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MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISE 9 (II) · Q70

Q.Discuss whether the function f(x)=∣x+1∣+∣x−1∣f(x)=|x+1|+|x-1| is differentiable ∀x∈R\forall x\in R.

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f(x)=∣x+1∣+∣x−1∣f(x)=|x+1|+|x-1|. The two 'critical points' where an absolute value changes formula are x=−1x=-1 and x=1x=1, splitting RR into three pieces:

For x<−1x<-1: x+1<0, x−1<0x+1<0,\ x-1<0, so f(x)=−(x+1)+[−(x−1)]=−(x+1)+(1−x)=−2xf(x)=-(x+1)+\big[-(x-1)\big]=-(x+1)+(1-x)=-2x.

For −1≤x<1-1\le x<1: x+1≥0, x−1<0x+1\ge0,\ x-1<0, so f(x)=(x+1)+(1−x)=2f(x)=(x+1)+(1-x)=2 (constant).

For x≥1x\ge1: x+1≥0, x−1≥0x+1\ge0,\ x-1\ge0, so f(x)=(x+1)+(x−1)=2xf(x)=(x+1)+(x-1)=2x.

On each open piece ff is a polynomial (or constant), hence differentiable there. At the joins:

At x=−1x=-1: both pieces give f(−1)=2f(-1)=2 (continuous). Lf′(−1)Lf'(-1) = derivative of −2x-2x = −2-2; Rf′(−1)Rf'(-1) = derivative of the constant 22 = 00. Since −2≠0-2\ne0, not differentiable at x=−1x=-1. …

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