LESSON 3: LIMIT DEFINITION OF THE DERIVATIVE AND

DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS

“The world is a book, and those who don’t travel only read one page”
Saint Augustine

This lesson will establish the relationship of limits to derivative which is also an operation.
Further, it will lay down the different formulas of differentiation to make your work easier in
performing differentiation involving algebraic, exponential, and trigonometric functions.

Time frame: Week 3 ( 8 hours)

Performance standard:

Formulate and solve accurately situational problems involving extreme values.

Specific Objectives:
At the end of the lesson the learners are expected to:

a. relate limits to finding the derivatives,

b. identify the different differentiation rules and when to apply,
c. evaluate the specific derivative of a function,
Youtube.com d. apply the differentiation rules in computing the derivative of an
algebraic, exponential, and trigonometric functions.

Activity 1. Let’s try this!

Youtube.com It’s time to begin learning how to differentiate a given function. Remember
!! " !" 𝐟(𝐱+ 𝚫𝐱)"𝒇( 𝐱)
the slope of the line formula which is m = $! " $"
= lim 𝚫𝐱
= Tan Ө? This formula
%$→'
!! " !"
will help us understand the idea behind derivation. Focus on m = $! " $"
. This is expressed as
%!
m= %$
.
As we continue your journey in mathematics, terminology changes, yet the meaning is
the same, like the face app in your phones, you are the same person with male and female
%! /! /0123 ! /! /
versions. Thus, m = is also written as from . From it can be expressed also as
%$ /$ /0123 $ /$ /$
 /! /
to Dx, 𝑓 4 , y’, etc. These symbol such as , , Dx and 𝑓 4 are symbols for differentiation. The
/$ /$
symbol is read as “derivative of” the function. Differentiation is synonymous to finding the
slope of the line which is a tangent line.
In lesson 3, the equation of the tangent line passing through (3,1) of the function defined
by f(x)= x2- 4x + 4 is asked. The slope of the line is found using the slope formula

𝐟(𝐱( 𝚫𝐱),𝒇( 𝐱)
m(x) = lim .
!"→$ 𝚫𝐱

Then y2 –y1 = m(𝑥5 − 𝑥6 ) is used to find the equation of the line.

Mind you, using the derivative makes it easier to find the slope of the tangent line.

Explanation/elaboration/discussion

Let’s try to solve the equation of the tangent line passing through (3,1) defined by
2
f(x)= x - 4x + 4 using the derivative.

/!
(x2- 4x + 4) (Read as Derivative of (x2- 4x + 4))
/$

Using the Derivative of a Power function, f’(axn ) = n•a xn-1 the derivative of the constant
which is f’(c) = 0, the solution is
/! /! 2 /! /!
(x2- 4x + 4) = (x ) - (4x) + (4) = 2(1) xn-1 – 1(4)x1-1+0
/$ /$ /$ /$
= 2x – 4x0 + 0
𝒅𝒚 2
(x - 4x + 4) = 2x – 4
𝒅𝒙

Since the derivative gives the slope of the line, then it follows the linear format of
f(x) = y = mx + b. If the result of the derivative is 2x – 4 and the line passes at (3,1) then x=3
and when substituted to 2x - 4, it is equal to 2 which is the slope.
Using y2 –y1 = m(𝑥5 − 𝑥6 )
y – 1= 2 (x - 3) to find the equation, let P1 (3,1) and P2 (x,y).

y – 1 = 2x -6 Simplify

y - 2x = -6 + 1 Move all terms with variables to right and constant

to the left gives
 -y + 2x = 6 – 1 Multiplying both sides by -1 to make 2x positive results to

2x – y = 5 Equation of the line

Using the derivative or differentiation you don’t need to undergo a very long process in
finding the slope.
Since this course is focused on teaching only the very basic of differentiation of
Algebraic and trigonometric functions, the following are the different rules to use in
differentiating.

Theorem 4.1. Derivative of the constant

𝒅𝒚
or f’( c) = 0 where c is a constant
𝒅𝒙

Why is the derivative of constant is zero? If f(x) = 5 then it means f(x) = 0x + 5

[Remember that f(x) =mx + b] and the slope is zero (0).

Examples: Derivative of the constant

/!
f’(12) = 0, /$
(129) = 0 y’(23) = 0 Dx(15) = 0

Theorem 4.2. Derivative of a Power Function

f’(axn) = n•a xn-1

In the function axn, “a” could be any real number and the form “xn”does not have any
denominator except 1. In case there is a literal coefficient in the denominator be sure to move it
to the numerator before taking its derivative or get its reciprocal and take the opposite sign of the
exponent.

Example:
1. Dx (5x3) =?

Dx (5x3) = 3 (5) x3-1 simplifying the exponent the result is

Dx (5x3) = 15x2
 2. f ’ ( 2x-4) = -4(2)x- 4 – 1
= -8 x-5 always make the exponent positive by taking
𝟏
its reciprocal. Remember if x-5 = .
𝒙𝟓
𝟑 𝟑
(Similarly, if
𝟒𝒙"𝟐
= 𝟒 𝒙𝟐 )

56 7 56 7" $
3. & ' = 5" & ' Get the reciprocal of x-3 and make the exponent
5" 8" "$ 8
positive (Thus, it’s found in the numerator with positive
exponent ----(simplifying expression with negative
exponent})
: ;"6 𝟖
= ;𝑥 = 𝟑 𝒙𝟐

4. f ‘ (5x4 – 2x3 + 6x2 – 7x + 5)= ?

