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

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter karush
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the existence of one-sided derivatives for the piecewise function defined as \( f(x) = \begin{cases} 0 & \text{if } x \leq 0 \\ 5-x & \text{if } 0 < x < 4 \\ \frac{1}{5-x} & \text{if } x \geq 4 \end{cases} \). At \( x=4 \), the left-hand derivative \( f'_{-}(4) = -1 \) and the right-hand derivative \( f'_{+}(4) = 1 \) are not equal, indicating that \( f'(4) \) does not exist. The function is discontinuous at \( x=5 \) and not differentiable at \( x=4 \) due to the corner point.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of piecewise functions
  • Knowledge of limits and derivatives
  • Familiarity with the concept of continuity and differentiability
  • Ability to sketch graphs of functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of piecewise functions and their derivatives
  • Learn about the intermediate value property in calculus
  • Explore the concept of continuity and differentiability in depth
  • Practice calculating one-sided limits and derivatives for various functions
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in calculus, mathematicians analyzing piecewise functions, and anyone seeking to understand the nuances of differentiability and continuity in mathematical analysis.

karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
$\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 😎
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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 $+1$.
 
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.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K