Graphing the Derivative Function

Derivita HW 7

Learning Objectives

ü Understand that differentiable functions need to be continuous & smooth.

ü Use the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) to sketch the graph of derivative function 𝑦 = 𝑓′(𝑥).

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Differentiable means that the derivative exists. Remember that 𝑓′(𝑎) is the slope of the tangent at )𝑎, 𝑓(𝑎)+.

Example 1: The four cased where the derivative does not exist.

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Example 2: Graphing the Derivative Function

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) Ø If 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) has a horizontal tangent line…

• If 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is decreasing …

v If 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is increasing…

𝑦 = 𝑓 ! (𝑥) = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒

That means that the 𝑦-values on this graph, are the

same numbers as the slopes in the graph up above. Ø … then the derivative 𝑦 = 𝑓′(𝑥) crosses the 𝑥-
axis

• …then derivative 𝑦 = 𝑓′(𝑥) is below the 𝑥-axis

v …then the derivative 𝑦 = 𝑓′(𝑥) is above the 𝑥-

axis

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To be able to sketch the derivative function, we need to be good at estimating slopes.

𝑚 = −2 𝑚 = −1 1 𝑚=0 1 𝑚=1 𝑚=2

𝑚=− 𝑚=
2 2

Example 3: Given the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), sketch the derivative function 𝑦 = 𝑓 ! (𝑥).

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Example 4: Given the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), sketch the derivative function 𝑦 = 𝑓 ! (𝑥).

Example 5: Given the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), sketch the derivative function 𝑦 = 𝑓 ! (𝑥).

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Practice Test Questions

1. Sketch the derivative function for each function graphed.

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2. Given the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), sketch the derivative function 𝑦 = 𝑓 ! (𝑥).

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3. Sketch the derivative function for each function graphed.

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4. Given the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), sketch the derivative function 𝑦 = 𝑓 ! (𝑥).

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5. Given the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), sketch the derivative function 𝑦 = 𝑓 ! (𝑥).

Key Ideas Summarized:

• If a function is differentiable, then it is also continuous.

• If a function is continuous, then it may or may not be differentiable.
• The derivative is undefined at a discontinuities, vertical tangents, endpoints, and corners.
• The derivative is zero at horizontal tangents.
• The derivative is positive when the function is increasing.
• The derivative is negative when the function is decreasing.

Neat Apps to play with:

• GeoGebra: Visualizing the Derivative

• DESMOS: Visualizing the Derivative

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Group Work
1. Use the graph to answer the following

a. At what 𝑥-value is the instantaneous rate of change approximately 1?

b. At what 𝑥-value is the instantaneous rate of change approximately −1?

c. At what 𝑥-value is the instantaneous rate of change approximately zero?

d. For what 𝑥-values is the instantaneous rate of change positive? Answer in interval notation or use inequalities.

e. For what 𝑥-values is the instantaneous rate of change negative? Answer in interval notation or use inequalities.

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2. Match the graph of each function with the graph of its derivative function.

Original Functions

Their Derivatives

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3. Given the graph of the position function 𝑦 = 𝑠(𝑡), sketch the graph of the velocity function 𝑣(𝑡) = 𝑠′(𝑡)

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4. 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥|
a. Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥)

b. For what 𝑥-value is the function not differentiable? Why?

c. Sketch the graph of the derivative function 𝑓 ! (𝑥)

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5. 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥 − 2|
a. Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥)

b. For what 𝑥-value is the function not differentiable? Why?

c. Sketch the graph of the derivative function 𝑓 ! (𝑥)

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 |#|
6. 𝑓(𝑥) =
#
a. Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥). Remember you can always test points and make an 𝑥𝑦-chart.

b. For what 𝑥-value is the function not differentiable? Why?

c. Sketch the graph of the derivative function 𝑓 ! (𝑥)

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7. 𝑓(𝑥) = √1 − 𝑥 $
a. Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥). Hint: this is part of the unit circle.

b. For what 𝑥-value is the function not differentiable? Why?

c. Sketch the graph of the derivative function 𝑓 ! (𝑥)

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8. This problem illustrates that the derivative does not exist at a sharp corner (cusp). It is also full of review !
$
#
"
$
𝑓(𝑥) = 9 𝑥 𝑥<2
𝑥+2 𝑥≥2

a. Verify that 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 2 from the definition.

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim 𝑥 $ =

# →$! # →$

lim 𝑓(𝑥) =
# →$"

∴ lim 𝑓(𝑥) =
# →$

And 𝑓(2) =

b. Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) and visually confirm that 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous at 𝑥 = 2

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c. Use the table to estimate the slope of the tangent line from the left of 𝑥 = 2.

d. Verify part c. by calculating the limit of slopes of secant lines from the left of 𝑥 = 2, so 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 $ .
You may calculate either limit.

𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(2) 𝑥 $ − 2$ 𝑓(2 + ℎ) − 𝑓(2) (2 + ℎ)$ − 2$

lim! = lim lim! = lim
#→$ 𝑥−2 #→$ 𝑥 − 2 '→( ℎ '→( ℎ

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e. What is the slope of the tangent line from the right of 𝑥 = 2?

f. Verify part e. calculating the limit of slopes of secant lines from the right of 𝑥 = 2, so 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2
You may calculate either limit.

𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(2) 𝑓(2 + ℎ) − 𝑓(2)

lim" = lim" =
#→$ 𝑥−2 '→( ℎ

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g. Explain why 𝑓′(2) does not exist.

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