Chapter 6. Slopes and Vertical Shifts
Volume 3, Why Slopes and More Math.
The vertical shift or motion of a curve y = f(x)
adds a constant d (the displacement) to each point. It yields a
new curve y = f(x)+d. The next diagram
indicates an example.
A simple vertical shift or motion may change the height of a skier, but
not the slope of his or her skis.
Constant Difference Theorem
What can be said for sure about two functions when they have the same
slope (or derivative) everywhere? One response is given by the following
assertion.
[Constant Difference Theorem] If the functions
f1(x) and f2(x) have
the same non-infinite slope (that is, derivative) m =
f¢1(x) =
f¢2(x) at
every x in an interval (a,b) then the
difference
is constant for a < x < b. That is,
there is a constant d such that
for every x in the interval (a,b), This number
d does not depend on x. The proof of this assertion is
given in the appendices.
Note the assertion says that there is a constant d. It does not
say how to find it. Here is an analogy: Saying there is a needle in a
haystack, does not say how to find it. Note also the word every. If there
is a point x1 in the interval (a,b) where
the slope is not defined then no conclusions can be drawn from the
Constant Difference theorem.
Remark. If f1(x) and
f2(x) satisfy the conditions (hypotheses) in the
Constant Difference theorem with f2(c) =
A and f1(c) = B at some point
c in the interval (a,b) then at x = c,
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d = f2(x)-f1(x) =
f2(c)-f1(c) =
A-B
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This says how to compute the value of d.
Remark. Mathematical assertions and theorems which say
that a number (or limit) is not defined or does not exist actually mean
that a finite number (or finite limit) does not exist. The vertical
motion theorem given above applies only when the common slope is finite
in the interval (a,b) of interest.
Load Flash Video
When the Constant Difference Theorem fails
404 by 408 3:36
minutes
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Different vertical displacements over different portions of the trail are
possible. The next diagram gives examples of this. Upshifts have been
made in the topmost curve of the previous diagram.
Between a and b, between b and c and between
c and d, the two trails y =
f1(x) and y =
f2(x) shown have the same slope but not the same
heights. At the ski jump and cliffs in the upper trail y =
f1(x), the slope is not defined.
Where Slopes are Not Defined
On a ski trail y = h(x), there may be a few
places where the slope is undefined or a single slope to the graph or trail
does not exist. In the following diagram, the slope is undefined at the ski
jump above the point x = a. At sharp peaks and kinks, a short
ski may pivot or rotate while keeping in contacting with one point, the
kink or peak on the trail. So a single slope to the trail cannot be defined
there. Where the trail has some vertical jumps, the graph ceases to be the
graph of a function. The slope is said to be undefined or not to exist
here, even though we might say it is infinite, +Â¥ or -.
Consider the next diagram. At the points
a,b,c,d and e, the slope function or
derivative m = h'( x )
cannot be given a single value. In general, a single value cannot be
assigned to slopes at sharp changes in the direction of a curve y
= h(x).
The study of generalized slopes or gradients replaces the discussion of
a single slope to a point on a curve by the discussion the set of
slopes to a point on a curve. This set based discussion is too
complicated to be examined further here.
But a single slope may sometimes be defined before and after such
kinks or sharp turns in the graph of a function.
The ski at the sharp peak is shown pivoting, that is rotating, as the ski
passes over.1 In pivoting at the peak, a ski can have many
orientations or slopes without intersecting the curve y =
h(x) on either side.
1The slope values during this
rotation form a set, the slope set. The value 0 belongs to this set.
Problem for Advanced Students.
A graph with vertical segments is not the graph of a
function, but it may be the image of a parameterized curve
$(x(t),y(t))$ where $t$ belongs to some interval. Show that
if $(x_j(t),y_j(t))$ for j = 1 and 2
are two continuous curves parameterized by $t \in [a,b]$, then
\( (x_1'(t),y_1'(t))=(x_2'(t),y_2'(t))
$ for all $t\in (a,b)$ implies there are constants $d_1$
and $d_2$ such that $(x_j(t),y_j(t))=(x_j(t),y_j(t))+(d_1,d_2)$.
This problem is both a consequence and an extension, a generalization, of
the constant difference theorem just stated. It applies to some
graphs with vertical segments.
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Calculus Starter Lessons
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They cover basic topics in ways likely to complement your
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Unsolicited Advice
Learning to do and high marks if it comes to easy is often
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