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Thread: A bit of Calculus...

  1. #1
    GO! use leech seed! qwertysaur's Avatar
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    Default A bit of Calculus...

    OK this is more of an algebra problem but Derivatives makes it Calculus!

    Quote Originally Posted by The evil question
    prove that the derivative f'(x) of

    f(x) = sin(x) = cos(x)
    I get the whole

    (sin(x + h) - sin(x))/h but I have no idea what to do after that.

  2. #2
    One Hundred Chimneys Recognized Member Tavrobel's Avatar
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    If you're finding the derivative, then this definition comes with one important stipulation: the Limit as h --> 0.

    What you can do here is use the trig identity that the sin(x*h) is sin(x)cos(h) + cos(x)sin(h). Go from there. The h on the bottom should drop out of the equation.

    EDIT for solution: (SPOILER)If we use the limit definition of a function for a derivative as follows:

    f'(x) = Lim h-->0 (f(x+h) - f(x))/h
    f'(x) = Lim h-->0 (sin(x+h) - sin(x))/h

    But we know that the sin function has a trigonometric identity. sin(a*b) = sin(a)cos(b) + cos(a)sin(b). The variables a and b can be substituted for the values, x and h.
    sin(x*h) = sin(x)cos(h) + cos(x)sin(h)

    Substitute that mess for sin(x*h).
    f'(x) = Lim h-->0 (sin(x)cos(h) + cos(x)sin(h) - sin(x))/h
    Special angles are possible to use, but you won't get rid of the h on the bottom, the effective 0. Factor out sin(x).
    f'(x) = Lim h-->0 (sin(x)(cos(h) -1) + (cos(x)sin(h))/h

    Now we can use some special angles. sin(h) = 0; cos(h) = 1, because h = 0.
    f'(x) = Lim h-->0 (sin(x)(cos(h) -1) + (cos(x)sin(h))/h
    Special limits. Lim x--> 0 (cos(x)-1)/x = 0; sin(x)/x = 1.
    f'(x) = Lim h-->0 of 0 + (1)cos(x)
    f'(sin(x)) = cos(x)
    Last edited by Tavrobel; 10-08-2008 at 09:34 PM.

  3. #3
    GO! use leech seed! qwertysaur's Avatar
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    thank you so much!

    I knew I forgot some sort of trig property.

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