CHAPTER 8

The Derivative

8.1 Using the A-definition, find the derivative /'(x) of the function /(x) = 2x - 7.
So,
Hence Thus, Answer

8.2 Using the A-definition, show that the derivative of any linear function /(x) = Ax + B is f ' ( x ) = A.
Then,
Hence. Thus,

8.3 Using the A-definition, find the derivative f ' ( x ) of the function /(x) = 2x2 - 3x + 5.

Thus, Hence,
lim

8.4 Using the A-definition, find the derivative /'(*) of the function f(x) = x3.
So,
So,
Thus,

8.5 State the formula for the derivative of an arbitrary polynomial function f(x) = anx" + an_lx" ' + • • • + a2x2 +
a1x+a0.

8.6 Write the derivative of the function f(x) = lx~ - 3x4 + 6x2 + 3x + 4.
/'(*) = 35x4 - I2x3 + \2x + 3.

8.7 Given functions f(x) and g(x), state the formulas for the derivatives of the sum f(x) + g(x), the product
fix) • e(x), and the quotient f(x) /g(x).

[Notice the various ways of denoting a derivative:

8.8 Using the product rule, find the derivative of f(x) = (Sx3 - 20* + 13)(4;t6 + 2x5 - lx2 + 2x).
F'(x) = (5x3-2Qx+13)(24x5 + Wx4-Ux + 2) + (4x" + 2x5-Ix2 + 2x)(15x2-20). [In such cases, do
not bother to carry out the tedious multiplications, unless a particular problem requires it.]

8.9 Using the formula from Problem 8-7. find the derivative of

49
50 CHAPTER 8

8.10 Using the formula from Problem 8.7, find the derivative of

8.11 Using the A-definition, find the derivative of

Hence

So,

and

8.12 Using formulas, find the derivatives of the following functions: (a)

(a) -40x4 + 3V3 x2 + 4Trx. Answer

(b) W2x50 + 36xu - 2Sx + i/7. Answer

8.13 Find the slope-intercept equation of the tangent line to the graph of the function f(x) = 4x3 - 7x2 at the point
corresponding to x = 3.
When x = 3, f(x) - 45. So, the point is (3,45). Recall that the slope of the tangent line is the derivative
/'(*), evaluated for the given value of x. But, /'(*) = 12x2 - Ux. Hence, /'(3) = 12(9) - 14(3) = 66.
Thus, the slope-intercept equation of the tangent line has the form y = 66x + b. Since the point (3,45) is on
the tangent line, 45 = 66(3) + 6, and, therefore, b = -153. Thus, the equation is v=66*-153.
Answer

8.14 At what point(s) of the graph of y = x5 + 4x - 3 does the tangent line to the graph also pass through the point
5(0,1)?
The derivative is y' = 5x4 + 4. Hence, the slope of the tangent line at a point A(xa, y0) of the graph is
5*o + 4. The line AB has slope So, the line AB is the tangent line if and
+4
only if (x0 + 4x0 - 4) Ix0 = 5x1 - Solving, x0 = — 1. So, there is only one point (—1, —8).

8.15 Specify all lines through the point (1, 5) and tangent to the curve y = 3>x3 + x + 4.
y' = 9x2 + l. Hence, the slope of the tangent line at a point (xa, ya) of the curve is 9*0 + 1. The slope of
the line through (x0, y0) and (1,5) is So, the tangent line passes

through (1,5) if and only if = 9x20 + l, 3*2 + j r 0 - l = (je 0 -l)(9*S + l), 3x30 + x0-l=9x30-
9**+ *„-!, 9*0 = 6*0, 6*o-9*o = 0, 3*0(2*0 - 3) = 0. Hence, *0 = 0 or * 0 = | , and the points on
the curve are (0, 4) and (§, ^). The slopes at these points are, respectively, 1 and f . So, the tangent lines are
y — 4 = x and y — *TT = T(X—%), or, equivalently, y = x + 4 and y = S f X — ".

