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Applications of Derivatives

Comprehensive calculus applications using derivatives to solve rates, optimization, graphing, asymptotes, and approximation problems.

Topics Covered

Related rates, linear approximations, extrema and optimization, mean value theorem, curve shape, asymptotes, L'Hôpital, Newton, antiderivatives

Setting up Related-Rates Problems

Examples of the Process

Linear Approximation of a Function at a Point

Differentials

Calculating the Amount of Error

Absolute Extrema

Local Extrema and Critical Points

Locating Absolute Extrema

Rolle’s Theorem

The Mean Value Theorem and Its Meaning

Corollaries of the Mean Value Theorem

The First Derivative Test

Concavity and Points of Inflection

The Second Derivative Test

Limits at Infinity

End Behavior

Guidelines for Drawing the Graph of a Function

Solving Optimization Problems over a Closed, Bounded Interval

Solving Optimization Problems when the Interval Is Not Closed or Is Unbounded

Applying L’Hôpital’s Rule

Other Indeterminate Forms

Growth Rates of Functions

Describing Newton’s Method

Failures of Newton’s Method

Other Iterative Processes

The Reverse of Differentiation

Indefinite Integrals

Initial-Value Problems

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