Lesson 10

SUCCESSIVE DIFFERENTIATION:
LEIBNITZ'S THEOREM

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, you will be able to understand:
Definition
nth Differential Coefficient of Standard Functions
Leibnitz’s Theorem

dy
DIFFERENTIATION: If y = f (x) be a differentiable function of x, then = f ' ( x) is called the first
dx
differential coefficient of y w.r.t x.

Hence, differentiating both side w.r.t. x, we have

d  dy   d 
  =    f ' ( x )  = f '' ( x ) .
dx  dx   dx  
 d   dy  d2 y d2 y
Let     be represented by 2 ; then = f '' ( x )
 dx   dx  dx dx 2
 d  d y
2
d3 y d3 y
Similarly    2  is represented by ; ie 3 = f ''' ( x ) and so on
 dx   dx  dx3 dx
dy d 2 y d 3 y dn y
The expressions , 2 , 3 ,....... n are called the first, second, third, .....nth differen-
dx dx d x dx
tial coefficient of y.

These function are usually written as

y',y'',y''',......y n or y1 ,y 2 y3 ........................y n and also Dy, D 2 y, D 3 y,.......D n y.

nth DIFFERENTIAL COEFFICIENT OF STANDARD FUNCTION:

(i) Differential Coefficient of xm :

If y = x m , then y1 = mx m −1 ;
y 2 = m(m − 1) x m − 2 ; y3 = m(m − 1)(m − 2) x m−3 and so on
In general, y n = m(m − 1)(m − 2)(m − 3).........................(m − n + 1) x m − n ;

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Note: If m be a positive integer, we have
y n = 1.2.3............m = m !;
Hence Dn ( x m ) = m( m − 1)(m − 2)(m − 3)............(m − n + 1) x m − n

(ii) Differential Coefficient of (ax + b) m :

If y = (ax+b)m , then y1 = am(ax + b) m −1 ;

y2 = a 2 m(m − 1)(ax + b) x m − 2 ; y3 = a 3 m(m − 1)(m − 2)(ax + b) x m−3 and so on.
In general yn = a n m(m − 1)(m − 2)(m − 3)............(m − n + 1)(ax + b) x m− n

[Note: In the first differentiation, the last term in it is (m − 1 + 1) ; in the second differentiation it is
(m − 1) i.e. (m − 2 + 1) ;in the third differentiation it is (m − 2) i.e. (m − 3 + 1) .So the nth differentiation it
will be (m − n + 1) .]

Hence D (ax + b)m = a n m(m − 1)(m − 2)(m − 3)............(m − n + 1)(ax + b) m − n

m!
or D(ax + b) m = a n (ax + b) m − n
(m − n)!
In case m is negative integer,let m − p, where p is positive integer, then
D(ax + b) − p = a n (− p )(− p − 1)(− p − 2)....................[ − p − ( n − 1)](ax + b) − p − n
= a n (−1) n p( p + 1)( p + 2)....................[( p − n + 1)](ax + b) − p − n
( p − n + 1)! n
= (−1) n a (ax + b) − p − n
( p − 1)!
Note1. If m = n.then D n (ax + b) − p = a n !
Note2. If m = −1, we have D n (ax + b)−1 = (−1)(−1 − 1)................(−1 − n + 1)a n (ax + b) −1− n
(−1) n n !a n
(−1) n 1.2.3...........na n (ax + b) −1− n = (−1) n n !a n (ax + b) −1− n = .
(ax + b) n +1
(iii) Differential Coefficient of (ax + b) :
a a(0!)
If y = log(ax + b), then y1 = = a (ax + b) −1 =
(ax + b) (ax + b)
a 2 .1 a 2 .(1!) a3 .2 a 3 .(2!)
y2 = = − . y3 = = − .
(ax + b) 2 (ax + b) 2 (ax + b)3 (ax + b)3
a4 2.3 a 4 .(3!)
y4 = = ( −1) 3
. and so on.
(ax + b)4 (ax + b) 4

