CHAPTER 4

DIFFERENTIATION 1
Maths SL
Learning Objectives
1. Review G10 method finding gradient at a
point on a curve.
2. Use ti-84 to find dy/dx and equation of a
tangent at a point.
3. Special co-ordinate for tangent line and
original curve.
4. Utilising power rule to find dy/dx
5. Rationale for derivative of a constant
6. Verifying answers for 2) manually.
7. Notation for y, f(x)
 How do you find the gradient at x=2?

Click for you tube video re: G10 method

Sketch the following graphs on same
set of axes…..
• X=4
• Y=6
• X=-2
• Y=-10
If y= constant
• Then, what is always the gradient or
steepness of the graph?

So if
y=a, where a is a constant
Note, c,d and f will need to be re-written into format below if we’re to use our formula.
 Does what we found out about
constants work with our formula?
So previously…..
But……….
if
y=a, where a is a constant
So Lets consider

y=3

We can write this as

So…….

Hence, this formula does still work for constants

And gives the answer expected using the graphing
Approach.
Notation point

if using y=

f’(x) if using f(x)=

Now access Ex 4B
Starter:
Remember from video first lesson
 26

Or f(5)

10
Or f(3)

3 5 Or 3+2

2
 Can you write an expression for
The gradient of the chord PQ?

?
Q

?
P

x ?

h
Remember:
 Is the chord PQ aligning with the
curve PQ?

What could we do to ‘h’ to make it more closely align?

Limiting case.
-h approaches 0

-chord and curve align and have same gradient

- P and Q are the same co-ordinate

- Hence finding the gradient at the point P

From before

Remember it is crucial that h approaches 0

Function notation
Notation ‘y=‘
Reminder……….
• 9/0=

• 0/5=

• 0/0=
Utilising first principles formula:

You wan to sub in h=0, but why

Is that a problem?

Often use binomial expansions

at this stage.
 Can you see how we’re going
to get rid of the problematic ‘h’
Denominator?

STUFF RULE

YAY we can now sub in h=0

Check using the power rule

Context……

Remember this first derivative equation, allows

You to calculate the gradient at any x value on the
function
KEY
• Need to sub in h=0
• To do this, must re-arrange and remove h
from denominator.
Access Ex 4A
What about if you have more than
one x term in your equation?

Example:
Access Ex4C Q1-3
Verifying ti-84 answers manually
 What about if the terms are not
addition or subtraction?

Well for now, we will have to re-write them into the following format so we can apply
our rules…….
Taking factors is going to be key, in
the next example.
Relevant for show that questions,
and questions where reconciling
answer to back of the book
Ex 4C Q4-6
Second Derivative
Access Ex 4D
Gradient of curve at given point
Gradient of curve at given point

1) Use your GDC to confirm f(1)=2 aka the curve

passes through the point (1,2)

2) Now complete this question using your GDC.

Given gradient of a given point P on a
curve, find the co-ordinates of P
Given co-ordiantes and gradient at
given point on a curve, find the co-
efficients of x for the curve.
Remember from previously
Access Ex 4E
Equation of a tangent.
Remember from lesson 1 we used
GDC to find equation of a tangent
Now we do it manually

This is an equation that gives the gradient

at any point on the curve y, if you know the
X co-ordinate.

Notation for gradient when x=3

 From your GDC, you should be able to
The tangent is a straight line, Generate this sketch which gives an idea
so it’s equation is in the following Of what’s going on but lets calculate
format manually

From your first lesson you know that

the first derivative value at a given point
is the same as the gradient of the tangent
At that same point.

Hence we are half way to writing the equation of the tangent.

But how do we calculate c?

Remember the first lesson again, the
curve and tangent share a common
co-ordinate P.

Hence we know that point P(3,9) lies on the tangent

Hence, sub in x and y to find c….

 So we now know………..

If we only knew a co-ordinate

on this line line we could sub
In x and y values and hence
Find c.
Remember lesson1 we found that the
curve and tangent always share a co-
ordinate
So we know this….

And from the original question we know tangent and curve share this point

So subbing x and y values into equation above.

Hence, we have derived the equation of the tangent…

We’re then asked where does the
tangent intersect the curve again.

i.e cordinate (0.5 , 4 )

( -1 , 1) so is not the other co-ordinate.
Access Ex 4f Q1
Re-arranging
First you’re going to always need to find the co-ordinate that all
three of curve, tangent and normal share….so that you can find
the ‘c’ value .
So we’re being asked to find……….

Hence we will find first then use

Will then be subbed into the equation of the normal above

 Hence:
But we need

From 2 slides ago we know that

As we have now found c we can write the equation to the normal at point P (-1 , -6)
Access Ex 4f Q2-10
Displacement v time graphs
Describe the journey, OA, AB, BC

A
B

What does the gradient of this graph represent?

 Rationale that gradient is velocity
What is the formula for velocity?

