1.1.

Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

SINGLE VARIABLE FUNCTION

MSc. Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú

October 16, 2024

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Function

Defintion
A function y = f(x) is a rule that assigns to each value of x in a set D
exactly one value y, in a set E.

Note that:
The set D is called the domain of the function.
The number f(x) is the value of f at x and is read ”f of x”.
The range of the function is the set of all possible values of f(x).

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Representations of functions

There are three possible ways to represent a function.

By an explicit formula (Algebraically)

By a table of values (Numerically)

By a graph (Visually)

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Explicit Formula

Let
y = f(x) = x2 + 1.
We have
x = 0 ⇒ y = f(0) = 02 + 1 = 1.

x = 1 ⇒ y = f(1) = 12 + 1 = 2.

x = −1 ⇒ y = f(−1) = (−1)2 + 1 = 1.

x = 2 ⇒ y = f(2) = 22 + 1 = 5.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Table of values

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Graph
Definition
If y = f(x) is a function with domain D, then its graph is the set of
ordered pairs:
G = {(x, f(x)) ∈ R2 : x ∈ D}

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise
The graph of a function f is shown in the following figure.
a. Find the values of f(1) and f(5).
b. What are the domain and range of f?

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Even functions
Definition
A function y = f(x) is said to be an even function if

f(−x) = f(x)

for all x in the domain. The graph of an even function is symmetric

about y-axis.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Odd functions
Definition
A function y = f(x) is said to be an odd function if

f(−x) = −f(x)

for all x in the domain. The graph of an even function is symmetric

about the origin O.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise

Ex 1: Determine whether the following functions are odd or even or

neither.
a. f(x) = x2 − 3.
b. g(x) = x3 + 4x.
3x
c. h(x) = .
x2+4
d. k(x) = x4 − x.
Ex 2: Let f be an odd function. If the point (-3, 5) is on the graph of f,
then which of the following points is also on the graph of f:

(3, 5), (−3, −5), (3, −5)

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Some types of functions

Linear function: y = ax + b, where a, b ∈ R.

Polynomial: P(x) = an xn + an−1 xn−1 + . . . + a0 .

Power function: f(x) = xa .

P(x)
Rational function: f(x) = where P, Q are polynomials.
Q(x)
Exponential function: f(x) = bx where the b is a positive
constant.

Logarithmic function: f(x) = logb x, where the base b is a

positive constant.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Even and odd
1.3. Continuity
Types of functions
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise

Classify the following as one of types of functions that we have

discussed.
a. f(x) = 5x .
b. g(x) = x5 .
1+x
c. h(x) = .
1 − 2x2
d. u(x) = 1 − x + 5x4 .

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Significance

Why the concept of limit is important?

Defining continuity of functions.

Defining derivatives ⇒ velocity, tangent line, acceleration, rate

of change.

Defining integral ⇒ Calculating areas, distance, volume, length.

The concept of limit helps us to see what really happens to a function

f(x) as x goes to a. With this concept, one can manipulate very small
and very large quantities.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Example

Given f(x) = x2 − x + 2. If x gets closer to 2 but not equal to 2, then

y = f(x) gets closer to 4.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Example
Given f(x) = x2 − x + 2. If x gets closer to 2 but not equal to 2, then
y = f(x) gets closer to 4.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Notation

When y = f(x) goes to L as x goes to a, we will write

lim f(x) = L
x→a

Read: The limit of f, as x approaches a, equals L.

Note that: x goes to a, we never consider x = a.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Limit Laws
Suppose that c is a constant and the limits lim f(x) and lim g(x) exists.
x→a x→a
Then
1. lim [f(x) + g(x)] = lim f(x) + lim g(x).
x→a x→a x→a
2. lim [cf(x)] = clim f(x).
x→a x→a
3. lim [f(x)g(x)] = lim f(x).lim g(x).
x→a x→a x→a

f(x) lim f(x)

4. lim = x→a provided lim g(x) ̸= 0.
x→a g(x) lim g(x) x→a
x→a
5. lim [f(x)]n = [lim f(x)]n .
x→a x→a
6. lim c = c.
x→a
7. lim x = a.
x→a
Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function
 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise
Use the Limit Laws and the graphs of f and g in the following figure
to evaluate the following limits, if they exist
a. lim [f(x) + 5g(x)]
x→−2
b. lim [f(x).g(x)].
x→−2
f(x)
c. lim [ ].
x→0 3g(x)

