Extra Exercises, Quizzes, Miscellaneous Notes

Version 15 (March 16, 2020, 12:00 pm)

Limit Computations
√
2x2 − 15x + 27 x4 + 1
1. lim 18. lim
x→3+ x2 − 6x + 9 x→∞ 2x2 − 3
√
x2 − 9 x4 + 1
2. lim 19. lim
x→−3 x2 + 2x − 3 x→−∞ 2x2 − 3
√
16 − x2

3. lim 20. lim 25x2 − x − 5x
x2 − 8x + 16 x→∞
x→4− √ 
2x2 + x − 1 21. lim 25x2 − x − 5x
4. lim x→−∞
x→ 12 2x3 − 8x − x2 + 4 √ 
  22. lim 3x2 + x − 2x
2 23 x→∞
5. lim − √ √ 
x→4+ 4 − x 16 − x2 23. lim x2 + x − 1 − x2 − x
√ x→−∞
3− x √
6. lim p √ 24. lim (2x − 4x2 − 5x)
x→9 6+ x−3 x→∞
√ √ √
x2 − 2x + 6 − x2 + 2x − 6 25. lim ( 4x6 + 4x3 − x2 − 2x3 )
7. lim x→∞
x→3 x2 − 4x + 3 √ √
26. lim ( x2 + ax − x2 + bx)
√1 − 12 x→−∞
x+2
8. lim x sin x
x→2 x−2 27. lim
x→∞ x2 + 1
3x + |x|
9. lim 28. lim sin(x − sin x)
x→0 7x − 5|x| x→π
x sin2 4x
10. lim 29. lim
x→0− x − |x| x→0 x sin 9x
|2x − 1| − |2x + 1| sin 5x
11. lim 30. lim
x→0− x x→0+ cos 4x − 1
|2x − 1| 31. lim x sec 3x csc 3x
12. lim x→0
x→0 2x2 − x
−
csc 3x
Jx − 4K 32. lim
13. lim 2 x→0 cot x
x→5 x − 25
x2 − x + sin x
JxK − 1 33. lim
14. lim x→0 2x
x→2 JxK − x
1 − cos x
JxK + J2 − xK 34. lim
x→0 2 tan x
15. lim
x→3+ JxK − x 2
35. lim (2x − 8)2 cos √
3
Jx + 1K x − 6 x→4 x−4
16. lim √
x→−3+ x+3 36. lim g(x) if |g(x) + 5| < 3(x − 4)2 for all x
q1y x→4
−2 x
17. lim q 1x y 1 37. lim Hint: JaK ≤ a < JaK + 1
x − x
+ x→∞
x→ 31 JxK
qxy
5
38. lim
x→∞ x
39. lim f (x)g(x) if lim |g(x)| = 0 and |f (x)| ≤ M for all x, where M is some constant
x→a x→a

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 1 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

40. Find the value of the constant c so that the limit exists. What is the value of this limit?
x3 + cx2 − 10x − 16
(a) lim Hint: Since the denominator goes to 0, what must the limit of the numerator
x→2 x2 + x − 6
be, in order for the limit of the fraction to exist?
x3 + cx2 + 5x + 12
(b) lim
x→3 x2 − 7x + 12

Quiz 1, Jan. 30, 2020 [Section D] Average 10.82, Scores 1 to 15; [Section A] Average 12.39, Scores 5 to 15
9− x2
1. (Section D) lim √ Answer: −24
x→3 x+1−2
x2 − 4
1. (Section A) lim √ Answer: 24
x→2 x+7−3
|x| + x + 2x JxK
2. lim Answer: 2
x→0 |x| + x2

√
True Statement: x2 = |x|

A positive number has two square roots. The square root symbol is used to refer to the principal square root
(which is the nonnegative square root).
√
Thus, 9 has√two square roots, 3 and −3. These square roots are the roots of the equation x2 = 9. However, 9 = 3
only, since 9 is the principal square root of 9. The 1/2 exponent is also used to refer to the principal square root.
Thus, 91/2 = 3 also.
√
A lot of students have gotten so used to the (false) statement x2 = x. This is false! It is unfortunate that this is
not corrected and emphasized in high school. Even some high school teachers make this mistake! Unlearning this
mistake might require a lot of convincing, a task that should start now. Here are some reasons that could help
convince you this is wrong.
√
1. The principal√ square root is nonnegative. Thus, x2 ≥ 0. But what √ if x < 0? In this case, how can the
nonnegative x2 be equal to the negative x? Thus, the statement x2 = x is false if x < 0.
√ √ p √ p √
2. If it were true that x2 = x, then 32 = 3 and (−3)2 = −3. But 32 = (−3)2 because both are 9.
By the transitive property of equality, it would follow
√ that 3 = −3. This is clearly false! In mathematics,
symbols should be unambiguous. The expression
√ 9pshould only mean one thing. We shouldn’t be able to
change its value merely by√rewriting it as 32 or as (−3)2 . The form or appearance could change, but not
the value. The expression 9 should not have two different meanings (3 or −3); it should only mean one thing
(the principal square root 3).

√
The correct statement: For any real number x, x2 = |x|.
√ 1 1
If x → ∞, then x > 0 so in this case, x2 = x. Therefore, =√ .
x x2
√ 1 1
If x → −∞, then x < 0 so in this case, x2 = −x. Therefore, = −√ .
x x2

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 2 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

 Exercises - Definition of the Limit

This was prepared to aid you in better understanding the definition of the limit that will be discussed
in class. YOU WILL NOT SUBMIT ANYTHING. Do as instructed, for your personal reference
and understanding, but DO NOT SUBMIT ANYTHING.

We will attempt to express the notion of being “close” or “near” in a mathematically precise way.

The number 1.1 is close to 1, but 1.01 is closer. Why? Because the distance between 1.01 and 1 is smaller than
the distance between 1.1 and 1. These distances are |1.01 − 1| = 0.1 and |1.1 − 1| = 0.1, respectively.

