Section 3.1 Derivatives of Polynomials and Exponential Functions

Course Objectives

Students will be able to:
- using the limit definition of the derivative of a function, derive the rules for calculating the derivative of a constant function and the derivative of a power function.
- using the limit definition of the derivative of a function, derive the Sum Rule, the Difference Rule, and the Constant Multiple Rule for the derivative of a function.
- using the limit definition of the derivative of a function, derive the rule for the derivative of the exponential function ex.
- using all derivative rules, calculate the derivative and higher derivatives of a function.
- calculate the equation of the tangent line to a function at a specific real number.
- apply the rules for derivatives to solve application problems involving instant rates of change.
- solve application problems involving position functions that ask for velocity or acceleration of an object at a specific time.

Learning Resources

TO DO for this section:

Read/study key definitions and examples from the textbook and/or the provided Powerpoint PDF files.
Watch the Pre-Recorded Video Lecture videos.
Study the Lecture Notes created from the pre-recorded video lectures.
Complete assignments that include this section. They are located in the Assignments section. SAVE and organize your written work.
Log on to Online Class and Office Hours sessions to ask questions.
For extra practice, check out the exercise sets from the textbook.