The Derivative at a Point
In section 11.2, we introduced the idea of the instantaneous rate of change of a function. This idea is critical to understanding how a quantity is changing with respect to another. The instantaneous rate of change of a function f (x) with respect to x at is also called the derivative of f (x) at x = a.
The derivative of f (x) at x = a is defined as
provided the limit exists. The symbol f ′(a), is read “f prime of a”.
In this section we’ll look at the derivative of a function from a geometric viewpoint by examining slopes of secant lines and how they can be used to find the slope of a tangent line. We will also find the derivative of a function at a point. This is essentially the same process we used to calculate the instantaneous rate of change of a function given by a formula at a point.
Once we have looked at the idea of a derivative geometrically and have taken the derivative of several functions, we will explore what a derivative of a function tells us for several business functions.
Read in Section 11.3
- What is a derivative?
- Handout: Secant Line Versus Tangent Line
- How do you compute the derivative at a point using a limit?
- How can you use a tangent line to forecast function values?
- What does the derivative at a point tell you about a function?
Section 11.3 Workbook (PDF) – 9/4/19
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