaced by 5, 𝒇c 𝒙 = ,
𝟎
which is undefined. However,
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝟓 is continuous at
all number in [𝟓, ∞) or {𝒙|𝒙 ≥
𝟓}.
Find out if 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝟐 is a b.
continuous function. lim 𝑥 − 2 = limu −(𝑥 − 2)
E→0u E→0
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−2 = −(2 − 2)
=0

(𝑥 − 2) , 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0 lim 𝑥 − 2 = lim −(𝑥 − 2)

𝑓 𝑥 =s E→0∓ E→0∓
−(𝑥 − 2) , 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0 = −(2 − 2)
=0
c.
a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓 2
E→0
𝑓 2 = 2−2
= 0 The three conditions are satisfied. Therefore,
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝟐 is continuous at 𝒙 = 𝟐.
=0
Find out if 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝟐 is differentiable at 𝒙 = 𝟐. ∆𝑥 , 𝑖𝑓 ∆𝑥 > 0
∆𝑥 = s
−∆𝑥 , 𝑖𝑓 ∆𝑥 < 0
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−2
∆𝑥 −∆𝑥
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 2 − 𝑥 − 2 lim u = = −1
𝑓 c 𝑥 = lim ∆E→F ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
∆E→F ∆𝑥
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
2 + ∆𝑥 − 2 − 2 − 2 𝑙𝑖𝑚x = =1
= lim ∆E→F ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
∆E→F ∆𝑥
𝑙𝑖𝑚 ≠ 𝑙𝑖𝑚x
∆𝑥 − 0 ∆E→F u ∆E→F
= lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥
∆E
Hence, lim does not exist. 𝒇′(𝟐) does not exist
∆𝑥 ∆E→F ∆E
= lim and 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝟐 is not differentiable at 𝒙 = 𝟐
∆E→F ∆𝑥
The graph of 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝟐 is
shown.

*If the function 𝑓(𝑥) is

discontinuous at 𝑥 = 𝑎, then it is
not differentiable at 𝑥 = 𝑎.
Find out if it is continuous or discontinuous at 𝒙 = 𝟒.

a.
1
𝑓 4 =
𝑥−4
1
=
4−4
2
= F undefined

Condition (a) is not satisfied. Hence, 𝒇(𝒙) is discontinuous at 𝒙 = 𝟒.

Find out if the function is differentiable at 𝒙 = 𝟒. −1
= lim
𝟏 ∆E→F (𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4)
𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒙−𝟒
1 1 −1
𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4 −𝑥−4 =
c
𝑓 𝑥 = lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥 (𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 − 4)

= lim
𝑥 − 4 − (𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4) −1
∆E→F ∆𝑥(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4) 𝑓′(𝑥) =
(𝑥 − 4)0
𝑥 − 4 − 𝑥 − ∆𝑥 + 4
= lim
∆E→F ∆𝑥(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4)
𝟏
At 𝒙 = 𝟒, 𝒇c 𝟒 = − 𝟎. It does not exist
−∆𝑥 𝟏
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
∆E→F ∆𝑥(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 4)
and therefore 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙z𝟒 is not
differentiable at 𝒙 = 𝟒.
Tangent Line – a line that touches a curve at a point.
Point of Tangency – the point of intersection of the tangent line
and a curve
Normal Line – a line that is perpendicular to a line tangent to a
curve at the point of tangency. Represented by 𝑚{ .

1
𝑚{ = −
𝑚|
Solution:
a. Find the derivative.
𝑦 = 𝑥 0 − 5𝑥 + 3
𝑦 c = 2𝑥 − 5

b. Find the slope of the tangent line at 𝑥 = 2.

𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 2𝑥 − 5
𝑚| = 2 2 − 5
𝑚| = 4 − 5
𝑚 | = −1
Solution: e. Find the equation of the normal
c. Find the equation of the tangent line using
the point-slope formula. line.
𝑦 − 𝑦2 = 𝑚 | 𝑥 − 𝑥2 𝑦 − 𝑦2 = 𝑚{ 𝑥 − 𝑥2
𝑦 − −3 = −1 𝑥 − 2
𝑦 + 3 = −𝑥 + 2 𝑦 − −3 = 1 𝑥 − 2
𝑦 = −𝑥 + 2 − 3 𝑦+3=𝑥−2
𝒚 = −𝒙 − 𝟏 (equation of the tangent line) 𝑦 =𝑥−2−3
d. Find the slope of the normal line. 𝒚 = 𝒙 − 𝟓 (equation of the
𝑚{ = −
1 normal line)
𝑚|
1
𝑚{ = −
−1
𝑚{ = 1
Given Function:
𝑦 = 𝑥 0 − 5𝑥 + 3
Tangent Line:
𝑦 = −𝑥 − 1
Normal Line:
𝑦=𝑥−5
a. Find the derivative.
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 Y − 6𝑥 + 2
𝑓 c 𝑥 = 3𝑥 0 − 6
b. Find the slope of the tangent line.
𝑚 | = 3𝑥 0 − 6
=3 2 0−6
=3 4 −6
= 12 − 6
𝑚| = 6
c. Find the equation of the tangent line. e. Find the equation of the normal line.
𝑦 − 𝑦2 = 𝑚| 𝑥 − 𝑥2 𝑦 − 𝑦2 = 𝑚{ 𝑥 − 𝑥2
𝑦 − −2 = 6 𝑥 − 2 1
𝑦 + 2 = 6𝑥 − 12 𝑦 − −2 = − 𝑥 − 2
𝑦 = 6𝑥 − 12 − 2 6
1 1
𝒚 = 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟏𝟒 (equation of the tangent 𝑦+2=− 𝑥+
line) 6 3
1 1
𝑦 =− 𝑥+ −2
6 3
d. Find the slope of the normal line. 1 1−6
1 𝑦=− 𝑥+
𝑚{ = − 6 3
𝑚| 𝟏 𝟓
1 𝒚 = − − (equation of the normal
𝑚{ = − 𝟔 𝟑
6 line)
Given Function:
𝑦 = 𝑥 Y − 6𝑥 + 2
Tangent Line:
𝑦 = 6𝑥 − 14
Normal Line:
1 5
𝑦=− −
6 3
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Mathematics 11 Basic Calculus. Quezon City: PHOENIX
Publishing House, Inc.
• Pelias, J. G. (2016). Basic Calculus. Manila: Rex Book Store,
Inc.
• Verzosa, D. M., Earhart, R. T., & Adina, E. M. (2016). Basic
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