THE DERIVATIVE AND DIFFERENTIATION

OF ALGEBRAIC FUNCTIONS
 Derivative of a Function
The process of finding the derivative of a function is called
differentiation and the branch of calculus that deals with this
process is called differential calculus. Differentiation is an
important mathematical tool in physics, mechanics,
economics and many other disciplines that involve change and
motion.
The problem of finding the tangent line to a curve and a
problem of finding the velocity of an object both involve
finding the same type of limit. This special type of limit is
called derivative and we will see that it can be interpreted as
a rate of change in any of the natural or social sciences or
engineering.
 Consider a point on the curve that is distinct from and
compute the slope of the secant line through P and Q.

Then we let Q approach P along the curve by letting

approach . If approaches a number then we define the
to be the line through with slope This means that the
tangent line is the limiting position of the secant line as
approaches .
 y
tangent line

P(a , f (a)) Q(x , f (x))

secant line

f (x)  f (a) y  f (x)

x a
Definition
The tangent line to the curve at the point is the
line through with slope

provided that this limit exists.

EXAMPLE 1: (p.77 textbook)

Find an equation of the tangent line to the
parabola at the point .
There is another expression for the slope of a tangent line that is
sometimes easier to use. If then and so the slope of the secant line
is

Notice that as approaches approaches 0 (because ) and so the

expression for the slope of the tangent line in the previous
definition becomes

Definition:
The derivative of a function at a number a, denoted by is

if this limit exists.

If we write , then we have and h approaches 0 if and only if
approaches . Therefore an equivalent way of stating the
definition of the derivative, as we saw in finding tangent lines, is

EXAMPLE 2: (p.78)
Find an equation of the tangent line to the hyperbola at the
point (3, 1).
EXAMPLE 3: (p.79)
Find the derivative of the function at the number
EXAMPLE 4: (p.80)
Find an equation of the tangent line to the parabola
at the point (3, 6).
The Derivative as a Function
In the preceding discussion we considered the derivative of a
function at a fixed number

Here we change our point of view and let the number vary. If we
replace by a variable we obtain

EXAMPLE 2: (p.86)
If find a for
EXAMPLE 3: (p.87)
If find the derivative of . State the domain of
EXAMPLE 4: (p.87)
Find if
Other notations for the derivative of a function are:

The symbols and are called differentiation operators because they indicate
the operation of differentiation, which is the process of calculating a
derivative.
The symbol which was introduced by Leibniz, should not be regarded as a ratio
(for the time being); it is simply a synonym for Nonetheless, it is a very useful
and suggestive notation, especially when used in conjunction with increment
notation. We can rewrite the definition of derivative in Leibniz notation in the
form

If we want to indicate the value of a derivative in Leibniz notation at a specific

number we use the notation

which is a synonym for The vertical bar means “evaluate at.”

Definition:
A function is differentiable at if exists. It is differentiable on an open interval
if it is differentiable at every number in the interval.

EXAMPLE 5: (p.89)
Where is the function differentiable?

Theorem:
If is differentiable at then is continuous at

How Can a Function Fail to be Differentiated?

In general, if the graph of a function has a “corner or kink” in it, then the
graph of has no tangent at this point and is not differentiable there.
The theorem gives another way for a function not to have a derivative. It says
that if is not continuous at then is not differentiable at . So at any
discontinuity, fails to be differentiable.
A third possibility is that the curve has a vertical tangent line when
that is, is continuous at and
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS
If it were always necessary to compute derivatives directly
from the definition, such computations would be laborious and
tedious and the evaluation of some limits would require
ingenuity. Fortunately, several rules have been developed for
finding derivatives without having to use the definition directly.
These formulas greatly simplify the task of differentiation.
Especially, when the functions to be differentiated are
“complex”, that is, functions with large exponents, functions
with fractional exponents and other rational functions.
Understanding of the theorems of differentiation is very
important. This is the heart of differential calculus. All of the
succeeding topics such as applications of derivatives,
differentiation of transcendental functions etc. will be
dependent on these theorems. Understanding of these
theorems will enable us to calculate derivatives more
efficiently and will make calculus easy and enjoyable.
 Understanding of the theorems of differentiation
is very important. This is the heart of differential
calculus. All of the succeeding topics such as
applications of derivatives, differentiation of
transcendental functions etc. will be dependent on
these theorems. Understanding of these theorems
will enable us to calculate derivatives more
efficiently and will make calculus easy and
enjoyable.
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS

