3.
2 The Derivative as a Function 1
Chapter 3. Derivatives
3.2. The Derivative as a Function
Note. In Section 3.1 we defined the derivative of a function f at a point x0 ,
f 0 (x0 ). In this section we define the derivative as a function itself and compute the
derivatives of several functions. We still use limits to compute derivatives, but will
speed up the process starting in the next section in which we state some rules of
differentiation.
Definition. Derivative Function.
The derivative of the function f (x) with respect to the variable x is the function
f 0 whose value at x is
f (x + h) − f (x)
f 0 (x) = lim ,
h→0 h
provided the limit exists. Function f is differentiable at each value for which f 0
exists.
Note. Motivated by Sections 2.1 and 3.1, we see that f 0 (x) is the slope of the line
tangent to y = f (x) as a function of x. There are a number of ways to denote the
derivative of y = f (x):
df dy d
f 0 (x) = y 0 = = = [f ].
dx dx dx
3.2 The Derivative as a Function 2
Examples. Exercise 3.2.10 and Example 3.2.3.
Note. From the graph of y = f 0 (x) we can see:
1. where the rate of change of f is positive, negative, or zero;
2. the rough size of the growth rate of f at any x;
3. where the rate of change itself is increasing or decreasing.
Examples. Exercise 3.2.14, Exercise 3.2.24, and Exercise 3.2.30.
Definition. A function f is differentiable on an open interval if f 0 (x) is defined for
each x in the open interval. Function f is differentiable on a closed interval [a, b] if
it is differentiable on the interval (a, b) and if the limits:
f (a + h) − f (a)
Right-hand derivative at a : lim+
h→0 h
f (b + h) − f (b)
Left-hand derivative at b : lim−
h→0 h
exist at the endpoints a and b.
Example. Exercise 3.2.44.
3.2 The Derivative as a Function 3
Note. There are a number of reasons as to why a function might not have a
derivative at a point. Some of these reasons are illustrated here:
Theorem 3.1. Differentiability Implies Continuity
If f has a derivative at x = c, then f is continuous at x = c.
3.2 The Derivative as a Function 4
Note. The converse of Theorem 3.1 does not hold. That is, a function can be
continuous at a point and yet not differentiable. It is shown in Example 3.2.4
that the continuous function f (x) = |x| is not differentiable at 0. In fact there is
a continuous function that isn’t differentiable anywhere. In Exercise 3.2.64 it is
∞ n
X 2
claimed that the Weierstrass function f (x) = cos(9n πx) is continuous for
n=0
3
all x ∈ R but the derivative doesn’t exist for any x ∈ R. (The function is presented
as an infinite “series,” a topic that is explored in Calculus 2.)
Note. Karl Wilhelm Weierstrass (October 31, 1815-February 19, 1897), sometimes
called the “father of modern analysis,” did research in some of the topics covered in
our Analysis 1 (MATH 4217/5217) and Analysis 2 (MATH 4227/5227) classes, but
is also remembered as a influential math instructor. From 1856 to 1890 he taught
at the University of Berlin. In his lectures, he sought to place calculus and analysis
on a rigorous foundation. He taught classes on introduction to analysis, integral
calculus, and the general theory of analytic functions, and made contributions to the
calculus of variations. In 1872 he discovered the continuous no-where-differentiable
function mentioned in Exercise 3.2.64.
3.2 The Derivative as a Function 5
These comments are based on the Weierstrass biographies on Wikipedia and the
MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive. The image above is from the MacTutor
History of Mathematics Archive.
Examples. Exercise 3.2.50 and Exercise 3.2.56.
Revised: 7/26/2020
