ODIONGAN NATIONAL HIGH

SCHOOL
The School of Choice

Module 2

STEM BASIC
Grade 11 calculus
Subject Teacher: Lawrence B. Leocadio

Reference: DEPED ADM Module, Internet sources

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 Lesson 1: THE DEFINITION OF THE DERIVATIVE Module 2: Basic Calculus

We can always find the slope between two points.

But how do we find the slope of a point?

There’s nothing to measure!

But with derivatives we use a small difference, then shrink it towards zero.
Definition of Derivative

Let 𝑓 be a function defined on an open interval 𝐼 ⊆ ℝ, and let 𝑥𝑜 ∈ 𝐼. The derivative of 𝑓 𝑎𝑡 𝑥𝑜 is

defined to be

𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥𝑜 )
𝑓 ′ (𝑥𝑜 ) = lim .
𝑥⇢𝑥𝑜 𝑥 − 𝑥𝑜

If this limit exist, that is, the derivative of f at 𝑥𝑜 , the slope of the tangent line at
(𝑥𝑜 , 𝑓(𝑥𝑜 )) exists.

The derivative of the function, 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is denoted by

𝑑 𝑑 𝑑𝑦
𝑓 ′ (𝑥), 𝐷𝑥 [𝑓(𝑥)], 𝑓(𝑥), (𝑦),
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑓(𝑥 + Δ𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim
Δ𝑥→0 Δ𝑥

For Example:

To find the derivative of a function y = f(x) we use the slope formula:

𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 𝛥𝑦
Slope = 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 = 𝚫𝐱

And (from the diagrams above) we see that:

x changes from 𝑥 to 𝑥 + 𝛥𝑥

y changes from 𝑓(𝑥) to 𝑓(𝑥 + 𝛥𝑥)

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Now follow these steps: THE THREE-STEP RULE

1. Changing x to (𝑥 + Δ𝑥)
2. Simplify
3. Subtract f(x), divide by 𝚫𝐱, then find the limit as Δ𝑥 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜.

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

Example 1: Given the function 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙2

Find its derivative.

Solution:

Step 1: substitute (𝑥 + Δ𝑥) to the place of f(x) = x2, change x to (x+Δx)

x f(x+Δx) = (x+Δx)2

Step 2: Simplify by squaring the (𝑥 + Δ𝑥) f(x+Δx) = x2 + 2x Δx + (Δx)2

Step 3: Subtract the original f(x) value, f’(x) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 x2 + 2x Δx + (Δx)2 -

x2
∆𝒙→𝟎
divide Δx
∆𝑥, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑠 ∆𝑥 f’(x)= 𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝟐𝒙 + 𝚫𝒙
Approaches zero. ∆𝒙→𝟎

f’(x)= 2x

We may also write dx instead of "as 𝜟𝒙 approaches to 0". Note: This rule/ technique has many
names including the “4-step rule” or
the “increment method”.

So, “the derivative of" is commonly written :

𝑑 "The derivative of x2 equals 2x"

x 2 = 2x
𝑑𝑥 or simply "d over dx of x2 equals 2x."
𝒅
What does 𝒅𝒙x2 = 2x mean?

It means that, for the function x2, the slope or "rate of change" at any point is 𝟐𝒙.
So, when 𝒙 = 𝟐 the slope is 𝟐𝒙 = 𝟒,
Or when 𝒙 = 𝟓 the slope is 𝟐𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎, and so on.
Note: sometimes f’(x) is also used for "the derivative of":

f’(x) = 2x
"The derivative of f(x) equals 2x"

Example 2: Find the difference quotient for 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 2, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ = 0.001.
Solution:
Given: Difference Quotient-refers to the derivative with ∆𝑥 = ℎ

Step 1: substitute (𝑥 + Δ𝑥) to the place of x. with 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 + 2 change x to (𝒙 + 𝒉)

∆𝑥 = ℎ, so (x+h) 𝒇(𝒙 + 𝒉) = (𝑥 + ℎ)2 + 2
Step 2: Simplify by squaring the (𝑥 + h) 𝒇(𝒙 + 𝒉) = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥ℎ + ℎ2 + 2

Step 3: Subtract the original f(x) value, divide h (𝑥 2 + 2𝑥ℎ + ℎ2 + 2) − (𝑥 2 + 2)

𝒇’(𝒙) =
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 (𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑠 ∆𝑥 ℎ
Approaches zero=h value). Note that the 2𝑥ℎ + ℎ2
𝒇’(𝒙) = = 2𝑥 + ℎ
limit of a constant is equal to the constant. ℎ
So,substitute directly value of h =0.001 𝒇’(𝒙) = 𝟐(𝟒) + 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟏 = 𝟖. 𝟎𝟎𝟏

Therefore, the derivative of f(x)=x^2+2, when x=4 and h=0.001 is f ’(x)= 2(4) +0.001=8.001.

