Nova School of Business and Economics

2024 – 2025 S1

Calculus I

Workbook 4

Derivation

Joana Matos
João Farinha
José Maria Cordeiro
Maria João Braga
Patrı́cia Xufre
Sofia Henriques
Thomas Baier
 Calculus I 2024 – 2025 S1
List 4.1 Derivatives

List 4.1 Derivatives

1. For each of the following parts, compute, for the function defined by the indicated general expression, the
demanded partial derivatives, if they exist, using the definition of partial derivative:
1 df
(a) f (x) = x , dx (2)
df
(b) f (x) = e2x , dx (a) (a ∈ R)
 2
x +1 if x < 0 df
(c) f (x) = , dx (0)
ex if x ≥ 0
25xy ∂f ∂f
(d) f (x, y) = x2 +y 2 , ∂x (1, 2) , ∂y (1, 2)

(e) f (x, y) = x2 y 3 , ∂f ∂f
2


∂x (a, b) (a, b) ∈ R , ∂y (0, 0)

x if x < y
(f) f (x, y) = , ∂f∂x (1, 1) ,
∂f
∂y (1, 1)
y if x ≥ y
√ xy
(
if (x, y) ̸= (0, 0) ∂f ∂f
(g) f (x, y) = x2 +y 2 , ∂x (0, 0) , ∂y (0, 0)
0 if (x, y) = (0, 0)

2. Compute the Jacobian matrix of the functions defined by the following expressions:
x3
q
(a) f (x) = 1−x 2 (g) f (x, y) = xy + xy
 2

(b) f (x) = ln4 1 + e3x (
x+y 4
x 2 +y 2 if (x, y) ̸= (0, 0)
 1−x (h) f (x, y) =
4e − 5 if x < 1 0 if (x, y) = (0, 0)
(c) f (x) =
1 − 2x2 if x ≥ 1 ( 2
x (1+y)+y 2
(
|x| x2 +y 2 if xy ̸= 0
if x ̸= 0 (i) f (x, y) = xy
(d) f (x) = x e if xy = 0
0 if x = 0


(e) f (x, y) = x2 y 2 (j) f (x, y) = x2 , ln x


(f) f (x, y) = 2xy 3 + 4y (k) f (x, y, z) = x2 + z 2 , y 2 − 4xz

3. Consider that K and L represent, respectively, the amount of capital and labor used in the production of
2
the certain product. Consider A ∈ R+ , α ∈ ]0, 1[ and the production function f : (R+ ) → R, defined by
α 1−α
f (K, L) = AK L .

(a) Find the growth rate of f with respect to capital, that is, the marginal productivity of capital, and interpret
its value when K = L.
(b) Find the marginal productivity of labor, and interpret its value when K = 2 and L = 10.

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Calculus I 2024 – 2025 S1
List 4.1 Derivatives

4. Consider the set, in R2 , A = (x, y) ∈ R2 : x ∈ Z ∧ y ∈ Z , (a, b) ∈ A, and the function f : D ⊂ R2 → R, defined
by: 
1 if (x, y) ∈ A
f (x, y) =
0 if (x, y) ∈ /A

(a) Define D.
(b) Define the set of points at which f has the limit.
(c) Compute, if they exist, fx′ (a, b) and fy′ (a, b).

5. Consider the function f : D ⊂ R2 → R defined by:

(
y
|y| (|x| − x) if y ̸= 0
f (x, y) =
0 if y = 0 ∧ x > 0

(a) Show that D is open, but is not convex.

(b) Charaterize fy′ , stating its domain, codomain and general expression.

6. Consider the functions f : R2 → R and g : R2 → R, defined, respectively, by:

(
2xy
̸ x3 ∨ x = 0

x2 +y 4 if (x, y) ̸= (0, 0) 0 if y =
f (x, y) = g(x, y) =
0 if (x, y) = (0, 0) 1 if y = x3 ∧ x ̸= 0
Show that:

(a) Both partial derivatives of f at (0, 0) exist, although f is discontinuous at that point.
(b) All directional derivatives of g at (0, 0) exist, although g is discontinuous at that point.

7. Compute the hessian matrix of the functions defined by the following expressions:

(a) f (x, y) = exy

ex
(b) f (x, y) = x2 y + y

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 Calculus I 2024 – 2025 S1
List 4.2 Definition of Differentiability

List 4.2 Definition of Differentiability

1. For each of the following parts, state and justify whether the function defined by the indicated general expression
is differentiable at a and, if so, estimate f (b), using the tangent plane to the graph of f at (a, f (a)).
(x−2)2 (y+3)2
(
(a) • f (x) = 2 + ln x 2 if (x, y) ̸= (2, −3)
(d) • f (x, y) = (x−2) +(y+3)2
• a=1 0 if (x, y) = (2, −3)
• b = 1.1 • a = (2, −3)
x
(b) • f (x) = e x+1
• b = (2.01, −3.02)
• a=0 (
xyz
x2 +y 2 +z 2 if (x, y, z) ̸= (0, 0, 0)
• b = −0.01 (e) • f (x, y, z) =
0 if (x, y, z) = (0, 0, 0)
(c) • f (x, y) = xy
• a = (1, 1) • a = (0, 0, 0)
• b = (1.1, 0.9) • b = (0.1, −0.1, 0.1)

