Find the derivatives of the following functions at the indicated points :

Derivative of a function f(x) at any real number a is given by –


{where h is a very small positive number}


derivative of sin x at x = π/2 is given as –




{ sin (π/2 + x) = cos x }


we can’t find the limit by direct substitution as it gives 0/0 (indeterminate form)


So we need to do few simplifications to evaluate the limit.


As we know that 1 – cos x = 2 sin2(x/2)



Dividing the numerator and denominator by 2 to get the form (sin x)/x to apply sandwich theorem, also multiplying h in numerator and denominator to get the required form.



Using algebra of limits we have –



Use the formula:


f’(π/2) = – 1×0 = 0


Hence,


Derivative of f(x) = sin x at x = π/2 is 0


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