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 Example 3: Average velocity and instantaneous velocity

Suppose the car leaves the Cagayan de Oro City at time t=0 and travels due north. Let s(t) represent the
position of the car (its distance from Cagayan de Oro City in km) at time t, (𝑡1 = 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡2 = 5, ). Suppose s(t) is
defined by the equation: 𝑠(𝑡) = 𝑡 2 − 5𝑡 + 6, find the average velocity and the instantaneous velocity at 𝑡 =
3 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠.

Solution:
Since velocity gives the rate of change of distance with respect to time, the average rate of change or
average velocity during the fifth hour of driving between, 𝑡1 = 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡2 = 5, is given by the quotient ,
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
.
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑠(5)−𝑠(4)
So then, the average velocity, 𝑣(𝑡) = .
𝑡2 −𝑡1
𝑠(5) − 𝑠(4)
𝑣(𝑡) =
𝑡2 − 𝑡1
[(5)2 − 5(5) + 6] − [5(4)] + 6 6 − 2
𝑣(𝑡) = = =4
5−4 1
𝑣(𝑡) = 4 𝑘𝑝ℎ

The instantaneous velocity, v at t=3 is:

𝑠(3+ℎ)−𝑠(3) [(3+ℎ)2 −5(3+ℎ)+6]−[32 −5(3)+6]

v = lim = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
[9 + 6ℎ + ℎ2 − 15 − 5ℎ + 6] − [9 − 15 + 6] ℎ2 + ℎ
𝑣 = lim = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
v = lim ℎ + 1 = 1 𝑘𝑝ℎ
ℎ→0

𝑑
Example 4: What is 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 3 ? Note: x+h is also the same as (𝒙 + 𝜟𝒙)

Using the Three Step Rule

Step 1: 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟑 , change x to (𝒙 + 𝜟𝒙)

𝒇(𝒙 + 𝜟𝒙) = (𝒙 + 𝜟𝒙)𝟑
Step 2:
𝒇(𝒙 + 𝜟𝒙) = 𝒙𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙𝟐 𝜟𝒙 + 𝟑𝒙 (𝜟𝒙)𝟐 + (𝜟𝒙)𝟑

f’(x) = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 f(x+Δx) = x3 + 3x2 Δx + 3x (Δx)2 + (Δx)𝟑 − 𝒙𝟑

𝚫𝒙→𝟎
Δx
Step 3: 𝒇’(𝒙) = 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙𝜟𝒙 + (𝜟𝒙)𝟐
𝜟𝒙→𝟎

𝒇’(𝒙) = 𝟑𝒙𝟐

• 𝒇’(𝒙) = 𝟑𝒙𝟐
• the derivative of “f” is equal to 𝟑𝒙𝟐

Example #5. EQUATION OF TANGENT LINE

Suppose we are asked to write the equation of the line tangent to the curve .

1. First, we will find our point by substituting x = 3 into our function to identify the corresponding
y-value.

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 2. Next, we take the derivative of our curve to find the rate of change.

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥

3. We will then swap our given x-value into our derivative to find the slope at x = 3.

𝑓 ′ (3) = 2(3) = 6

4. Lastly, we will substitute our point (3,9) and slope m = 6 into the formula for point -slope form
and write the equation of the tangent line.

Example 6.

Compute 𝑓 ′ (1)𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 1

Solution:

𝑓(𝑥)−𝑓(1)
𝑓 ′ (1) = lim where: 𝑓(1) = 3(1) − 1 = 2
𝑥→1 𝑥−1

(3𝑥−1)−2
𝑓 ′ (1) = lim =3
𝑥→1 𝑥−1

Note: Find first the “𝑓′(𝑥)” then substitute

with the value of x.

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OTHER EXAMPLES: Source: Derivative (Increment Method) -
Daily Math Guide

http://www.dailymathguide.com/2020/04/deriv
ative-increment-
method.html?fbclid=IwAR0kylxt5Z9KAMD6
ofsCNc1tXL3au8Y9GfE2-
QSd3Z0JJGtLt2N8UNptN5E

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 PRACTICE EXERCISES 1.1

Activity 1.

Find the derivative of the following functions using the increment method/ 3-step rule/ the 4-step rule. Write it in a
1 whole sheet of intermediate paper. You can use any method from the three variations of the technique.

1. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 1

2. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2

3. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2
2
4. 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1

5. 𝑦 = (4𝑥 2 − 2)2

Activity 2.

Find 𝑓 ′ (𝑥), 𝑓 ′ (1), 𝑓 ′ (0), 𝑓 ′ (−1) for each of the following:

A. 𝑓(𝑥) = 8𝑥

B. 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥

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C. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥

D. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 + 5𝑥

E. 𝑓(𝑥) = 7𝑥 − 3

Activity 3.

Find the derivative of the following functions using the increment method/ 3-step rule/ the 4-step rule or the long
method (use the formula). Write it in a 1 whole sheet of intermediate paper. You can use any method from the
three variations of the technique.