Differentiation:

So
Velocity v time graphs What does the gradient
represent?
Describe what is happening: OA, AB, BC, CD, DE

A B

C
E

Click here for 5min video if finding this very challenging

Identifying localised maximums and
minimums

Questions:
a) Identify localised minimums
b) Identify localised maximums
c) Identify the maximum
d) Identify the minimum
Starter
Gradients around localised minimums
Gradients around localised maximums
 F’(x) test for local max or min
2 stages to the test

1) Gradient is 0.
At appropriate x value, It is normally best to do step 2
Defined as the in a first derivative ‘sketch’ box
gradient is 0

2) Sign change of first derivative -2 0 0.7

Chose a value just to the
Left of ……… sketch
And a value just to the right
Of ……………

Calculate these: x

6.3 0 -1.1

There is a local max/min if there is sketch

a sign change
 x

sketch
sketch
 x -1 0 1

-3 0 9

sketch

x -3 -2 -1

CO-ORDINATES: 9 0 -3

sketch
Sketching the curve…..

Calculate y intercept, this is where x=0

So the curve goes through

this point

Now you can sketch the curve

N.B. You can only use sketch row
when using the first derivative….as
this relates to GRADIENT
What is a point of inflexion?

Non- stationary POI

Stationary POI
Even get it wrong in books…

Identify all points

of inflexion…..
 Test for Point of Inflexion (POI)
F’’(x) test for POI
It is very similar to: 1) Second derivative is 0.

F’(x) test for local max or min

“ necessary but not sufficient proof…”
1) First derivative (gradient) is 0 Always write this …impresses examiners
2) Sign change of second derivative

2) Sign change of first derivative

-1.6 0 3.6

4.1 0 -18
Use sketch box to help you.
Important :

• Do not use a sketch row when using the

second derivative table

• The ‘sketch’ feature only works when relating

to gradient..i.e first derivative.
 a) Determine if there are any points of Inflection on the curve

b) If there is a POI, calculate it’s co-ordinates

a) First stage of identifying POI So at x=2 there is necessary but not

sufficient proof that there is a POI.

Stage 2: Sign change

1 2 3

-6 0 6

Yes there is a sign change so there

Is a POI at x=2
b) Co-ordinates of POI.

There is a POI at
Using TI-84 to fill in boxes fast
We are going to enter the following We get the derivatives by using
things: The n-derive function.

Y1- original equation Nderive( function, wrt , value sub into derivative)
Y2- first derivative
Y3- second derivative
S0…..click “Math”
Scroll to nderive, enter

Remember we need to enter the following

Nderive( function, wrt , value sub into derivative)

Instead of re-writing the function it would be

Great if we could say whatever is in Y1
 We’re interested in Y1
Vars

Scroll right to Y-Vars, Function So we managed to say look at Y1….

 Nderive( function, wrt , value sub into derivative)

We want to dfferentiate with respect to X, and we

want to put lots of different X values into the first
derivative (not just one) so we press X

So make sure your Y2 line looks like this Now we will do the enitre same procedure
For Y3 which will give us the second
Derivative……….but remember inside the
Nderive bracket you will enter Y2 as you are
Differentiating the first derivative Y2, in
order to generate the second derivative
Click table and you will see…..

X an Y1 give the co-ordinates on the curve

Y2 gives the gradient at the

Appropriate x value..

So at (2,-13) the gradient is

-11

We calculated previously that the curve went through (-2,13)

Now if you scroll across one you will see Y3…..

Y3 are Second derivative values for the appropriate x values

Can you see the GDC reproduces

these values
Summary to date
• Local Min/max use f’(x)
• POI use f’’(x)

• Both have similar 2 stage test

 Local Max/Min ALL POI

Use: Use:
First Derivative Second Derivative

2 Stage test:
a) Set derivative=0
b) Look for sign change 2 Stage test:
a) Set 2nd derivative=0
b) Look for sign change
But IBO like to mess with you
• We can use f’(x) fo identify some POI not all
 As at the POI the gradient is 0, that is our starting point

As previous method we then take a point to the left and right

And interested in the sign of the gradient….

x x

3 0 4.6 -11 0 -0.3

sketch sketch

The sketch shows which POI it is

First identify stationary points and their To find y co-ordinate…
Co-ordinates

So co-ordinates of stationary points are:

These are the x values which give a

Gradient =0, hence x co-ordiantes
of stationary points
 Nature of stationary point at (0,0) Nature of stationary point at (3,-27)

Choose, point to left and right Choose, point to left and right

Now find associated dy/dx values

Now find associated dy/dx values

Fast manual method?

x -1 0 1 x 2 3 4

-16 0 -8 -16 0 64

sketch sketch

Hence (0,0) is a stationary POI Hence (3,-27) is a localised min

 Checking with GDC
First derivative
Y co-ordinate
X co-ordiante

Note these 2 values are:

-0.000004
&
-0.000008

Which is virtually the same as our

Answers of 0
 Curve sketch Y intercept? (0,0)
i.E when x=0

When x=0……y=0-4(0)
=0

X intercepts?
i.E when y=0

Now be Sherlock Holmes and put all

the pieces together..
 Stationary POI ONLY
ALL Local Max/Min ALL POI
Use: First Derivative

2 Stage test:
Use: a) Set derivative=0 Use:
First Derivative b) Look for NO sign change Second Derivative

2 Stage test:
a) Set derivative=0 2 Stage test:
b) Look for sign change a) Set 2nd derivative=0
b) Look for sign change
Use the second derivative to
categorise localised max/min
• Pro: faster than using table method
• Pro: Nice ATM analogy

• Con: Sometimes, more work.

