Derivability

1. Differentiability of a function at a point:

(i) T he r ight hand derivative of f (x) at x = a denoted by

f (a+) is defined by:
f(a h)f(a)
f (a+) = Limit
h0 , provided the limit exists.
h

(ii) The left hand derivative of f(x) at x = a denoted by

f (a) is defined by:
f(a h)f(a)
f (a ) = Limit
h0 , Provided the limit exists.
h
A func tion f ( x) is said to be dif f er entiable( f initely) at
x = a if f (a+) = f (a) = finite

By definition f (a) = Limit

h0
f(a h)f(a)
h .in
ps
Solved Example # 1

x , x 1
te

Comment on the differentiability of f(x) = f(x) = 2 at x = 1.

x , x 1
yS

Solution.
f (1 h) f (1)
R.H.D. = f (1 +) = hlim
ud

0 h

(1 h)2 1
= hlim
St

0 h

1 h 2 2h 1
= hlim
0
h

= hlim
0
(h + 2)
=2
f (1 h) f (1)
L.H.D. = f(1) = hlim
0 h

1 h 1
= hlim
0 h
=1
As L.H.D. R.H.D. Hence f(x) is not differentiable at x = 1.

Page 1 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 Solved Example # 2
If f(x) = A + Bx 2 x<1
= 3Ax B + 2 x1
then find A and B so that f(x) become differentiable at x = 1.
Solution.

f (1 h) f (1)
f(1+) = hlim
0 h

3 A (1 h) B 2 3 A B 2
= hlim
0 h

3 Ah
= hlim
0 h
= 3A

f (1 h) f (1)
f(1) = hlim
0 h

A B(1 h)2 3 A B 2
= hlim
0 h

( 2A 2B 2) Bh2 2Bh
= hlim
0
h
hence for this limit to be defined
2A + 2B 2 = 0 .in
ps
B=A+1

f(1) = hlim
0 (Bh 2B)
te

= 2B
yS

f(1) = f(1)
3A = 2B = 2(A + 1)
A = 2, B = 3 Ans.
ud

Solved Example # 3
St

[cos x ] x 1
f(x) = comment on the derivability at x = 4.
2{ x } 1 x 1
Solution.
f (1 h) f (1)
f(i) = h lim
0
h

cos( h) 3
= h lim
0
h

1 cos h
= h lim
0
h

h
2 sin2
lim 2
= h0 h
=0

f (1 h) f (1)
f(1+) = h lim
0
h

Page 2 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 2{1 h} 1 1
= h lim
0
h

= h lim
0 2h

=2
f(x) is not differetiable at x = 3.

Self Practice Problem :

[2x] x , x 1
1. If f(x) =
{x} 1 , x 1
comment on the continuity and differentiable at x = 1.
Ans. Discontinuous and non-differentiable at x = 1

x tan 1 x, x 0
2. f(x) =
0 , x0

comment on the derivative of f(x) at x = 0.

Ans. non-differentiable at x = 0

2. Concept of Tangent and its Association with Derivability:

.in
ps
Tangent :- The tangent is defined as the limiting case of a chord or a secant
te
yS
ud

f (b ) f ( a )
slope of chord joining (a, f(a)) and (b, (f(b)) =
ba
St

f ( a h) f ( a )
slope of the line joining a and (a,f(a)) and (a + h, f(a + h)) =
h

f ( a h) f ( a )
R.H.D. = f(a+) = h lim
0
h

f ( a h) f ( a )
L.H.D. = f(a) = h lim
0
h
A function will have a tangent at point x = a if f(a+) = f(a) (may or may be finite)
and equation of tangent at (a, f(a)) is given by y f(a) = f(a) (x a)
Note :-
(i) y = x 3 has x-axis as tangent at origin.
(ii) tangent is also defined as the line joining two infinitly small close points on a curve.
(iii) y = sgn (x) will have a vertical tangent at x = 0
(iv) y = |x| does not have tangent at x = 0 as L.H.D. R.H.D.
(v) Discontinuous function can also have vertical tangent e.g. y = sgn (x) at x = 0.
(vi) A function is said to derivable at x = a if their exist a tangent of finite slope at that point.
f(a+) = f(a) = finite value

Page 3 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 Note: -
If a function f (x) is differentiable at x = a, the graph of f (x) will be such that there is a unique tangent to
the graph at the corresponding point. But if f (x) is non-differentiable at x = a, there will not be unique
tangent at the corresponding point of the graph.

