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
2. Intro to Derivatives
Tangent Lines and Derivatives
3:39 minutes
Problem 3.1.26a
Textbook Question
Use definition (2) (p. 135) to find the slope of the line tangent to the graph of f at P.
f(x) = 1/x; P (1,1)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Recall the definition of the derivative as the slope of the tangent line at a point. The derivative of a function f at a point x = a is given by the limit: \( f'(a) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(a+h) - f(a)}{h} \).
Step 2: Identify the function and the point of interest. Here, the function is \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x} \) and the point P is (1, 1). We need to find \( f'(1) \).
Step 3: Substitute \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x} \) into the derivative formula. This gives: \( f'(1) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(1+h) - f(1)}{h} = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\frac{1}{1+h} - 1}{h} \).
Step 4: Simplify the expression inside the limit. Start by finding a common denominator for the terms in the numerator: \( \frac{1}{1+h} - 1 = \frac{1 - (1+h)}{1+h} = \frac{-h}{1+h} \).
Step 5: Substitute the simplified expression back into the limit: \( f'(1) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{-h}{h(1+h)} \). Simplify this to \( \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{-1}{1+h} \) and evaluate the limit as \( h \to 0 \).
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