Derivatives,First Principle andEquation of a Tangent to a Curve

In summary, the conversation discusses the first principle definition of the derivative and various rules for finding derivatives. The conversation also includes examples of using these rules to find the derivatives of different functions.
  • #1
the_morbidus
18
0

Homework Statement


ok so this is going to be divided into 2 parts, 1st is related to First Principle to obtain the derivative,the 2nd part is about obtaining equations of the tangent.

I'd like to apologize for not being able to write the equations and my work neatly as other threads seem to have, new at this.

Homework Equations


First Principle Definition of the Derivative
lim h[tex]\rightarrow[/tex]0 f(a+h)-f(a)/h

The Power Rule
f(x)=x^n,n is any real number, then f'(x)=nx^n-1

The Constant Rule
f(x)=c, c is any real number, then f'(x)=0

The Constant Multiple Rule
f(x)=cg(x),c is any real number, then f'(x)=cg'(x)

The Sum Rule
F(x)=f(x)+g(x) then F'(x)=f'(x)+g'(x)

The Difference Rule
F(x)=f(x)-g(x) then F'(x)=f'(x)-g'(x)

The Product Rule
F(x)=f(x)g(x) then F'(x)=f(x)g'(x)+f'(x)g(x)

The Chain Rule for Polynomials
F(x)=(f(x))^n , then F'(x)=nf'(x)f(x)^n-1

The Attempt at a Solution



Calculate the derivative of the following functions using the first principle definition of the derivative.

a) (well this was my 2nd attempt at solving it, i know it isn't right, also i think i screwed up expanding it due to exponential rules, i forgot what i learned for grade 12 advanced functions a few months ago...hahaha i suck, btw I am a 26 yo guy redoing grade 12 courses to attempt to go to University for Physics)

f(x)=x^2 - 2x + 1

f'(x)= lim h->0 ((x+h)^2 -2(x+h)+1)-(x^2 -2x+1)/h x ((x+h)^2 -2(x+h)+1)+(x^2 -2x+1)/ ((x+h)^2 -2(x+h)+1)+(x^2 -2x+1)
= ((x+h)^2 -2(x+h)+1)^2 -(x^2 -2x+1)^2 / h((x+h)^2 -2(x+h)+1)
= ((x^2 +2xh+h^2)-2x-2h-1)^2 -x^4 -4x^2 -1 / h((x+h)^2 -2(x+h)+1)
= x^4 +4x^2 h^2 +h^4 +4x^2 +4h^2 +1 -x^4 +4x^2 -1 / h(x^2 +2xh +h^2 -2x -2h +1)
= h^4 +4x^2 h^2 +4h^2 / h(x^2 +2xh +h^2 -2x -2h +1)
= h(h^3 +4x^2h +4h) / h(x^2 +2xh+h^2 -2x-2h+1)
= h^3+4x^2 h +4h / x^2 +2xh+h^2 -2x-2h+1
= h+2x-2h / x^2 -2x+1
= -h-1 / x^2 +1
= lim h->0 -(0)-1/ x^2 +1
= -1/x^2+1

b)
f(x)=x^3 -3x^2
f'(x)= lim h->0 ((x+h)^3 -3(x+h)^2)-(x^3 -3x^2) / h x ((x+h)^3 -3(x+h)^2) +(x^3 -3x^2) / ((x+h)^3 -3(x+h)^2)+(x^3 -3x^2)
= ((x+h)^3 -3(x+h)^2)^2 -(x^3 -3x^2)^2 / h((x+h)^3 -3(x+h)^2)+(x^2 -3x^2)
= ((x^3 +3x^2 h +3xh^2 +h^3) -3(x^2 +2xh+h^2))^2 -(x^5 -9x^4) / h((x^3 +3x^2 h +3xh^2 +h^3) -3(x2+2xh+h^2))
=(x^3 +3x^2 h +3xh^2 +h^3 -3x^2 -6xh-3h^2)^2 -x^5 +9x^4 / h((x^3 +3x^2 h +3xh^2 +h^3) -3x^2 -6xh -3h^2)
=x^5 +9x^4 h^2 +9x^2 h^4 +h^5 -9x^4 -36x^2 h^2 -9h^4 -x^5 +9x^4 / h(x^3 +3x^2 h +3xh^2 + h^3 -3x^2 -6xh-3h^2)
= h(9x^4 h^2 +9x^2 h^3 +h^4 -36x^2 h -9h^3) / h(x^3 +3x^2 h +3xh^2 +h^3 -3x^2 -6xh -3h^2)
= 9x^4 h +9x^2 h^3 +h^4 -36x^2 h -9h^3 / x^3 +3x^2 h +3xh^2 +h^3 -3x^2 -6xh-3h^2
= h+3h +3x^2 +3xh+6x / x^3-3x^2
= h+3h-1+3xh+6x / x^3
= Lim h->0 0-3(0)-1+3x(0)+6x / x^3
= -1+6x / x^3