Solved Example # 4

Find the equation of tangent of y = (x) 1/3 at x = 1 and x = 0

Solution.
At x = 1 Here f(x) = (x) 1/3

f (1 h) f (1)
L.H.D = f(1) = hlim
0
h

(1 h)1/ 3 1
= hlim
0
h

1 1 2
1 h
h 33
........
3 2!
= hlim
0 h

=
1
3 .in
ps
f (1 h) f (1) (1 h)1/ 3 1
R.H.D. f(1+) = hlim
0 = hlim
0
te

h h

1
yS

=
3

1
ud

As R.H.D. = L.H.D. =
3
St

1
slope of tangent =
3

1
y f(1) = (x 1)
3

1
y1= (x 1)
3
3y x = 2 is tangent to y = x 1/3at (1, 1)
At x = 0

(0 h)1/ 3 0
L.H.D. = hlim
0 =+
h

(0 h)1/ 3 0
R.H.D = hlim
0 =+
h
as L.H.D. = R.H.D - infinite.
y = f(x) will have a vertical tangent at origin.
x = 0 is the tangent to y = x 1/3 at origin.

Page 4 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 Self Practice Problems :

1. If possible find equation of tangent to the following curves at the origin points.
(i) y = x 3 + 3x 2 + 28x +1 at x = 0 Ans. y = 28x + 1
(ii) y = sgn (x 2) at x = 0 Ans. tangent does not exist.
(iii) y = sgn (x 2 3x + 2)at x = 2 Ans. x=2
2/3
(iv) y = (x 8) at x = 8 Ans. tangent does not exist

3. Relation between Derivability & Continuity:

(i) If f (a) exists then f(x) is continuous at x = a.

(ii) If f(x) is derivable for every point of its domain of definition, then it is continuous in that domain.

NOTE: The Converse of the above result is not true i.e."If 'f' is continuous at x, then 'f' is derivable at
x" is not true.
e.g. the functions f(x) = x 2 is continuous at x = 2 but not derivable at x = 2.
(iii) If a function f is not differentiable but is continuous at x = a it geometrically implies a sharp
corner or kink at x = a.

If f(x) is a function such that R.H.D = f(a +) = and L.H.D. = f(a ) = m

Case -

.in
If = m = some finite value, then the function f(x) is differentiable as well as continuous
Case -
ps
if m = but both have some finite value, then the function f(x) will not be differentiable but it will be
continuous.
Case -
te

If at least one of the or m is infinite, then the function is non differentiable but we can not say about
continuity of f(x).
yS
ud
St

(i) (ii) (iii)

continuous and differentiable continuous but not differentiable neither continuous nor differentiable

Solved Example # 5
If f(x) is differentiable at x = a prove that it will be continuous at x = a.
Solution.

lim f (a h) f (a) =
h0 h

lim [f(a+h) f(a)] = h

h0

as h 0+ and is finite then hlim

0
f(a + h) f(a) = 0

lim f (a + h) = f(a).
h0

Page 5 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 Similarly hlim
0
[f(a h) f(a)] = h

lim f(a h) = f(a)

h0

lim f(a + h) = f(a) = lim f(a h)

h0 h0

Hence, f(x) is continuous.

Solved Example # 6

A Bx 2 , x 1
If f(x) = find the value of A and B so that f(x) is differentiable at x = 1.
3 Ax B 2 , x 1

Solution.
Since f(x) will be differentaible at x = 1 then it must be continuous
3A B + 2 = A + B
2A 2B + 2 = 0
AB+1=0 ..........(i)

2Bx , x 1
Now, f(x) =
3 , x 1
3A = 2B .........(ii)

.in
from (i) an (ii)
2B
B+1=0
ps
3

B

te

=1
3
B=3
yS

A=2
A = 2, B = 3 Ans.
ud

Solved Example # 7

x 2 sgn[ x] { x} , 0 x 2
St

If f(x) = , comment on the continuity and differentiablilty of f(x) at x = 1, 2.

sin x | x 3 | , 2 x 4

Solution.
Continuity at x = 1
lim f(x) = lim (x 2 sgn[x] + {x})
x 1 x 1

=1+0=1
lim f(x) = lim (x 2 sgn [x] + {x})
x 1 x 1

=1 sgn (0) + 1
=1
f(1) = 1
L.H.L = R.H.L = f(1). Hence f(x) is continuous at x = 1.
Now for differentiability,
f (1 h) f (1)
f(1+) = h lim
0
h

(1 h)2 sgn[1 h] {1 h} 1
= h lim
0
h

Page 6 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 (1 h)2 h 1
= h lim
0
h

1 h 2 2h h 1
= h lim
0
h

h2 3h
= h lim
0
h
=3
f (1 h) f (1)
and f(1) = h lim
0 h

(1 h)2 sgn[1 h] 1 h 1
= h lim
0
h
=1
f(1 ) f(1).
+

Hence f(x) is non differentiable at x = 1.