Derivative of a Constant

Theorem: The derivative of a constant function

is 0; that is, if c is any real number,

then, d
[ c ] 0
dx
Example : Differenti ate the following functions .
3
1. y 5 3. f(x) -
4
y' 0 f' (x) 0

2. y  25 4. h(x) log 3 4
dy
0 h' (x) 0
dx
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS
Derivatives of Power Functions
Theorem: ( Power Rule) If n is a positive integer,

then, d n n 1
[ x ] nx
dx
In words, to differentiate a power
function, decrease the constant exponent
by one and multiply the resulting power
function by the original exponent .
Example : Differenti ate the following functions
1. y x 4 3. f(x) x  8
y' 4x 4 1 f' (x) -8x  8 1
3 9 8
y' 4x f' (x) -8 x 
x9
6
2. y x 7 4. F(x) x  log 3 4
6
dy 6 71
 x F' (x)   log 3 4 x  log 3 4 1
dx 7
6 7 1 7
dy 6 7 7 6  6 6 x6
 x  x 7  7 
dx 7 7 7 x 7x
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS
Derivative of a Constant Times a Function
Theorem: ( Constant Multiple Rule) If f is a
differentiable function at x
and
c is any real number, then cf is
also ddifferentiabledat x and
cf ( x) c  f ( x )
dx dx
In words, the derivative of a constant
times a function is the constant times the
derivative of the function, if this derivative
exists.
Example : Differenti ate the following functions
1. y 5x 8 3. f(x)  9x  4
y' 58x 7 f' (x)  9 - 4 x  4 1
7 5 36
y' 40x f' (x) 36x 
x5
2
4 3
2. y  5x 5 4. F(r)  r
3
2
dy 2 51 4 
 5 x F' (r)     3r 2 4 r 2
dx 5 3 
2 5 3
dy   2  25 x 2
 2x 5 5  2x 5  
dx 5 3
x x
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS
Derivatives of Sums or Differences
Theorem: ( Sum or Difference Rule) If f and g are
both differentiable functions at x,
then so are f + g and f – g, and
d d d
 f g    f   g  or
dx dx dx
d  d d 
 f ( x) g ( x)   f ( x)  g ( x)
dx  dx dx 
In words, the derivative of a sum or of a
difference equals the sum or difference of
their derivatives, if these derivatives exist.
Example : Differenti ate the following functions
1. y 5x 4  6x 2  4x  7 3. f(x) 2x  4  9x  4
y' 20x 3  12x  4 f' (x)  8x  5  9

 3
y' 4 5x  3x  1  f' (x) 
-8
x 5
9

3
4
2. y  6x  4  2x 2  4x  5x 2 9 4. F(r) r  2  r 3
3
1
dy 15 4 
24x  5 - 4x - 4 - x 2 F' (r) - 2r -3     3r 2
dx 2 3 
1
dy 24 15 2 - 2
 5 - 4x - 4 - x F' (r)  3  4r 2
dx x 2 r
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS

Derivative of a Product
Theorem: (The Product Rule) If f and g are both
differentiable functions at x, then so
is the product f ● g, and
d dg df
 f g   f  g or
dx dx dx
d d d
 f ( x) g ( x)  f ( x) [ g ( x)]  g ( x)  f ( x)
dx dx dx
In words the derivative of a product of two
functions is the first function times the derivative
of the second plus the second function times the
derivative of the first, if these derivatives exist.
Example : Differenti ate the following functions and simplify.

