CHUKA UNIVERSITY

Differentiation.

Lecturer: Nelson M
Phone: 0726854017, 0101854017, 0775854017
Email: [email protected]

MATH 100 GENERAL MATHEMATICS

 Differentiation

 Basic Rules of Differentiation

 Differentiation from first principle
Derivative of a Constant
The Power Rule
Derivative of a Constant Multiple Function
The Sum Rule
 The Product and Quotient Rules
 The Chain Rule
 Tangent and Normal to a curve
 Turning points and curve sketching
The slope of a curve is equal to the slope of the line (or
tangent) that touches the curve at that point
3
 Differentiation from first principles
4
Differentiation from first principles
The gradient of chord AB is:
 y ( x   x )2  x 2
B(x + δx, (x + δx)2) =
x ( x   x)  x
x2  2 x x  ( x)2  x 2
=
δy
x
2 x x  ( x)2
=
A(x, x2) x
δx  x(2 x   x )
=
x
= 2x +  x

2 y
So for y = x , lim = 2x
 x 0  x
Differentiating y = x3 from first principles
For the curve y = x3, we can consider the general point A (x, x3)
and the point B (x + δx, (x + δx)3) a small distance away from A.
The gradient of chord AB is then:
 y ( x   x )3  x3
=
x ( x   x)  x
x3  3 x2 x  3 x( x )2  ( x )3  x3
=
x
3 x2 x  3 x( x )2  ( x)3
=
x
 x(3 x2  3 x x  ( x)2 )
=
x
= 3 x  3 x x  ( x )2
2

3 y
So for y = x , lim = 3 x2
 x 0  x
 Using the notation dy
dx

We have shown that for y = x3

y
lim = 3 x2
 x 0  x
y dy
lim is usually written as .
 x 0  x dx
dy
So if y = x3 then: = 3 x2
dx
dy
represents the derivative of y with respect to x.
dx
y dy
Remember, is the gradient of a chord, while is the gradient
x dx
of the tangent.
 Rule 1: Derivative of a Constant

 To mean “the derivative of f with respect to x at x.”

Rule 1: Derivative of a constant

d
c  0
dx

 The derivative of a constant function is equal to zero.

Rule 2: The Power Rule

Rule 2: The Power Rule

 If n is any real number, then

d n
dx
 x   nx n 1
 Rule 2: The Power Rule
Practice Examples:
d
 If f(x) = x, then f ( x )   x   1  x11  x 0  1
dx

 If f(x) = x8, then f ( x ) 

d 8
dx
 x   8  x 81  8 x 7

 If f(x) = x5/2, then

f ( x ) 
dx

d 5/2
x  
5 5/21 5 3/2
2
x  x
2

Example 2, page 159

 Rule 2: The Power Rule
Practice Examples: f ( x)  x
 Find the derivative of

f ( x ) 
d
dx
 
x  x 
d 1/2
dx

1 1/2 1 1 1/2
 x  x
2 2

1

2 x

Example 3, page 159

 Rule 2: The Power Rule
1
Practice Examples: f ( x)  3
x
 Find the derivative of

d  1  d 1/3
f ( x)     x 
dx  x  dx
3

1 1/31
 x
3

1 1
  x 4 / 3   4 / 3
3 3x

Example 3, page 159

Rule 3: Derivative of a Constant
Multiple Function

Rule 3: Derivative of a Constant Multiple Function

 If c is any constant real number, then

d d
 cf ( x )  c  f ( x )
dx dx
 Rule 3: Derivative of a Constant
Multiple Function
Practice Examples: f ( x)  5x 3
 Find the derivative of

f ( x ) 
d
dx
 5x 3 

 5  x3 
d
dx

 5  3x 2 

 15 x 2

Example 4, page 160

 Rule 3: Derivative of a Constant
Multiple Function
Practice Examples: f ( x) 
3
x
 Find the derivative of

f ( x) 
d
dx
 3x 1/ 2 

 1 3/ 2 
 3  x 
 2 

3

2 x3/ 2
Example 4, page 160
Rule 4: The Sum Rule

Rule 4: The Sum Rule

d d d
 f ( x)  g ( x)   f ( x)   g ( x)
dx dx dx
 Rule 4: The Sum Rule
Practice Examples: f ( x )  4 x 5  3x 4  8 x 2  x  3
 Find the derivative of

f ( x )   4 x 5  3x 4  8 x 2  x  3
d
dx
 4  x   3  x   8  x    x    3
d 5 d 4 d 2 d d
dx dx dx dx dx