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 a n .(n − 1)!
n −1
In general, yn = (−1) .
(ax + b) n
a n .(n − 1)!
Hence D n log(ax + b) = (−1) n −1 . .
(ax + b) n
(−1) n −1 (n − 1)!
Note: D log x =
n
.
xn
(iv) Differential Coefficient of a bx :
If y = a bx , then y1 = ba bx log a, y2 = b 2 a bx (log a ) 2 .
y3 = b3 a bx (log a )3 , and so no.
In general, yn = b n a bx (log a ) n ,
Hence D n .a bx = b n a bx (log e a ) n .
(v) Differential Coefficient of e ax :
If y = eax , then
y1 = ae ax ,y2 = a 2 e ax ,y3 = a 3 e ax , y4 = a 4 e ax and so on.
In general, yn = a n e ax , Hence D n e ax = a n e ax .
(vi) Differential Coefficient of sin(ax + b) :
If y = sin( ax + b), then
π 
y1 = a cos(ax + b) = a sin  + (ax + b) 
2 
 2π 
y2 = − a 2 cos(ax + b) = a 2 sin  + (ax + b)  , and so on.
 2 
 1 
In General,y1 = a n sin  ax + b + nπ  .
 2 
 1 
Hence, D n (ax + b) = a n sin  ax + b + nπ 
 2 
  nπ 
Note: D n sin x = sin  x +  
  2 

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(vii) Differential Coefficient of cos(ax + b) :
If y = cos(ax + b), then
π 
y1 = − a sin( ax + b) = a cos  + ax + b 
2 
π   2π 
y2 = − a 2 sin  + ax + b  = a 2 cos  + ax + b  , and so on
2   2 
 1 
In general, yn = a n cos  ax + b + nπ  .
 2 
 1 
Hence, D n cos x (ax + b) = a n cos  ax + b + nπ  .
 2 
 1 
Note : D n cos x = cos  x + nπ  .
 2 

(viii) Differential Coefficient of e ax sin(bx + c) and e ax cos(bx + c) :

If y = e ax sin(bx + c), then
y1 = e ax sin(bx + c) + be ax cos(bx + c) = e ax [ a sin(bx + c) + b cos(bx + c)]
Putting a = r cos φ and b = r sin φ , we get
b
y1 = re ax sin(bx + c + φ ), where r 2 = a 2 + b 2 and φ = tan −1   ,
a
similary, y1 = r 2 e ax sin(bx + c + 2φ ), and so on.
Hence, D n eax sin(bx + c) = r n e ax sin(bx + c + nφ )
1
b
where r = (a + b ) and φ = tan −1   .
2 2 2

a
Similarly, D n e ax cos(bx + c) = r n e ax cos(bx + c + nφ )
1
b
where r = (a 2 + b 2 ) 2 and φ = tan −1   .
a

Example. Find the n th derivative of e ax sin bx cos cx.

Solution.

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 1 ax
Let y = e ax sin bx cos cx = e (2sin bx cos cx)
2
1 1
= e ax [sin(bx + cx) + sin(bx − cx)] = [eax sin(b + c)x + eax sin(b − c) x].
2 2
  b 
Now D n e ax sin(bx + cx) = (b2 + c2 )n / 2 eax sin bx + c + n tan −1   
  a 
{a 2 + (b + c)2 }n / 2 e ax sin { (b + c)x + n tan −1 (b + c) / a}
1 
∴ yn = 
2  + {a 2 (b − c)2 } eax sin  (b − c)x + n tan −1
n / 2 (b − c )  
 
  a  

Example. If y = e ax sin bx, proved that y 2 − 2ay1 + ( a 2 + b 2 ) y = 0.

Solution.

Let y = e ax sin bx, ∴ y1 = ae ax sin bx + be ax cos bx

and y2 = a 2 e ax sin bx + 2abe ax − b 2 e ax sin bx ...............(1)
Also − 2ay1 = −2a 2 e ax sin bx − 2abe ax cos bx ...............(2)
and (a 2 + b 2 ) y = a 2 e ax sin bx + b 2 e ax sin bx .................(3)
Adding (1),(2)and (3), we get
y 2 - 2ay1 + (a 2 + b 2 ) y = 0

LEIBNITZ'S THEOREM:

The find nth differential coefficient of two function of x

If u and v are any two functions of x such that all their desired differential coefficients exist, then the nth
differential coefficient of their product is given by

D n (uv) = ( D n u ).v + n c1 D n −1u.Dv + n c2 D n −1u.D 2 v + ....... + n cr D n − r n.D r v + ...... + uD n v.

or
n(n − 1) n − 2 2
D n (uv) = ( D n u ).v + nD n −1u.Dv + D uD v + ............. + nDuD n −1v + uDv.
2!

