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# Concept of Differentiability

#### notes

Suppose f is a real function and c is a point in its domain. The derivative of f at c is defined by
lim_(h->0) (f(c+h) - f(c))/h
provided this limit exists. Derivative of f at c is denoted by f′(c) or d/(dx) (f(x))|_c . The function defined by
f'(x) = lim_(h->0) (f(x+h) - f(x))/h
wherever the limit exists is defined to be the derivative of f. The derivative of f is denoted by f'(x) or d/(dx)(f(x)) or if y = f(x) by (dy)/(dx) or y' .
The process of finding
derivative of a function is called differentiation. We also use the phrase differentiate f(x) with respect to x to mean find f′(x).
The following rules were established as a part of algebra of derivatives:
(1) (u ± v)′ = u′ ± v′
(2) (uv)′ = u′v + uv′ (Leibnitz or product rule)
(3) (u/v)^' = (u'v -uv')/v^2 ,wherever v ≠ 0 (Quotient rule).
The following table gives a list of derivatives of certain standard functions:

 f(x) x^n sin x cos x tan x f'(x) nx^(n-1) cos x - sin x sec^2 x

Whenever we defined derivative, we had put a caution provided the limit exists.

#### theorem

If a function f is differentiable at a point c, then it is also continuous at that point.

Proof:  Since f is differentiable at c, we have
lim_(x->c) (f(x) - f(c))/(x-c) = f'(c)
But for x ≠ c, we have
f(x) – f(c) = (f(x) - f(c))/(x-c). (x-c)
Therefore lim_(x->c) [f(x) -f(c)] = lim_(x->c) [(f(x) - f(c))/(x-c) . (x-c)]
or lim_(x->c) [f(x)] - lim_(x->c)[f(c)] = lim_(x->c)[(f(x)-f(c))/(x-c)] . lim_(x->c) [(x - c)]
= f′(c) . 0 = 0
or lim _(x->c) f(x) = f(c)
Hence f is continuous at x = c.

#### Video Tutorials

We have provided more than 1 series of video tutorials for some topics to help you get a better understanding of the topic.

Series 1

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Continuity and Differentiability part 15 (Algebra of Derivatives) [00:12:55]
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