For any Homework related queries, Call us at :- +1 678 648 4277

You can mail us at :- support@mathhomeworksolver.com

reach us at :- mathhomeworksolver.com
Calculus Homework Help
P ro bl em
Problem 1 The derivative of f (x) = 1/x is f J(x) = − 1/x 2 (for x nonzero).
(a) Show that for the tangent line to the graph of f (x) at (x 0 , y0 ), the x­intercept of
the line is 2x0 and the y­intercept of the line is 2y0.
(b) Part (a) implies the following: For every pair of real numbers (x 1 , y1 ), there is a
tangent line to the graph of f (x) with x­intercept x 1 and y­intercept y1 if and only if
x 1 y 1 equals
4. You may use this fact freely.
Let (a, b) be a point such that ab is nonzero and less than 1 (possibly negative).
Show that a line L with x­intercept x 1 and y­intercept y1 is a tangent line to the graph
of f (x) containing (a, b) if and only if x 1 satisfies,

Hint. Using Equations 1–5 on pp. 11–12 of the textbook, deduce that L contains
(a, b) if and only if bx1 + ay1 equals x 1 y 1 . Then use the fact above to eliminate one
of x 1 or y1 from this equation, and simplify.
(c) Using the quadratic formula and Part (b), which you may now use freely, write
down the equations of the 2 tangent lines to the graph of f (x) containing the
point (a, b) = (5, −3).
Problem 2 For a mass moving vertically under constant acceleration −g, the
displace­ ment function is,
x(t) = −gt 2 /2 + v0t + x 0 ,
where x 0 is the displacement and v0 is the instantaneous velocity at time t = 0.
A scientist uses a magnetic field to conduct an experiment simulating zero gravity.
At time t = 0, the scientist drops a mass from a height of 10m with instantaneous
velocity v0 = 0 under constant
acceleration −10m/s 2 . When the mass drops below height 5m, the field is switched
on and the

particle continues to move with new acceleration 0m/s 2 .

Assuming the displacement and velocity are continuous, determine the height and
instantaneous velocity of the mass at time t = 1.2s. Show your work.
gJ(x) =
af J(ax).
Problem 3 For a differentiable function f (x) and a real number a, using the
difference quotient definition of the derivative, show that the function g(x) = f (ax)
has derivative,
Soluti on

Solution (a) By Equation (4) on p. 54, the slope of the tangent line to the
parabola at (x 0 , y 0 ) is 2x0 . Thus the equation of the tangent line is,

(c). If x 0 is zero, the tangent line has equation y = 0, i.e., the tangent line is
the x­axis. Thus the tangent line does not have a well­2defined x­intercept.
Therefore assume that x 0 is nonzero. The x­intercept of0 the tangent line is
the value x 1 such that y is 0. Plugging in, this gives the equation,

0
both side by 2x0 gives the equation x 1 = x 0 /2. Thus the x­intercept x 1
equals 2 if and only if x 0
equals 2x1 = 2 × 2 = 4. As computed in (b), the equation of the tangent
line is,
Simplifying, this is 2x 0 x 1 = x 2 . Since x 0 is nonzero by hypothesis, also
2x0 is nonzero. Dividing
 y = 8x − 16.

Solution (b) Since f (x) equals ax2 + bx + c, substituting x + Δ x for x, f

(x + Δx ) equals,
a(x + Δx) 2 + b(x + Δ x) + c.
Expanding the square, this is,
a(x 2 + 2xΔx + (Δx) 2 ) + b(x + Δx) + c.
Therefore f (x + Δ x) − f (x) equals,
[a(x2 + 2xΔx + (Δx) 2 ) + b(x + Δ x ) + c] − [ax2 + bx + c].
Cancelling like terms, namely ax2 , bx and c, this simplifies to,
2axΔx + a(Δx) 2 + bΔx.
Separating the common factor Δ x from these terms, this simplifies to,
f (x + Δ x) − f (x) = (2ax + aΔ x + b) Δ x.
This complete Step 1.
Because of the common factor Δx, the difference quotient is,
f (x + Δ x) − f (x) = 2a x + aΔ x + b,

Δx
for Δ x nonzero. This completes Step 2.
Holding a, b and x constant and allowing Δ x to vary, the expression 2ax +
aΔx + b is a linear function in Δx; perhaps this is easier to see if it is
written aΔx + (2ax + b). A linear function is continuous. Thus to
compute the limit as Δ x approaches 0, it suffices to substitute in Δ x
equals f (x ) = 2ax + b.
J
0. Therefore,
f J(x) = lim [aΔ x + (2ax + b)] = a0 + (2ax + b),
Δx→0
which simplifies to 2ax + b. Therefore the derivative of
ax2 + bx + c is,

Solution (c) The function is defined when 3x+2 is nonzero, i.e., when x is
not −2/3. The function is undefined with x equals −2/3. Therefore assume
that x is not −2/3.
Substituting x + Δ x for x gives,

To compute the difference,

we express both fractions with the common denominator (3(x + Δ x) + 2)(3x

+ 2),
we express both fractions with the common denominator (3(x + Δx) + 2)(3x +
2)
Cancelling the like terms 3x and 2, this simplifies to,

This completes Step 1.