Answer can be inconclusive so have to do table
anyway.
Method F’’(x) to categorise max/min
As before you have to find x-value
where grad is 0. (This is the max/min)
1) Gradient is 0.
At appropriate x value,
Defined as the
gradient is 0

2. Sub this x value into 2nd derivative

i.e. positive value (bank balance) HAPPY Party…….local min

i.e. negative value (bank balance) SAD NO Party…….local max

i.e. Zero value (bank balance) What the?!?…confused. It’s

Inconclusive must run table test like normal
This means the gradient
Is zero when x is 5 or -1.

In other words we have the

X-cordinates of the stationary
points
Now we will use f’’(x) – (ATM theory) to determine their nature

Positive bank A/c Negative bank A/c

 Stationary POI ONLY
ALL Local Max/Min ALL POI
Use: First Derivative

2 Stage test:
Use: a) Set derivative=0 Use:
First Derivative b) Look for NO sign change Second Derivative

2 Stage test:
a) Set derivative=0 2 Stage test:
b) Look for sign change a) Set 2nd derivative=0
b) Look for sign change

ATM -Categorise a local max/min

Use:
First then Second Derivative
But not work in all cases
2 Stage test:
a) Find x value where f’(x)=0
b) Sub this x value into f’’(x)
Local min – happy
Local max- sad
Inconclusive- ?
Increasing and Decreasing Functions
• By analysing/interpreting the first derivative we can
state over what interval the original function is
increasing/decreasing.
• Essentially using f’(x) to predict the nature of f(x)
Increasing and decreasing functions

Using analysis: Using analysis:

When x is negative, x< 0 When x is positive, x > 0

Conclusion

Summary
Conclusion

Here is the graph of the function, was our

conclusion correct?
Increasing and decreasing functions

Using analysis: Using analysis:

If or

Conclusion

The function is decreasing

Summary
For all values of x,
Whatever the value of x (negative or positive) first derivative
is negative.
Conclusion

The function is decreasing

For all values of x,

Here is the graph of the function, was our

conclusion correct?
We have seen that a function can change from increasing to decreasing (and vice verca)
When we move across an asymptote
This can also happen at a stationary
point…..hence when analysing
whether a function is
increasing/decreasing we must pay
close attention to the stationary
point…..

Lets use the second derivative test (ATM) to

categorise the stationary point:

Hence,

Thus, Positive bank balance, so minimum at x=3

So there is a localised min at x=3

Which means we have this situation x 3

-ve 0 +v.e

sketch

Hence we are predicting………

 So we have just found
the x values where the
gradient is 0.
i.e the x co-ordinates of
The stationary points

We’re now going to use the second derivative test (ATM) to categorise the stationary
Points.
Positive bank bal so min Negative bank bal so max Positive bank bal so min
at x=-2 at x=0 at x=2

x -2 0 2

-ve 0 +v.e 0 -ve 0 +v.e

sketch
Conclusion: prediction of f(x) nature

IS it correct?
Practical applications of max/min

Please note this is a quadratic.

Negative ‘a’ value means it is an

unhappy quadratic so there is a
Localised maximum
See slide 120 for what
the graph of A looks like
Click ‘y=‘ and enter equation
Click window and enter x domain.

Don’t worry about y range values…

 Now “graph”
Click zoom……then zoom fit. So this give us
We need to find the max value. Use arrow keys and enter to fix
So click “calculate” a left bound
Use arrow keys and enter to fix
a right bound You’re require to roughly guess where it
Is…..just press enter.
BAM……………….coordinates of maximum given

Same answer as manual method

As Required
See slide 131 for what ‘S’ looks like
graphically.

N.B this is the r value where the first

derivative is 0…..i.e there is a local
Max/min/POI
r=3 is not the full correct answer though.

We also need the height…

From previously

However, to be supermathematicians and not just rely on the question, we should

check that at r=3 there is a min as opposed to a max or POI.

There is a stationary point at r=3, we will use the second derivative test to categorise it.

So
From before
This is a positive bank a/c hence minimum
I changed the domain

0<x<30

To eyeball some more of the graph,

Used zoom fit and regraphed..

Agrees with our manual method:
Access Ex 4I