2.

1 Derivatives of Algebraic and Transcendental Functions

Derivative is one of the fundamental concepts of calculus. In the previous module, we
discussed the concepts of limits. Derivative uses the limit concepts in its definition. We can
think of the derivative of a function as the instantaneous rate of change of one variable with
respect to the other variable. The derivative also gives the slope of a tangent line to the graph
of at the point , if the there is a tangent line at that point.

2.1.1 Definition of the Derivative of a Function

The derivative of the function f at x is

if this limit exists. The function is said to be differentiable over the open interval , if
exists for each in .
The process of finding the derivative of a function is called differentiation and the derivative of
a function is obtained by differentiating the function.

Notations: The derivative of the function can be denoted by any of the following
symbols:

Example 1. Find the derivative of the function .

Solution: Note that and so

Thus, using the definition

we have

Simply. Recall the special product

Simplify further by eliminating

and removing grouping symbol
Simplify further by eliminating

Factor out in the numerator

 Cancel out

Evaluate the limit

The derivative

Thus,

Finding the derivative of a function using the limit process may be difficult. We can avoid this
difficulty by applying the rules below in finding the derivative of a function.

2.1.2 General Differentiation Formulas

Theorem 1. Constant Function Rule Theorem 5. Product Rule

Dx (k )  0 , where is a constant Dx [ f ( x ) g ( x )]  f ( x) Dx [ g ( x )]  g ( x ) Dx [ f ( x )]

Theorem 2. Power Rule Theorem 6. Quotient Rule

Dx ( x n )  nx n 1 ,  f ( x)  g ( x) Dx [ f ( x)]  f ( x) Dx [ g ( x)]
Dx  
where is a real number.  g ( x)   g ( x ) 2

Theorem 3. Constant Multiple Property Theorem 7. The Chain Rule

Dx [cf ( x )]  cDx [ f ( x)] , where c is a Dx [ f ( g ( x))]  f ' ( g ( x)) g ' ( x )
constant

Theorem 4. Sum and Difference Theorem 8. The General Power Rule

Property Dx [u ( x)]n  n[u ( x )]n 1 Dx [u ( x)] ,
Dx [ f ( x )  g ( x)]  Dx [ f ( x )]  Dx [ g ( x)]
where is a differentiable function of and is a
real number.

Example 1. Using the Constant Rule

Function Derivative
a.
b.
c.

d. , where is a constant
Example 2. Using the Power Rule

Function Derivative
a.
b.

c.

Example 3. Using the Constant Multiple Rule

Function Derivative

a.
b.

c.

d.

Example 4. Using the Sum and Difference Rule

 Function Derivative
a.

b.

c.

Example 5. Using the Product Rule

Find the derivative of .

Solution: Recall that

Thus,

Example 6. Using the Quotient Rule

Find the derivative of .

 f ( x)  g ( x) Dx [ f ( x)]  f ( x) Dx [ g ( x)]
Solution: Recall that Dx  
 g ( x)   g ( x ) 2
So,
 Example 7. Using the General Power Rule

Find the derivative of .

Solution: Recall that . Then

2.1.3 Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Recall that the exponential and logarithmic functions are inverses of each other, and
that for any base we have

where and .

Exponential Function Logarithmic Form to

to the base b the base b

Domain: Domain:
Range: Range:

 if , we have the common logarithmic function .

  if , we have the natural exponential function and the
natural exponential function

Also, take note of the following rules:

Laws of Exponents Laws for Logarithm

Let and be real. Let be a positive real number,
, and and be algebraic
expressions.

We are now ready to discuss the derivatives of the exponential and logarithmic functions. The
following formulas can be obtained using the definition of the derivative.

Theorem 9. Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Let be a differentiable function Then for and we have

Consequently, if , then we have

Example 8. Derivatives of Exponential Functions

Function Derivative
 Using the Product Rule:

However, we
can also simplify
the given
function using
the properties of
exponents:

We can simplify the process using the laws of exponents.

1
y '  25 x (ln 2) Dx [5 x]  3 x ln 3Dx [ x 2 ]
 12
 25 x (ln 2)(5)  3 x (ln 3) 12 x
x
3 ln 3
 5(25 x ) ln 2 
2 x

Function Derivative
 Example 9. Derivatives of Logarithmic Functions

Function Derivative

Note that:

Note that
2.1.4 Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions
Let us have a quick review of the trigonometric functions before we discuss its
derivatives. Recall that the trigonometric functions , , and can be used to find an
unknown side of a right triangle. The remaining three trigonometric functions
are just the reciprocals of , , and , respectively.

Trigonometric Function Domain Range

where is an integer
,

where is an integerer

where is an integerer
,

where is an integerer

Simplification of complicated expressions involving trigonometric functions require some

trigonometric identities. Let us recall some of the trigonometric identities.

The Eight Fundamental Trigonometric Identities

 The Sum and Difference Identities Double Measure Identities

The derivatives of sine and cosine functions are obtained by using the definition of a derivative
of a function.

Theorem 10. If , then .

Proof. Note that . Then

Theorem 11. If , then .

Proof. Note that . Then

Knowing the derivatives of the sine and cosine functions, one can use the trigonometric
identities and the quotient rule of differentiation to find the derivatives of the remaining four
trigonometric functions.

Theorem 12. Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions

Let be a differentiable function Then

Consequently, if , then we have

Example 10. Differentiating Trigonometric Functions

Function Derivative
a.
b. Using the Product Rule, we have

Example 11. Differentiate both forms of

Solution:

First form:
Second form:

We can show that these two derivatives are equal by using the identities.

Example 12. Trigonometric Functions and the Chain Rule

Function Derivative
2.1.5 Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Recall that some values of the inverse trigonometric functions are restricted so these
functions to become one-to-one. They are defined as follows:

Inverse
Trigonometric Definition Domain Range
Function
if and

only if
if and

only if
if and

only if
if and

only if
if and

only if
if and

only if

Theorem 13. Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Let be a differentiable function Then

Consequently, if , then we have

Example 13. Differentiation of the Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Function Derivative