Proof.

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Let y = uv, we have
Dy (uv) = ( D n u ) = ( Du ).v + u.Dv ........ ......(1)
From (1) we see that the theorem is true for n = 1.

Now assume that the theorem is true for a particular value of n,we have
D n (uv) = ( D n u ).v + nc1 D n −1u.Dv + nc 2 D n − 2 u.D 2 v + ....... + n cr D n − r u.D r v
+ nr +1 D n − r −1uD r +1v + ...... + uD n v ............(2)
Differentiating both siede of (2) w,r,t,x, we get
D n +1 (uv) =  ( D n +1u ).v + D n uDv  + ( nc1 D n u.Dv + nc1 D n −1u.D 2 v )
+ ( nc 2 D n −1u.D 2 v + nc 2 D n − 2 u.D 3 v ) + ..... + ( ncr D n − r +1u.D r v + ncr D n − r u.D r +1v )
+ ( ncr +1 D n − r u.D r +1v + ncr +1 D n − r −1u.D r + 2 v ) + ..... + ( DuD n v + u.D r +1v ) .

Rearranging the term, we get

D n +1 (uv) = ( D n +1u ).v + (1 + nc1 ) + ( D n uDv) + (nc1 + nc 2 ) D n −1u.D 2 v +
..... + (ncr + nr +1 )( D n − r u.D r +1v) + ...... + uD n +1v ...(3)

But we know that n c1 + n cr +1 = n +1 cr +1 . Therefore

1 + n c1 = n c0 + n c1 = n +1 c1 , n
c1 + n c2 = n +1 c2, and so on.
Hence(3) gives
D n +1 (uv) = ( D n +1u ).v + n +1 c1 ( D n u ).Dv + n +1 c2 ( D n −1u ).( D 2 v ) + .........
..... + n +1 cr +1 D n − r u.D r +1v + ..... + u.D n +1v. ..............(4)

From (4) we see that if the theorem is true for any value of n, it is also true for the next value of n. But
we have already seen that the theorem is true for n =1.Hence is must be true for n =2 and so for n =3,
and so on. Thus the Leibnitz's theorem is true for all positive integral values of n.

Example. Find the nth differential coefficients of

(i) sin ax cos bx,

(ii) log[(ax + b)(cx + d )].
Solution.

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 1 1
(i) Let y = sin ax cos bx = [2sin ax cos bx] = [2sin(a + b) x + sin(a − b) x].
2 2
 1 
we know that D n sin(ax + b) = a n sin  ax + b + nπ  .
 2 
1  1   1 
∴ y n = (a + b) n sin (a + b) x + nπ  + (a − b) n sin (a − b) x + nπ  .
2  2   2 

(ii) Let y = log [ (ax + b)(cx + d ) ] = log(ax + b) + log(cx + d ).

We know that D n log(ax + b) = (−1) n −1 (n − 1)!a n (ax + b) − n
∴ yn = (−1) n −1 (n − 1)!a n (ax + b) − n + (−1) n −1 (n − 1)!c n (cx + d ) − n
n −1  an cn 
= (−1) (n − 1)!  + n 
.
 ( ax + b ) n
( cx + d ) 

1
Example. Find the nth derivatives of .
1 − 5x + 6x2
Solution.
1 1
Let y = = .
6 x 2 − 5 x + 1 (2 x − 1)(3 x − 1)
1 A B A(3 x − 1) + B (2 x −1)
∴ 2 ≡ + ≡ ,
6 x − 5 x + 1 2 x − 1 3x − 1 (2 x − 1)(3 x − 1)
1 B 1
Putting x = ,1 = − , i.e. B = −3 ; putting x = , A = 2.
2 3 2
2 3
Hence y = + = 2(2 x − 1) −1 − 3(3 x − 1) −1
2 x − 1 3x − 1
dn dx
Therefor yn = n  2(2 x − 1)  − n 3(3 x − 1) −1 
−1

dx dx
Now we apply the formula,
D n (ax + b) −1 = (−1) n (n !)(ax + b) − n −1 a n .
Hence y n = 2.2n (−1) n (n !)(2 x − 1) − n −1 − 3.3n (−1) n (n !)(3 x − 1) − n −1 .
 2n +1 3n +1 
or yn = (−1) (n !) n
n +1
+ n +1 
.
 (2 x − 1) (3 x − 1) 

7
 1 /2
Example. If y = sin ax + cos ax, prove that y = a 1 + (−1) sin 2ax 
n n n
.

