Asking about a general formula for deriving an absolute function

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The discussion focuses on deriving the derivative of the absolute function, specifically d/dx(abs(f(x))). The formula presented is d/dx(abs(f(x))) = f'(x) * sign(f(x)), with the understanding that the derivative does not exist at points where f(x) equals zero. The participants explore the relationship between the absolute function and its derivative, noting that for f(x) = x, the derivative is 1 for x > 0 and -1 for x < 0, while it does not exist at x = 0. The integration of the absolute function is also discussed, with examples provided to illustrate the calculations. Overall, the thread emphasizes the importance of continuity in deriving absolute functions and the implications of discontinuities on derivatives.
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Is there some general formula for deriving an absolut-ed function? Is what I;m doing wrong (a lot of derivation relies on continuous functions, doesn't it?)

IE:
d/dx(abs(sin(x)))

Here's what I got:
abs(x) = x*sign(x)
d/dx(sign(x)) = 0 (x != 0)
therefore
<br /> \frac{d}{dx}abs(f(x)) = \frac{d}{dx}f(x)*sign(f(x)) = f &#039;(x) * sign(f(x)) + 0<br />

Which, by FTC would mean that:
<br /> \int cos(x)*sign(sin(x)) \dx = abs(sin(x))<br />
'I checked this by drawing the graphs and it appears right...

Also... I saw that:
<br /> abs(sin(x)) = sin(x \mod \pi)<br />
<br /> \int x \mod c \dx = (\int_{0}^{c} x \dx)*INT(\frac{x}{c}) + \int_{0}^{x \mod c} x \dx<br />
example:
<br /> \int x \mod 1 \dx = INT(\frac{x}{c}) * .5 + x \mod 1<br />
continuing...
<br /> \int abs(sin(x)) dx = \int sin(x \mod \pi) \dx<br /> = (\int_{0}^{pi} sin(x) dx)*INT(x / \pi) - cos(x \mod \pi)<br /> = 2*INT(\frac{x}{\pi}) - cos(x \mod \pi)<br />
Far as I can tell it works...
 
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Consider f(x) = x. To the right of zero, it's derivative is 1, and to the left, it is -1. The derivative, you can easily show, does not exist at 0. Do this from first principles, where you know the derivative is a limit. To find this limit, calculate the right limit (as your variable, normally h, approaches zero from the right) and notice that the limit evaluates to 1. Notice that it is -1 when h approaches zero from the left. Therefore, since left limit is not equal to right limit, the limit doesn't exist, and so, by definition, the derivative doesn't exist (since the derivative is this very limit).
 
AKG said:
Consider f(x) = x. To the right of zero, it's derivative is 1, and to the left, it is -1. The derivative, you can easily show, does not exist at 0. Do this from first principles, where you know the derivative is a limit. To find this limit, calculate the right limit (as your variable, normally h, approaches zero from the right) and notice that the limit evaluates to 1. Notice that it is -1 when h approaches zero from the left. Therefore, since left limit is not equal to right limit, the limit doesn't exist, and so, by definition, the derivative doesn't exist (since the derivative is this very limit).

Sorry, I completely forgot to add x != 0

d/dx(abs(x)) = sign(x), x != 0
 
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