Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
4. Applications of Derivatives
Differentials
Problem 4.7.31
Textbook Question
17–83. Limits Evaluate the following limits. Use l’Hôpital’s Rule when it is convenient and applicable.
lim_u→ π/4 (tan u - cot u) / (u - π/4)

1
Identify the form of the limit as u approaches π/4. Substitute u = π/4 into the expression (tan u - cot u) / (u - π/4) to check if it results in an indeterminate form like 0/0.
Since substituting u = π/4 results in an indeterminate form 0/0, l'Hôpital's Rule is applicable. According to l'Hôpital's Rule, if the limit of f(u)/g(u) as u approaches a value results in 0/0 or ∞/∞, then the limit can be evaluated as the limit of f'(u)/g'(u).
Differentiate the numerator and the denominator separately. The numerator is tan(u) - cot(u). Differentiate tan(u) to get sec^2(u) and differentiate cot(u) to get -csc^2(u).
Differentiate the denominator, which is simply u - π/4. The derivative of u is 1, and the derivative of a constant π/4 is 0.
Apply l'Hôpital's Rule by taking the limit of the new expression: lim_{u→π/4} (sec^2(u) + csc^2(u)) / 1. Evaluate this limit by substituting u = π/4 into the expression.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Limits
Limits are fundamental concepts in calculus that describe the behavior of a function as its input approaches a certain value. They help in understanding the continuity and the value that a function approaches, even if it is not explicitly defined at that point. Evaluating limits is crucial for determining the behavior of functions near points of interest, especially in cases of indeterminate forms.
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L'Hôpital's Rule
L'Hôpital's Rule is a method used to evaluate limits that result in indeterminate forms such as 0/0 or ∞/∞. It states that if the limit of f(x)/g(x) results in an indeterminate form, the limit can be found by taking the derivative of the numerator and the derivative of the denominator separately. This rule simplifies the process of finding limits and is particularly useful in calculus when direct substitution fails.
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Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions, such as tangent (tan) and cotangent (cot), are essential in calculus for analyzing periodic behavior and angles. The tangent function is defined as the ratio of the sine and cosine functions, while cotangent is the reciprocal of tangent. Understanding their properties and how they behave near specific angles, like π/4, is crucial for evaluating limits involving these functions.
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Introduction to Trigonometric Functions