2.

1 AB Calculus Notes: Average and Instantaneous Rate of Change

Average Rate of Change Instantaneous Rate of Change

Slope of a secant line (touches curve at 2 Slope of a tangent line (touches curve at one
points) point)

Uses Algebra Uses Limits (calculus)

𝑦2−𝑦1 𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥)−𝑓(𝑐)
=
𝑓(𝑏)−𝑓(𝑎)
=
∆𝑦 lim ℎ
or lim 𝑥−𝑐
𝑥2−𝑥1 𝑏−𝑎 ∆𝑥 ℎ→0 𝑥→𝑐

Also called a “derivative”

2.2-2.3 AB Calculus Notes: Notations and Definitions of Derivatives

Calculus Derivative Notations

Function Newton Notation Leibniz Notation

𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓'(𝑥) 𝑑
𝑑𝑥
𝑓(𝑥)

𝑦 𝑦' 𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥

A derivative is a slope.

Given the following graph:

 ∆𝑦 𝑦2−𝑦1 𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
We can see that slope 𝑚 = ∆𝑥
= 𝑥2−𝑥1
= 𝑥+ℎ−𝑥
= ℎ
. This is the slope between
two points (i.e. slope of the secant line or average rate of change from x to x+h).

We want to find the instantaneous rate of change. To do that we need to move the two points
together. When the two points meet, we will have one intersection point (i.e. a tangent line).
This can be accomplished by taking the limit as h approaches 0.

𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
Therefore a derivative can be defined as lim ℎ
. This will give you the slope of the
ℎ→0
𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
tangent at any point x on the function f(x). So we can say that lim ℎ
= 𝑓'(𝑥).
ℎ→0
This is a general derivative that can be applied to any value of x on the function f(x). We can
also calculate derivatives at a point by replacing the x with a specific value for which we want a
𝑓(4+ℎ)−𝑓(4)
derivative. For example to find 𝑓'(4), we can use the limit lim ℎ
. An alternate method
ℎ→0
𝑓(𝑥)−𝑓(𝑐)
for calculating a derivative at a point is to use this limit. lim 𝑥−𝑐
. So if you wanted to find
𝑥→𝑐
𝑓(𝑥)−𝑓(2)
𝑓'(2), you would use lim 𝑥−2
.
𝑥→2

Using your Calculator to find derivatives at a point:

On the Ti-84, you can find derivatives two different ways:
𝑑
1.​ Press [MATH], Press[8]. You will see this: 𝑑⬚
(⬚)|□=⬚, fill in the boxes to find the
derivative.
 2 𝑑 2
a.​ Example: Find the derivative of 𝑥 + 2𝑥, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 3. 𝑑𝑥
(𝑥 + 2𝑥)|𝑥=3 and your
calculator will output 8.
2.​ Graph the function using “Y=”. Press [2nd], then [TRACE], then [6], then enter the value
of x for which you would like to find a derivative.

***Note: Your calculator does not actually know how to calculate a derivative by taking a limit. It
𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥−ℎ)
just plugs in really small values of h into this limit equation lim 2ℎ
. Because of this
ℎ→0
your calculator will make mistakes from time to time. Usually these mistakes are unnecessary
decimal places such as 8.000000641 instead of 8. But it also means that it will sometimes
come up with a value for a derivative when there is no derivative at that point.

𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
Using lim ℎ
to find a derivative.
ℎ→0

2
Example 1: 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 .
2
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
2
𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) = (𝑥 + ℎ)
2 2 2 2 2 2
𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥) (𝑥+ℎ) −𝑥 𝑥 +2𝑥ℎ+ℎ −𝑥 2𝑥ℎ+ℎ ℎ(2𝑥+ℎ)
lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
= lim 2𝑥 + ℎ
ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0
= 2𝑥 + 0 = 2𝑥