Additional Exercises (Increment Method:):

1. 𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 2 1. 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2𝑥 2

2𝑥 2 −4 4𝑥 3 −4𝑥
2. 𝑦 = 2. 𝑦 =
2 2𝑥

3. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 3. 𝑦 = 5𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 5
4 2
4. 𝑦 = 5 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 1 4. 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 2

5. 𝑦 = (3𝑥 2 − 1)2 5. 𝑦 = (1 + 2𝑥 2 )2
𝑥−1 𝑥+2
6. 𝑦 = 𝑥+1 6. 𝑦 =
𝑥−2

7. 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 − 1 7. 𝑦 = √1+𝑥 2

8. 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1 8. 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 2

𝑥 3 +1 1
9. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 −1 9. 𝑦 =
𝑥 2 −𝑥
𝑥 2 −1

(𝑥−1)3 1
10. 𝑦 = (𝑥−1)3
√(𝑥 2 +1)2
10. 𝑦 =
√(𝑥 2 −1)1

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 PRACTICE EXERCISES 1.2

Activity 1:

𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
Find the difference quotient for each of the given functions.
ℎ
A. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 Answer: 3

B. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 2 Answer: 3

C. 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 + 2 Answer: - 3

Activity 2:

Find the slope of the tangent line to each curve when x has the indicated value.

A. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16 ; 𝑥 = 3 Answer: 14

B. 𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 5 ; 𝑥 = −2 Answer: -32

Activity 3:

Find the equation of the tangent line to each curve when x has a given value.

A. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥² + 2 ;x=2 Answer: Point (2,6), Eq: y = 4x-2

B. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥² + 1 ; x = 1 Answer: Point (1,4), Eq: y = 6x-2

For Activity 3 and 4: Example

https://calcworkshop.com/derivatives/equation-of-tangent-line/

Activity 4

Find the indicated derivative for each of the following functions and evaluate as indicated:

A. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 ; 𝑓′(2) Answer: 𝑓 ′ (2) = 0

B. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 2 ; 𝑓′(−2) Answer: 𝑓 ′ (−2) = 12

C. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 7 ; 𝑓′(0) Answer: 𝑓 ′ (0) = −2

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 PRACTICE EXERCISES 1.3: Average Difficulty

Activity 1:

𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
Find the difference quotient for each of the given functions.
ℎ
A. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 − 1𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 Answer: _______

B. 𝑓(𝑥) = √−3𝑥 + 2 Answer: _______

−3𝑥+2
C. 𝑓(𝑥) = Answer: _______
1−𝑥

Activity 2:

Find the slope of the tangent line to each curve when x has the indicated value.

A. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16 ; 𝑥 = 3 Answer: _______

1 8 2
B. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2 𝑥 + 5 ; 𝑥 = −2 Answer: _______
6

Activity 3:

Find the equation of the tangent line to each curve when x has a given value.

A. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥² + 2 ;x=2 Answer: _______

B. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥² + 1 ; x = 1 Answer: _______

For Activity 3 and 4: Example

https://calcworkshop.com/derivatives/equation-of-tangent-line/

Activity 4

Find the indicated derivative for each of the following functions and evaluate as indicated:

A. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 ; 𝑓′(2) Answer: _______

B. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 2 ; 𝑓′(−2) Answer: _______

C. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 7 ; 𝑓′(0) Answer: _______

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Average Difficulty

Additional Practice Exercises 2: Power, Fractions, and Radicals

Find the derivative of the following functions using the increment method/ 3-step rule/ the 4-step rule or the long
method (use the formula). Write it in a 1 whole sheet of intermediate paper. You can use any method from the
three variations of the technique.
1
1. 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 9 Answer: 𝑦 ′ = 𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 12

2. 𝑦 = (2𝑥 2 − 4)2 Answer: 𝑦 ′ = 16𝑥 3 − 32𝑥 or 16𝑥(𝑥 2 − 2)

𝑥 1
3. 𝑦 = 𝑥−1 Answer: 𝑦 ′ = − (𝑥−1)2

2𝑥
4. 𝑦 = √2𝑥 2 − 2 Answer: 𝑦 ′ = (2𝑥2 −2)1/2

3
2𝑥+3 𝑥+2
5. 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 5 Answer: 𝑦 ′ = 2(𝑥2 +3𝑥−5)1/2 𝑜𝑟 (𝑥 +3𝑥−5)1/2
2

𝑥 2 +1 𝑥 2 −2𝑥−1
6. 𝑦 = Answer: 𝑦 ′ =
𝑥−1 (𝑥−1)2

𝑥−1 1
7. 𝑦 = Answer: 𝑦 ′ = 𝑥2
𝑥

√𝑥 5
8. 𝑦 = Answer: 𝑦 ′ = − 2𝑥7/2
𝑥3

1
9. 𝑦 = √2𝑥 − 2 Answer: 𝑦 ′ = (2𝑥−2)1/2

√𝑥−1 1
10. 𝑦 = Answer: 𝑦 ′ = 2(𝑥−1)3/2
𝑥−1

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