Idea: The distance between p and L is |p − L|. If |q − L| < |p − L|, then q is closer to L than p is.

Let f (x) = 2x. It is easy to see that lim f (x) = 2.

x→1

Install Geogebra. Either of these two versions should work: Classic 5 or Classic 6. Open MATH 31 Geogebra -
Limit.ggb. Choose 3 decimal places in Options: Rounding. Input the function and a = 1. Instructions for the
Geogebra file are typeset in this color. Unless otherwise instructed, one sided limit should be unticked.

Conceptual meaning of the limit statement lim f (x) = 2:

x→1

If x is close to 1 (cause/trigger), then f (x) is close to 2 (effect).

If we make |x − 1| small (cause/trigger), then |f (x) − 2| will also be small (effect).

To make |f (x) − 2| small (effect), we just need to make |x − 1| small (cause/trigger).

How small must |x − 1| be so that |f (x) − 2| < 0.8? Input ε = 0.8. Greek letter ε: epsilon
|f (x) − 2| < 0.8 means that 2 − 0.8 < f (x) < 2 + 0.8. In the Geogebra window, the horizontal lines y = 2 + 0.8
and y = 2 − 0.8 bound the shaded ε-band. All points (x, f (x)) on the graph inside this band satisfy 2 − 0.8 <
f (x) < 2 + 0.8.

So how small must |x − 1| be? Is |x − 1| < 0.6 enough? Input δ = 0.6. Greek letter δ: delta
|x − 1| < 0.6 means that 1 − 0.6 < x < 1 + 0.6. In the Geogebra window, the vertical lines x = 1 − 0.6 and
x = 1 + 0.6 bound the δ-band. However, the red portion of the graph is not entirely inside the ε-band. For the
points outside this band, |f (x) − 0.2| < 0.8 is not true. Thus, |x − 1| < 0.6 is not enough to guarantee that
|f (x) − 0.2| < 0.8.

Is |x − 1| < 0.5 enough? Input δ = 0.5. No, since there are still some x ∈ (1 − 0.5, 1 + 0.5), the δ-band (narrower
now), for which f (x) is outside (2 − 0.8, 2 + 0.8), the ε-band.

Move the δ slider to find a value of δ such that if |x − 1| < δ, then |f (x) − 2| < 0.8, i.e., the part of the graph over
(1 − δ, 1 + δ) which is shown in red is inside the ε-band.

The “first” δ that works is 0.4. This means that if |x − 1| < 0.4 (cause), then |f (x) − 2| < 0.8 (effect).

Observe that a smaller δ such as 0.39 or 0.35 both work, since if |x − 1| < 0.35, then it follows that |x − 1| < 0.4
(transitive property of inequalities: |x − 1| < 0.35 and 0.35 < 0.4 imply that |x − 1| < 0.4). We’ve seen that this
is enough of a guarantee for |f (x) − 2| < 0.8 to happen.

Change δ to 0.35. You’ll see that if x is in the δ-band, then the graph (red) will be in the ε-band.

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 3 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

 1. If this time we want f (x) to be much closer, say, |f (x) − 2| < 0.6 (set ε = 0.6), how close should x be to 1?
Find δ so that if |x − 1| < δ, then |f (x) − 2| < 0.6. If needed, use Ctrl + or Ctrl - to zoom.
There is no unique choice of δ that works. As soon as you’ve found a δ that “works”, it can be replaced by
any smaller positive value. So find the “first” δ that works: if |x − 1| < δ, then |f (x) − 2| < 0.6. You can
write it in a table like the one below.
ε 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3
δ 0.4
2. Using the Geogebra file, fill up the rest of the table.
3. Without using Geogebra, guess δ so that if |x − 1| < δ, then |f (x) − 2| < 0.2. Then use Geogebra to verify
if your answer is correct.

Hopefully, you are convinced by now that since lim f (x) = 2, then for any ε > 0, we can choose some δ > 0 so that
x→1
if 0 < |x − 1| < δ, then |f (x) − 2| < ε. We can guarantee that the error |f (x) − 2| does not exceed the arbitrarily
chosen ε > 0 (effect) by making the distance distance |x − 1| small enough, less than δ.
delta δ for distance; epsilon ε for error

The machine can always be calibrated (cause) to get the desired output (effect). For any ε > 0 which defines the
output (effect), some δ > 0 can be chosen which defines the needed trigger (cause).

Next, let’s investigate lim x2 = 4. Reset to ε = 1 and δ = 1. Input f (x) = x2 . Use the caret symbol as usual for
x→2
the exponent. Input a = 2. You may need to zoom in or out, or use the mouse to center the viewscreen at the
point (2, 4).

4. Find the “first” δ > 0 (three decimal places) so that if |x − 2| < δ, then |f (x) − 4| < 0.8. Use Geogebra.
5. Fill up the rest of the table: for the given ε > 0, find some δ > 0 so that if 0 < |x−2| < δ, then |f (x)−4| < ε.
Use Geogebra.
ε 1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6
δ

Quiz 2, Feb. 7, 2020 [Section D] Average 10.79, Scores 1 to 15; [Section A] Average 10.81, Scores 3 to 15
x4 − 4x2
1. lim Answer: −∞
x→−2+ x2 + 4x + 4
√ √ 
2. (Section D) lim 4x2 + x + 1 −
4x2 − 7x Answer: −2
x→−∞
√ √ 
2. (Section A) lim 9x2 + 1 − 9x2 − x Answer: − 16
x→−∞

Comments: Quiz 2
Never write a fraction with 0 denominator on the other side of the equals sign. Nothing
can ever be equal to it. Therefore, do not use the equals sign with it.

