3.

2 The Derivative as a Function

1
Discussion 3.2.1. Let f (x) = − x2 − 1.
8
Consider finding f ′ (a), the derivative of f at a, for the values of a in the table below.

a −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4

f ′ (a)

Complete the table using the interactive Desmos graph in the page Derivative Function
under Remedial Material on Canvas.

We will regularly use alternative notation for the derivative, suggested by the limit defi-
nition of the derivative. Recall the average rate of change of f over [a, b] compares (the
corresponding change in f ) ∆f = f (b) − f (a) to (the change in x) ∆x = b − a.

[a,b] ∆f
fav =
∆x
We find the derivative by allowing ∆x → 0 in a particular way. As the average rate of
change uses the Greek letter ∆, this suggests the English letter d for the instantaneous
rate of change.
df
f ′ (x) =
dx
We may loosely interpret df as the infinitesimal change in f corresponding to dx, the
infinitesimal change in x.
df
Definition 3.2.1. Leibniz notation for the derivative function f ′ (x) reminds us that
dx
∆f
the derivative is the limit of as ∆x → 0. We often write “the derivative with respect
∆x
d d
to x” as , such as f (x) means “the derivative of f (x) with respect to x”.
dx dx

61
 df f (a + h) − f (a)
or f ′ (a) = lim
dx x=a x→0 h

Without the graph of f and the equations of its tangent lines, it would be tedious to
calculate the derivative at each point a in the table using the limit definition of the
derivative, as partially completed below.

f (−4 + h) − f (−4) f (−2 + h) − f (−2)

f ′ (−4) = lim f ′ (−2) = lim
h→0 h h→0 h

− 1 (−4 + h)2 − 1 − (−3) − 1 (−2 + h)2 − 1 − − 3

= lim 8 = lim 8 2
h→0 h h→0 h

− 18 h2 + h − 81 h2 + 12 h
= lim = lim
h→0 h h→0 h
 1   1 1 1
= lim − h+1 =1 = lim − h+ =
h→0 8 h→0 8 2 2

f (4 + h) − f (4) f (2 + h) − f (2)
f ′ (4) = lim f ′ (2) = lim
h→0 h h→0 h

− 1 (4 + h)2 − 1 − (−3) − 1 (2 + h)2 − 1 − − 3

= lim 8 = lim 8 2
h→0 h h→0 h

− 81 h2 − h − 81 h2 − 12 h
= lim = lim
h→0 h h→0 h
 1   1 1 1
= lim − h − 1 = −1 = lim − h− =−
h→0 8 h→0 8 2 2

Notice that every derivative evaluated above essentially involves the same algebraic steps,
so it should be plausible to evaluate the derivative of f at an arbitrary point x = a.
f (x + h) − f (x)
f ′ (x) = lim
h→0 h
− 18 (x + h)2 − 1 − − 18 x2 − 1


= lim
h→0 h
1 1 2
− xh − 8 h  1 1  1
= lim 4 = lim − x − h = − x
h→0 h h→0 4 8 4

62
Definition 3.2.2. The derivative function of f is the function f ′ given by the limit,
wherever it exists,

df f (x + h) − f (x)
or f ′ (x) = lim
dx h→0 h

Problem 3.2.1. Let L(t) equal the average length (in mm) of the middle talon on an
dL
Indian spotted owlet that is t weeks old. Interpret = 1.8, including units.
dt t=2

Problem 3.2.2. Let f (x) = −x2 + 3x. Find f ′ using the limit definition of the derivative.
List the interval(s) where f is differentiable

x
Problem 3.2.3. Let f (x) = . Find f ′ using the limit definition of the derivative.
x+1
List the interval(s) where f is differentiable

63
Discussion 3.2.2. Given the graph of f , consider how to sketch the graph of the derivative
function f ′ . Some tips:

The derivative does not exist at x = −3 and at x = −1 because the one-sided limits for
the derivative exist but do not agree.

For example, y = f (x) is the line y = −2x − 6 immediately left of x = −3.

f (−3 + h) − f (−3) −2(−3 + h) − 6 − (0)

lim− = lim− = −2
h→0 h h→0 h
And y = f (x) is the line y = 2x + 6 immediately right of x = −3.

f (−3 + h) − f (−3) 2(−3 + h) + 6 − (0)

lim+ = lim− =2
h→0 h h→0 h

The derivative exists at x = −4 and at x = 3 in only the sense of one-sided derivatives.

The derivative is constant over the intervals where it is a line: [−4, −3), (−3, −1), and
(−1, 3].

64
Problem 3.4.. Given the graph of f , sketch the derivative function f ′ . List the interval(s)
where f is differentiable.

Interval(s) where differentiable:

Problem 3.5. Given the graph of f , sketch the derivative function f ′ . List the interval(s)
where f is differentiable.

Interval(s) where differentiable:

65