Let y = sin ax + cos ax, then

 1   1 
∴ yn = a n sin  ax + nπ  + a n cos  ax + nπ 
 2   2 
1 /2

n   1   1  
2

= a  sin  ax + nπ  + cos  ax + nπ   
   2   2   
1/ 2
  1   1 
= a 1 + 2sin  ax + nπ  cos  ax + nπ  
n

  2   2 
= a n [1 + sin(2ax + nπ )]1 / 2 = [1 + sin nπ cos 2ax + cos nπ sin 2ax]1/ 2
yn = a n [1 + (−1) n sin 2ax]1/ 2 [ Q sin nπ = 0 and cos nπ = (−1) n ]

 d 2 p  a 2b2
Example. If p = a cos θ + b sin θ , prove that p +  = 3 .
2 2 2 2 2
2 
 dθ  p
Solution.

Given p 2 = a 2 cos 2 θ + b 2 sin 2 θ ...(1)

Differentiating both sides of (1) w.r.t θ , we get
 dp 
∴ 2p  = 2(b − a ) cosθ sin θ
2 2
...(2)
 dθ 
Again differentiating both sides of (2) w.r.t θ , we get
2
 d 2 p   dp 
p 2  +   = (b − a )(cos θ − sin θ )
2 2 2 2
...(3)
 dθ   dθ 
dp
Multiplying (3) by p 2 and substituting the value of form (1) and (3), we get
dθ
 d2 p 
p  2  + (b 2 − a 2 ) 2 cos 2 θ sin 2 θ = p 2 (b 2 − a 2 )(cos 2 θ − sin 2 θ )
3

 dθ 
 d2 p 
or p  2  = (a 2 cos 2 θ + b 2θ sin 2 θ )(b 2 − a 2 )(cos2 θ − sin 2 θ ) − (b 2 − a 2 )2 cos 2 θ sin 2 θ
3

 dθ 

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  d2 p 
or p 4 + p 3  2  = (b 2 − a 2 )[(cos 2 θ − sin 2 θ )(a 2 cos 2 θ + b 2 sin 2 θ ) − (b 2 − a 2 ) cos 2 θ sin 2 θ ]
 dθ 
+ (a 2 cos 2 θ − b 2 sin 2 θ ) 2
=(b 2 − a 2 )[(a 2 cos 4 θ − b 2 sin 4 θ ) + (a 2 cos 2 θ + b 2 sin 2 θ ) 2
=b 2 a 2 (cos 2 θ + sin 2 θ ) = a 2 b 2
 d 2 p  a 2b2
Hence p+ 2  = 3 .
 dθ  p
Example. Find yn if y = x n −1 log x.

Solution.

By Leibnitz's theoram, we get

n(n − 1) n − 2 n −1 2
yn = D n ( x n −1 log x) = D n ( x n −1 ) log x + nD n −1 ( x n −1 ) D log x + D ( x ) D log x
2!
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n −3 n −1 3
+ D ( x ) D log x + ....... + x n −1 D n Logx.
3!
m!
Now D n x m = x m − n ; D n x n −1 = 0
(m − n)!
m!
D n −1 x m = x m − n +1 ; ∴ D n −1 x n −1 = (n − 1)!
(m − n + 1)!
(n − 1)! (n − 1)! 2
D n − 2 x n −1 = x; D n −3 x n −1 = x
1! 2!
(n − 1)!
and D n log x = (−1) n −1
xn
Hence
 1 n(n − 1) (n − 1)!  !  n(n − 1)(n − 2) (n − 1)! 2 2 
 n(n − 1)! x + 2! 1!
x− 2  +
3! 2!
x 3 + ....
 x  x
yn =  
 n −1 ( −1)
n −1
(n − 1)! 
 ....... + x 
 xn 
(n − 1)!
= [1 − {1 − n c1 − n c2 − n c3 + ...... + (−1) n +1cn }]
x
(n − 1)! (n − 1)!
= [1 − (1 − 1) n =
x x