Example 2: 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑥

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) = 𝑥 + ℎ
𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥+ℎ− 𝑥 𝑥+ℎ− 𝑥 ( 𝑥+ℎ+ 𝑥) 𝑥+ℎ−𝑥 ℎ
lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
· = lim = lim
( 𝑥+ℎ+ 𝑥) ℎ( 𝑥+ℎ+ 𝑥) ℎ( 𝑥+ℎ+ 𝑥)
ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0
1 1 1
= lim = =
( 𝑥+ℎ+ 𝑥) ( 𝑥+0+ 𝑥) 2 𝑥
ℎ→0

1
Example 3: 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑥
1
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
1
𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) = 𝑥+ℎ
1 1 1(𝑥) 1(𝑥+ℎ) 𝑥−(𝑥+ℎ) −ℎ
𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥+ℎ
−𝑥 𝑥(𝑥+ℎ)
− 𝑥(𝑥+ℎ) 𝑥(𝑥+ℎ) 𝑥(𝑥+ℎ) −ℎ 1
lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
= lim 𝑥(𝑥+ℎ)
· ℎ
ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0 ℎ→0
−1 −1 −1
= lim 𝑥(𝑥+ℎ)
= 𝑥(𝑥+0)
= 2
ℎ→0 𝑥

How to write the equation of a tangent line:

 1.​ To write the equation of a tangent line, use the slope intercept or point-slope form of an
equation.
a.​ 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
b.​ 𝑦 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1) + 𝑦1
2.​ I recommend using point slope since most of the time you will be given the point and
slope.
2
3.​ Example: Write the equation of the line tangent to 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 3.
2
a.​ To find the point, plug in 3 for x. 𝑦 = 3 = 9
i.​ The point is 3,9
2
b.​ Next, find the slope. We know that the derivative of 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 2𝑥 (see Example 1
above). Plug in 3 to find the slope at 3. 2(3)=6
i.​ The slope is 6.
c.​ Now we can plug into the point-slope equation
i.​ 𝑦 = 6(𝑥 − 3) + 9
ii.​ 𝑦 = 6𝑥 − 18 + 9
iii.​ 𝑦 = 6𝑥 − 9, 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒.
2.4 BC Calculus Notes: Points that are NOT Differentiable

A function is differentiable if the following is true:

1.​ The function is continuous
𝑓(𝑐+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑐) 𝑓(𝑐+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑐)
2.​ lim ℎ
= lim ℎ
(i.e. the slope from the left and right are equal)
− +
ℎ→0 ℎ→0

Functions can have points that are not differentiable for 4 different reasons:
1.​ Discontinuity: If a function is discontinuous at a point, then it cannot be differentiated at
that point.

a.​
b.​ This function is not differentiable at x=3.
2.​ The slope of the tangent line is vertical.
 a.​
b.​ This function is not differentiable at x=c because the tangent line is vertical.
c.​ If a tangent is vertical then the slope is undefined, since a derivative is the same
thing as the slope of the tangent, the derivative is also undefined (i.e. not
differentiable)
3.​ The graph has a cusp or corner

a.​
b.​ A cusp (as seen above on the left) is a point where the slope from the left and
right are not the same. In this case from the left the slope approaches negative
𝑓(0+ℎ)−𝑓(0)
infinity as we approach zero from the left (i.e. lim ℎ
=− ∞) while the
−
ℎ→0
𝑓(0+ℎ)−𝑓(0)
slope from the right is approaching positive infinity (i.e. lim ℎ
= ∞).
+
ℎ→0
c.​ A corner (as seen above on the right) also has a point where the slope from the
left and right are not equal.
d.​ Note: You don’t have to be able to distinguish between a cusp and a corner.