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 4 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

Quiz 3, Feb. 13, 2020 [Section D] Average 10.49, Scores 0 to 15; [Section A] Average 11.03, Scores 3 to 15
sin 3x
1. lim 3 Answer: −3/4
x→0 5x − 4x

sin 2(x − 1)4 x2 − 2x + 3

2. (Section D) Suppose ≤ f (x) ≤ for all x 6= 1. Find lim (x − 1)2 f (x). Answer: 2
(x − 1)6 x2 − 2x + 1 x→1

5 − 7x2 sin 5x6

2. (Section A) Suppose ≤ f (x) ≤ for all x 6= 0. Find lim x2 f (x). Answer: 5
x2 x8 x→0

Comments: Quiz 3

sin θ sin θ
• The statement = 1 is false. What’s true is that lim = 1. The third letter in FTL is limit. If there’s
θ θ→0 θ
no limit, then there is no FTL.
• When you’ve already taken a limit, don’t write “lim” anymore. Thus, a statement like lim x2 = lim 9 = 9 will
x→3 x→3
sin 3x 3 3
be given a point deduction. Thus, when you write down lim · = lim 1 · , I don’t know
x→0 3x 5 − 4x2 x→0 5 − 4x2
sin 3x
if you thought = 1 (see first remark above; this is wrong). But if you were thinking that 1 is the limit,
3x
then I have a problem with 1 still being inside “lim”.
• Do not commit basic mathematical mistakes. I’m not referring to simple mistakes like 8 × 7 = 54 (should
be 56) or copying 5 − 4x2 as 5 − x2 . Instead, I am referring to errors like sin 2θ = 2 sin θ, or sin a4 =
(sin a)(sin a)(sin a)(sin a). I’ve also seen wrong exponent laws. These are more sinister errors since they run
deeper; they give a clue to what you really think of these functions and what you think is valid. Avoid making
these mistakes at this level of mathematics.

Definition of the Limit

1. Prove using the definition. Items (d), (h), (i), (j) are difficult. Do not expect these in a quiz.
(a) lim (5x − 2) = 13 1
x→3 (e) lim 3 = −∞
√ x→0 x−

(b) lim x − 3 = 0 1
x→3+ (f) lim =0
x→∞ x − 2
2
(c) lim (2x − 3x) = −1
x→1 1
√ (g) lim =0
2
(d) lim −2x + 3x − 1 = 0 x→−∞ x − 2
x→1−
1 1 1
(h) lim = Hint: If we assume |x − 5| < 1, then x is less than what number?
x→5 x 5
1 1
(i) lim = 2 (j) lim = −1
1 x
x→ 2 x→1 2 − 3x

2. Prove using the definition of the limit. These are difficult so do not expect these in a quiz.
(a) If lim f (x) = L, then lim |f (x)| = |L|.
x→a x→a
(b) If lim f (x) = −∞, then lim [f (x)]2 = ∞.
x→a x→a
(c) If lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g(x) = L, then lim (f (x) + g(x)) = ∞.
x→a x→a x→a
(d) If lim f (x) = ∞ and lim g(x) = L > 0, then lim f (x)g(x) = ∞.
x→a x→a x→a
(e) If lim f (x) = L1 and lim f (x) = L2 , then L1 = L2 .
x→a x→a

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 5 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

Continuity

1. Definition of Continuity
(a) Is f (x) = x JxK continuous at 0?
(b) Is f (x) = JxK + J4 − xK continuous at 3?
√
6−x−2
(c) How should f (2) be defined so that f (x) = √ is continuous at x = 2?
3−x−1
sin πx
(d) How should f (x) = be defined at 0 and 1 so that f is continuous on [0, 1]?
x(x − 1)
f (a)
(e) Prove that if f is continuous at a and f (a) > 0, then there exists a δ > 0 such that f (x) ≥ for all
2
x ∈ (a − δ, a + δ).
 of the constants a and b so that f is continuous on (−∞, ∞).
2. Find the values
2 if x ≤ −2
x

(a) f (x) = ax + b if − 2 < x < 2

2x − 6 if 2 ≤ x


4x − 2a
 if x ≤ −3
(b) f (x) = −a + bx + 13 if − 3 ≤ x ≤ 2

4b + 3x − 3 if 2 ≤ x


2 if x ≤ −1
ax + bx

(c) f (x) = a JxK + b if − 1 ≤ x ≤ 1

1 + b cos(πx) if 1 ≤ x


3. Intermediate Value Theorem

1
(a) Show that the equation x + sin x = √ has at least one solution.
x+3
a+b
(b) Prove that the function f (x) = (x − a)2 (x − b)2 + x takes on the value 2 for some value of x.
(c) Show that the three roots of 3x3 − 10x2 − 37x + 60 = 0 lie between −5 and 7.
(d) Show that the function defined by f (x) = x6 − 2x3 − 2x − 1 has at least two real zeros in the interval
[−1, 2].
(e) Let b be a constant with 0 < b < 1. Show that the function f (x) = x3 + 5x2 + 5x − 2b has at least two
real zeros in the interval [−2, b].
(f) Show that every positive number has a square root. That is, given a > 0, there exists a number r such
that r2 = a.
(g) Suppose f is continuous on [0, 1], and −1 ≤ f (x) ≤ 1 for all x ∈ [0, 1]. Show that there is a c ∈ [0, 1] such
that [f (c)]2 = c.
(h) Suppose f is continuous on [0, 2] with f (0) = f (2). Show that there is a c ∈ [0, 1] such that f (c) = f (c + 1).
(i) Suppose f is continuous on [0, 1], and 0 ≤ f (x) ≤ 1 for all x ∈ [0, 1]. Prove that there is at least one
number c ∈ [0, 1] such that f (c) = c.
(j) Suppose that f and g are functions which are both continuous on [a, b] and such that f (a) = g(b) = p and
f (b) = g(a) = q where p 6= q. Prove that there exists some c ∈ (a, b) such that f (c) = g(c).
(k) Let f and g be continuous on [0, 1], f (0) = 2, g(0) = 0, and f (1) = g(1). For any k ∈ (0, 2), prove that
there is some c ∈ (0, 1) such that the vertical segment between the graphs at x = c has length k.

