The University of Sydney

MOOC Introduction to Calculus

Notes for ‘Leibniz notation’

Important Ideas and Useful Facts:

(i) Leibniz notation and differentials: An alternative way of expressing the derivative as a limit
is the following:
∆y
f ′ (x) = lim
∆x→0 ∆x
where ∆x represents a small change in the value of x and ∆y as the corresponding small
change in the value of y = f (x). With this notation it is common and very useful to write
dy
f ′ (x) = and f ′ (x)dx = dy ,
dx
called Leibniz notation, and think of dy and dx as ‘infinitesimally’ small idealised values
called differentials. We think of the Greek ∆ becoming our ordinary d ‘in the limit’.
(ii) Some common derivatives and properties using Leibniz notation:
d d d 2 d 3
(a) (k) = 0 for any constant k , (x) = 1 , (x ) = 2x (x ) = 3x2 .
dx dx dx dx
d n
(b) (x ) = nxn−1 for any exponent n (though possibly with restrictions on x).
dx
d dy
(c) (ky) = k (constants come out the front).
dx dx
d du dv
(d) (u + v) = + (the derivative is additive).
dx dx dx
d d d 1
(e) (sin x) = cos x , (cos x) = − sin x , (tan x) = 2
= sec2 x .
dx dx dx cos x
d x d 1
(f) (e ) = ex , (ln x) = .
dx dx x
(iii) Inverting the derivative using Leibniz notation: If the function y = f (x) is invertible then
the rule for the derivative of the inverse function f −1 can be deduced by ‘inverting’ dx dy
,
as though it were an ordinary fraction, to get
dx 1
= ,
dy dy/dx
and expressing the right-hand side in terms of y. If we revert to using x as an input then
we produce a rule for the derivative of the inverse function.
Examples and derivations:
dy
1. Find the derivative when y = 4x3 − x2 + 6x − 9.
dx
Solution: We have
dy d d d d
= 4 (x3 ) − (x2 ) + 6 (x) − (9) = 4(3x2 ) − 2x + 6 = 12x2 − 2x + 6 .
dx dx dx dx dx
1
 dy
2. Find the derivative when y = 6et − 3 ln t + 4t2 .
dt
Solution: We have
dy d d d 3
= 6 (et ) − 3 (ln t) + 4 (t2 ) = 6et − + 8t .
dt dt dt dt t
dy
3. Find the derivative when y = 2 sin x − 3 cos x.
dx
Solution: We have
dy d d
= 2 (sin x) − 3 (cos x) = 2 cos x − 3(− sin x) = 2 cos x + 3 sin x .
dx dx dx
du
4. Find the derivative when u = θ2 + 7 cos θ − 5 sin θ.
dθ
Solution: We have
du d 2 d d
= (θ ) + 7 (cos θ) − 5 (sin θ) = 2θ − 7 sin θ − 5 cos θ .
dθ dθ dθ dθ
d 1
5. We use Leibniz notation to explain why (ln x) = .
dx x
x
Proof: Put y = e , so that x = ln y and, from earlier work,
dy
= y ′ = ex = y .
dx
Hence, reciprocating, we get
d dx 1 1
(ln y) = = = .
dy dy dy/dx y
Reverting to using x as an input, we get
d 1
(ln x) = ,
dx x
as required.
d (√ ) 1
6. We use Leibniz notation to explain why x = √ , for x ≥ 0.
dx 2 x
2 √
Proof: Put y = x , so that x = y and, from earlier work,
dy √
= y ′ = 2x = 2 y .
dx
Hence, reciprocating, we get
d √ dx 1 1
( y) = = = √ .
dy dy dy/dx 2 y
Reverting to using x as an input, we get
d √ 1
( x) = √ ,
dx 2 x
as required.

2
 Note that, using fractional power notation, this becomes
d ( 1/2 ) 1
x = x−1/2 ,
dx 2
d n
which is a special case of the formula (x ) = nxn−1 , when n = 21 .
dx
d (√
3
) 1
7. We use Leibniz notation to explain why x = 2/3 .
dx 3x
3 √ 1/3
Proof: Put y = x , so that x = y = y and, from earlier work,
3

dy
= y ′ = 3x2 = 3y 2/3 .
dx
Hence, reciprocating, we get
d √ dx 1 1
( 3 y) = = = .
dy dy dy/dx 3y 2/3

Reverting to using x as an input, we get

d √ 1
( 3 x) = 2/3 ,
dx 3x
as required.
Note that, using fractional power notation, this becomes
d ( 1/3 ) 1
x = x−2/3 ,
dx 3
d n
which is a special case of the formula (x ) = nxn−1 , when n = 31 .
dx