Note: In this problem you have to take the derivative of each term. Just
to show how it looks. (Later you do not need to do this. You can
solve directly)

f ‘ (5x4 – 2x3 + 6x2 – 7x + 5) = f’(5x4) – f’(2x3) + f’(6x2) –f’(7x) + f’(5)

=4(5)x4-1- 3(2)x3-1+2(6)x2-1 – 1(7)x1-1 + 0
=20x3 – 6x2 +12x – 7x0 but x0 = 1, then
3 2
=20x – 6x +12x – 7

Always remember that when differentiating a variable, raising it to

the first power the result is always equal to 1. Thus, if there is a numerical
coefficient like f’(5x) , it is equal to 5.
!
5. f’ (5𝑥 # + 4x6) =?
!
5
= 𝑥 #"6 + 6(4) x6-1
;
! #
5
= ; (5) 𝑥 #"# + 6(4) x6-1

5 ;
Note: In ;
− 1 express 1 to ; to make the fractions similar

" "
6'
= ;
𝑥 "# + 24 x5 Simplify 𝑥 "# or express it with positive
exponent
𝟏𝟎
= 𝟏 + 24 x5
𝟑𝒙𝟑
 &
6. y’ (3 √𝑥 ; + 4) =?
&
Note: Before solving this problem translate your √𝑥 ; into rational exponent. Remember
( #
' &
that √𝑥 3 = 𝑥 ? Thus, √𝑥 ; = 𝑥 &
'

#
&
y’ (3 √𝑥 ; + 4) = y’(3𝑥 & + 4)
#
;
= A 𝑥 &"6 + 0

# & "
; ;
= A 𝑥 &" & = A 𝑥 " & express the exponent to positive

𝟒 𝟑
y’ (3 √𝒙𝟑 + 4) = 𝟏
𝟒𝒙𝟒

How will you solve f’[(2x – 4)(3x+8)]?

There are several ways to solve this. You can use the Product rule for differentiation or
you can multiply then get the derivative. But there are cases that it’s better to use the Product
Rule for Differentiation. Let us solve this.

Theorem 4.3. Product Rule for Differentiation

f’ [(f(x) • g(x)] = f(x) •[g(x)]’ + g(x)•[f(x)]’

Note: when you see “ ’ “ it means you have to differentiate)

Let’s solve f’[(2x – 4)(3x+8)].

Take note that f(x) = 2x – 4 and g(x) = 3x – 8. Following the rule it is

f’[(2x – 4)(3x+8)] = (2x – 4) (3x – 8)’ + (3x – 8) (2x – 4)’

(3x – 8)’ = 3 and (2x – 4)’=2

= (2x – 4) (3) + (3x – 8) (2) Use the distributive property to simplify
= 6x – 12 + 6x – 16 Combine similar terms

f’[(2x – 4)(3x+8)] = 12x - 28

Another way is to multiply the binomials and differentiate. Like this

 f’[(2x – 4)(3x+8)] = f’(6x2 + 4x -32) use the FOIL method
=24x + 4

Let’s have the quotient problem. Find the derivative of the function define as
B$":
f’.;$+C/.
The Quotient Rule for Differentiation is shown below.

Theorem 4.4. Quotient Rule for Differentiation

𝒇(𝒙) (𝒈(𝒙)•[𝒇(𝒙)! ]) (𝒇(𝒙)•[𝒈(𝒙)!]

f’! "=
𝒈(𝒙) [𝒈(𝒙)]𝟐

B$":
Use Theorem 4.4, to solve f’.;$+C/. f(x) = 6x – 8 and g(x) = 3x + 5.

(𝟔𝒙"𝟖) (𝟑𝒙,𝟓)(𝟔𝒙,𝟖)' ], (𝟔𝒙,𝟖)(𝟑𝒙,𝟓)' ]

f’. /=
𝟑𝒙"𝟓 [𝟑𝒙,𝟓]'

(𝟑𝒙,𝟓)(𝟔)], (𝟔𝒙,𝟖)(𝟑)]
= Use distributive property to simplify
(𝟑𝒙,𝟓)𝟐
the numerator

𝟏𝟖𝒙,𝟑𝟎 , 𝟏𝟖𝒙(𝟐𝟒
= (𝟑𝒙,𝟓)𝟐
Combine similar terms in the numerator
but do not simply anymore the
denominator

