LIMITS
When finding a limit, we look at what happens to a function value of a curve
(y – value) as we get closer and closer to a specific x – value on the curve.
When writing a limit, we use the notation
The abbreviation ‘lim’ tells us we are finding a limit
The notation ‘ ’ tells us which specific value the x – value is
approaching
f(x) represents the function with which we are working
Exercise 1
1 2
3 4 5
Average Gradient Of a Curve
Exercise 2
1. If f(x) = 2x2, determine the average gradient of f between the points:
1.1) A(1; 2) and B (4; 32)
1.2) R(2; f(2)) and P(3; f(3))
1.3) C(a; f(a)) and D(a + h; f(a + h))
2. If f(x) = 3x2 − 2x − 5, determine the average gradient of f between
the points A(x; f (x)) and B ( x + h; f (x + h)).
Calculating the derivative from first principles
Example 1
Determine 𝑓′(𝑥) if 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 5𝑥 from first principles.
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 5𝑥
𝑓(𝑥+h) = ( 𝑥+h)2 – 5(𝑥+h)
Expand and simplify
𝑓(𝑥+h) − 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 +2hx+ − 5𝑥-5h - ( 𝑥2 − 5𝑥)
= 2hx+ − 5h
Formulae
Substitute 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥) With 2𝑥ℎ + ℎ2 − 5ℎ
We factorise to eliminate ℎ in the denominator
Once simplified, substitute ℎ as 0. The limit sign now disappears!
Exercise 3
Calculate f′(x) from first principles and the gradient of the tangent to f for the
given value of x
1. f (x) = 5x ; x = 3
2. f (x) = x2 − 5x − 3; x = 1
3. f(x) = ; x = −2
Past Exam Questions
Examples
Exercise 4
Ex 9.6 Clever maths page 190
1 g,j
2 b,c,h,i
3 b, h
4 c,d
11
Past Exam Questions
The gradient and equation of a tangent to a curve
A tangent to a curve is a straight line. The equation of a straight line is of the form
y = mx + c. To find the equation of a straight line, we need to know:
• the gradient
• the coordinates of any point on the straight line.
Exercise 5
1. Given that y = f (x) = 2x2 + 3x, determine:
a) The gradient of the tangent to f at point P, where x = −2
b) The value of y at point P.
2. Determine the value of x at the point T on the curve f (x) = 2x2 − 12x + 3
where the gradient is equal to −4.
3. Determine the equation of the tangent to the graph of g(x) = x2 + 5x at the
point B(2; 14).
4. Given that y = . Determine the equation of the tangent to this curve at the
point where x = 2.
5. Determine the coordinates of the point on the graph of
f (x) = x2 + 5x − 3 where the gradient of the curve is 3.
6. Determine the gradient of the normal to the graph of
g(x) = −x2 + x + 12 at the point where x = 3.
7. Determine the coordinates of the points on the curve
f (x) = x3 − 9x2 + 20x − 8 where the tangents to the curve will be parallel
to the line y + 4x − 3 = 0.
8. a) Find the equations of the tangents to the parabola f (x) = x2 − 2x − 3 at
the points where x = 0 and x = 2.
b) These tangents intersect at T. Calculate the coordinates of T
The Cubic Graphs
Sketching a cubic
We will need:
If A increasing graph
If a < 0 A decreasing graph
• :
when x = 0
• Factorise the f(x)
when y = 0
• Turning point : Determine the first derivative = 0
Concavity: Determine the second derivative
Point of inflection: Determine the second derivative = 0
Draw the sketch of :
Exercise 6
Sketch the graph of the following curves. Clearly show any:
i) intercepts on the axes
ii) stationary points
iii) points of inflection.
1. Sketch the graph of f (x) = x3 − 3x2 .
2. y = −x3 + x 2 + 5x + 3.
f(x) = x3 − 9x2 + 27x – 35
3. y = (x + 2)3 −1.
4. Sketch the graph of g(x) = −x3 + 3x 2 − 9x.
Sketcking A On Given Data
Interpretation of cubic graphs
Exercise 9.11
5. Consider the graph of f(x)= - x3 + 4x2 + ax – 28.The coordinate of A is (-4;0)
4.1 Find the value of a
4.2 Find the coordinate of B and C
4.3 Find the coordinate of D and E, the turning points of f(x)
4.4 Find the equation of the tangent at x= 3
4.5 For which values of x is f(x) concave up ?
4.6 For which values of c will f(x) = c have only one real root?
4.7 For which values of c will f(x) = c have two or more real roots?
4.8 5.6 For which values of k will – x3+4x2+25x+40+k have only one real root
Deriving the equation of a cubic function from the graph
Concavity
Concave down :
Us ing the second derivative: Using the second
Concave up:
derivative:
MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM PROBLEMS
1. In a min/max problem we are usually asked to derive an expression of a
quantity to minimize or maximize.
2. To derive this expression we follow the following steps:
- Write down a general expression for the quantity to be
maximized or minimized e.g. Area, Volume, Surface Area, Prices etc.
- If the expression contains two variables e.g. x and y, additional information
will be provided to convert the one variable in terms of the other i.e. convert all
the y’s in terms of x.
- The expression only contains one variable at this stage.
3. We are then asked to solve for the unknown which will give us the
maximum or minimum.
4. Sometimes we are asked to determine the maximum or minimum value of
the quantity, which is achieved by substituting the variable into the expression
of the quantity.
Clever Maths page 224
Exercise 9.14
4,5,7
Exercise 9.15
3,7,10
Ex 9.16 page 234
1,2,4,6