 4 5x 4   3  4 x 3   8  2 x   1  0

 20 x 4  12 x 3  16 x  1
Example 5, page 161
 Rule 4: The Sum Rule
Practice Examples: t2 5
g (t )   3
5 t
 Find the derivative of

d  t2 5  d  1 2 
g (t )    3    t  5t 3 
dt  5 t  dt  5 

  t   5 t 
1 d 2 d 3
5 dt dt

 2t   5  3t 4 
1

5
2t 15 2t 5  75
  4 
5 t 5t 4
Example 5, page 161
Rule 5: The Product Rule

 The derivative of the product of two differentiable

functions is given by

d
 f ( x ) g ( x )  f ( x ) g ( x )  g ( x ) f ( x )
dx
 Rule 5: The Product Rule
Practice Examples:
f ( x)   2 x 2  1 x 3  3
 Find the derivative of

f ( x )   2 x 2  1      2 x 2  1
d 3 d
x  3  x 3
 3
dx dx

  2 x 2  1 3x 2    x 3  3  4 x 

 6 x 4  3x 2  4 x 4  12 x
 x 10 x 3  3x  12 

Example 1, page 172

 Rule 5: The Product Rule
Practice Examples: f ( x)  x 3  
x 1
 Find the derivative of

f ( x )  x 3
dx

d 1/2
x  1   x 1/2
 1 d 3
dx
x

 1 1/2 
 x  x    x1/2  1 3x 2
3

2 
1 5/2
 x  3x 5/2  3x 2
2
7 5/2
 x  3x 2
2
Example 2, page 172
Rule 6: The Quotient Rule

 The derivative of the quotient of two

differentiable functions is given by

d  f ( x)  g ( x) f ( x)  f ( x) g ( x)
    g  x   0
 g ( x) 
2
dx  g ( x) 
 Rule 6: The Quotient Rule
x
Practice Examples: f ( x) 
2x  4
 Find the derivative of

d d
 2 x  4 ( x)  x  2 x  4 
f ( x )  dx dx
 2 x  4
2


 2 x  4 1  x  2 
  
2
2 x 4

2x  4  2x 4
 
 2 x  4  2 x  4
2 2

Example 3, page 173

 Rule 6: The Quotient Rule
Practice Examples: x2  1
f ( x)  2
x 1
 Find the derivative of

 x 2  1 d 2
 x  1   x 2
 1 d 2
 x  1
f ( x )  dx dx
 x  1
2 2


 x 2
 1  2 x    x 2  1  2 x 
x  1
2 2

2 x3  2 x  2 x3  2 x 4x
 
x  1 x  1
2 2 2 2

Example 4, page 173

Rule 7: The Chain Rule

 If h(x) = g[f(x)], then

d
h( x)  g  f ( x)   g   f ( x )  f ( x )
dx
 Equivalently, if we write y = h(x) = g(u),
where u = f(x), then
dy dy du
 
dx du dx
 Rule 7: The Chain Rule
Practice Examples:
 Find the derivative of
G ( x )  x 2
1

Solution
G( x)   x  1
2 1/2

 Rewrite as a power function:

 Apply the general power rule:

G( x )   x  1   1
1 2 1/2 d 2
x
2 dx
  x  1  2 x 
1 2 1/2

2
x

x2  1
Example 2, page 184
 Rule 7: The Chain Rule
Practice Examples:
f ( x)  x 2  2 x  3
5

 Find the derivative of

Solution
 Apply the product rule and the chain rule:
d 5 d
f ( x )  x 2       x2
5
2 x 3 2 x 3
dx dx
 x 5 2 x  3  2   2 x  3  2  x
2 4 5

