Mathematics

Mathematics

Problem

For the function f(x)=∣x∣f(x)=|x|, which of the following best explains why f′(0)f'(0) does NOT exist? a) The slopes of the tangent lines on both sides approach ∞\infty, creating a vertical tangent instead of a finite slope. b) The function is not continuous at x=0x=0, so a derivative cannot be taken there. c) The limits of the difference quotient from the left and right approach different finite values, so the one–sided derivatives are unequal. d) Using f′(x)=x∣x∣f'(x)=\dfrac{x}{|x|} and substituting x=0x=0 gives 00\dfrac{0}{0}, an undefined value, so the derivative does not exist.

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