Understanding Differentiability of f at x = 0

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the differentiability of the function f at x = 0, specifically addressing the conditions under which f' can be discontinuous. It is established that while f can be everywhere differentiable, f' may still exhibit discontinuities, such as a jump discontinuity. The provided piecewise function f' is defined as x for x > 0, x^2 for x < 0, and 7 at x = 0. The analysis concludes that f is not differentiable at x = 0 because the limit of f' as x approaches 0 from both sides does not equal f'(0). To make f differentiable at x = 0, one proposed solution is redefining f' to be 0 at x = 0, which would satisfy the necessary conditions for differentiability.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of piecewise functions
  • Knowledge of limits and continuity
  • Familiarity with the concept of differentiability
  • Basic calculus concepts, including derivatives
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of piecewise functions in calculus
  • Learn about jump discontinuities and their implications on differentiability
  • Explore the Intermediate Value Theorem and its relevance to derivatives
  • Investigate methods for redefining functions to achieve differentiability
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Students and educators in calculus, mathematicians analyzing differentiability, and anyone interested in understanding the nuances of continuity and limits in mathematical functions.

Miike012
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The paragraph says, " Even if the function f is an everywhere differentiable function, it is still possible for f ' to be discountinuous. However, the graph of f ' can never exhibit a discountinuity of ..." picture is in paint document...

What type of discountinuity is that? a hole discountinuity?

second Question: Is my understanding correct? This is my explanation why f is not differentiable at some x value.

Given
f ' (x) =
x , x>0
x^2 x<0
7 , x = 0.

Therefore, the graph of the differnetiable function should have a similar discontinuity as the one shown in the paint document. (Determining the limit)
lim f ' (x) as x → 0- = lim f ' (x) as x → 0+ = 0 however because lim Δx → 0 [ f(0 + Δx) - f(0) ]/Δx is equal to f ' (0) = 7 ≠ 0, therefore the function f non differentiable at x = 0 because inorder for f to be diff at 0, f'(0) must equal 0

Is my understanding why f is not differentiable at x = 0 correct?

Next, If I wanted to make f differentiable at x could I do this by defining one of two functions...

f ' (x) =
x , x>0
x^2 x<0
0 , x = 0.

OR
f ' (x) =
x , x>0
x^2 x<0

Would this work to make f diff at x = 0?
 

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The answer to your last question is yes for the first function. The second function is not defined in 0.
 
Last edited:
While the derivative of a function is not necessarily continuous, it must have the "intermediate value propert"- if f'(x0)= a and f'(x1)= then, between x0 and x1, f' must take on all values between a and b. From that, it follows that a derivative cannot have a "jump" discontinuity (the left and right limits exist but are different).
 

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