 10 x  2 x  3  2 x  2 x  3
2 4 5

 2 x  2 x  3  5x  2 x  3
4

 2 x  2 x  3  7 x  3
4

Example 3, page 185

 Rule 7: The Chain Rule
1
Practice Examples: f ( x) 
4x  7
2 2

 Find the derivative of

f ( x)   4 x  7 
2
Solution
2

 Rewrite as a power function:

f ( x)  2  4 x  7 
3
 Apply the general power rule: 2
8 x 

16 x

4x  7
2 3

Example 5, page 186

 Rule 7: The Chain Rule
Practice Examples:  2 x  1 
3

f ( x)   
 Find the derivative of  3x  2 
Solution
 Apply the chain rule and the quotient rule:

 2x  1  d  2x  1 
2

f ( x)  3    
 3 x  2  dx  3 x  2 
 2 x  1    3x  2  2    2 x  1 3 
2

 3   
 3x  2    3x  2 
2


 2 x  1  6 x  4  6 x  3 3  2 x  1
 
2 2

 3   
 3x  2    3x  2    3x  2 
2 4

Example 6, page 186

 8. The Inverse Function Rule
30

dy 1

If x = f(y) then dx dx
dy
 Examples

i) x = 3y2 then
dx dy 1
dy
 6y so dx  6 y

ii) y = 4x3 then

dy dx 1
 12 x 2 so dy  12 x 2
dx
 Self Assessment
31

Find the derivative of the following

 y = (4x3 + 3x – 7 )4
Use first principles to differentiate
 y = (ax2 + bx)½
𝑦 = x4
 y = (x+2)(ax2+bx)
 y = (4x3-3x+2)(2x2+4x)
𝑥+2 1 𝑑𝑦
 𝑦= If 𝑥 = 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑
𝑥+4 3𝑦 −2 𝑑𝑥
2
 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3𝑥
 Y = 10
h( x )   x  x  1
100 1
2
H ( x)  G( x )  2 x 2  3
5  x 
3 3
 Self Assessment (Cont.)

 The equation of motion of a particle is

s = 2t3 - 5t2 + 3t + 4, where s is measured
in centimeters and t in seconds.

 Find the acceleration as a function of time.

 What is the acceleration after 2 seconds?

 Self Assessment (Cont.)

33 Differentiate y = 4 x with respect to x.

Find the gradient of the curve
y = 3x4 at the point (–2, 48). Given that f (x) = (1+ x )2 find f '( x).
Differentiate y = x4 + 3x2 – 5x + 2 with respect to x.

Find the point on y = 4x2 – x – 5 where the gradient is 15.

Given that f(x) = (2x – 3)(x2 – 5) find f ′(x).

Find the gradient of f(x) at the point (–3, –36).

3 x5 + 4 x 2  8 x
Differentiate y = with respect to x.
2x
2
Differentiate y = with respect to x.
x
Tangent and normal to a curve
Using Gradient Functions
e.g. Find the gradient at the point where x = 1 on
the curve
y  3x  2x  x  4
3 2

Solution:
Differentiating to find the gradient function:
dy
 9x2  4x  1
dx
When x = 1, gradient m = 9(1) 2  4(1)  1

 m  12
Tangents and normals to a curve at a given point
Tangent
The gradient of a curve, y = f (x), at a point P with
coordinates (x1, y1) is given by the derivative of y
(the gradient of the tangent) at the point:

The equation of the tangent can then be found from

the equation:
dy
at ( x1 , y1 )
dx

dy
y  y1  m( x  x1 ) where m 
dx
Finding equations of normals
Find the equation of the normal to the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 when 𝑥 = 3.

The normal to a
curve is the line
perpendicular to
the tangent.
Equation of tangent is?