8.16 Find the slope-intercept equation of the normal line to the graph of y = jc3 — x2 at the point where x = l.
The normal line is the line perpendicular to the tangent line. Since y' = 3x2 — 2x, the slope of the tangent
lineal x = 1 is 3(1)2 - 2(1) = 1. Hence, the slope of the normal line is the negative reciprocal of 1, namely
— 1. Thus, the required slope-intercept equation has the form y = —x + b. On the curve, when x = \,
y = (I) 3 - (I) 2 = 0. So, the point (1,0) is on the normal line, and, therefore, 0 = -1 + b. Thus, b = \,
and the required equation is y = — x + 1.

8.17 Evaluate
 THE DERIVATIVE 51

Recall the definition of the derivative: When f(x)=5x4, In particular,

for If we replace AJC by h in this limit, we obtain the limit to be
evaluated, which is, therefore, equal to/'(3)• But, f ' ( x ) = 20* . So, the value of the limit is 2 0 ( j ) 3 = f ^ .
Answer

8.18 If the line 4x-9_y = 0 is tangent in the first quadrant to the graph of y = \x + c, what is the value of c9
y' = x2 If we rewrite the equation 4x-9y = 0 as y = l,x, we see that the slope of the line is §
Hence, the slope of the tangent line is 5, which must equal the derivative x2 So, x = ± I Since the point of
tangency is in the first quadrant, x = 3 The corresponding point on the line has y-coordmate \ = gx =
<!(^) = 4 Since this point of tangency is also on the curve y = \x^ + c, we have ^ = j ( ^ ) 3 + c So,
c=JS?

8.19 For what nonnegative value(s) of b is the line y = - -fax + b normal to the graph of y = x3 + 3 9
\' = 3x2 Since the slope of y = - j j X + b i s - ^ > the slope of the tangent line at the point of
intersection with the curve is the negative reciprocal of — n, namely 12 This slope is equal to the derivative
3x2 Hence, x2 = 4, and x = ±2 The ^-coordinate at the point of intersection is y = x^ + \ = (±2) 3 +
1
= T or -T So, the possible points are (2, J) and (-2,-T) Substituting in y = - ,2*-r f>, we
obtain b — *} and b = — ^ Thus, b = -y is the only nonnegative value

8.20 A certain point (x0, y 0 ) is on the graph of y = x^ + x2 — 9\ — 9, and the tangent line to the graph at ( x n , _y fl )
passes through the point (4, -1) Find (xa, y (l )
> ' = 3x2 + 2x - 9 is the slope of the tangent line This slope is also equal to (y + !)/(* - 4) Hence,
y + 1 = (3x2 + 2\ — 9)(x - 4) Multiplying out and simplifying, y = 3*1 - 10x2 - \lx + 35 But the equation
y = x* + x2 — 9x - 9 is also satisfied at the point of tangency Hence, 3*1 - IQx2 - 11 x + 35 = x3 + A : - 9x —
9 Simplifying, 2x — HA~ — 8x+ 44 = 0 In searching for roots of this equation, we first try integral factors of
44 It turns out that A =2 is a root So, A - 2 is a factor of 2A 1 - 11*' - 8x + 44 Dividing 2*3 -
l l A - 2 - 8 v r + 44 by x-2, we obtain 2x -lx-22, which factors into (2x - H)(A -t 2) Hence, the
solutions are A = 2, x =—2, and x = V The corresponding points are (2, -15), (-2, 5), and (4 14as)
Answer

8.21 Let / be differentiate (rhat is, /' exists) Define a function /* by the equation /*(*) =
Find the relationship between /* and /'.