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 6 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

Derivatives

1. Definition of the Derivative 2

sin((3 + x) ) − sin 9
(a) Evaluate lim .
x→0 x
(b) Let f (x) = x|x|. Is f differentiable at 0?
1
(c) Use the definition of the derivative to find f 0 (5) if f (x) = √ .
3x + 1
(d) If f is differentiable and g(x) = xf (x), use the definition to show that g 0 (x) = f (x) + xf 0 (x).
(
JxK (x − 2) if x ≤ 2
(e) Let f (x) = √ . Is f differentiable at x = 2? Continuous at x = 2?
x2 − 4 if x > 2
(
ax3 if x ≤ 2
(f) Find a and b so that f (x) = 2
is differentiable everywhere.
x + b if x > 2
(g) If |f (x)| ≤ x2 for −1 ≤ x ≤ 1, show that f is differentiable at 0. Find f 0 (0).
(
x2 sin x1 if x 6= 0
(h) Show that f (x) = is differentiable at 0. Find f 0 (0).
0 if x = 0
(
x sin x1 if x 6= 0
(i) Is f (x) = differentiable at 0? Is f continuous at 0?
0 if x = 0
xf (c) − cf (x)
(j) If f 0 (c) exists, prove that lim = f (c) − cf 0 (c).
x→c x−c
f (x) − f (a)
(k) If f is differentiable at a > 0, evaluate lim √ √ .
x→a x− a
2. Derivatives - others
(a) Find the first three derivatives of f (x) = 1/(6 + 5x)4 . Find a general formula for the nth derivative, and
prove it by mathematical induction.
√  
(b) Let f be a function for which f (2) = −3 and f 0 (x) = x2 + 5. If g(x) = x2 f x−1 x
, what is g 0 (2)?
(c) Suppose f and g are differentiable functions such that f 0 (x) = 1/x and (f ◦ g)(x) = x. Prove that
g 0 (x) = g(x).
(d) Suppose f and g are differentiable functions such that f (g(x)) = x and f 0 (x) = 1 + [f (x)]2 for all x. Show
1
that g 0 (x) = .
1 + x2
3. Tangent Lines
(a) Find the equations of two lines of slope −2 that are tangent to the curve y = 1/x.
(b) Find the equation of each tangent line to y = x3 − 3x that is perpendicular to 2x + 18y − 9 = 0.
(c) Find the equation(s) of the line(s) through (2, −3) that are tangent to the parabola y = x2 − 5x + 4.
(d) Show that the line tangent to y = −x4 + 2x2 + x at (1, 2) is also tangent to the curve at another point.
Find this other point.
(e) Find a, b, and c so that the curve y = ax2 + bx + c passes through (1, 2) and is tangent to the line y = x
at the origin.
(f) Find a, b, c, and d so that y = 2x + 1 is tangent to f (x) = x4 + ax3 + bx2 + cx + d at x = 0, and y = 2 − 3x
is tangent to the same curve at x = 1.

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 7 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

Quiz 4, Feb. 19, 2020 [Section D] Average 7.82, Scores
 0 to 15; [Section A] Average 8.52, Scores 2 to 15
2
7x + 5
 if x < b
1. Find all values of the constants a and b so that f (x) = 12 if x = b is continuous at b.

 2
a(x − 1) if x > b
Answer: a = 3, b = −1
2. (Section D) Let b > 4. Show that x3 − bx2 + sin πx
2 + 2 = 0 has at least one root greater than 1.
Idea: Let f (x) = x3 − bx2 + sin πx
2 + 2. Compare f (1) and f (b) with 0.
15
2. (Section A) Show that the function f (x) = x + sin x − √ takes on the value sin 4 for some value of x.
x+3
Idea: Compare f (0) and f (4) with sin 4.

Comments: Quiz 4

• Don’t assign a value to b.

• lim 12 is irrelevant. If you want to analyze lim f (x), then that means you need to analyze f for values of x
x→b− x→b−
such that x < b. In this case, f (x) = 7x2 + 5, so lim f (x) = lim (7x2 + 5).
x→b− x→b−
• After defining f for the IVT/IZT problem, you cannot “let” f be continuous, since its continuity is not your
prerogative. A continuous function will be continuous whether you want it or not. It is wrong to “let” 4 be
even, since it is not up to you.
• The “such that” condition should be related to what it is describing: “there exists some c ∈ [a, b] such that
condition involving c”. For instance, “there is a city in the Philippines such that the UN Headquarters is in
New York” is absurd because the location of the UN Headquarters is unrelated to what you’re trying to say
about some city in the Philippines. This makes sense: “there is a city in the Philippines whose (such that its)
population is at least 2 million.

Quiz 5, Feb. 21, 2020 [Section D] Average 13.53, Scores 2 to 15; [Section A] Average 14.00, Scores 8 to 15
sec(cos x) 2 6
1. y = + 3 Answer: y 0 = 31 tan(cos x) sec(cos x)(− sin x) − 4
3 x x
(9x8 + 7)6 4 2 8 5 7 8 6 4
0 = (5x + 3) · 6(9x + 7) (72x ) − (9x + 7) · 2(5x + 3)(20x )
3
2. (Section D) y = Answer: y
(5x4 + 3)2 (5x4 + 3)4
(2x3 + 4)5 (6x7 + 8)9 · 5(2x3 + 4)4 (6x2 ) − (2x3 + 4)5 · 9(6x7 + 8)8 (42x6 )
2. (Section A) y = Answer: y 0 =
(6x7 + 8)9 (6x7 + 8)18

Comments: Quiz 5

• In a quotient, if either the numerator or the denominator is constant, it’s a hundred times easier not to use the
quotient rule. For example,
 
d 2 d
2(3x)−4 = 2(−4)(3x)−5 · 3.


