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A derivative is a special kind of limit. The derivative at x a of some function is the
limit as h approaches 0 of the average slope of the function over the interval
a,(a h) . A derivative function is simply these limits as a function of some
reference variable (such as x if the derivative is taken with respect to x). For
example, the derivative of the function 4 x
3
at x 3 is:
h 0
lim
4(3 h)
3
4(3)
3
(3 h ) 3
h 0
lim
4(3 h)
3
108
h
h 0
lim
4(h
3
15 h
2
27 h 27 ) 108
h
h 0
lim
4 h
3
60 h
2
108 h
h
h 0
lim 4 h
2
60 h 108 108
, but using the same process to find the derivative as a function of x of f(x) = 4x3 by
not plugging in 3 for x, we get 12x2, and then can plug in 3 for x and get the same
answer, 108.
This result was achieved by simply using the definition of the derivative at a point
and then cancelling the h in the denominator so we can directly take the limit by
plugging in 0 for the remaining h’s.
The derivatives of many functions can be derived using the basic definition of a
derivative, shown in the picture below.
In the
picture to
the right,
df/dx
represents
the derivative
of f(x) with
respect to x.
Some types of functions cannot be differentiated through sole use of the definition of
the derivative. Sometimes other means are required. Differentiation is the process
of taking derivatives.

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Intro to derivatives

  • 1. A derivative is a special kind of limit. The derivative at x a of some function is the limit as h approaches 0 of the average slope of the function over the interval a,(a h) . A derivative function is simply these limits as a function of some reference variable (such as x if the derivative is taken with respect to x). For example, the derivative of the function 4 x 3 at x 3 is: h 0 lim 4(3 h) 3 4(3) 3 (3 h ) 3 h 0 lim 4(3 h) 3 108 h h 0 lim 4(h 3 15 h 2 27 h 27 ) 108 h h 0 lim 4 h 3 60 h 2 108 h h h 0 lim 4 h 2 60 h 108 108 , but using the same process to find the derivative as a function of x of f(x) = 4x3 by not plugging in 3 for x, we get 12x2, and then can plug in 3 for x and get the same answer, 108. This result was achieved by simply using the definition of the derivative at a point and then cancelling the h in the denominator so we can directly take the limit by plugging in 0 for the remaining h’s.
  • 2. The derivatives of many functions can be derived using the basic definition of a derivative, shown in the picture below. In the picture to the right, df/dx represents the derivative of f(x) with respect to x. Some types of functions cannot be differentiated through sole use of the definition of the derivative. Sometimes other means are required. Differentiation is the process of taking derivatives.