2.1 rates of change and limits.

notebook AP Calculus

2.1- Rates of Change and Limits

total distance (Hopefully you remember this

Average speed =
total time from Science 10.)
The distance fallen (d) for an object dropped at rest is given by:

d(t) = 4.9t2 , when d is measured in m, and time in s.

d(t) = 16t2 , when d is measured in ft, and time in s.
When an object falls, it is constantly changing speed (it is accelerating). As a
result, the instantaneous speed (the speed at a given point in time) will not
usually match the average speed.
If you try to calculate instantaneous speed using the average speed formula
you will have a problem since you will be dividing by zero. Isaac Newton
developed calculus to get around the problem of dividing by zero. Calculus is
a powerful tool where you can solve problems that involve dividing by zero
(using limits to find a derivative), and it allows you to add an infinite number of
items (using limits to find an integral).
p. 59

Just because we use x and y so often in algebra, let's change the formula above to
y = 16x2. y will give the distance, while x will represent time. This means that the
speed formula becomes the slope formula. Plug in the formula for distance (y2 & y1)
to find a slope formula in terms of the variable x, then solve the problem numerically.

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2.1 rates of change and limits.notebook AP Calculus

Now we have a problem. The speed at exactly 2 seconds implies that no time has
elapsed (i.e. the change in time is 0) and we cannot divide by zero. We will need to
introduce the calculus concept of the limit. We need to use our imagination a little bit.
First assume that time one is given by x1 = 2. Next, we imagine that a time a little bit
past 2 seconds is the second time. Use x2 = 2 + h, where h is a very small amount of
time added to 2 seconds. "h" is so small that we say it is approaching zero. Lets
apply this to the slope formula.

Find what the expressions are for y2 & y1 then

plug them into the slope formula with the new
limit notation that Mr. Schindelka will show you.

Let's look at a chart of values as the value of "h" gets smaller, then find the
answer.

Method 1 to evaluate limits: Use a chart of values, but this is time

consuming, and it is not precise. However its workman-like approach does
serve a purpose in some settings (ex. - maybe in a computer program).

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2.1 rates of change and limits.notebook AP Calculus

From Calculus 30, by Burt Thiesen.

for
at i on its
not e d lim
sid
one
from the left the value approaches

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2.1 rates of change and limits.notebook AP Calculus

Ass't: p. 66 # 38 - 44, 52, 54. Method 2 to evaluate limits: Use a graph if

possible. This method is vital to your
understanding of calculus.

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2.1 rates of change and limits.notebook AP Calculus

Examples from B. Thiesen

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2.1 rates of change and limits.notebook AP Calculus

By this point the properties of limits should intuitively understood. Review the properties on
page 61 & 62 and ask me if you have any questions.
Ass't: p. 66 # 5 - 23 odds ( and 16 - 22 evens if you the time), 50.

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2.1 rates of change and limits.notebook AP Calculus

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2.1 rates of change and limits.notebook AP Calculus

(a)

(b)

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2.1 rates of change and limits.notebook AP Calculus

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2.1 rates of change and limits.notebook AP Calculus

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