4
=
dx (3x) dx
If you decide to use the quotient rule in this case - the equivalent of using a nuclear bomb just to get rid of the
broken window you want to get rid of, but okay, it does get rid of the window - do it properly.
(3x)4 [2]0 − 2[(3x)4 ]0
 
d 2
= .
dx (3x)4 (3x)8
In the numerator, the first term vanishes since (2)0 = 0. The first term is 0, not (3x)4 .

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 8 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

Quiz 6, Feb. 24, 2020 [Section D] Average 10.18, Scores 0 to 15; [Section A] Average 10.16, Scores 1 to 15
1
1. Use the definition to find the derivative of f (x) = √ .
x
2. (Section D) Prove using the definition: lim (2x2 + 5x − 2) = 10.
x→−4

3. (Section A) Prove using the definition: lim (3x2 + 2) = 14.

x→−2

Comments: Quiz 6

• In your proof of the limit, ending with |2x2 + 5x − 12| < ε or |3x2 − 12| < ε is not enough. Since the goal is
to show that |f (x) − L| < ε, you should conclude that |2x2 + 5x − 2 − 10| < ε, or |3x2 + 2 − 14| < ε; then you
would have made your point.
 ε  ε
• For a given ε > 0, these δ choices work: δ = min 1, 13 (Section D) and δ = min 1, 15 (Section A).

Solutions to some problems involving derivatives

(
ax3 if x ≤ 2
1. Find a and b so that f (x) = 2
is differentiable everywhere.
x + b if x > 2
(
3ax2 if x ≤ 2
Discussion: It is actually understandable if a student concludes that f 0 (x) = . However, this is
2x if x > 2
f (x) − f (2)
wrong. From the definition of the derivative, f 0 (2) = lim should depend on the behavior of f for
x→2 x−2 
x near 2, whether x < 2 or x > 2. Thus, the conclusion f 0 (2) = 3ax2 x=2 = 12a cannot be right; it has ignored

2
3ax if x < 2

what f is when x > 2. What is true however is that f 0 (x) = ∗∗ if x = 2 . This is because if, say, x = 1.9,

2x if x > 2

there is still an interval to the left of 1.9 which is before 2, over which f (x) = ax3 . Thus, in the immediate
vicinity of x = 1.9, we can still assume f (x) = ax3 . However, x = 2 cannot escape the differing behavior of f .
Thus, we need to determine f 0 (2) (double asterisks) using the definition.
Since we need to find the values of two constants a and b, we need two equations/conditions. The statement
f (x) − f (2) f (x) − f (2)
lim = lim is just one. For the other condition, recall that if f is differentiable at 2,
x→2− x−2 x→2+ x−2
then f must be continuous at 2. We then have our second equation: lim f (x) = lim f (x).
x→2− x→2+
Solution: If f is differentiable at 2, then f is continuous at 2. Thus,

f (2) = lim f (x) = lim f (x)

x→2− x→2+
8a = lim ax = lim (x2 + b)
3
x→2− x→2+
8a = 4 + b (1)

Also,

f (x) − f (2) f (x) − f (2)

lim = lim
x→2− x−2 x→2+ x−2
3
ax − 8a 2
(x + b) − (4 + b)
lim = lim
x→2 − x−2 x→2 + x−2

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 9 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

 On the right side, even though f (2) = 8a, we replaced f (2) by 4 + b instead. This is valid according to (1).
(x2 + b) − 8a
Also, this is useful, since would not have allowed us to move forward by much. Let’s continue.
x−2

a(x3 − 8) x2 − 4
lim = lim
x→2− x−2 x→2+ x − 2
2
a lim (x + 2x + 4) = lim (x + 2)
x→2− x→2+
12a = 4 (2)

Equations (1) and (2) can now be solved for a and b.

Warning: Look for the error in the following solution.
(
3ax2 if x < 2
f 0 (x) =
2x if x > 2
lim 3ax2 = lim 2x (3)
x→2− x→2+
12a = 4

This is (2) earlier. Equation (1) is retrieved as before: the differentiability of f at 2 implies the continuity of f
at 2. We have the same system of equations, so we’ll end up with the same pair (a, b).
So where then is the error? It’s (3), i.e., lim f 0 (x) = lim f 0 (x). This actually has no basis. We could use this
x→2− x→2+
last equation if we knew beforehand that f 0 was continuous at 2. But we don’t know this. What we do know,
and can assume, is that f is continuous at 2. The functions f and f 0 are different.
But we ended up with the same (a, b) with this solution, so how can this be wrong? Just because the answer
16 16
1
is correct doesn’t mean the method is correct. After all, you can “simplify” = = , do it spectacularly
64 6
4 4
wrong, and still end up with the right answer.
Back to our example, it turns out that the correct (a, b) which makes f differentiable at 2 happens to also make
f 0 continuous at 2. But you can’t make this bonus scenario the basis of your solution.

2. Find the equation(s) of the line(s) through (2, −3) that are tangent to the parabola f (x) = x2 − 5x + 4.
Discussion: Did you assume that (2, −3) is the point of tangency? It’s not. This point is not even on the
parabola since f (2) = −2, not −3. However, if the problem was Find the equation of the line tangent to f at
2, then the problem was able to point out that the point of tangency is (2, f (2)) which is (2, −2).
If we knew the point of tangency, we’d be able to solve the problem. Thus, the natural starting point is to
figure out where it is on the graph. Let x = a be its x-coordinate. One condition/equation would be enough to
determine its value.
Solution: Let (a, f (a)) be the point of tangency. Since f 0 (x) = 2x − 5, the slope of the line is 2a − 5. Since the
line passes through (2, −3), its slope will also be given by

f (a) − (−3) a2 − 5a + 4 + 3 a2 − 5a + 7
= = .
a−2 a−2 a−2

a2 − 5a + 7
Therefore, = 2a − 5.
a−2
Solving this yields a = 1 and a = 3. There are two points of tangency, and so two tangent lines. If you draw
(2, −3) “below” the parabola, you’ll see that there should be two tangent lines, so this is all good. Back to the
solution, you can now determine the points of tangency (a, f (a)), and the equations of the tangent lines using
the slopes f 0 (a) for each value of a.

