THE DERIVATIVES, LESSON 2

SLOPE and RATE OF CHANGE

*THE DERIVATIVE*
Consider the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)

To obtain the derivative of a given function, follow the procedure below.

1. For the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), add ∆𝑥 to 𝑥 and ∆𝑦 to 𝑦.(∆ or delta, called increment)

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) →1
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) →2
2. Substitute the value of 𝑦 in 1 to the value of 𝑦 in 2. Transpose the value of 𝑦 to the
other side obtaining a formula of ∆𝑦 in terms of 𝑥 and ∆𝑥.

From 2,

𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) + ∆𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)
∆𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥) →3
3. Perform suitable algebraic transformation (combine fractions and rationalize) and
simplify.
∆𝑦
4. From equation 3, write the quotient by dividing both sides of the equation by ∆𝑥.
∆𝑥

∆𝑦 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)

=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
5. Evaluate the limit as ∆𝑥 approaches zero.
𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦 𝑓(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)
= lim = lim [ ]
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑
The derivative is symbolized by , 𝑦 ′ , 𝑓 ′ (𝑥), 𝐷𝑥 𝑦 and 𝑓(𝑥).
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

By definition of derivative:

∆𝑦
The derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥, is the limit of the ratio , when
∆𝑥
∆𝑥 approaches zero.
𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦
= lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥

Example 1:

Differentiate the function 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥.

Solution:

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆)2 + 3(𝑥 + ∆𝑥)
∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)2 + 3(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − 𝑦
∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)2 + 3(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) − (𝑥 2 + 3𝑥)
THE DERIVATIVES, LESSON 2
SLOPE and RATE OF CHANGE

∆𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 3∆𝑥 − 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥
∆𝑦 = 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 + 3∆𝑥
∆𝑦 2𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 + 3∆𝑥
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
∆𝑦
= 2𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + 3
∆𝑥

Example 2:
1
Differentiate the function 𝑦 =
√𝑥

*SLOPE*

Figure A shows the graph of a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and the line T, which is tangent to
the curve at point (𝑥, 𝑦). We will find for the slope of the tangent line T.

Figure B shows the graph similar to Figure A, but with point (𝑥 + ∆𝑥) along the x-
axis and line P through the point (𝑥, 𝑦) and (𝑥 + ∆𝑥, 𝑦 + ∆𝑦).

The slope P is,

∆𝑦 (𝑦 + ∆𝑦) − 𝑦
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
∆𝑦
The line P, joining the points (𝑥, 𝑦) and (𝑥 + ∆𝑥, 𝑦 + ∆𝑦) has the slope . As ∆𝑥
∆𝑥
approaches xero, 𝑃′ approaches P along the curve, the slope would approach the line T. the
tangent line of the curve at (𝑥, 𝑦) has a slope,
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 − 𝑦
𝑚 = lim [ ]
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
The slope of the curve at point (𝑥, 𝑦) and the slope of the line at point (𝑥, 𝑦) is
likely the same. The equation of the line of slope 𝑚 is,

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
THE DERIVATIVES, LESSON 2
SLOPE and RATE OF CHANGE

Differentiating the equation,

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 𝑚(𝑥 + ∆𝑥) + 𝑏
∆𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑚∆𝑥 + 𝑏 − 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑏
∆𝑦 𝑚∆𝑥
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥
𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦
= lim = lim 𝑚
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑦′ = 𝑚
𝑑𝑥
Thus, the derivative of y with respect to x, of the equation of a line is its slope
𝑚.

Example 1:

Find the slope of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 8 at point (1,9)

Solution:

Differentiate the function,

𝑦 = 𝑥3 + 8
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = (𝑥 + ∆𝑥)3 + 8
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥∆𝑥 2 + ∆𝑥 3 + 8
∆𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 3 ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥∆𝑥 2 + ∆𝑥 3 + 8 = 𝑥 3 − 8
∆𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 ∆𝑥 + 3𝑥∆𝑥 2 + ∆𝑥 3
∆𝑦
= 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2
∆𝑥
𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦
= lim = lim (3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 2 )
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑦 ′ = 3𝑥 2
𝑑𝑥
At point, (1,9),

𝑦 ′ = 3(1)2 = 3
Thus, the slope of the curve at point (1,9) is 3.

Example 2:

Find the slope of the curve 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 1 at point (−3,8).

THE DERIVATIVES, LESSON 2
SLOPE and RATE OF CHANGE

*RATE OF CHANGE*
Given a function,

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
The derivative of the function which is,
𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦
= lim
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
Is the instantaneous rate of change of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥.
∆𝑦
The ratio is the average rate of change over the interval ∆𝑥. As ∆𝑥 approaches
∆𝑥
zero, the ratio in defined as the instantaneous rate of change.

Example 1:

Find the rate of change of the circumference of a circle increases as the radius
increases.

Solution:

The circumference of a circle is defined by the formula,

𝐶 = 2𝜋𝑟
Differentiating 𝐶 with respect to 𝑟 arrived to,

𝐶 + ∆𝐶 = 2𝜋(𝑟 + ∆𝑟)
∆𝐶 = 2𝜋𝑟 + 2𝜋∆𝑟 − 2𝜋𝑟
∆𝐶 = 2𝜋∆𝑟
∆𝐶
= 2𝜋
∆𝑟
𝑑𝐶 ∆𝐶
= lim = lim 2𝜋 = 2𝜋
𝑑𝑟 ∆𝑟→0 ∆𝑟 ∆𝑟→0
Which is the rate of change of the circumference with respect to the radius.

Example 2:

Find how fast the volume of a right circular cone increases having an altitude of 2
ft. as the radius.