But Where

Thus

8.22 A function /, defined for all real numbers, is such that (/) /(I) = 2, (//) /(2) = 8, and (Hi) f(u + v)-
f(u) = kuv - 2v2 for all u and u, where k is some constant. Find f ' ( x ) for arbitrary x.
Substituting u = 1 and v = l in (Hi) and using (/) and (//), we find that k = 8. Now, in (/'//), let
u=x and Then So,
Thus,

8.23 Find the points on the curve where the tangent line is parallel to the line y = 3x.
2
y' = x -l is the slope of the tangent line. To be parallel to the line y=3x having slope 3, it also must
have slope 3. Hence, x2 - 1 = 3, *2 = 4, x = ±2. Thus, the points are (2, f ) and (-2, - j).
52 CHAPTER 8

8.24 Using the A-method, find the derivative of

So,

8.25 Show that a differentiable function f(x) is continuous.

Thus,m

Hence,
So. /is continuous at x.

8.26 Show that the converse of Problem 8.25 is false.

Consider the function /(x) = |x| at x = 0. Clearly, / is continuous everywhere. However,
When and, when

Therefore, does not exist.

8.27 Find the derivative of /(x) = x1'3.

So,

8.28 Find the point(s) at which the tangent line to the parabola y = ax2 + bx + c is horizontal. (Notice that the
solution to this problem locates the "nose" of the parabola.)
y' = 2ax + b is the slope of the tangent line. A line is horizontal if and only if its slope is 0. Therefore, we
must solve 2ax + b = 0. The solution is x=—b/2a. The corresponding value of y is (4ac — b2)/4a.

8.29 Let f(x) be a function with the property that /(« + v) = f(u)f(v) for all u and v, and such that /(O) = /'(O) =
1. Show that /'(*)=/(*) for all*.
So,

= /W/'(0)=/W'l=/(x)
 THE DERIVATIVE 53

8.30 Determine whether the following function is differentiable at x = 0:

if x is rational
if x is irrational
if AJC is rational
if Ax is irrational
if Ax is rational
So,
if Ax is irrational

Hence, exists (and equals 0).

8.31 Consider the function

if x is rational
if x is irrational
Determine whether / is differentiable at x = 0.
if Ax is rational
if x is irrational
if Ax is rational
So,
if Ax is irrational

Sincethere are bothrational and irrational numbers arbitrarily close to0, does
not exist.

8.32 Find the derivative of the function f(x) = (2x — 3)2.

I f(x) = 4x2 - 12* + 9. Hence, /'(*) = 8* - 12. [Notice that the same method would be difficult to carry
out with a function like (2x - 3)20.]

8.33 Where does the normal line to the curve y = x — x2 at the point (1,0) intersect the curve a second time?
I y' = l~2x. The tangent line at (1,0) has slope 1—2(1) = —!. Hence, the normal line has slope 1, and a
point-slope equation for it is y = x-l. Solving y = x - x2 and y = x - 1 simultaneously, x - x2 =
2
x — I, x = 1, x = ±1. Hence, the other point of intersection occurs when x = — 1. Then y = x — 1 =
-1 - 1 = -2. So, the other point is (-1, -2).

8.34 Find the point(s) on the graph of y = x2 at which the tangent line is parallel to the line y — 6x — 1.
I Since the slope of y = 6x — 1 is 6, the slope of the tangent line must be 6. Thus, the derivative 2x = 6,
x = 3. Hence, the desired point is (3,9).

8.35 Find the point(s) on the graph of y = x3 at which the tangent line is perpendicular to the line 3x + 9y = 4.
I The equation of the line can be rewritten as _y = - j x + 5 , and so its slope is - j. Hence, the slope of the
required tangent line must be the negative reciprocal of -1, namely, 3. So, the derivative 3x2 = 3, x2 = 1,
x = ±1. Thus, the solutions are (1,1) and (—1, —1).

8.36 Find the slope-intercept equation of the normal line to the curve y = x3 at the point at which x = |.
2
I The slope of the tangent line is the derivative 3x , which, at x = |, is 5. Hence, the slope of the normal
line is the negative reciprocal of 5, namely, -3. So, the required equation has the form y = —3x + b. On
the curve, when x=\, y = x3 = TJ . Thus, the point (|, ^) lies on the line, and j? = -3( 3 ) + fe, 6 = if.
So, the required equation is y = —3x + f f .