Because of the factor Δx in the numerator of f(x + Δx) − f(x), the difference
quotient is,

for Δ x nonzero. This completes Step 2.

Considered as a function of Δx, is the expression (−3)/(3x+2+3Δx)
(3x+2) defined and continuous at Δ x = 0? The only values of Δ x where
the expression is undefined or discontinuous are the values where the
denominator equals 0.
By hypothesis, x is not −2/3, and thus 3x + 2 is not zero. Therefore the
denominator is 0 if and only if 3x + 2 + 3Δx is 0. Thus the function
(−3)/(3x + 2 + 3Δx)(3x + 2) has a single infinite discontinuity when Δ x
equals −x − 2/3. Again using the hypothesis that x is not −2/3, −x − 2/3
does not equal 0. In other words, there is a single point where the function
is undefined and discontinuous, but this point is different from Δ x = 0.
Therefore (−3)/(3x + 2 + 3Δx)(3x + 2) is defined and continuous at Δ x
= 0. So the limit can be computed by substituting in 0 for Δx. Therefore
the derivative of f (x) = 1/(3x + 2) is,
Solution (d) The function is defined when x is nonnegative and undefined
when x is negative. Therefore assume that x is nonnegative, x ≥ 0.

Substituting x + Δx for x gives,

Please note this is defined if and only if x + Δx is nonnegative, i.e., Δx ≥ −x.

Also, as always, Δx is nonzero.
To compute the difference,

Although at first glance this seems to make the expression more

complicated, in fact the expression now simplifies. The numerator is of the
form (a − b)(a + b) for a = 2(x + Δx) and b = √2x. But (a − b)(a + b) simplifies
to a “difference of squares”, a2 − b2. Thus the expression simplifies to,
This completes Step 1.

Because of the factor Δx in the numerator of f(x + Δx) − f(x), the difference
quotient is,

for Δx nonzero and satisfying Δx ≥ −x. This completes Step 2.

There are 2 cases depending on whether x is positive or zero. First consider

the case that x is zero. Then the difference quotient is

This expression has an infinite discontinuity as Δx approaches 0. Therefore

the limit is undefined. Since the derivative is the limit of the difference
quotient, f(x) is undefined for x = 0.
Next consider the case that x is positive. Considered as a function of Δx, for
Δx ≥ −x, the expression 2/( 2(x + Δx)+√2x) is defined and continuous as long
as the denominator is nonzero. Since √2x is positive and �2(x + Δx) is
nonnegative, the sum 2(x + Δx) + √2x is positive. Therefore the expression is
defined and continuous at Δx = 0. So the limit can be computed by
substituting in 0 for Δx. Therefore the derivative of f(x) = √2x for x > 0 is
Solution (e) The velocity of the first particle is,

and the velocity of the second particle is,

using the solution of Problem 1 of Section 2.3. Therefore the speed of

the first particle is,

and the speed of the second particle is,

(a). There are 3 cases to consider: 0 ≤ t ≤ 9/4, 9/4 < t ≤ 3 and t > 3. In the
first case, | | v1(t) equals |v2(t) if | and only if,

(6 − 2t = 9 − 4t) if and only if (2t = 3) if and only

if (t = 3/2).
So for 0 ≤ t ≤ 9/4, the speeds are equal for precisely one moment, t = 3/2.
At this time, both speeds equal 3. Note, however, the velocity of the first
particle is −3 and the velocity of the second particle is +3, i.e., the
velocities are not equal.

In the second case, |v1(t) equals v2(t) if and only if,

(6 − 2t = 4t − 9) if and only if (6t = 15)if and only if

(t = 15/6).
Note that 15/6 = 5/2 = 2 1 is between 9/4 = 2 1 and 3. So, for 9/4 < t ≤ 3, the
speeds are equal 2 4 for precisely one moment, t = 5/2. At this time, both
speeds equal 1.
In the third case, |v1(t) equals | | | v2(t) if and only if,
(2t − 6 = 4t − 9) if and only if (2t = 3) if and only if (t = 3/2).

However, 3/2 = 1 1 is less than 3. So for t > 9/4, the particles never have the
same speed. In sum­2 mary, for t ≥ 0 the two particles have equal speed at
precisely two moments,

(b). The moment when the two particles have the same position is the
solution of the equation,

The two solutions of this quadratic equation are t = 0 and t = 5.

t = 3 2/ t and = 5/2. And, for t = 5, the particles have velocities

Solution (f) The expression 6/(2x − 4) has an infinite discontinuity when the
denominator equals v1 ×0− − v2 −4× v1 ×5− v2 −4 × − t v1 = − v2 v1 v2 = −
Now, (0) equals 2 6 = 6 and (0) equals 0+9 = 9. Also, (5) equals 2 6 = 4 and (5)
equals 5 + 9 = 11. Thus, for = 0, the particles have velocities, 6 and = 9. = 4
and 11. 0. The denominator is 0 when 2x − 4 = 0, or equivalently, x = 2.
Therefore the limit,

is undefined.
Solution (g) The expression (x2 + 3x)/(x − x + 3) is defined and continuous so
long as the denominator is nonzero. Plugging in 3 for x, the denominator
equals,
when x = 3. Since the denominator is nonzero, the limit
exists and equals,

Solution (h) The expression (x − 4)/( √x − 2) is undefined when x = 4, since the

denominator is 0. However, by the same “difference of squares” technique
from Solution (d),

The expression √x + 2 is defined and continuous for all nonnegative x.