2. Define the differentiability domain of the functions defined by the following expressions:
 2
(a) f (x) = |ln x| x + y 2 if y ̸= 0
(d) f (x, y) =
 0 if y = 0
x + 1 if x < 0 
(b) f (x) = x + y if x ̸= 0
ex if x ≥ 0 (e) f (x, y) =
0 if x = 0
( 2 2
( 2
x y+y x x (y−x)
x2 +y 2 if (x, y) ̸= (0, 0) x2 +y 2 if y > x
(c) f (x, y) = (f) f (x, y) = y x
0 if (x, y) = (0, 0) 2 − 2 if y ≤ x

3. Consider the function f : R → R, defined by:

ex

if x≤0
f (x) =
1 − ln(x + 1) if x>0
1


(a) Compute lim f n .
(b) Define the continuity domain of f .
(c) Define the differentiability domain of f .
(d) Write the equation of the tangent line to the graph of f at (e − 1, f (e − 1)).

4. Consider the function f : R2 → R, defined by:

(
y 3 −2x2 y 2
x2 +y 2 if (x, y) ̸= (0, 0)
f (x, y) =
0 if (x, y) = (0, 0)

(a) Define the continuity domain of f .

(b) Define the differentiability domain of f .

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Calculus I 2024 – 2025 S1
List 4.2 Definition of Differentiability

5. Consider the function f : R2 → R, defined by:

if y < x3

x
f (x, y) =
y if y ≥ x3

(a) Define the continuity domain of f .

(b) Define the set of points at which f has both partial derivatives.
(c) Define the differentiability domain of f .

6. Consider the function f : D ⊂ R2 → R, defined by:

(
1
x2 +y 2 if 0 < ∥(x, y)∥ < 1
f (x, y) = 2 2
x +y if ∥(x, y)∥ ≥ 1

(a) Define D.
(b) Define the range of f .
(c) Define the continuity domain of f .

(d) State and justify whether f is differentiable at (x, y) ∈ R2 : ∥(x, y)∥ ∈
/ {0, 1} .
(e) State and justify whether f is differentiable at (1, 0).

7. Consider D ⊂ Rn , a ∈ int(D) and two functions, f : D ⊂ Rn → Rm and g : R → R, continuous at 0. State and

justify the truth value of the following propositions:

(a) If n = m = 1, then the non - differentiability of f at a is a sufficient condition for f ′ (a) not being finite, in
case of existence.


(b) If f is defined by f (x) = g(x) ln 1 + x2 , then f is not differentiable at 0.
(c) If ∃∇f (a), then f is differentiable at a.
x3
(d) If f is defined by f (x, y) = x2 +y 2 , then all tangent planes to the graph of f contain (0, 0, 0).

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 Calculus I 2024 – 2025 S1
List 4.3 Properties of Differentiable Functions

List 4.3 Properties of Differentiable Functions

1. Compute the following limits, if they exist:

2−x
x1
(a) lim (f) 1
lim
x→2 ln(5−2x) x→+∞ x
x+1
ln(x+ex )
(b) lim x (g) lim (2x) x2
x→+∞ x→+∞

2 2x−1


(c) lim xex (h) lim 1− x
x→−∞ x→+∞
2
kx −lx e1+∥(x,y)∥ −e
(d) lim x (k, l ∈ R+ ) (i) lim ∥(x,y)∥4
x→0 (x,y)→(0,0)

1 1 x+y
(e) lim+ − (j) lim (x + y)
ln x x−1 (x,y)→(0,0)
x→1

2. Consider the functions f : D ⊂ R2 → R and g : D ⊂ R2 → R2 , defined, respectively, by:

p
• f (x, y) = x2 + y 2
• g(x, y) = (f (x, y), x + y)

(a) Define D.
(b) Define the range of f .
(c) Define the continuity domain of f .
(d) Show that f does not have partial derivatives at (0, 0).
(e) Using the result of (d), explain why f is not differentiable at (0, 0).
(f) Without further calculations, define the continuity and differentiability domains of g.

3. Consider the function f : R2 → R, defined by:

(
x2 y
x2 +y 2 if xy < 0
f (x, y) =
ln(xy + 1) if xy ≥ 0

(a) Define the continuity domain of f .

2
(b) State and justify whether f is differentiable in (R \ {0}) .
(c) Compute, if they exist:
i. ∇f (0, 0)
′
ii. f(1,−1) (0, 0)
(d) Using the results of (c), show that f is not differentiable at (0, 0).

4. Consider the function f : D ⊂ R2 → R, defined by f (x, y) = 3exy−1 + x ln y.

(a) Show that (1, 1) ∈ int(D).