(𝟔𝒙"𝟖) ,𝟔
f’. 𝟑𝒙"𝟓 / =
(𝟑𝒙,𝟓)𝟐

Derivatives of Trigonometric functions

Theorem 4.4. Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions

f’(Sin x) = cos x f’(Cos x) = - Sin x

f’(Tan x) = Sec2 x f’(Sec x) = sec x tan x

f’(Cot x) = - Csc2 x f’(Csc x) = - Csc x Cot x

Note: The reference angle should have a numerical

coefficient of 1. Otherwise the formula can’t be used.
Examples

1. f’ (Tan B) = Sec2 B

2. y’ (5Sec M) = 5Sec M Tan M

FG
3. FH
(−8Cot P) = - 8 Csc2 P

4. Dx (Csc Q) = - Csc Q Cot Q

Finally, there are other functions like exponential and logarithmic functions. Their
derivative formulas are as follows:

Theorem 4.5 . Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

𝟏
f'(ex) = ex f’(ln x) = 𝒙

𝟏
f’(𝒂𝒙 ) = ax ln a where a>0 f’(𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒙) = 𝒙 𝒍𝒏 𝒂 where a>0

Examples:
/!
1. /$
(3ex) = 3ex

C
2. 𝑓′(5ln x) =$

3. f’(6x) = 6x ln 6
6
4. Dx (log A 𝑥) = $ IJ A
 Activity 2. Let’s apply this!

Determine the derivative of the function.

1. 𝑓 4 (265) = ?
Solution: 𝑓 4 (265) = 0 Using the derivative of the constant

2. 𝑓 4 (4x7- 9x5 + 2x2 - 10) =?

Solution:

𝑓 4 (4x7- 9x5 + 2x2 - 10) = 7(4)x7-1 – 5(9)x5-1 + 2(2)x2-1 – 0

= 28x6 – 45x4 + 4x

3. 𝑓 4 (-2x-4- 7x5 + 2x-2 + 10x) =?

Solution:

𝑓 4 (-2x-4- 7x5 + 2x-2 + 10x) = -4(-2)x-4-1- 5(7)x5-1 + (-2)(2)x-2-1 + 1(10)x1-1

= 8x-5 – 35x4 – 4x-3 + 10x0 Simplify

𝟖 𝟒
= 𝒙𝟓 – 35x4 - 𝒙𝟑 + 10

+
4. Dx (4 √𝑥 5 – 2𝑥 "A + 6x3 = ?
Solution:
!
+
Dx (4 √𝑥 5 – 2𝑥 "A + 6x3) = Dx (4𝑥 + − 2𝑥 "A + 6𝑥 ; )
!
5
= C (4)𝑥 +"6 − (−4)(2)𝑥 "A " 6 + 3(6)𝑥 ;"6

( 𝟓
? ,
= (4)𝑥 ) 𝟓 − (−4)(2)𝑥 ,A , B + 3(6)𝑥 8,B
@

$
7 ,)
= 𝑥 + 8𝑥 ,@ + 18𝑥 ? Simplify the negative exponent.
@

𝟖 𝟖
= 𝟑 + 𝒙𝟓 + 𝟏𝟖𝒙𝟐
𝟓𝒙𝟓
5. 𝑓 4 (3x5 + 7ex + 2 logC 𝑥 - 6) =?
Solution:
6
𝑓 4 (3x5 + 7ex + 2 log C 𝑥 - 6) = 5(3)x5-1 + 7 ex + 2 $ 1O C - 0

𝟐
𝒇4 (3x5 + 7ex + 2 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝟓 𝒙 - 6)= 15x4 + 7 ex +
𝒙 𝒍𝒏 𝟓

6. Dx (-2ln x + 8x – 3Sin x + 4csx x) = ?

Solution:
6
Dx (-2ln x + 8x – 3Sin x + 4csc x) = -2 ($) + 8x ln 8 – 3cos x + 4(-csc xCot x)

𝟐
Dx (-2ln x + 8x – 3Sin x + 4csc x) = − 𝒙 + 8x ln 8 – 3cos x - 4csc x Cot x
 Let’s remember these (Points to remember):

Theorem 4.1. Derivative of the constant

/!
/$
or f’( c) = 0 where c is a constant
Theorem 4.2. Derivative of a Power Function
f’(axn) = n•a xn-1
Theorem 4.3. Product Rule for Differentiation
Youtube.com f’[(f(x) • g(x)] = f(x) •[g(x)]’ + g(x)•[f(x)]’
Theorem 4.4. Quotient Rule for Differentiation
𝒇(𝒙) (𝒈(𝒙)•[𝒇(𝒙), ]" (𝒇(𝒙)•[𝒈(𝒙), ]
f’.𝒈(𝒙)/= [𝒈(𝒙)]𝟐
Theorem 4.5. Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions
f’(Sin x) = cos x f’(Cos x) = - Sin x
2
f’(Tan x) = Sec x f’(Sec x) = sec x tan x
f’(Cot x) = - Csc2 x f’(Csc x) = - Csc x Cot x

Theorem 4.6. Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

6
f'(ex) = ex f’(ln x) = $
6
f’(𝑎 $ ) = ax ln a where a>0 f’(log 3 𝑥) = $ 1O 3 where a>0

Let’s see what you have learned (reflection):

What is it that you would like to share regarding your encounter with differentiation?
Feel free to write down your feelings regarding your experiences in the space provided
below.
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