An Invariable Calculus Project Due Date:

1. Carefully sketch the portion of the graph of xy = 1 where x > 0 and y > 0 . 2. Use your derivative rules to compute the derivative of f ( x ) =
x = 0.5 .

1 . Use this to compute the slope of f at x

3. Use the definition of derivative to confirm the slope of f at x = 0.5 . 4. Compute the value of

dy at x = 3 and x = 4 . dx

5. Write an equation for the tangent lines to f at x = 0.5, 3, and 4 . 6. On a graph of f ( x ) =

1 1 , draw the tangent line whose slope is determined by the expression f . x 2

7. Notice that the tangent line from the last question, along with the positive x- and y-axes forms a triangle. Determine the area for this triangle. Be sure to show your work. 8. Compute the areas of the triangles corresponding to each of the x-values given in question 5. 9. You should notice a pattern. State a conjecture. 10. Now prove your conjecture works for any tangent line to f at any point x = a where a > 0 .