Therefore equation of normal:

(3,9)

From Exam Tip: A very common error is for students to

accidentally forget whether the question is asking for
the tangent or for the normal.
Test Your Understanding

𝒅𝒚
= 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎𝒙
𝒅𝒙
𝒎 = 𝟑 −𝟏 𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎 ?
−𝟏 = 𝟑 − 𝟏𝟎 = −𝟕

At 𝒙 = −𝟏, 𝒚 = −𝟏 𝟑 + 𝟓 −𝟏 𝟐 + 𝟏
= −𝟏 + 𝟓 + 𝟏 = 𝟓
Therefore:
?
𝒚 − 𝟓 = −𝟕 𝒙 + 𝟏
Self Assessment
1 A curve has equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 + 1 3 Show that the tangents to the curve 𝑦 =
3 2
(a) When 𝑥 = −1, show that the value of
𝑑𝑦 𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 1 at 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = −3
𝑑𝑥 are parallel.
is -7. 𝒅𝒚
𝒅𝒚 = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟑
= 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝒅𝒙 ? 𝒅𝒚
At 𝒙 = 𝟏, = 𝟑 + 𝟔 + 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟐
𝒎 = 𝟑 −𝟏 𝟐 + 𝟏𝟎 −𝟏 = −𝟕 𝒅𝒙
𝒅𝒚
?
(b) Work out the equation of the tangent to At 𝒙 = −𝟑, = 𝟐𝟕 − 𝟏𝟖 + 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟐
𝒅𝒙
the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 + 1 at the point Same gradient therefore parallel.
where 𝑥 = −1.
𝒚 = −𝟏 𝟑 + 𝟓 −𝟏 𝟐 + 𝟏 = 𝟓
?
𝒚 − 𝟓 = −𝟕(𝒙 + 𝟏)
4 Work out the equation
3
of the normal to
2
the curve 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1 at the point
(1, 2). Give your answer in the form 𝑦 =
2 A curve has equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 4 − 5𝑥 2 + 9 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐.
(a) Work out .
𝑑𝑦 𝒅𝒚
𝑑𝑥 𝒅𝒙
?
= 𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝟏𝟎𝒙 𝒅𝒚
= 𝟔𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙
(b) Work out the equation of the tangent to 𝒅𝒙
the curve at the point where 𝑥 = 2 𝒎=𝟔−𝟐=𝟒
Give your answer in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 𝟏
𝒎𝑻 = −
𝒚 = 𝟐𝟒 − 𝟓 𝟐 𝟐 + 𝟗 = 𝟓 ? 𝟒
𝟏
𝒎 = 𝟒 𝟐 𝟑 − 𝟏𝟎 𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐 𝒚−𝟐=− 𝒙−𝟏
?
𝒚 − 𝟓 = 𝟏𝟐 𝒙 − 𝟐 𝟏
𝟒
𝟗
𝒚 = 𝟏𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟗 𝒚=− 𝒙+
𝟒 𝟒
Stationary Points
Features you’ve previously
used to sketch graphs?
f’(x) = 0 Maximum point

Stationary points are

Minimum point those for which f’(x) = 0

f’(x) = 0

Maximum/minimum points are known as ‘turning points’.

 Finding stationary points
We can find the coordinates of the stationary point on a
dy
given curve by solving = 0. For example:
dx
Find the coordinates of the stationary points
on the curve with equation y = x3 – 12x + 7.
dy
= 3 x 2  12
dx
dy
= 0 when 3x2 – 12 = 0
dx
x2 – 4 = 0
(x – 2)(x + 2) = 0
x = 2 or x = –2
 Finding stationary points
Substituting x = 2 into y = x3 – 12x + 7 gives
y = 23 – 12(2) + 7
= 8 – 24 + 7
= –9
So one of the stationary points has the coordinates (2, –9).
Substituting x = –2 into y = x3 – 12x + 7 gives
y = (–2)3 – 12(–2) + 7
= –8 + 24 + 7
= 23
So the other stationary point has the coordinates (–2, 23).
Deciding the nature of a stationary point
We can decide whether a stationary point is a maximum, a
minimum or a point of inflection by working out whether the
function is increasing or decreasing just before and just
after the stationary point.
We have shown that the point (2, –9) is a stationary point
on the curve y = x3 – 12x + 7.
Let’s see what happens when x is 1.9, 2 and 2.1.