Complete Differentiation Worksheet

When you are trying to solve a piecewise function (Note this can only be done after learning
2.5-3.6)
2
5𝑥 +2, 𝑥<2
Example 1: 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑓'(2) 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑓(𝑥) = { 22𝑐𝑜𝑠(π𝑥), 𝑥≥2
1.​ Is it continuous at x=2?
2
a.​ lim 5𝑥 + 2 = 5(4) + 2 = 22
−
𝑥→2
 b.​ lim 22𝑐𝑜𝑠(π · 2) = 22 · 1 = 22
+
𝑥→2
c.​ Yes it is continuous because the limits from the left and right are equal.
2.​ Is it differentiable?
𝑑 2
a.​ 𝑑𝑥
5𝑥 + 2|𝑥=2 = 10𝑥|𝑥=2 = 20
𝑑
b.​ 𝑑𝑥
22𝑐𝑜𝑠(π𝑥)|𝑥=2 =− 22π𝑠𝑖𝑛(π𝑥)|𝑥=2 =− 22π𝑠𝑖𝑛(2π) = 0
c.​ No, it is not differentiable because the derivatives from the left and right
are not equal.
3𝑥+2, 𝑥<1
Example 2: 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑓'(1) 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑓(𝑥) = { 3𝑙𝑛 𝑥, 𝑥≥1
1.​ Is it continuous?
a.​ lim 3𝑥 + 2 = 5
−
𝑥→1
b.​ lim 3𝑙𝑛 𝑥 = 3𝑙𝑛 (1) = 3 · 0 = 0
+
𝑥→1
c.​ Not continuous, which means not differentiable.
2
𝑥 +𝑥+2, 𝑥<0
Example 3: 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑓'(0), 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 f(𝑥) = { 𝑥
𝑒 +1, 𝑥≥0
1.​ Is it continuous?
2
a.​ lim 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2 = 2
−
𝑥→0
𝑥
b.​ lim 𝑒 + 1 = 2
+
𝑥→0
c.​ Yes it is continuous
2.​ Is it differentiable?
𝑑 2
a.​ 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 + 𝑥 + 2|𝑥=0 = 2𝑥 + 1|𝑥=0 = 1
𝑑 𝑥 𝑥 0
b.​ 𝑑𝑥
𝑒 + 1|𝑥=0 = 𝑒 |𝑥=0 = 𝑒 = 1
c.​ Yes it is differentiable.
BC Calculus Unit 2 Summary (2.5-2.10): Rules and Memorized Derivatives
Memorized Derivatives

Function Derivative

𝑥 1
1
𝑥 (see power rule)
2 𝑥

1 −1
𝑥 2 (see power rule)
𝑥

𝑥 𝑥
𝑒 𝑒

𝑙𝑛 𝑥 1
𝑥
, 𝑥>0
 𝑥 𝑥
2 2 𝑙𝑛 2
𝑥 𝑥
𝑎 , where a is a constant 𝑎 𝑙𝑛 𝑎

𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥

𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥

𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 2
𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥

𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝑥 2
− 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝑥

𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥

𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑠𝑐 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝑥

Rules for taking derivatives
Name Function Derivative

Power rule 𝑥
𝑛
𝑛𝑥
𝑛−1

Constant Rule 𝑐 0

Constant Multiple Rule 𝑐 · 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑐 · 𝑓'(𝑥)

Sum/Difference Rule 𝑓(𝑥) ± 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑓'(𝑥) ± 𝑔'(𝑥)

Product Rule 𝑓(𝑥) · 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑥) · 𝑓'(𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑥) · 𝑔'(𝑥)

Quotient Rule 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑥)·𝑓'(𝑥)−𝑓(𝑥)·𝑔'(𝑥)

2
𝑔(𝑥) [𝑔(𝑥)]

Exponential Rule 𝑐
𝑥 𝑥
𝑐 𝑙𝑛 𝑐

𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (𝑥+ℎ) −𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑑

Note: lim ℎ
= 𝑓'(𝑥) So, lim ℎ
= 𝑑𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
ℎ→0 ℎ→0
𝑓(𝑥)−𝑓(𝑐) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 3 𝑑
Also: lim 𝑥−𝑐
= 𝑓'(𝑐) So, lim 𝑥−3
= 𝑑𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥|𝑥=3 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥|𝑥=3 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 3
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→3