1. y 3x  4  4x 2  3
y'  3x  48x  4x 2  33
y'  24x 2  32x  12x 2 - 9
y'  36x 2  32x - 9

 
2. y  x 3  1 5 - 2x 
y' x 3  1- 2 5 - 2x 3x 2 
y' -2x 3  2  15x 2 - 6x 3
y' -8x 3  15x 2  2
  
3. y  2  x 3  10x  5
y' 2  x 3  10  10x  5 3x 2 
y' -20  10x 3  30x 3  15x 2
y' 40x 3  15x 2 - 20

y' 5 8x 3  3x 2  4 
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS
Derivative of a Quotient
Theorem: (The Quotient Rule) If f and g are both
differentiable functions at x, and if
g(x) ≠ 0 then f/g is differentiable at x
and
df dg
g  f
d  f 
   dx 2 dx or
dx  g  g
d d
g ( x)  f ( x)  f ( x)  g ( x)
d  f ( x)  dx dx
  
dx  g ( x)   g ( x ) 2
Example : Differenti ate the following functions and simplify.
4x 2  3
1. y 
1  2x

y' 

1  2x 8x  4x 2  3  2 
1  2x 2
8x  16x 2  8x 2  6
y' 
1  2x 2
 8x 2  8x  6
y' 
1  2x 2

y' 

2  4x 2  4x  3 
1  2x 2
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS
General Power Functions
The Quotient Rule can be used to extend the Power
Rule to the case where the exponent is a negative
integer.
If is a positive integer, then
Example : Differenti ate the following functions and simplify .
1
1. y 
x
dy d  1 1
 x  x  2 2

dx dx x
d6 d 3
2.  3  6 t 
dt  t  dt
dy 4 18
6( 3)t  4
dt t
2
 5   5   125 
G'(x) 3      3
2 

4 
 x - 1   x  1   x  1 
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS
Derivatives of Composition
Theorem: (The Chain Rule) If g is differentiable at
x and if f is differentiable at g(x), then
the composition f ◦ g is differentiable
at x. Moreover, if y=f(g(x)) and u=g(x)
then y=f(u) and
dy dy du
 
dx du dx
or
 
d un
nu n  1 du

dx dx
Example : Differenti ate the following functions and simplify.

 2
1. y  3x  10x  15 5

 2
y' 5 3x  10x  15  6x - 10
4

3
 5 
2. G(x)  
 x -1 
2
 5   5   125 
G'(x) 3     3 
 x -1   x  12   x  14 
   
3. y 3x  14x  54
y 43x  14x  53 3x  14  4x  53
y 43x  14x  53 12x  4  12x - 15
y 424x - 113x  14x  53
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS

Derivative of a Radical with index equal to 2

If u is a differentiable function of x, then
du
 
d
dx
u  dx
2 u
The derivative of a radical whose index
is two, is a fraction whose numerator is
the derivative of the radicand, and whose
denominator is twice the given radical, if
the derivative exists.
 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS
Derivative of a Radical with index other than 2
If n is any positive integer and u is a
differentiable function of x, then
d  1
 1
1
 1 du
 u   u 
n n
dx   n dx
The derivative of the nth root of a given
function is the exponent multiplied by the
product of u whose power is diminished by
one and the derivative of u, if this derivative
exists.
Differenti ate the following and simplify.
1. Hx   3x  5
3 3x  5 3 3x  5
H' x    
2 3x  5 3x  5 23x  5

2. y 5 2x  4x  5
1
y 2x  4 x  5 5
1 1
y'  2x  4 x  55  1 2x  4 1 x  52 
5
1 4
y'  2x  4 x  5 5 2x  4  2x  10

5
1 4
y'  2x  4 x  5 5 4x  14 

5
 1 4
y'  2x  4 x  5 5 2x  4  2x  10 

5
1 4
y'  2x  4 x  5 5 4x  14 

5
22x  7 
y'  4
52x  4 x  55
EXERCISES
I. Find the derivative of the following functions
using the four-step rule .

6. y ax  b 
2
2
1. f ( x )  4 x  5 x

2. f ( x )  x
1
2
 2  3 2
7. y  x  3 x  3 x  1 
1
3

 2 2x  3
3. f ( x )  8. y 
x 1 1  2x
x 1 9. y (  2  x )( x  3 )
4. y 
x
5. y  4 x  3 10. y 1  x 3
EXERCISES
II. Find the derivative of the following functions
using the four-step rule .

ds
1. Given s  t  2 , find
dt
dA
2. Given A r , find
2

dr
4 3 dV
3. Given V  r , find
3 dr
2t  3 dS
4.Given S  , find
3t  4 dr