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Aliter. y = x n −1 log x ∴ y1 = ( n − 1) x n − 2 log x + x n− 2 .
∴ xy1 = (n − 1) x n −1 log x + x n −1 = ( n − 1) y + x n −1 .
Differentiating both sides ( n − 1)times, we have
D n − 2 ( xy1 ) = (n − 1) D n −1 y + D n −1 x n −1 .
(n − 1) !
∴ xyn + (n − 1) yn −1 = ( n − 1) yn +1 + (n − 1)! or yn =
x
Example.
If y = a cos(log x) + b sin(log x ), show that x 2 y2 + xy1 + y = 0
and x 2 yn + 2 + (2n − 1) xyn +1 + (n 2 + 1) yn = 0.

Solution.
Let y = a cos(log x) + b sin(log x),
1 1
y1 = − a sin(log x). + b cos(log x) or xy1 = − a sin(log x) + b cos(log x)
x x
Now again differentiating both sides, we get
1 1
xy2 + y1 = −a cos(log x). − b sin(log x)
x x
or x y2 + xy1 = −[a cos(log x) + b sin(log x)]
2

or x 2 y2 + xy1 = − y
or x 2 y2 + xy1 + y = 0.
Again differentiating both sides in times by Leibnitz's theorem,
D n ( x 2 y2 ) + D n ( xy1 ) + D n ( y ) = 0.
n(n − 1) 2 2 n − 2
or x 2 D n y2 +nDx 2 D n −1 y2 + D x D y2 + xD n y1 + nD n +1 y1 + yn = 0
2
or x 2 yn + 2 + 2nxyn +1 + n(n − 1) yn + xyn +1 + nyn + yn = 0
or x 2 yn + 2 + (2n − 1) xyn +1 + (n 2 + 1) yn = 0.

Example If y = sin(m sin −1 x). prove that (1 − x 2 ) y2 − xy1 + m 2 y = 0 and deduce that
(1 − x 2 ) yn + 2 − (2n + 1) xyn +1 − (n 2 − m 2 ) yn = 0.

Solution: Let y = sin(m sin −1 x).

10
 m
y1 = cos(m sin −1 x). . or (1 − x 2 ) y12 = m 2 cos 2 (m sin −1 x).
(1 − x 2 )
or (1 − x 2 ) y12 = m 2 − m 2 sin 2 (m sin −1 x) = m 2 − m 2 y 2
∴ (1 − x 2 ) y12 + m 2 y = m 2 .
Again differentiating both sides, we have
2 y1 y2 (1 − x 2 ) − 2 xy12 + 2m 2 yy1 = 0. or y2 (1 − x 2 ) xy1 + m 2 y = 0.
Now differntiating n time by Leibnitz's theorem, we get
n(n − 1)
yn + 2 (1 − x 2 ) + nyn +1 (−2 x) + yn (−2) − xyn +1 − nyn + m 2 yn = 0,
2!
or (1 − x 2 ) yn + 2 − (2n + 1) xyn +1 − (n 2 − m 2 ) yn = 0.

To find The nth Derivative When x = 0

Example: Find ( yn )0 . if y = sin(a sin −1 x).

Solution:
Let y = sin(a sin −1 x). ……..(1)
a
∴ y1 = cos(a sin −1 x). ,
(1 − x )
2

or y12 (1 − x 2 ) = a 2 cos 2 (a sin −1 x) = a 2 − a 2 sin 2 (a sin −1 x) = a 2 − a 2 y 2

or y12 (1 − x 2 ) + a 2 y 2 − a 2 = 0. ................(2)
Differentiating (2), we have
2 y1 y2 (1 − x 2 ) − y12 (−2 x) + 2a 2 yy1 = 0.
or y2 (1 − x 2 ) + xy1 + a 2 y1 = 0 ...................(3)
Differentiating (3) n times, we have
n(n − 1)
yn + 2 (1 − x 2 ) − nyn +1 2 x − yn .2 − xyn +1 − nyn + a 2 yn = 0.
2!
or yn + 2 (1 − x ) − (2n + 1) xyn +1 − (n 2 − a 2 ) yn = 0.
2
..................(4)

Putting x = 0 in (1), we get (y)0 = 0.