8.37 At what points does the normal line to the curve y = x2 - 3x + 5 at the point (3, 5) intersect the curve?
I The derivative 2x — 3 has, at x = 3, the value 3. So, the slope of the normal line is - 3, and its
equation is y = — 3* + b. Since (3, 5) lies on the line, 5 = — 1 + b, or b = 6. Thus, the equation of the
normal line is y = — jx + 6. To find the intersections of this line with the curve, we set — jjc + 6 =
x2-3x + 5, 3 x 2 - 8 x - 3 = 0, (3x + l)(x - 3) = 0, x = -\ or * = 3. We already know about the point
(3,5), the other intersection point is (— 3, T )•
54 CHAPTER 8

8.38 Find the point(s) on the graph of y = x2 at which the tangent line passes through (2, —12).
The slope of the tangent line is the derivative 2x. Since (x, x2) and (2, -12) lie on the tangent line, its
slope is (x2 + 12) l(x - 2). Hence, (x2 + 12) /(x - 2) = 2x, X2 + 12 = 2x2 -4x, x2 - 4* - 12 = 0, (x - 6)(x +
2) = 0, x = 6 or x = -2. Thus, the two points are (6,36) and (-2,4).

8.39 Use the A-defmition to calculate the derivative of f(x) = x4.

So,
Hence

8.40 Find a formula for the derivative Dx[f(x) g(x) h(x)].

By the product rule, £>,{[/(*) g(x)]h(x)} = /(*) g(x) h'(x) + Dx[f(x) g(x)]h(x) = f(x)g(x)h'(x) +
[fWg'(x)+f'(x)g(X)]h(X)=f(X)g(X)h'(X)+f(X)g'(X)h(X)+f'(X) g(X) h(X).

8.41 Find Dx[x(2x-1)()(x+2)].

By Problem 8.40, x(2x - 1) + x • 2 • (x + 2) + (2* - l)(x + 2) = x(2x -1) + 2x(x + 2) + (2* - 1)(* + 2).

8.42 Let /(*) = 3x3 — llx2 — 15x + 63. Find all points on the graph of/where the tangent line is horizontal.
The slope of the tangent line is the derivative f'(x) = 9x -22*-15. The tangent line is horizontal when
and only when its slope is 0. Hence, we set 9x2 - 22x - 15 = 0, (9* + 5)(* - 3) = 0, x-3 or *=-!.
Thus, the desired points are (3,0) and

8.43 Determine the points at which the function f(x) = \x - 3| is differentiable.

The graph (Fig. 8-1), reveals a sharp point at x = 3, y — 0, where there is no unique tangent line. Thus
the function is not differentiable at x = 3. (This can be verified in a more rigorous way by considering the
A-definition.)

Fig. 8-1 Fig. 8-2

8.44 Figure 8-2 shows the graph of the function f(x) = x2 -4x. Draw the graph of y = \f(x)\ and determine
where y' does not exist.

Fig. 8-3
 THE DERIVATIVE 55

The graph of y (Fig. 8-3) is obtained when the part of Fig. 8-2 below the x-axis is reflected in the *-axis. We
see that there is no unique tangent line (i.e., y' is not defined) at x = 0 and * = 4.

8.45 If/is differentiable and find

8.46 If/00 is even and differentiable, prove that/'OO is odd.

setting

8.47 If/00 is odd and differentiable, prove that/'OO is even.

In Problems 8.48-8.51, calculate the derivative of the given function, using the appropriate formula from
Problem 8.7.

8.48

By the product formula, the derivative is (x100 + 2x50 - 3)(56x7 + 20) + (100*99 + l(Xk49)(7x8 + 20* + 5).

8.49

By the quotient formula, the derivative is

8.50

By the quotient rule, the derivative is

8.51

Here, it is easier not to use the quotient rule. The given function is equal to 3x3 + x•- 2 + x 3
- 3* 4.
Hence, its derivative is