c)
f(x)= [tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex]
f'(x)= lim h->0 [tex]\sqrt{2x+h}[/tex] - [tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex] / h x [tex]\sqrt{2x+h}[/tex] + [tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex] / [tex]\sqrt{2x+h}[/tex] + [tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex]
= ( [tex]\sqrt{2x+h}[/tex] )^2 -( [tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex] )^2 / h( [tex]\sqrt{2x+h}[/tex] + [tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex] )
= 2x+h-2x / h( [tex]\sqrt{2x+h}[/tex] + [tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex] )
= h / h( [tex]\sqrt{2x+h}[/tex] + [tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex] )
= 1/ [tex]\sqrt{2x+h}[/tex] + [tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex] )
= lim h->0 1/ [tex]\sqrt{2x+0}[/tex] + [tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex]
= 1/ 2[tex]\sqrt{2x}[/tex]

d)
f(x)= 4/x+1
f'(x)= lim h->0 (4/x+h+1 - 4/x+1 )/ h
= (4(x+h+1)-4(x+1) / (x+h+1)(x+1) )/ h
= 4x+4h+4-4x-4 / h(x+h+1)(x+1)
= 4/ (x+h+1)(x+1)
= lim h->0 4 / (x+0+1)(x+1)
= 4/ (x+1)^2


Find the points on the curve y=2/3x-2 where the tangent is parallel to the line y= -3/2 x -1 .

y=mx+b

m= -3/2

y= 2/ 3x-2
y= 2(3x-2) ^-1
y'=2(1/3x^-1)-1/2
y'=2/3x^-1 -1
y'=-2/3x^-2

now add m which equals y' to find x value

-3/2 = -2/3x
(-3/2)/(-2/3)=x
x=9/4

now to find y value

y= 2 / 3(9/4) -2
y= 2 / (27/4 - 8/4)
y= 2/ (19/4)
y=8/19

now to find b to know the equation

y=mx+b
8/19 = -3/2 (9/4) +b
8/19 + 27/8 =b
b= 577/152

the equation is y=-3/2x + 577/152 , points are (9/4 , 8/19)



Find the equation of the tangent to y=x^2 -3x -4 that is parallel to the line y=7x+3 .

m=7

y=x^3 -3x-4
y'=3x^2 -3
now to substitute m which equals y' to find x
7=3x^2 -3
10/3=x^2
x= [tex]\sqrt{10/3}[/tex]

now to find y

y= ( [tex]\sqrt{10/3}[/tex] )^3 - 3( [tex]\sqrt{10/3}[/tex] )-4
y=((10/3)^1/2 )^3 - 3(10/3)^1/2 -4
y=(10/3)^3/2 - 3(10/3)^1/2 -4
y= -2(10/3)^2/2 -4
y= -20/3 -4
y= 80/12 - 48/12
y= 32/12
y=8/3

now to find the equation by finally find b

y=mx+b

8/3 = 7( [tex]\sqrt{10/3}[/tex] )+b
8/3 = [tex]\sqrt{49(10/3)}[/tex] +b
8/3 = [tex]\sqrt{490/3}[/tex] +b

so now i stopped here because something just didn't feel right, perhaps i was in the right direction but i just wasn't sure here.
 
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  • #2
f'(x)= lim h->0 ((x+h)^2 -2(x+h)+1)-(x^2 -2x+1)/h x ((x+h)^2 -2(x+h)+1)+(x^2 -2x+1)/ ((x+h)^2 -2(x+h)+1)+(x^2 -2x+1)

I will write this in LaTeX. You can see the code by clicking on the image. You wrote

[tex]f'(x) = \lim_{h \rightarrow 0} \left( \frac{[(x+h)^2-2(x+h)+1] - [x^2-2x+1]}{h} \times \text{something} \right)[/tex]​

I'm not sure what the something is, since I suspect you might be missing some parentheses. Nonetheless, look at the definition of the derivative again and ask yourself whether it should be there or not. The same applies to (b)-(d) as well.
 
  • #3
ah! you re totally right, i have seen the mistake and fixed a) b) and d) , thank you so much for the help!

the other 2 I am just going to go with what i have, it is completely cool, thank you very much again for the help!
 

1. What are derivatives and why are they important?

Derivatives are mathematical tools used to find the rate of change of a function. They are important in many fields of science, especially in physics and engineering, as they allow us to analyze and model real-world phenomena.

2. What is the first principle for finding derivatives?

The first principle, also known as the limit definition of a derivative, is a mathematical formula used to find the derivative of a function at a specific point. It involves taking the limit of the difference quotient as the change in the input approaches zero.

3. How do I find the equation of a tangent to a curve?

To find the equation of a tangent to a curve at a specific point, you can use the derivative of the function at that point. The slope of the tangent is equal to the derivative, and you can use the point-slope formula to find the equation of the line.

4. Can I use the first principle to find the equation of a tangent to a curve?

Yes, you can use the first principle to find the equation of a tangent to a curve. By taking the limit of the difference quotient as the change in the input approaches zero, you can find the slope of the tangent and then use the point-slope formula to find the equation of the line.

5. How are derivatives and tangents related?

Derivatives and tangents are closely related, as the derivative of a function at a specific point gives the slope of the tangent to the curve at that point. This means that by finding the derivative, you can determine the equation of the tangent to the curve at any given point.

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