What actually is gradient?

How would you describe gradient in words?

We’re often concerned with

rates in maths/Science.
e.g. Speed is the rate at which
distance is changing.
Acceleration is the rate at
1 which speed is changing.
Gradient Function
Before, you found
For a straight line, the the gradient of a
gradient is constant: curve at a particular
point by drawing a
tangent.

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

Gradient
? -4? -2? 0? 2?
-6 4
? 6
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Finding the Gradient Function
The question is then: Is there a method to work out the gradient function
without having to draw lots of tangents and hoping that we can spot the rule?

As the second point gets closer and closer,

the gradient becomes a better
approximation of the true gradient:

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Derivative
Derivative is the gradient function or derived function.
Derivative shows the change in y with respect to x.

Notation:
Constant Rule:

Examples:

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3
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4
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Differentiation

Examples:

1 ? Power is 5, so multiply by 5 then

reduce power by 5.

2 ?

3 ?

4 ? ? ?

5 ? ?
Test Your Understanding

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2
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5 ? ?

6 ? ?
Sum and Difference Rule:
Differentiating multiple terms

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Quickfire Questions
1
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Example

1 2

Begin by expanding the brackets.

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Now you can differentiate.

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Example

3 4

Begin by expanding the brackets. Begin by expressing in exponential form.

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Now you can differentiate.

Now you can differentiate.

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Example

5 6

Simplify the rational expression. Simplify the rational expression.

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Now you can differentiate.

Now you can differentiate.
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Example

7 8

Move the variable x in the numerator.

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Now you can differentiate.

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Finding the gradient of a curve at a given point

First, find the derivative (derived function /gradient function).

? Remember that the derivative tells you the

gradient of the curve at a particular point.

Substitute the correct x co-ordinate.

Answer:

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Example
Find the gradient of each of the following curves at the point indicated.

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3

4
Assignment #2: Derived Functions

1 4

2
5

Find the gradient of each of the following curves at the point indicated.

1
2

4
Finding the point when the gradient is known

a ?

b
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Example

a c
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b

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Exercise 1
1 3

a ?

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b

c ?

d ?

e ? ?

f ?

g ? 4
2

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Finding equations of tangents

t
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gen
tan
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Finding equations of tangents

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g e nt
tan
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Example

g e nt
tan

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Exercise 2
1 3

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2
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Exercise 2
5

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Stationary/Turning Points

maximum

minimum

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Maximum and Minimum Points
Quadratic Function

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Examples

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Method 1:
Differentiation

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Method 2:
Completing the Square

Note: Method 2 is only applicable for

quadratic functions. For others,
differentiation must be used.
Examples
Method 2: Graph

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Method 1:
Method 2:
Differentiation
Graph
Test Your Understanding

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Sketching Graphs
In the past we’ve used features such as intercepts with the axes in order to
sketch graphs.
Now we can also find stationary/turning points!

? Turning Points ? Graph

Test Your Understanding

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Assignment #3: Tangents and Turning Points
1

5
Exercise 3
2
1

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Exercise 3
3 5

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