Now at x=2
lim f(x) = lim x 2 sgn [x] + {x}
x 2 x 2

=4.0+1
=1
lim f(x) = lim (sinx + |x 3|) .in
ps
x 2 x 2

= 1 + sin 2
Hence L.H.L R.H.L
te

Hence f(x) is discontinuous at x = 2 and then f(x) also be non differentaible at x = 2.

yS

Self Practice Problem :

e [ x ] | x | 1
ud

x0
1. If f(x) = [ x ] {2x } , comment on the continuity at x = 0 differentiability of at x = 0.
x0
1/ 2
St

Ans. discontinuous hence non-differentiable at x = 0

4. Derivability Over an Interval:

f (x) is said to be derivable over an open interval if it is derivable at each & every point of the interval and
f(x) is said to be derivable over a closed interval [a, b] if:
(i) for the points a and b, f (a+) & f (b) exist finiitely
(ii) for any point c such that a < c < b, f (c +) & f(c ) exist finitely & are equal.

For checking the derivability in an interval following points should be checked

(i) All those point where discontinuity may arise
(ii) Modulus functions are also non differentiable and hence should be checked at their critical
points.
Important : -
All polynomial, exponantial, logrithimic and trigonometric (inverse trigonomettric not included) are
differentiabl in their domain.

2x
Graph of y = sin1 Graph of y = sin 1 x.
1 x2

Page 7 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 Non differentiable at x = 1 & x = 1 Non differentiable at x = 1 & x = 1

Solved Example # 8

4
[2x] sgn x 1 x 2
3
f(x) = Find that points at which continuity and differentiability should be
1
x [sin x] 0 x 2
3

checked. Also check the continuity and differentaibility of f(x) at x = 1.

Solution.
.in
ps
4
[2x] sgn x 1 x 2
3
f(x) = the point, where we should check the continuity and differentiability
1
te

x [sin x] 0 x 1
3
yS

1 2 4 3
are x = 0, , , 1, , , 2 line charge now continuity at x = 3.
2 3 3 2
ud

1
lim f(x) = lim x [sin x]
x 1 x 1 3
St

=0

1
lim f(x) = lim [2x] sgn x
x 1 x 1 3
= 2 { 1}
=2
L.H.L R.H.L. hence f(x) is discontinuous at x = 1 and hence also it is non diffferentiable at x = 1.
Self Practice Problem:

1. If f(x) = [x] + [1 x] = 1 x 3, Draw its graph and comment on the continuity and differentiability of
f(x).
Ans. + is discontinuous at x = 0, 1, 2, 3 hence non-differentiable

| 1 4 x 2 | 0 x 1
2. f(x) = 2 draw the graph of f(x) and coment on the differentiability and continuity of
[ x 2x] 1 x 2

f(x).
1
Ans. + is discontinuous at x = 1, 2 & non differentiable at x = , 1, 2
2

Page 8 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 5. Differentiabilty of sum, product & composition of functions

(i) If f(x) & g(x) are derivable at x = a then the functions f(x) g(x), f(x). g(x) will also be derivable
at x = a & if g (a) 0 then the function f(x)/g(x) will also be derivable at x = a.

(ii) If f(x) is not differentiable at x = a & g(x) is differentiable at x = a, then the product function
F(x) = f(x) . g(x) can still be differentiable at x = a
e.g. f(x) = x and g(x) = x 2.

(iii) If f(x) & g(x) both are not differentiable at x = a then the product function;
F(x) = f(x) . g(x) can still be differentiable at x = a e.g. f(x) = x & g(x) = x.

(iv) If f(x) & g(x) both are non-derivable at x = a then the sum function F(x) = f(x) + g(x) may be a
differentiable function. e.g. f(x) = x & g(x) = x.

f (a g(h)) f (a p(h))
(v) If f is differentiable at x = a, then hlim
0 g(h) p(h) = f(a), where ,

lim P(h) = lim g(x) = 0

h0 h0

Solved Example # 9
Discuss the differentiability of f(x) = x + |x|.
Solution.
.in
ps
te
yS

Non-differentiable at x = 0.
ud

Solved Example # 10
Discuss the differentiability of f(x) = x|x|
Solution.
St

x 2 , x 0
f(x) = 2
x , x 0

Differentiable at x = 0
Solved Example # 11
If f(x) is differentiable and g(x) is differentiable then prove that f(x) . g(x) will be differentiable.
Solution.
Given, f(x) is differentiable

