Characteristics that destroy differentiability
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Sharp Turns (right-hand limit does not equal left-hand limit)
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Graph y = |x|
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This function is not differentiable at x = 0
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Vertical Tangents
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Graph y = x1/3
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This function is not differentiable at x = 0 because the
slope does not exist there.
The tangent is a vertical line.
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Discontinuities
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Graph y = 1/x
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This function is not differentiable at x = 0 because the
function does not exist there.
Differentiability implies local linearity
If a function is differentiable at a point, then as you zoom
in on that point , eventually all you will
see on your screen is a straight line. This is a very
close
approximation to the tangent line at that
point. If a function is not differentiable, this will not
happen.
Differentiability implies continuity
Given: f(x) is differentiable. Therefore,
lim
f(x) - f(c) exists at x = c
x®c
x - c
Prove: f(x) is continuous. (Use the 3-step
proof)
PROOF:
i) f(c) exists because the given limit
exists
and f(c) must be used to calculate the limit
ii) lim [f(x) -
f(c)]
= lim [f(x) - f(c)](x - c)
x®c
x®c
x - c
= lim [f(x) - f(c)] (x - c)
x®c x - c
= lim f(x) - f(c) lim (x -
c)
x®c x - c
= [f ' (c)](0)
= 0
Since lim
[f(x) - f(c)] = 0, then lim f(x)
=
f(c) and the limit exists
x®c
x®c
iii) lim f(x) = f(c)
x®c
Therefore, f(x) is continuous at x = c
True /False Statements:
-
Differentiability implies
continuity
TRUE
-
Continuity implies
differentiability
FALSE (converse statement)
-
Consider functions whose graphs have sharp points
-
Not continuous implies not
differentiable
TRUE (contrapositive statement)
-
Not differentiable implies not
continuous
FALSE (inverse statement)
-
Again,consider functions whose graphs have sharp points
If a statement is true, its contrapositive is always true
Problems