This document is a WebAssign assignment (2.8a) for Calculus I (MATH 1910) at Middle Tennessee State University, focusing on the derivative as a function. It’s designed for students to practice applying the concept of the derivative to analyze function behavior and calculate derivatives using various methods.
This assignment is typically completed after initial lectures and readings on derivatives, serving as a check for understanding and preparation for more complex topics. Students will likely use this assignment to reinforce their ability to connect graphical representations of functions with their rates of change.
This assignment does *not* provide a comprehensive review of derivative rules or a detailed explanation of the derivative’s theoretical foundations. It assumes students already have a foundational understanding of these concepts. It also doesn’t offer complete solutions; it’s an exercise in applying learned skills.
This assignment includes problems requiring students to: interpret derivatives from graphs, analyze battery charging curves, estimate derivatives from function graphs, find derivatives using the definition of a derivative, and identify points where a function is not differentiable. It contains a mix of conceptual questions and computational exercises, all submitted through the WebAssign platform. The assignment covers functions including polynomials, rational functions, and potentially others requiring the limit definition of the derivative.
