What is the one-sided limit of the derivative at x = 2 for the given function?

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In summary: Hence:f'(x)\equiv\lim_{h\to0}\left(\frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{(x+h)-x}\right)Since:\lim_{h\to0}\left(\frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{(x+h)-x}\right)=\lim_{h\to0}\left(\frac{\left(\dfrac{x+h}{2}+1\right)-\left(\dfrac{x}{2}+1\right)}{h}\right)=1we have:f'(x)=1and the
  • #1
cbarker1
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Finding the one-sided derivatives for f, when c=2.f(x)={\begin{array}{cc}x/2+1,&\mbox{ if }
x< 2\\\sqrt{2x}, & \mbox{ if } x\geq 2\end{array}

Right-side derivative is 1/2. But I have trouble with the left-side.

Thank You

Cbarker1
 
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  • #2
Cbarker1 said:
Finding the one-sided derivatives for f, when c=2.f(x)={\begin{array}{cc}x/2+1,&\mbox{ if }
x< 2\\\sqrt{2x}, & \mbox{ if } x\geq 2\end{array}

Right-side derivative is 1/2. But I have trouble with the left-side.

Thank You

Cbarker1

Try again, there is no difficulty. You should find the left hand limit is 1/2
 
  • #3
Cbarker1 said:
Finding the one-sided derivatives for f, when c=2.f(x)={\begin{array}{cc}x/2+1,&\mbox{ if }
x< 2\\\sqrt{2x}, & \mbox{ if } x\geq 2\end{array}

Right-side derivative is 1/2. But I have trouble with the left-side.

Thank You

Cbarker1

Can you show us what you tried for the left side? Are you differentiating from first principles (the difference quotient limit) or using standard rules of differentiation?

Incidentally, if you wish to use $\LaTeX$ to write a piecewise function, use the begin/end environment as follows:

[noparsetex]\(\displaystyle f(x)=\begin{cases}\dfrac{x}{2}+1 & x<2 \\&\\ \sqrt{2x} & x\qe 2 \\\end{cases}\)[/noparsetex]

to get:

\(\displaystyle f(x)=\begin{cases}\dfrac{x}{2}+1 & x<2 \\&\\ \sqrt{2x} & x\ge 2 \\\end{cases}\)
 
  • #4
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First, let's approach $x=2$ from the left:

\(\displaystyle \lim_{x\to2^{-}}\left(f'(x)\right)\)

For $x<2$, we are given:

\(\displaystyle f(x)=\frac{x}{2}+1\)

Hence:

\(\displaystyle f'(x)\equiv\lim_{h\to0}\left(\frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{(x+h)-x}\right)=\lim_{h\to0}\left(\frac{\left(\dfrac{x+h}{2}+1\right)-\left(\dfrac{x}{2}+1\right)}{h}\right)\)

Can you complete the simplification to obtain the value of the derivative, and then using that, find the one-sided limit?

Then, do the same for the right-side. If you get stuck, post your progress, and we will help. :D
 

FAQ: What is the one-sided limit of the derivative at x = 2 for the given function?

What is the derivative of a function?

The derivative of a function is a mathematical concept that represents the rate of change of the function at a specific point. It is the slope of the tangent line to the function at that point.

How do you find the derivative of a function?

To find the derivative of a function, you can use the rules of differentiation, such as the power rule, product rule, quotient rule, and chain rule. These rules help you determine the derivative of a function by manipulating its algebraic expression.

Why is finding the derivative important?

Finding the derivative is important because it allows us to understand the behavior of a function and its rate of change. It is used in many fields of science and engineering, such as physics, economics, and calculus, to solve real-world problems and make predictions.

Can the derivative of a function be negative?

Yes, the derivative of a function can be negative. It depends on the slope of the tangent line at a specific point. If the slope is negative, then the derivative will be negative. This indicates that the function is decreasing at that point.

What is the difference between the first and second derivative of a function?

The first derivative of a function represents the rate of change of the function, while the second derivative represents the rate of change of the first derivative. In other words, the second derivative measures the curvature or concavity of the function at a specific point.

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