c
 




 c




A function is a really dependable rule.

The argument is the thing on which (or with which) the function is operated or performed. In the limit expression
below, most would say the argument is the function (x+5)/(x+2). The limiting constant, 2, is the "unstated argument."

See an animation on how to read limit notation.

  





 

The function f(x) = (x+5)/(x+2) can be easily seen to have

` a zero at - 5
because setting the numerator to zero and solving
x+5 = 0, results in x = - 5.
` a vertical asymptote at x = - 2
because setting the denominator to zero and solving
x+2=0, results in x = - 2, so the function is undefined at -2.
` a y-intercept at 5/2
because replacing x with 0 results in (0+5)/(0+2) or 5/2.
 More than that may not be easy to see, but, a little bit of long division makes the rational expression look more like a
function that is easy to graph. Click here to see an animation on the division.

R  



For continuous (and some other) functions, taking a limit requires one simply to approach, get closer and closer, to
evaluate the limit.

See an animation.

Look at the graph of the function then take a limit graphically. Click on the expression to view the answer.

BY DEFINITION one must approach the limit above and below and these values must be equal for a limit to be
evaluated.


 





BY DEFINITION one must approach the limit above and below and these values must be equal for a limit to be
evaluated.

Look at the graph. Approach the limit from above and check the answer by clicking on the expression.

 





BY DEFINITION one must approach the limit above and below and these values must be equal for a limit to be
evaluated.

Look at the graph. Approach the limit from below and check the answer by clicking on the expression.

R


BY DEFINITION one must approach the limit above and below and these values must be equal for a limit to be
evaluated.

Look at the graph. State the limit and check the answer by clicking on the expression.
R
   

Look at the graph. Take a limit at negative infinity. Check the answer.
^



     

Limits Math Help
Definition of Limit
The limit is a method of evaluating an expression as an argument approaches a value. This value can be any
point on the number line and often limits are evaluated as an argument approaches infinity or minus infinity.
The following expression states that as x approaches the value c the function approaches the value L.

Right Hand Limit

The following expression states that as x approaches the value c and x > c the function approaches the value L.

Left Hand Limit

The following expression states that as x approaches the value c and x < c the function approaches the value L.

Limit at Infinity
The following expression states that as x approaches infinity, the value c is a very large and positive number,
the function approaches the value L.

Also the limit as x approaches negative infinity, the value of c is a very large and negative number, is
expressed below.

Properties of Limits
Given the following conditions:

The following properties exist:

Limit Evaluation at +-Infinity

Limit Evaluation Methods

 
! 

If f(x) is continuous at a then:


 
! 



 

If f(x) is continuous at b:

! 
 

c"
 " 

Derivatives Math Help

Definition of a Derivative
The derivative is way to define how an expressions output changes as the inputs change. Using limits the
derivative is defined as:

Mean Value Theorem

This is a method to approximate the derivative. The function must be differentiable over the interval (a,b) and
a < c < b.

Basic Properites
If there exists a derivative for f(x) and g(x), and c and n are real numbers the following are true:

Product Rule
The product rule applies when differentiable functions are multiplied.

Quotient Rule
Quotient rule applies when differentiable functions are divided.
Power Rule
The power rule applies when a differentiable function is raised to a power.

Chain Rule
The chain rule applies when a differentiable function is applied to another differentiable function.

Common Derivatives
Chain Rule Examples
These are some examples of common derivatives that require the chain rule.
DIFFERENTIATION USING THE QUOTIENT RULE

The following problems require the use of the quotient rule. In the following discussion and
solutions the derivative of a function i
will be denoted by or i'
. The quotient
rule is a formal rule for differentiating problems where one function is divided by another. It
follows from the limit definition of derivative and is given by

Remember the rule in the following way. Always start with the ``bottom'' function and
end with the ``bottom'' function squared. Note that the numerator of the quotient rule
is identical to the ordinary product rule except that subtraction replaces addition. In
the list of problems which follows, most problems are average and a few are
somewhat challenging.

„ u
 Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 1.

„ u
  Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 2.

„ u

 Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 3.

„ u
 Differentiate .
 Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 4.

„ u
 Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 5.

„ u
  Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 6.

„ u
 Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 7.

Some of the following problems require use of the chain rule.

„ u
 Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 8.

„ u
 Consider the function .

Evaluate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 9.

„ u
 Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 10.

„ u
 Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 11.

„ u
  Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 12.

„ u

 Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 13.

„ u
 Differentiate .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 14.

„ u
 Differentiate

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 15.

„ u
  Find an equation of the line tangent to the graph

of at =-1 .
 Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 16.

„ u
 Find an equation of the line tangent to the graph

of at .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 17.

„ u
 Consider the function . Solve p'

= 0 for .
Solve p''
= 0 for .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 18.

„ u
 Find all points

,
on the graph of where
tangent lines are perpendicular to the line 8 +2
= 1 .

Click HERE to see a detailed solution to problem 19.