Where are the one-sided derivatives of f(x) equal?

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  • Thread starter karush
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In summary, the one-sided derivatives of a function must exist and be equal at a point for the derivative to exist at that point. For the function given, the one-sided derivatives at x=4 are -1 and 1, showing that the function is not differentiable at that point. The function is also discontinuous at x=5.
  • #1
karush
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MHB
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$\tiny{s8.2.2.62} $
$f'(a)$ exists iff these one-sided derivatives exist and are equal.
(a) Find ${f'}_-(4)$ and ${f'}_+(4)$ for the function
$$f(x)=\begin{cases}
0 &if\quad x\le 0\\
5-x &if\quad 0<x<4\\
\dfrac{1}{5-x} &if\quad x\ge 4
\end{cases}$$
(b) Sketch the graph of $f$.
Untitled3_20200823170117.png

(c) Where is f discontinuous?
$x=5$
(d) Where is f not differentiable?
(4,1) cornerok where does the one sided derivative fit into this
c
also was going to try a tikx on this but have never done cases
this one was done in demos and modified in ibispaint took an hour

anyway typos, comments, etc 😎
 
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  • #2
karush said:
ok where does the one sided derivative fit into this
It occurs at the point where $x=4$. The reason that there is a "corner" at that point is that the derivative on the left is $-1$ and the derivative on the right is $+1$.
 
  • #3
Strictly speaking what you should do is calculate $\lim_{x\to 4^-}\frac{f(x)- 1}{x- 4}= \lim_{x\to 4}\frac{5- x- 1}{x- 4}= -1$ and $\lim_{x\to 4^+}\frac{f(x)- 1}{x- 4}= \lim_{x\to 4}\frac{\frac{1}{5- x}- 1}{x- 4}= \lim_{x\to 4}\frac{\frac{x- 4}{5- x}}{x- 4}= 1$ so, since those two "one-sided" limits are different, the derivative does not exist at x= 4.
Simpler, and probably what Opalg did, is to use the fact that, while a derivative is not necessarily continuous, it does satisfy the "intermediate value property", to argue:

For x between 0 and 4 f(x)=5-x so the derivative there is -1 and has limit, as x goes to 4, of -1. For x larger than 5, $f(x)= \frac{1}{5- x}= (5- x)^{-1}$ so the derivative there is $f'(x)=(-1)(5- x)^{2}(-1)= \frac{1}{(5- x)^2}$ and has limit, as x goes to 4, of 1. The two one-sided limits are not the same so the function is not differentiable at x= 4.
 

1) What is meant by "d/dx" in S8.2.2.62 cases?

"d/dx" is a mathematical notation that represents the derivative of a function with respect to the variable x. It is used to describe the rate of change of a function at a specific point.

2) How is "d/dx" used in S8.2.2.62 cases?

In S8.2.2.62 cases, "d/dx" is used to represent the derivative of a function that is being analyzed. This can help to determine the slope, rate of change, or other properties of the function at a specific point.

3) What is the significance of "d/dx" in S8.2.2.62 cases?

The notation "d/dx" is significant in S8.2.2.62 cases because it allows for the calculation and analysis of the derivative of a function, which can provide valuable information about the behavior of the function.

4) Can "d/dx" be applied to any type of function in S8.2.2.62 cases?

Yes, "d/dx" can be applied to any type of function in S8.2.2.62 cases, as long as the function is differentiable. This means that the function must have a well-defined derivative at the point being analyzed.

5) Are there any other notations that can be used instead of "d/dx" in S8.2.2.62 cases?

Yes, there are other notations that can be used to represent the derivative of a function, such as f'(x) or dy/dx. However, "d/dx" is the most commonly used notation in mathematics and is widely understood among scientists and mathematicians.

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