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise

Calculate the following limits

x2 − 9 x2 − 2x − 8
1.lim 2. lim
x→3 x − 3 x→−2 x2 − 4

2x2 − x − 8 x3 − 8
3. lim 4.lim
x→−3 x2 − 4 x→2 2 − x

√
x−5 9−x
5. lim 6.lim √
x→25 x − 25 x→9 x − 3

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Quick Review
1. Give an example of each type of function

Linear function, Power function, Exponential function, Quadratic

function, Polynomial of degree 5, Rational function

2. Determine whether the statement is true or false. If it is true,

explain why. If it is false, explain why or give an example that
disproves the statement.
1. If f is a function, then f(s + t) = f(s) + f(t).
2. If f(s) = f(t), then s = t. √
3. If x is any real number, then x2 = x.
2x 8 2x 8
4. If lim ( − ) = lim − lim
x→4 x − 4 x−4 x→4 x − 4 x→4 x − 4
lim (x2 + 6x − 7)
x + 6x − 7
2
5. If lim 2 = x→1 2
x→1 x + 5x − 6 lim (x + 5x − 6)
x→1
Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function
 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

One sided limits

Left-hand limit
When y = f(x) approaches to L as x approaches a from the left, we
will write
lim f(x) = L
x→a−

and say the left-hand limit of f(x).

Righ-hand limit
When y = f(x) approaches to L as x approaches a from the right, we
will write
lim f(x) = L
x→a+

and say the right-hand limit of f(x).

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Example

From Figure 1, we see that

lim g(x) = −1; lim g(x) = −2
x→1+ x→1−
and
lim f(x) = 2; lim f(x) = 2
x→1+ x→1−
Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function
 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Existence of limits

Theorem
We have that lim f(x) = L exists if and only if
x→a

lim f(x) = lim f(x) = L.

x→a− x→a+

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Example
Example: Let {
x2 + 1 ; x ≤ 2
f(x) =
5x − 3 ; x > 2
Since f(x) = x2 + 1 when x < 2,

lim f(x) = lim (x2 + 1) = 5

x→2− x→2−

Since f(x) = 5x − 3 when x > 2,

lim f(x) = lim (5x − 3) = 7

x→2+ x→2+

Hence
lim f(x) ̸= lim f(x)
x→2− x→2+

and we conclude that lim f(x) does not exist.

x→2
Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function
 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise
The graph of a function g(x) is shown in Figure below. Use it to state
the values (if they exist) of the following:
a. lim g(x) b. lim g(x) c.lim g(x)
x→2− x→2+ x→2

d. lim g(x) e. lim g(x) f.lim g(x)

x→5− x→5+ x→5

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Squeez Theorem
Theorem
If f(x) ≤ g(x) ≤ h(x) when x is near a and

lim f(x) = lim h(x) = L

x→a x→a

Then
lim g(x) = L.
x→a

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Limit laws
1.3. Continuity
One-sided Limits
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Example

Find
sin x
lim
x→+∞ x
We have
−1 sin x 1
≤ ≤
x x x
and
−1 1
lim
= lim = 0.
x→+∞ x x→+∞ x

By the Squeeze Theorem,

sin x
lim = 0.
x→+∞ x

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Continuity
Definition
A function f is said to be continuous at a number a if

lim f(x) = f(a).

x→a

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Notice that: If f is continuous at a, then

f(a) is defined.

lim f(x) exists.

x→a

lim f(x) = f(a).

x→a
Moreover, a function is continuous on an interval if it is continuous at
every number in the interval.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Definition
We say that f is discontinuous at a if f is not continuous at a

At x = 1, f(1) is undefined ⇒ discontinuous at 1.

At x = 3, lim f(x) does not exist ⇒ discontinuous at 3
x→3
At x = 5, lim f(x) ̸= f(5) ⇒ discontinuous at 5
x→5
Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function
 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Exercise
Ex 1: Given
x2 − x − 2
f(x) =
x−2
Determine whether the function is continuous at 2.
Ex 2: Given { 1
; x ̸= 0
g(x) = x2
1 ;x = 0
Determine whether the function is continuous at 0.
Ex 3: Given
 √

 x2 − 4x + 4 + x − 2
 ;x > 2
g(x) = x−2



2 ;x ≤ 2
Determine whether the function is continuous at 2.
Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function
 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Interpretation

Change
A continuous function f has the property that a small change in x
produces only a small change in f(x). In fact, the change in f(x) can
be kept as small as we please by keeping the change in x sufficiently
small.

