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Numerical Derivative

The TI-30X Pro MathPrint™ calculates the (approximate) numerical derivative of an expression at a point given a tolerance for the numerical method. (See the About the Numerical Derivative at a Point section for more information.)

MathPrint™ Mode

% A pastes the numerical derivative template from the keypad to calculate the numerical derivative with the default tolerance H is 1EM5.

Example

% A

% A

z F T 5 z " "

M 1 <

To change the default tolerance, H, and observe how the tolerance plays a role in the numerical solution, paste the numerical derivative from the menu location, d MATH 7:nDeriv(, where the numerical derivative template will paste with the option to modify the tolerance as needed for an investigation of the numerical derivative result.

Example

d MATH 7:nDeriv(

with optional tolerance

d 7 z F T 5 z

" " M 1 " 1 E M 5

<

Classic Mode or Entry

In Classic mode or in classic edit lines, the nDeriv( command will paste from the keypad or MATH menu.

Syntax: nDeriv(expression,variable,point[,tolerance]) where tolerance is optional and the default H is 1EM5.

Example

% A

or

d MATH 7:nDeriv(

% A

z F T 5 z

% ` z

% ` M 1 )

<

About the Numerical Derivative at a Point

The numerical derivative at a point command, nDeriv( or d/dx, uses the symmetric difference quotient method. This method approximates the numerical derivative at a given point as the slope of the secant line about the point.

As H becomes smaller, the approximation usually becomes more accurate to approximate the slope of the tangent line at the given point x.

Because of the method used to calculate the numerical derivative at a point, the calculator can return a false derivative value at a non-differentiable point.
Always have some knowledge of the function behaviour near the point by using a table of values near the point (or a graph of the function).

³ Problem

Find the slope of the tangent line to the function f(x) = x2 - 4x at x = 2. What do you notice?

% A

z F U 4 z " "

2 <