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 10 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

Implicit Differentiation and Tangent Lines

1. Find the equations of the tangent lines to the ellipse 9x2 + 16y 2 = 52 that are parallel to the line 9x − 8y = 1.
2. Find all points on the graph of x4 + y 4 + 2 = 4xy 3 where the tangent line is horizontal.
3. Show that the graph of xy 5 + x5 y = 1 has no horizontal tangent lines.
Hint: Suppose there is a horizontal tangent line, i.e., there is a point (x, y) on the graph for which y 0 = 0. Show
that in this case, an absurd/impossible situation will happen. After this, we can then conclude there cannot
be a horizontal tangent line.
4. Find all points on the graph of x2 y 2 + xy = 2 where the slope of the tangent line is −1.
5. Find the equations of the tangent lines to the graph of the ellipse x2 /4 + y 2 /9 = 1 that pass through the point
(4, 0).
6. There are two lines through the point (4, 2) that are tangent to the parabola y 4 − 4y + 2x = 0. Find an equation
of each of these lines.
7. Prove that the tangent lines to the curves 4y 3 − x2 y − x + 5y = 0 and x4 − 4y 3 + 5x + y = 0 at the origin are
perpendicular.

Related Rates

1. The volume of an expanding sphere is increasing at a rate of 10 ft3 /sec. How fast is the surface area increasing
when the volume is 36 ft3 ?
2. At 7 a.m., a plane flies over the city going east at 600 mph. At 9 a.m., a plane flies over the same city going
north at 350 mph. At what rate were the planes separating at 11 a.m.?
3. Three points on a circle are chosen such that an equilateral triangle is formed. If the circumference of the circle
is increasing at a rate of 0.5 m/sec, at what rate is the distance between any two points changing?
4. A man grasps a rope 6 ft above the ground. From his hand the rope goes straight up to a pullley 36 ft above
the ground and then straight down a weight resting on the ground. If the man, holding fast to the rope and
keeping his hand 6 ft above the ground, walks away at a constant rate of 10 ft/sec, how fast is the weight rising
1 sec after the man starts to walk?
7 2
5. Let A(0, 0), B = (0, 3), and C a point on the parabola y = 1 + 36 x . B starts to move upward at the rate of 2
units/sec. If 4ABC always has a right angle at B, how fast is the area of 4ABC increasing after 2.5 seconds?
6. A point P (x, y) moves along the curve x = y 2 and its distance from the origin is increasing at the rate of 1/2
unit/sec. At what rate is the area of the triangle with vertices P (x, y), Q(x, −y), r(0, 0) changing when the
point P is at (4, 2)?
7. As the last car of a train passes under a bridge, an automobile crosses the bridge on a roadway perpendicular
to the track and 30 ft above. The train is traveling at the rate of 80 ft/sec and the automobile is traveling at
the rate of 40 ft/sec. How fast are the train and automobile separating after 2 sec.
8. A light shines from the top of a pole 50 ft high. A ball is dropped from the same height from a point 30 ft
away from the light (see figure to be drawn on the board). How fast is the shadow of the ball moving along the
ground 1/2 sec later? Assume the ball falls a distance s = 16t2 ft in t sec.

RELATED RATES

Ex (1) Air is being pumped into a spherical balloon so that its volume increases at a rate of 100 cm3 /s. How fast
is the radius of the balloon increasing when the diameter is 50 cm?

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 11 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

Ex (2) A 13-ft ladder is leaning against a wall when its base starts to slide away. By the time the base is 12 ft
from the wall, the base is moving at the rate of 5 ft/sec.

1. How fast is the top of the ladder sliding down the wall then?
2. At what rate is the area of the triangle formed by the ladder, wall and ground, changing?
3. At what rate is the angle θ between the ladder and the ground changing then?

Ex (3) A police cruiser, approaching a right-angled intersection from the north, is chasing a speeding car that has
turned the corner and is now moving straight east. When the cruiser is 0.6 mi north of the intersection and the
car is 0.8 mi to the east, the police determine with radar that the distance between them and the car is increasing
at 20 mph. If the cruiser is moving at 60 mph at the instance of measurement, what is the speed of the car?

Ex (4) Coffee is draining from a conical filter into a cylindrical coffeepot at the rate of 10 in3 /min. The filter has
diameter 6 in and height 6 in. The coffeepot also has diameter 6 in.

1. How fast is the level in the pot rising when the coffee in the cone is 5 in deep?
2. How fast is the level in the cone falling then?

Ex (5) At noon, a ship sails due north from a point P at 8 knots (nautical miles per hour). Another ship, sailing
at 12 knots, leaves the same point 1 hour later on a course 60◦ east of north. How fast is the distance between the
ships increasing at 2 PM?

On Rounding Off

1. By default, all answers should be exact. Exception: when it is the answer to a word problem whose context is
physical reality.
• solve the equation, find the angle,
√ find the slope, 2at what rate is the hypotenuse changing - give answers in
1
EXACT form: 3 and not 0.33, 2 and not 1.41, π and not 0.64
• find the speed of the car, how many fish are in the lake, what is the distance between the tree and the building
- ROUND OFF answers
2. How much should you round off?
• If the answer is indivisible, round off to the nearest integer: 35 birds instead of 35.2 birds, 42 bears instead
of 41.9 bears, 39 tigers instead of 38.5 tigers.
People are also indivisible, but as individuals. However, groups such as millions of people can be in decimal
form: 1.47 million people were affected.
• If the answer does not have to be a whole number, see if the instruction mentions the number of decimal
places. If this number is not mentioned, exercise your prerogative. Clearly, 32.73 km is better than 33 km.
Two decimal places are acceptable, but if the calculator shows 41.00007385, rather than 41, give 41.00007 or
41.000074.
3. For multi-step solutions, if the final answer should be rounded-off (because the context is physical reality), then
√
round-off only at the very last step. For example, suppose you have to evaluate f (x) = x3 − 4x2 at x = 5,
and the final answer should be rounded off to two decimal places.
√
• Most accurate: You can store 5 in your calculator’s memory, and retrieve it when needed. To six decimal
places, the answer is −8.819660, and so the two decimal approximation is −8.82.
√
• If right from the start, you decide to use 2.24 (the two decimal approximation to 5), you will get 2.243 −
4(2.24)2 ≈ −8.83. Not accurate. This is because you decided to use a diluted version of the input. Naturally,