Geometric meaning
You can think of a function that is continuous at every number in an
interval as a function whose graph has no break in it: the graph can
be drawn without removing your pen from the paper

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Properties

Theorem
The following types of functions are continuous at every number in
their domains:
Polynomials

Rational functions.

Root functions (hàm căn thức)

Exponential functions.

Logarithmic functions.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Properties

Theorem
If f and g are continuous at a; and c is a constant, then the following
functions are also continuous at a:
f+g
f−g
cf
f.g
f
if g(a) ̸= 0.
g

Old continuous functions ⇒ new ones by +, −, ×, ÷.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Exercise

On what intervals is each function continuous?

f(x) = x100 − 2x37 + 75.

x2 + 2x + 17
g(x) =
x2 − 1
√ x+1 x+1
h(x) = x+ − 2
x−1 x +1

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Intermediate Value Theorem

Theorem
Suppose that
A function f is continuous on the closed interval [a, b],
Let N be any number between f(a) and f(b), where f(a) ̸= f(b).
Then there exits a number c in (a, b) such that

f(c) = N.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Example

Show that there is a root of the equation below between 1 and 2.

4x3 − 6x2 + 3x − 2 = 0

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function Definition
1.2. Limit Interpretation
1.3. Continuity Properties
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives Intermediate Value Theorem

Exercise

Use the Intermediate Value Theorem to show that there is a root of the
given equation in the specified interval.
√
3
x = 1 − x, (0, 1).

ex = 3 − 2x, (0, 1).

sin x = x2 − x, (1, 2).

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Why study derivatives

Derivatives show us how one quantity

changes in relation to another quantity.
It occurs in all sciences:
Velocity, density, current, power, and temperature gradient in
physics;
Rate of reaction in chemistry;
Rate of growth and blood velocity in biology;
Marginal cost and marginal profit in economics;
Rate of improvement of performance in psychology

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Derivative
Definition
Let y = f(x) be a function of x. At a number a, the change in x is

∆x = x − a

and the corresponding change in y is

∆y = f(x) − f(a).

Then the derivative of a function f at a number a, denoted by f ′ (a) is

∆y f(x) − f(a)
f ′ (a) = lim = lim
∆→0 ∆x x→a x−a

Derivative = instantaneous rate of change

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function
 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Many symbols and many ways to read

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Calculating derivatives by definition

Example: Let y = f(x) = x2 . Find the derivative at x = 2.

First of all, at x = 2, we have

∆x = x − 2

and
∆y = f(x) − f(2) = x2 − 4.
Therefore
x2 − 4
f ′ (2) = lim = lim (x + 2) = 4.
x→2 x − 2 x→2

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Calculating derivatives by definition

Example: Let D(t) be the US national debt at time t. The table
givesapproximate values of this function by providing end of year
estimates, in billions of dollars, from 1980 to 2005. Interpret and
estimate the value of D ′ (1990).

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

D(t) − D(1990)
D ′ (1990) = lim .
t→1990 t − 1990
To calculate the limit above, we construct the following table

From this table we see that D ′ (1990) lies somewhere between 257.48
and 348.14 billion dollars per year ⇒ D ′ (1990) ∼
= 303. It is the rate
of increase of the national debt of the United States in 1990.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise

Ex 1: If f(x) = 3x2 − x3 , find f ′ (1).

Ex 2: If g(x) = x4 − 2, find g ′ (1).
5x
Ex 3: If h(x) = , find h ′ (2).
1 + x2
Ex 4: Find f ′ (a) provided f(x) = 2x3 + x.
Ex 5: The number N of US cellular phone subscribers (in millions) is
shown in the table. (Midyear estimates are given.)

t 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

N 44 69 109 141 182 233

Estimate the instantaneous rate of growth in 2002. What are its units?

