Definition:
A function $f$ is said to be differentiable at $x=a$
if and only if $f'(a)$ exists.
In other words, if and only if the limit
$\displaystyle \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(a+h)-f(a)}{h}$ exists, or, equivalently,
the limit $\displaystyle \lim_{x \to a} \frac{f(x)-f(a)}{(x-a)}$ exists.
A function $f$ is said to be differentiable on an interval $I$
if $f'(a)$ exists for every point $a \in I$.
Differentiability and Continuity
Theorem:
If a function is differentiable at $a$, then it is also continuous at $a$.
However, it can be continuous without being
differentiable!
How can a function fail to be differentiable?
There are several ways that a function can fail to be
differentiable. In particular:
The function may have a discontinuity, e.g., the function below at $x=-1$
The function may have a change in direction, e.g., $f(x) = |x|$ at $x=0$.
The function may have a vertical tangent, e.g., $f(x) = x^{1/3}$
at $x=0$.