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 12 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

 this will pull your answer away from the correct answer. Everytime you replace an ingredient with an
approximation, an error will be introduced to the answer.
√
• However, if you use 2.236 in place of 5, you will get −8.819464 (6 decimal places), so finally when you
round off to two decimal places, you’ll end up with the right answer: −8.82.
• Lesson: if you want your final answer correct to two decimal places, then either you use the exact value of x,
or use an approximation to x that is better than two decimal places (e.g. three).

Quiz 7, Mar. 4, 2020 [Section D] Average 11.53, Scores 2 to 15; [Section A] Average 11.77, Scores 5 to 15
6x − 3x2 y 2 cos(x3 y 2 )
1. (Section D) Find y 0 if sin(x3 y 2 ) = 3x2 − 4y 3 . Answer: y 0 = 3
2x y cos(x3 y 2 ) + 12y 2
6x + 3x2 y 2 sin(x3 y 2 )
1. (Section A) Find y 0 if cos(x3 y 2 ) = 3x2 − 4y 3 . Answer: y 0 =
12y 2 − 2x3 y sin(x3 y 2 )
2. (Section D) Find all the points on the graph of x2 − xy + y 2 = 12 where the tangent line is vertical.
Answer: (4, 2) and (−4, −2)
2. (Section A) Find all the points on the graph of x2 − xy + y 2 = 48 where the tangent line is horizontal.
Answer: (4, 8) and (−4, −8)

Comments: Quiz 7

• For some students, their faulty algebra is getting in the way of calculus. You need to practice. Use the book
exercises. Compare with available answers at the back. If your answer is different, look for your mistake. To
correct your wrong habits, you have to know what these are. Unfortunately, students’ wrong habits are too
varied I am unable to pinpoint all of them here.
• When solving a system of two equations in two variables and you already have the value of one variable, say,
x, to determine the value of y, use the simpler of the two equations. Most of the time, this avoids the need to
check for extraneous solutions.

Derivatives and the Shape of a Graph

1. Find a cubic function that has a local maximum of 3 at x = −2 and a local minimum of 0 at x = 1.
2. Determine the local extrema of f (x) = (2x − 3)1/3 (x − 3)2/3 .
3. Find the values of a, b, and c so that the graph of f (x) = ax3 + bx2 + c has a point of inflection and slope of 1
at (−1, 2). Then determine the local extrema of f .
4. Find the values of a, b, and c so that the graph of f (x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx has a point of inflection and slope of
−3 at (1, −1).
5. Find the values of a and b so that (1, 6) is a point of inflection of y = x3 + ax2 + bx + 1.
6. Find the values of a and b so that f has a local extremum at −3 and a point of inflection at −1.
7. Suppose that f (x) > 0 and f 0 (x) > 0 for all x ∈ I, where I is an open interval. Show that g(x) = 1/f (x) is
decreasing on I.
8. Sketch the graph of the function. Label the intercepts, asymptotes (horizontal or vertical), local extrema, and
points of inflection, if there are any.
(a) f (x) = (x + 1) − 3(x + 1)2/3
√
(b) f (x) = 3 3 x − x

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 13 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

 2x
(c) f (x) =
x2 +1
2
x + 2x − 4
(d) f (x) =
x2
(e) f (x) = 12 x − sin x over [0, 3π]
9. For each item, a sketch of the graph of the derivative f 0 is shown. Use this, and the additional information
given, to sketch a possible graph of f .
(a) f is continuous everywhere (b) f is continuous everywhere; x-intercepts (−4, 0) and
(3, 0)

(c) f is continuous everywhere (d) f is continuous everywhere; x-intercepts (0, 0),

(4, 0), and (8, 0); f (2) = 4 and f (6) = −5

10. Prove the following identities.

1 3
(a) √ > 1 − x for all x > 0
1 + 3x 2
1 √
(b) 1 + x > 1 + x for all x > 0
2
(c) sin x < x for all x > 0
1
(d) cos x > 1 − x2 for all x > 0
2

Comments on Optimization

• Word problems are concerned with absolute extrema. But to complete the discussion, for relative extrema, aside
from the First Derivative Test (1DT), there is also a Second Derivative Test (2DT). Explanation in YouTube
• Identify the quantity to be optimized. If you’re looking for the largest volume, then setup the formula for the
volume and differentiate that, not the surface area. If you’re looking for the least surface area, then setup the
formula for it and differentiate that instead of the volume.

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 14 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

• Identify the domain. If the volume is V (x) = 2x2 + 4x for example, and 0 < x < 4 (because x is a side and
will not be 0 anyway), it is convenient to identify the domain as [0, 4], endpoints included, since V can still be
evaluated at the endpoints anyway. However, if V (x) = 2x2 + x4 and 0 < x < 4, then there is really no way to
evaluate at 0; we cannot include 0, so let’s keep the domain as (0, 4).
• DO NOT STOP WITH THE CRITICAL NUMBERS. You need to justify a critical number is useful and actually
gives the absolute extremum. See the next two items.
Anecdote: A teacher gives a quiz and asks the students to find the smallest possible area of a triangle. Students
find a single critical number, and without further work, conclude that this critical number leads to the smallest
area. WRONG. The critical number produces the largest area, and there is in fact no smallest possible area.
• Suppose THE DOMAIN IS A CLOSED INTERVAL [a, b], and f is continuous here. Evaluate the function at
the endpoints and the critical numbers. Select the largest and smallest resulting values. Do not use 1DT and
2DT.
• Suppose THE DOMAIN IS NOT A CLOSED INTERVAL but an interval like (a, b] or (−∞, 0), and f is
continuous here. Then use 1DT or 2DT to determine the absolute extremum needed. Example: Optimization
Problem 3 in YouTube.