Putting x = 0 in (2), we get (y1)0 = 0

Putting x = 0 in (3), we get (y2)0 = 0 and

11
Putting x = 0 in (4), we get ( yn + 2 )0 = (n 2 − a 2 )( yn )0

Now putting n = 2 in (5), ( y6 )0 = (2 2 − a 2 )( y2 )0 = 0.

Putting n = 4 in (5), ( y6 )0 = (42 − a 2 )( y4 )0 = 0.

Similarly ( y8 )0 = 0.

Thus the derivatives for which n is even are zero

Again, putting n = 1, ( y3 ) 0 = (1 − a ).( y1 ) 0 (1 − a )a.

2 2 2 2

Now when n is odd. ( yn + 2 ) 0 = ( n − a )( yn ) 0 .

2 2

Putting n is place of (n-2) we obtain

( yn )0 = ( n − 2) 2 − a 2  ( yn − 2 ) 0
= ( n − 2) 2 − a 2   (n − 4) 2 − a 2   (n − 6) 2 − a 2  ......... 32 − a 2  [ y3 ]0
= ( n − 2) 2 − a 2   (n − 4) 2 − a 2  ......... 32 − a 2  12 − a 2  .a.

Example.
If y = tan −1 x, prove that (1 + x 2 ) y2 + 2 xy1 = 0 and deduce that
(1 + x 2 ) yn + 2 + 2( n + 1) xyn +1 + n(n + 1) yn = 0 Hence determine ( yn )0

Solution.
Let y = tan −1 x .........(1)
1
∴ y1 = , ...(2)
(1 + x 2 )
or (1 + x 2 ) y1 − 1 = 0. ...(3)
Differentiating (3), we get (1 + x 2 ) y2 + 2 xy1 = 0 .........(4)
Now , differentiating (4) n times by Leibnitz's theorem, we get
n(n − 1)
yn + 2 (1 + x 2 ) + nyn +1 (2 x) + yn .2 + 2 xyn +1 + 2nyn = 0
2!
or (1 + x 2 ) yn + 2 + 2(n + 1) xyn +1 + n(n + 1) yn = 0 .........(5)

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Putting x = 0, in (1),(2) and (4), we get
( y )0 = 0, ( y1 )0 = 1, ( y2 )0 = 0.
Also putting x = 0 in (5) we get
( yn + 2 )0 = − [ (n + 1)n ] ( yn )0 . .............(6)
Putting n-2 in place of n in the foumula (6),we get
( yn )0 = [(n − 1)(n − 2)]( yn − 2 )0
= [−{(n − 1)(n − 2)}][−{(n − 3)(n − 4)}]( yn − 4 )0
Since from (6), we have (y n-2 )0 = −{(n − 3)(n − 4)}]( yn − 4 )0

Case I. When n is even, we have

( yn )0 = [−{[(n − 1)(n − 2)}][−{(n − 3)(n − 4)}]....[−(3)(2)]( y2 )0
= 0, Since ( y2 ) 0 = 0.
Case II. When n is odd, we have
( yn )0 = [−{[(n − 1)(n − 2)][−{(n − 3)(n − 4)}]....[−(4)(3)][−(2)(1)( y1 )0
= (−1)( n −1)2 (n − 1)!, since (y1 )0 = 1.

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ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS:

1. Find the nth differential coefficient of

(i ) sin 3 x
(ii ) sin x cos 3 x
(iii ) e ax cos 2 x sin x
x2
(iv)
( x + 2 )( 2 x + 3)

2. If y = eax sin bx, prove that y2 − 2ay1 + ( a 2 + b 2 ) y = 0

3. If y = cos ( m sin −1 x ) , prove that (1 − x 2 ) y2 − xy1 + m 2 y = 0 and

(1 − x ) y
2
n+2 − (2n + 1) xyn +1 + (m 2 − n 2 ) yn = 0

y = ( sin −1 x ) , prove that (1 − x 2 ) y2 − xy1 − 2 = 0 and deduce that

2
4. If

(1 − x ) y
2
n+2 − (2n + 1) xyn +1 − n 2 yn = 0

, prove that (1 + x 2 ) yn + 2 + {2(n + 1) x − 1} yn +1 + n(n + 1) yn = 0

−1
5. If y = e tan x

14