2010 10 01 Lect2

MA1131 — Lecture 2 (1/10/2010) 7
2.2 Limits of polynomials and rational functions

Polynomial functions include examples such as
f (x) = 17x2 + 5x − 198
or
f (x) = 123x4 + 6x3 − x2 + 16x − 11.
In general a polynomial is a finite sum of constants times powers of the variable.
So the general form is
p(x) = an xn + an−1 xn−1 + · · · + a1 x + a0
where the coefficients an , an−1 , . . . , a1 , a0 are all numbers (real numbers in our case).
Functions give by a polynomial formula are well-behaved, at least in the sense that
they make sense for every x ∈ R.
Polynomials are nice from the point of view of limits. If p(x) is a polynomial and a ∈ R
is any point, then
lim p(x) = p(a)
x→a
(This can be proved from the Theorem above, using the two example limits.)
Rational functions are functions given by a formula
p(x)
f (x) =
q(x)
where p(x) and q(x) are both polynomials and q(x) is not identically zero. So they are like
fractions of polynomials.
Rational functions are quite nice also. They may not make sense for all x ∈ R — we
have to avoid any x that makes the denominator q(x) = 0.
Limits of rational functions are not complicated (as long as we stay away from zeros of
the denominator).
p(x)
If f (x) = is a rational function and a ∈ R is a point where q(a) 6= 0, then
q(x)
p(x) limx→a p(x) p(a)
lim f (x) = lim = = = f (a)
x→a x→a q(x) limx→a q(x) q(a)
Sometimes rational functions can have limits at points where the denominator is 0. If
q(a) = 0, but p(a) 6= 0,
p(x)
lim
x→a q(x)
will not exist (at least not in the ordinary sense of finite limits). Reason: For x near a (but
x 6= a) q(x) will be close to q(a) = 0, but p(x) will be close to p(a). So p(x)/q(x) will be
very large in absolute value.
On the other hand, if p(a) = q(a) = 0, there is a chance that limx→a p(x) q(x)
exists.
In fact, there is a theorem called the Remainder Theorem that says:
MA1131 — Lecture 2 (1/10/2010) 8
If p(x) is a polynomial and p(a) = 0, then x − a divides p(x).
Maybe an even clearer way to say it: If p(x) is a polynomial and p(a) = 0, then there
is another polynomial P (x) with
p(x) = (x − a)P (x)
for each x.
So if p(a) = q(a) = 0, we can factor out x − a from each of p(x) and q(x) and rewrite
p(x) (x − a)P (x) P (x)

= =
q(x) (x − a)Q(x) Q(x)
The fraction P (x)/Q(x) is ‘simpler’ than p(x)/q(x) and there is a chance that Q(a) 6= 0.
p(x) P (x)
Since f (x) = can be equally well written f (x) = for x 6= a, we have
q(x) Q(x)
p(x) P (x)
lim = lim
x→a q(x) x→a Q(x)
If P (a) = Q(a) = 0 we can divide out by x − a again, until we reach a fraction where
the numerator and denominator are not both 0 at x = a. We’ve discused that situation
just above.
2x2 − 3x + 6 x2 − 6x + 8
Exercises: Find lim √ and lim .
x→ 2 x2 + 2 x→2 x2 − 4
3 Derivatives (in one variable)

3.1 The definition
For calculus (differentiation anyhow) it is easier to stick to functions f (x) defined on open
intervals (α, β). For any a ∈ (α, β) we can consider
f (x) − f (a)
lim
x→a x−a
because it at least satisfies the first requirement: the quantity
f (x) − f (a)
x−a
makes sense for x near a on either side of a. So, there is at least a chance that the limit
exists.
MA1131 — Lecture 2 (1/10/2010) 9
Definition 3.1.1. If f (x) is defined on an open interval that includes a, then we say that
the function f (x) is differentiable at a if
f (x) − f (a)
lim
x→a x−a
exists (as a finite quantity). If the limit exists, we denote it by f 0 (a).
An equivalent way to define it is this:
f (a + h) − f (a)
f 0 (a) = lim
h→0 h
(if the limit exists (and is finite)).
3.2 Interpretations/motivation
f (x) − f (a)
Notice that is the slope of the line joining the point (a, f (a)) on the graph of
x−a
f to the point (x, f (x)) — at least it is that as long as x 6= a.
In this picture a = 1 and x = 1.5 (or it could be the other way around a = 1.5 and x = 1).
From this point of view, as x approaches a (on either side of a, but we don’t allow
x = a), the chord seems to become closer and closer to being a tangent to the graph at the
point on the graph where x = a.
In fact, we turn the picture around and use it as a definition of a tangent line. We say
that
If f (x) is a function defined on an open interval that includes a, and if f 0 (a)

exists, then the tangent line to the graph y = f (x) at the point where x = a is
the line through the point (a, f (a)) with slope f 0 (a).
MA1131 — Lecture 2 (1/10/2010) 10
We can work out the equation and conclude that the tangent line to the graph y = f (x)
at the point where x = a is the line
y = f (a) + f 0 (a)(x − a)
This formula forrms the basis of the linear approximation formula.
3.3 The linear approximation formula

f (x) ∼
= f (a) + f 0 (a)(x − a) for x near a.
The line y = f (a) + f 0 (a)(x − a) (which is the tangent line to the graph y = f (x) at the
point (a, f (a))) is in a certain sense the best linear approximation to the graph y = f (x)
near x = a. We have to explain in what sense it is the best.
Notice that it is exactly true when x = a, as f (x) = f (a) + f 0 (a)(x − a) for x = a. But
any line of any slope that goes through the point (a, f (a)) would have that property.
We can rearrange the definition of f 0 (a) as follows. First the usual definition
f (x) − f (a)
lim = f 0 (a)
x→a x−a
f (x) − f (a)
lim − f 0 (a) = 0
x→a x−a
f (x) − f (a) − f 0 (a)(x − a)
lim =0
x→a x−a

0
f (x) − f (a) + f (a)(x − a)
lim =0
x→a x−a
What this tells us is that the discrepancy between the y-value y = f (x) of the point
(x, y) = (x, f (x)) on the actual graph and the y-coordinate of the point (x, f (a)+f 0 (a)(x −
a)) on the tangent line is
small even compared to the small quantity x − a
when x is near enough to a.

No other line has this property. to say that there is a derivative actually means exactly
that there is a slope m so that the line y = f (a) + m(x − a) satisfies

f (x) − f (a) + m(x − a)
lim = 0.
x→a x−a
The line y = f (a) + m(x − a) is the line of slope m through the point (a, f (a)).
MA1131 (R. Timoney) September 30, 2010

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MA1131 — Lecture 2 (1/10/2010) 7

2.2 Limits of polynomials and rational functions

If p(x) is a polynomial and p(a) = 0, then x − a divides p(x).

p(x) = (x − a)P (x)

p(x) (x − a)P (x) P (x)

3 Derivatives (in one variable)

An equivalent way to define it is this:

If f (x) is a function defined on an open interval that includes a, and if f 0 (a)

This formula forrms the basis of the linear approximation formula.

3.3 The linear approximation formula

small even compared to the small quantity x − a

when x is near enough to a.

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