(b) Define the differentiability domain of f .
′
(c) State and justify which are the vectors (u, v) in R2 with norm 1 and such that f(u,v) (1, 1) is:
i. Maximum

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Calculus I 2024 – 2025 S1
List 4.3 Properties of Differentiable Functions

ii. 0
iii. Minimum

5. Consider D ⊂ Rn , a ∈ int(D) and a function f : D ⊂ Rn → Rm . State and justify the truth value of the
following propositions:

(a) If n = m = 1, D = R and f is even and continuous in R, then the derivative function of f has at least one
zero.
(b) If m = 1 and f is C 2 at a, then Hf (a) is symmetric.
(c) If f is C 2 , then it is possible that fx′ : R2 → R and fy′ : R2 → R are defined, respectively, by fx′ (x, y) = xy 2 +1
and fy′ (x, y) = y 2 .
∂f
(d) If ∀i ∈ {1, 2, ..., n − 1}, ∂xi is continuous at a, then f is differentiable at a.
(e) If ∇f (a) = v and f is differentiable at a, then ∀u ∈ Rn , fu′ (a) ≤ fv′ (a).

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 Calculus I 2024 – 2025 S1
Workbook 4 Solutions

Solutions

List 4.1

1. (a) − 41 (b) 2e2a (c) ∄ (d) 6; −3 (e) 2ab3 ; 0 (f) ∄; ∄ (g) 0; 0

" 2
 2
#   
−4e1−x se x < 1
 2 2 
x (x −3) 24xe3x ln3 1+e3x  
2. (a) − (1−x2 )2 (b) (c) (d) [0] (x ̸
= 0) (e) 2 2
2 2xy 2x y
1+e 3x
[−4x] se x ≥ 1
 2

x(y −1) 2y (2x2 y 2 +y 4 −x)
2
h 2 2 i
(g) 2y√ y +1 √ y −x −2xy 4
 
(f) 2y 3 6xy 2 + 4 x
xy+ y 2y 2 x
xy+ y
(h) 2 2 2 2 2 2 ((x, y) ̸= (0, 0))
(x +y ) (x +y )
x2 (x2 −y 2 )
 h i
 2xy 3 if xy ̸= 0    
 (x2 +y 2)2 (x2+y 2 )2 2x 0 2x 0 2z
(i) 0 0 if x = 0 (j) 1 (k)
   x 0 −4z 2y −4x
if x ̸= 0 ∧ y = 0

0 1
′
L 1−α


3. (a) fK (K, L) = αA K . The increase in the quantity produced, when starting from a situation where
′
α ′
α
K = L, one additional unit of capital is used, is αA. (b) fL (K, L) = (1 − α)A K L ; fL (2, 10) = (1 − α)A 15
is the increase in the quantity produced, when starting from a situation where K = 2 and L = 10, one additional
unit of labor is used in the production of that product.
4. (a) R2 (b) R2 (c) ∄; ∄
fy′ : D ⊂ R2 → R
5. (b)
fy′ (x, y) = 0
′
6. (a) ∇f (0, 0) = (0, 0) (b) ∀(u, v) ∈ R2 \ {(0, 0)}, f(u,v) (0, 0) = 0
x x
" #
exy y 2 exy (1 + xy) 2y + ey 2x − ey2
 
7. (a) (b) x
2ex
exy (1 + xy) exy x2 2x − ey2 y3

List 4.2

1. (a) Yes; 2.1 (b) Yes; 0.99 (c) Yes; 1.2 (d) Yes; 0 (e) No
+ 2
2. (a) R \ {1} (b) R (c) R \ {(0, 0)} (d) (R × (R \ {0})) ∪ {(0, 0)} (e) (R \ {0}) × R (f) R2 \ {(0, 0)}
3. (a) 1 (b) R (c) R \ {0} (d) y = − xe + e−1
e

4. (a) R2 (b) R2 \ {(0, 0)}





5. (a) R2 \ x, x3 ∈ R2 : x ∈ R \ {−1, 0, 1} (b) R2 \ x, x3 ∈ R2 : x ∈ R (c) R2 \ x, x3 ∈ R2 : x ∈ R
6. (a) R2 \ {(0, 0)} (b) [1, +∞[ (c) R2 \ {(0, 0)} (d) Yes (e) No
7. (a) T (b) F (c) F (d) T

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Calculus I 2024 – 2025 S1
Workbook 4 Solutions

List 4.3
1 1 1
1. (a) 2 (b) 1 (c) 0 (d) ln k − ln l (e) 2 (f) 1 (g) 1 (h) e4 (i) +∞ (j) 1
2. (a) R2 (b) R+
0 (c) R2 (f) R2 ; R2 \ {(0, 0)}
3. (a) R2 (b) Yes (c) i. (0, 0) ii. − 12
3 4
− 45 , 35 and 4 3
− 35 , − 45





4. (a) D = R × R+ (b) R × R+ (c) i. 5, 5 ii. 5, −5 iii.
5. (a) F (b) T (c) F (d) F (e) F