Page 9 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 lim f ( a h) f ( a )
i.e. h0 = f(a)
h
g(x) is differentiable

lim g(a h) g(a)

i.e. h0 = g(a)
h
let p(x) = f(x) . g(x)

lim p(a h) p(a)

Now, h0
h

f (a h).g(a h) f (a).g(a)
= hlim
0
h

f (a h)g(a h) f (a h).g(a) f (a h).g(a) f (a).g(a)

= hlim
0
h

f (a h) (g (a h) g(a)) pg(a)( f (a h) f (a))

= hlim
0
h h

g(a h) g(a) f (a h) f (a )
= hlim f (a h). g(a).
0
h h

.in
= f(a) . g(a) + g(a) f(a) = p(a)
= p(a)
Hence p(x) is differentiable.
ps
Solved Example # 12
te

x 3 x0
If f(x) = 2
x 3x 2 x0
yS

g(x) = f(|x|) + |f(x)| then comment on the continuity and differentiability of g(x) by drawing the graph of
f(|x|) and, |f(x)|.
ud

Solution.
St

Graph of f(|x|) and |f(x)|

Page 10 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 Continuity of g(x) : g(x) is continuous at the points where f(|x|) and |f(x)| both are continuous at x = 0
f(|x|) is continuous but |f(x)| is discontinuous.
g(x) is discontinuous at x = 0 similarly g(x) is non differntiable at x = 0, 1, 2, (find the reason
yourself).

Solved Example # 13

.in
lim f (a 2h) f (a 3h) , evaluate the limit f(a) = 3
h0 h
Solution.
ps
lim f (a 2h) f (a 3h)
h0
te

f (a 2h) f (a 3h)
yS

= hlim
0
.5
5h
= f(a) 5
ud

= 3 5 = 15

Self Practice Problem :

St

1. If f(x) and g(x) are differentiable then prove that f(x) g(x) will be differentiable.

f (2 h) f (2 sinh)
2. If f(2) = 4 then find the value of hlim
0 h. sinh . tanh
Ans. 2/3

6. Finding Function Satisfying a given Condition:

Solved Example # 14
If f(x) is a function saitsfies the relation for all x, y R, f(x + y) = f(x) + f(y) and if f(0) = 2 and function
is differentiable every where then find f(x).
Solution.

f ( x h) f ( x )
f(x) = hlim
0 h

f ( x ) f (h) f ( x ) f (0)
= hlim
0 h

Page 11 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 f (h) f (0)
= hlim
0 h
= f(0)
f = 2

f (x) dx 2 dx
f(x) = 2x + c
f(0) = 2.0 + c
as f(0) = 0
c=0
f(x) = 2x

Second Method :
Since f(x + y) = f(x) + f(y) is true for all values of x and y is independent of differentiating both sides w.r.t
x (here y is constant with respect to x).
f(x + y) = f(x)
put x = 0
f(y) = f(0)

f (y) dy 2 dy
f(y) = 2y + c


f(x) = 0 + c = 0
c=0
.in
ps
f(y) = 2y
f(x) = 2x.
te

Solved Example # 15
f(x + y) = f(x) . f(y) x, y R and f(x) is a differentiable function and f(0) = 1 f(x) 0 for any x.
yS

Solution.
f(x) is differentiable function
ud

f ( x h) f ( x )
f(x) = hlim
0 h
St

f ( x ).f (h) f ( x ).f (0)

= hlim
0 h

f ( x ).f (h) f (0)

= hlim
0 h
= f(x) . f(0)
= f(x)
f(x) = f(x)

f ( x )
f ( x) dx = 1 dx
n f(x) = x + c
n 1 = 0 + c
c=0
n f(x) = x
f(x) = ex Ans.

Page 12 of 13 www.StudySteps.in
 Solved Example # 16

xy f (x) f (y)
f = x, y R and f(0) = 1 and f(0) = 1 then function is differentiable for are x then
2 2
find f(x).
Solution.

2x 2h 2x 0
f f
f(x) = hlim
0
2 2
h

f (2x ) f (2h) f (2x ) f (0)

= hlim
0
2 2
2h

f (2h) f (0)
= hlim
0 2h
= f(0)
=1
f(x) = 1
interigrating,
f(x) = x + c

.in
c = + 1 (as f(0) = 1)
f(x) = x + 1
=1x Ans.
ps
Self Practice Problem:
te

x
yS

1. f y = f(x) f(y) x , y R+ and f(1) = 1 then show that f(x) = nx.

ud
St

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