Therefore the limit is obtained by plugging in 4 for x;
Of course this is also a special case of Problem 1 from Section 2.3. At x = 2, the
derivative is y = 6(2) − 5 = 7. Therefore the equation of the tangent line is,
(y − 4) = 7(x − 2) or equivalently y = 7x − 10

Solution (j) In the first method, the fraction is simplified

to,

Clearing denominators, the derivative

is,

In the second method, expressing f(x) as a quotient,

Expanding and simplifying, the numerator equals,

Thus the quotient rule gives,

Factoring x5 from numerator and denominator, this is,

just as in the first method.

Problem 1The derivative of f(x) = 1/x is f (x) = −1/x2 (for x nonzero).

(a)Show that for the tangent line to the graph of f(x) at (x0, y0), the x­intercept
of the line is 2x0 and the y­intercept of the line is 2y0.

Solution to (a) The equation of the tangent line is,

The x­intercept is the unique value x = x1 for which y = 0. Plugging in x = x1

and y = 0 gives the equation,
Simplifying, this gives,

Since x0y0 equals 1, this simplifies to,

Similarly, the y­intercept is the unique value y = y1 for which x = 0. Plugging in x

= 0 and y = y1 gives the equation,

Since 1/x0 equals y0, the equation is,

Solving, this gives,

(b)Part (a) implies the following: For every pair of real numbers (x1, y1),
there is a tangent line to the graph of f(x) with x­intercept x1 and y­intercept
y1 if and only if x1y1 equals 4. You may use this fact freely.
Let (a, b) be a point such that ab is nonzero and less than 1 (possibly
negative). Show that a line L with x­intercept x1 and y­intercept y1 is a tangent
line to the graph of f(x) containing (a, b) if and only if x1 satisfies,

and y1 satisfies,

Hint. Using Equations 1–5 on pp. 11–12 of the textbook, deduce that L
contains (a, b) if and only if bx1 + ay1 equals x1y1. Then use the fact above
to eliminate one of x1 or y1 from this equation, and simplify.

Solution to (b) The equation of the line L with x­intercept x1 and y­intercept
y1 is,

Therefore (a, b) is on L if and only if,

First, substituting in y1 = 4/x1 to Equation 1 gives,

Multiplying both sides by x1 and simplifying gives,

Next, substituting in x1 = 4/y1 to Equation 1 gives,

Multiplying both sides by y1 and simplifying gives,

(c)(5 points) Using the quadratic formula and Part (b), which you may now
use freely, write down the equations of the 2 tangent lines to the graph of
f(x) containing the point (a, b) = (5, −3).

Solution to (c) Plugging in a = 5 and b = −3 to the equation bx2 1 − 4x1 + 4a

= 0 gives,

By the quadratic formula, the solutions are,

Simplifying, this gives,

Thus the solutions are x1 = 6/3 = 2 and x1 = −10/3. Since y1 = 4/x2, the
corresponding solutions of y1 are y1 = 2 and y1 = −6/5.

Since the equation of L is y1x + x1y = x1y1, the equations of the 2 tangent
lines containing (5, −3) are

Simplifying, the equations of the 2 tangent lines

containing (5, −3) are

Problem 2 For a mass moving vertically under constant acceleration −g, the
displacement function is

where x0 is the displacement and v0 is the instantaneous velocity at time t =

0.

A scientist uses a magnetic field to conduct an experiment simulating zero

gravity. At time t = 0, the scientist drops a mass from a height of 10m with
instantaneous velocity v0 = 0 under constant acceleration −10m/s2. When
the mass drops below height 5m, the field is switched on and the particle
continues to move with new acceleration 0m/s2.

Assuming the displacement and velocity are continuous, determine the

height and instantaneous velocity of the mass at time t = 1.2s. Show your
work.
Solution to Problem 2 Before the field is switched on, the displacement
function is,

Differentiating, the velocity

function is,

The time t1 at which the field is switched on is the positive solution of the
equation x(t1) = 5. Plugging in and solving gives,

Therefore the field is activated at time t1 = 1s.

The displacement function for t > t1 is,

where g1 is the new acceleration, v1 is the instantaneous velocity at time t =

t1, and x1 is the displacement at time t = t1. At time t1, the displacement is
x1 = 5 and the instantaneous velocity is v(t1) = −10(1) = −10. For t > t1, the
particle moves with acceleration g1 = 0. Thus the displacement function is,

Plugging in t = 1.2s gives,

Problem 3 For a differentiable function f(x) and a real number a, using the
difference quotient definition of the derivative, show that the function g(x) =
f(ax) has derivative,

Solution to Problem 3 Plugging in,