OPTIMIZATION

Ex (1) A piece of metal sheet is rectangular, 5 ft wide and 8 ft long. Congruent squares are to be cut from its
four corners. The resulting piece of metal is to be folded and welded to form an open-top box. Find the largest
volume that such a box can have?

Ex (2) An oil refinery is located on the north bank of a straight river that is 2 km wide. A pipeline is to be
constructed from the refinery to storage tanks located on the south bank of the river 6 km east of the refinery.
The cost of laying pipe is $400,000/km over land to a point P on the north bank and $800,000/km under the river
to the tanks. To minimize the cost of the pipeline, where should P be located? Solution in YouTube

Ex (3) A cylindrical can is to be made to hold 1000 cm3 of oil. Find the dimensions that will minimize the surface
area (and hence the cost) of the can. Solution in YouTube

Ex (4) A woman at a point A on the shore of a circular lake with radius 2 mi wants to arrive at the point C
diametrically opposite A on the other side of the lake in the shortest possible time. She can walk at the rate of 4
mi/h and row a boat at 2 mi/h. How should she proceed? Solution in YouTube

Ex (5) A right circular cylinder is inscribed in a sphere of radius r. Find the largest possible surface area of such
a cylinder. Solution in YouTube

Ex (6) Find the dimensions of the isosceles triangle of largest area that can be inscribed in a circle of radius r.
Solution in YouTube: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
For Part 3, recall that the area of 4ABC is equal to 21 ab sin C: half the product of (any) two sides and the sine
of their included angle.

Ex (7) A manufacturer has been selling 1000 television sets a week at $450 each. A market survey indicates that
for each $10 rebate offered to the buyer, the number of sets sold will increase by 100 per week. If the weekly cost
of producing x television sets is C(x) = 68, 000 + 5x, how should the manufacturer set the size of the rebate in
order to maximize its profit?
Solution in YouTube to follow.

• P (x) = R(x) − C(x)

• The Cost C(x) is your expenditure, the amount you spent to put those items on the shelves of the store you
own: variable cost (dependent on the number of items x, such as for purchasing the items from the factory) and

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 15 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

 fixed cost (for salary of employees, rent, utilities, etc.).
• The Revenue R(x) is what customers pay you for the items, so if p(x) is the price of each item (the unit price)
and it happens to be provided, then R(x) = xp(x). The unit price p(x) can be constant, but it can also be
variable since you may want to consider your supply in pricing the goods.
• R and C are nonnegative quantities, but the profit P (x) can be negative, 0, or positive.
• Disclaimer: These are based on my own layman understanding, sufficient for typical mathematical problems, and are
not meant to supersede an expert’s take on these concepts.

MOCK QUIZ, March 12, 2020 NOT GRADED

A man launches his boat from point A on a bank of a straight river, 5 km wide, and wants to reach point B, 5
km downstream on the opposite bank, as quickly as possible. He could row his boat directly across the river to
point C and then run to B, or he could row directly to B, or he could row to some point D between C and B and
then run to B. If he can row 6 km/h and run 8 km/h, where should he land to reach B as soon as possible? (We
assume that the speed of the water is negligible compared with the speed at which the man rows.)

Solution. (Let x = CD. Label segment lengths as in the figure.) The total time is the time along AD plus the
time along DB, so the quantity we need to minimize is
√
x2 + 25 5 − x
T (x) = + , x ∈ [0, 5].
6 8

1 2x 1 x 1
T 0 (x) = · √ + (−1) = √ −
6 2 x + 25 8
2 6 x + 25 8
2

T is differentiable everywhere. If T 0 (x) = 0, then

x 1
√ − =0
6 x2+ 25 8
p
4x = 3 x2 + 25
16x2 = 9(x2 + 25)
7x2 = 9 · 25
3·5 15
x = ± √ = ±√
7 7
15
Since x ∈ [0, 5], and √
7
≈ 5.7, we have no critical number.

√
35 5 2
T (0) = ≈ 1.5 T (5) = ≈ 1.2 (absolute minimum)
24 6
Answer: He should row straight from A to B.

MOCK QUIZ, Friday the 13th (March 2020) NOT GRADED

Find the absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of the function
√
f (x) = 3 sec2 x − 4 sec x on [−π/3, π/3].

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 16 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)

 √ √
Solution. f 0 (x) = 3 · 2 sec x · tan x sec x − 4 tan x sec x = 2 tan x sec x( 3 sec x − 2)
• f 0 (x) DNE:
sin x 1 CN x sec x √ f (x)
Since tan x = and sec x = , f 0 (x) does not −
cos x cos x 0 1
√ 3 √4 ≈ −2.27
exist when cos x = 0. π/6 2/√3 −4/ 3 ≈√−2.31
This has no solution in the given interval. −π/6 2/ 3 √ −4/ 3
• f 0 (x) = 0: π/3 2 4 3 −√8 ≈ −1.07
a) tan x = 0 =⇒ sin x = 0 =⇒ x = 0 −π/3 2 4 3−8
1
b) sec x = = 0 has no solution.
cos x √
√
√ 3 π Absolute Maximum: 4 3√− 8
c) 3 sec x−2 = 0 =⇒ cos x = =⇒ x = ± Absolute Minimum: −4/ 3
2 6

MATH 31.1/31.2 Mathematical Analysis I 17 2nd Semester 2019-2020 (R. Eden)