Value of x 1.9 2 2.1

dy
Value of = 3 x 2  12 –1.17 0 1.23
dx
–ive 0 +ive
Slope

So (2, –9) is a minimum turning point.

Deciding the nature of a stationary point
Using this method for the other stationary point (–2, 23) on
the curve y = x3 – 12x + 7.
Value of x –2.1 –2 –1.9
dy
Value of = 3 x 2  12 1.23 0 –1.17
dx
+ive –ive
Slope 0

So (–2, 23) is a maximum turning point.

The main disadvantage of this method is that the behaviour of
more unusual functions can change quite dramatically on either
side of the turning point.
It is also time consuming and involves several calculations.
 Curve sketching
Examination-style question: Given that y = x3 – 6x2 – 15x
dy d2y
a) Find and 2
.
dx dx
b) Find the coordinates of any stationary points on the
curve and determine their nature.
c) Sketch the curve.

dy
a) = 3x 212x 15
dx
d2y
2
= 6x 12
dx
Using second order derivatives
dy
b) The stationary points occur when = 0.
dx
3 x2  12 x  15 = 0
x2  4 x  5 = 0
( x +1)( x  5) = 0
x = –1 or x = 5
When x = –1 y = (–1)3 – 6(–1)2 – 15(–1)
= –1 – 6 + 15
=8
d2y
2
= 6( 1)  12
dx
= 18
 (–1, 8) is a maximum
Using second order derivatives
When x = 5 y = (5)3 – 6(5)2 – 15(5)
= 125 – 150 – 75
= –100
d2y
2
= 6(5)  12
dx
= 18
 (5, –100) is a minimum
y
c) Sketching the curve:
(–1, 8)
0 x

(5, –100)
 Self Assessment

47

1. Find the stationary points of y = 2x3 – 15x2 + 24x + 6 and

determine which of the points are maximum/minimum/points of
inflection.
2. Determine local maxima or minima of function.
y  f ( x)  x 3  6 x 2  9 x  2
3. Find the stationary point on the curve with equation
𝑦 = 𝑥 4 − 32𝑥, and determine whether it is a local maximum, a local
minimum or a point of inflection.

4. Show that one of the stationary points of the curve with equation
𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 45𝑥 is 3, −81 , and determine whether it is a
maximum, a minimum or a point of inflection.

5. By first finding the stationary points, sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2

Further Exercise
A curve has equation A curve has equation
1 3
𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 − 16 𝑦 = 4𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 5
Work out the coordinates of any stationary points on
𝑑𝑦
(a) Work out = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟖𝒙 + 𝟐𝟒 this curve and determine their nature.
𝑑𝑥
(b) Work out the coordinates of the two 𝒅𝒚
= 𝟏𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑 = 𝟎
stationary points on the curve. 𝒅𝒙
𝟒𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟏 = 𝟎
𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟖𝒙 + 𝟐𝟒 = 𝟎 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏 𝟐 = 𝟎
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟖 = 𝟎 𝟏 𝟗 𝟏 𝟗
𝒙=− → 𝒚= − ,
𝒙−𝟒 𝒙−𝟐 =𝟎 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝒙=𝟒 → 𝒚=𝟎 We can justify that this is an inflection point either by:
𝒙=𝟐 → 𝒚=𝟒 a) Seeing that gradient at 𝒙 = −𝟎. 𝟔 and −𝟎. 𝟒 are
both positive or
(a) Work out the stationary points on the curve
2 b) Using the fact that 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏 𝟐 ≥ 𝟎 for all 𝒙 to show
𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 12𝑥. that the function is an increasing one.
(b) Sketch the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 12𝑥

𝒅𝒚
= 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟐 = 𝟎
𝒅𝒙 𝑦
𝒙 = 𝟐 → 𝒚 = −𝟏𝟔
𝒙 = −𝟐 → 𝒚 = 𝟏𝟔
−2,16
𝟐
Roots: When 𝒚 = 𝟎, 𝒙 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐 = 𝟎
∴ 𝒙 = 𝟎 𝒐𝒓 𝒙 = + 𝟏𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝒙 = − 𝟏𝟐
𝑥

2, −16