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Table of differentiation formulas

1 1
1. (c) ′ = 0 2. (xn ) ′ = nxn−1 3. ( ) ′ = − 2
x x
√ 1 1
4. ( x) ′ = √ 5. (ln(x)) ′ = 6. (ex ) ′ = ex
2 x x

f f ′ g − fg ′
7. (f + g) ′ = f ′ + g ′ 8. (fg) ′ = f ′ g + fg ′ 10. ( ) ′ =
g g2

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Calculating derivatives by formulas

Example 1:

(x3 + 2x2 ) ′ = (x3 ) ′ + (2x2 ) ′

= 3x2 + 2.2x

= 3x2 + 4x

Example 2:
(x2 ex ) ′ = (x2 ) ′ ex + x2 (ex ) ′

= 2xex + x2 ex

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise

Differentiate the function.

1. f(x) = (x − 2)(2x + 3).
5 2
2. y = x 3 − x 3
4
3. y = 3ex + √ 3
x
√
t+t
4. y =
t2
x2 + 4x + 3
5. y = √
x
√ 1 2
6. f(x) = ( x + √ 3
)
x

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Chain rule

Rule
If y is a function of u, which is itself a function of x, then

dy dy du
= × .
dx du dx

This rule can be remembered as:

differentiate the outer function and multiply by the derivative of the

inner function

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Example
Differentiate y = (2x + 3)10 .

Consider
y = u10 and u = 2x + 3
Now
dy
= 10u9 = 10(2x + 3)9
du
and
du
=2
dx
Then the chain rule gives

dy dy du
= × = 20(2x + 3)10
dx du dx

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise

Differentiate

1. y = (3x2 − 5x + 2)4 .
√
2. y = 1 + x2 .
4 +3x−2
3. y = e2x .

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Slope of a straight line

Definition
∆y
slope =
∆x
For example, given a line passing through A(1; 2) and B(3, 4). Then
∆y 4−2
slope = = = 1.
∆x 3−1

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise

Sketch and find the slope of the straight line passing through

1. A(1; 2) and C(4; 1).

2. A(1, 2) and D(5; 2).

3. A(1, 2) and E(−1, 1).

Give a remark about the sign of slopes above.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise

Sketch and find the slope of the straight line passing through

1. A(1; 2) and C(4; 1).

2. A(1, 2) and D(5; 2).

3. A(1, 2) and E(−1, 1).

Give a remark about the sign of slopes above.

We see that the (slope) gradient is positive if the line is uphill,
negative if the line is downhill and zero if the line is horizontal.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Tangent
Definition
A straight line which passes through a point on a curve and which just
touches the curve at this point is called a tangent.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Slope of a curve
Definition
The slope, or gradient, of a curve at x = a is then defined to be the
slope of the tangent at x = a.

Remark: the slope of a curve varies as we move along it.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Slope of a curve

Formula
The tangent line to a curve y = f(x) at x = a has

slope = f ′ (a).

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Proof

We consider a nearby point Q(x, f(x)). Then we let Q approach P

along the curve by letting x approach a. Hence the slope of PQ
approach the slope of the tangent at x = a.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function

 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Example
First, let us remind that the Point-slope form for a line through the
point (x1 , y1 ) with slope m:

y − y1 = m(x − x1 )
3 3
Example: Let f(x) = . We have f ′ (x) = − 2 . Then the slope of the
x x
tangent at (3, 1) is
1
m = f ′ (3) = −
3
Therefore an equation of the tangent at the point (3, 1) is
1
y − 1 = − (x − 3)
3
which simplifies to
x + 3y − 6 = 0.
Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function
 1.1. Function
Definition
1.2. Limit
Derivative as a function
1.3. Continuity
Slope of a tangent
1.4. Differentiation and derivatives

Exercise

Ex 1:Find an equation of the tangent line to the curve at the given

point.
1. y = 4x − 3x2 at A(2, −4).
√
2. y = x2 + 2 at B(1, 1).
2x + 1
3. y = at C(1, 1).
x+2
Ex 2: a. If G(x) = 4x2 − x3 , find equations of the tangent lines to the
curve y = 4x2 − x3 at the points (2, 8) and (3, 9).
b. Illustrate part (a) by graphing the curve and the tangent lines on the
same plane.

Nguyễn Hoàng Huy Tú Single Variable Function