Scribd
Upload
38 views21 pages

Lesson 2.1 - Tangent and Derivative: AP Calculus

1) The derivative of a function f at a point c is defined as the limit of the slopes of secant lines as they approach the tangent line at c. 2) If the limit defining the derivative exists, then the derivative is the slope of the tangent line to the graph of f at the point (c, f(c)). 3) The derivative can be used to find the slope of nonlinear functions like f(x) = x^2 at various points, by taking the limit of the difference quotient as h approaches 0.

Uploaded by

Aatrox Havalor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
38 views21 pages

Lesson 2.1 - Tangent and Derivative: AP Calculus

1) The derivative of a function f at a point c is defined as the limit of the slopes of secant lines as they approach the tangent line at c. 2) If the limit defining the derivative exists, then the derivative is the slope of the tangent line to the graph of f at the point (c, f(c)). 3) The derivative can be used to find the slope of nonlinear functions like f(x) = x^2 at various points, by taking the limit of the difference quotient as h approaches 0.

Uploaded by

Aatrox Havalor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 21

Lesson 2.

1 Tangent and
Derivative
AP Calculus
Secant to a Curve


The Limit of a Secant



The limit, as of a
secant to a curve

is the tangent to

that curve at .

For a line going through a known point,


slope
the is the distinguishing
Tangent to a Graph
The Tangent Line

If is defined at the point (, and if the limit

=m

exists, then m is the slope of the


tangent line at .

The slope of the function at


(c, f(c)) (Same
Thing!)
Slope of a Linear Function
The Tangent Line

Find the slope of the function at



Slope of a Nonlinear Function
The Tangent Line

Find the slope of the graph of at the points (0,


1) and (-1, 2).

0
The slope of at (0, 1) is 0.
Slope of a Nonlinear Function

Find the slope of the graph of at (1, 3).




Definition of Derivative
The Tangent Line

The derivative of at is

provided the limit exists. For all for


which this limit exists, is a function of .
Other notations used to denote the
derivative

are:

If the derivative exists for a function, the


function is said to be differentiable.
Alternative Definition
The
derivative of at is

provided the limit exists.


This limit can be found by usual
methods:
-
Substitutio
-Factor & Cancel
n
-Show the limit is the same from right
and left:
Slope of a Nonlinear Function

Find the slope of the graph of at (1, 3) using
the alternative definition.


Derivative by Limit Process

Find the derivative of using the definition


of derivative. (Not at a particular point)


Derivative by Limit Process


No Derivatives
For functions with sharp turns, the derivative
does not exist .

n ot
i ts
Lim e from
sam sides
ot h
b
Absolute Value
Function
No Derivatives
For functions with vertical tangent lines, the
derivative does not exist .

it =
im
L


Function
Differentiability and
Continuity
Theorem
2.1
If is differentiable at then is
continuous at

If a function is differentiable, it is
continuous.
If a function is continuous, it is not
necessarily true that it is differentiable.
Homework 2.1
5-33 odd
Derivative by Limit Process

Find the derivative of using the definition of
derivative.


Derivative by Limit Process

Find the derivative of using the definition of
derivative.


Slope of a Nonlinear Function
The Tangent Line

Find the slope of the graph of at the points (0,


1) and (-1, 2)

The slope of at (-1, 2) is -2.


Tangent to a Graph
The Tangent Line

If is defined on an open interval


containing , and if the limit

exists, then the line passing through with


slope m is the tangent line to the graph
of at the point .
Derivative by Limit
The Tangent Line Process

Find the derivative of using the definition


of derivative.

You might also like