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Topic 6: Differentiation
Jacques Text Book (edition 4 ):
Chapter 4
1.Rules of Differentiation
2.Applications
1
Differentiation is all about measuring
change!
Measuring change in a linear function:
y = a + bx
a= intercept
b= constant slope i.e. the impact of a unit
change in x on the level of y
y − y
b= ∆y = 2 1
∆x x −x
2 1
2
If the function is non-linear:
40 2
e.g. if y = x
30
20
y=x2
10
0
0123456
∆y y − y X
= 2 1 gives slope of the line
∆x x − x
2 1
connecting 2 points (x , y ) and (x ,y ) on a
curve 1 1 2 2
• (2,4) to (4,16): slope = (16-4)
/(4-2) = 6
(36-4)
• (2,4) to (6,36): slope = /(6-2) = 8 3
The slope of a curve is equal to the slope of
the line (or tangent) that touches the curve
at that point
Total Cost Curve
40
35
30
25
y=x220
15
10
5
0
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w
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