Labware - MA35 Multivariable Calculus - Single Variable Calculus

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Differentiability

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According to the definition, a function f of one variable is said to be differentiable at a point x0 in its domain if there exists a function f '(x) such that

f'(x0) = limh --> 0 [f(x0 + h) - f(x0)]/h

where h is a real number. This is equivalent to

limh --> 0 [f(x0 + h) - f(x0) - f'(x_0)*h]/h = 0.

This condition can be written in terms of epsilons and deltas as well. We say that f is differentiable at x0 if for any ε > 0 there exists a &delta > 0 such that

[f(x_0 + h) - f(x_0) - f'(x_0)h]/h < ε or equivalently,

[ f '(x0 - ε) h < f(x0 + h) - f(x0) < (f '(x0) + ε) h

whenever |h| < &delta. This definition is similar in form to the definition of continuity. Recall that in the geometrical interpretation of continuity the challenge was to find a small enough &delta-disc domain of x0 such that the graph of the function over the domain would lie between two horizontal bars a distance ε above and below f(x0). In the geometrical interpretation of differentiability, as seen in the inequality above, the challenge is to find a &delta-disc domain, centered at x0, that is small enough so that the graph of f over the domain lies between lines with slopes (f'(x0) + ε and (f'(x0) - ε).

Demos

Exercises

  • 1. Use the demo to test whether the following functions are differentiable at the points given:
    • f(x) = x^2 at x = 5
    • f(x) = tan(x) at x = π/4
    • f(x) = |x| at x = 0
    • f(x) = |x| at x = 1
  • 2. Use the demonstrations for continuity and differentiability in one variable to give an argument for why differentiability at a point implies continuity at a point.