16

Chapter 2
DERIVATIVES AND DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS

2.1 DERIVATIVES

The derivative of the function y=f ( x ) with respect to x is defined as

dy Δy
= lim
dx Δx →0 Δx

where Δy=f ( x + Δx ) −f ( x ) and f ( x ) is differentiable function. The process of

finding the derivative of the given function is called differentiation.

Other symbols that can be used to denote the derivative of y=f ( x ) with
respect to x are
D x y , D x f ( x) , y' and f ' (x ) .

Three Steps in finding the derivative of y=f ( x )

Step 1. Find f ( x +Δx ) .
Δy f ( x+ Δx )−f ( x )
Step 2. Obtain Δx , i.e. Δx
Δy
lim
Step 3. Determine Δx→0 Δx

Example 1. Find the derivative of f ( x )=5 .

Solution:
f ( x )=5
Step 1. f ( x +Δx ) =5
Δy f ( x+ Δx )−f ( x )
=
Step 2. Δx Δx
5−5
= Δx
0
=
Δx
Δy
Δx =0
Δy
lim = lim 0=0
Step 3. Δx→0 Δx Δx→ 0
 17

Hence,
f ' ( x )=0
2
Example 2. Find the derivative of f ( x )=3 x .
Solution:
2
f ( x )=3 x
2
Step 1. f ( x +Δx ) =3 ( x + Δx ) = 3 [ x 2 +2 xΔx+ ( Δx )2 ] =
2
3 x2 +6 xΔx+3 ( Δx )
2
Δy 3 x 2 + 6 xΔx+ 3 ( Δx ) −3 x2
=
Step 2. Δx Δx
Δx ( 6 x −3 Δx )
=( 6 x−3 Δx )
= Δx
Δy
lim = lim ( 6 x−3 Δx )=6 x
Step 3 Δx→0 Δx Δx→ 0
dy
' '
Hence, y =f ( x ) = dx = 6x

2 '
Example 3. If f ( x )=x −3 x+ 4 , find f ( 3 ) .
Solution:
2
f ( x )=x −3 x+ 4
2
Step 1. f ( x + Δx ) =( x+ Δx ) −3 ( x + Δx )+ 4
2 2
= x +2 xΔx+ ( Δx ) −3 x−3 Δx+ 4
2
Δy x 2 + 2 xΔx+ ( Δx ) −3 x −3 Δx+4−x 2 + 3 x−4
=
Step 2. Δx Δx
2
2 xΔx+ ( Δx ) −3 Δx Δx ( 2 x + Δx−3 )
= =
Δx Δx
=2 x+ Δx−3
Δy
lim = lim ( 2 x +Δx−3 )
Step 3. Δx→0 Δx Δx→ 0 = 2x −3
' '
Hence, f ( x )=2 x−3 from which f ( 3 )=2(3 )−3=3

dy
Example 4. If y=2 √ x , find dx .
Solution:
f ( x )=2 √ x
Step 1. f ( x +Δx ) =2 √ x +Δx
 18

2 ( √ x + Δx−√ x )⋅
√ x+ Δx+√ x
Δy √ x+ Δx+√ x
=
Step 2. Δx Δx
2 Δx 2
= ==
Δx ( √ x+ Δx+ √ x ) √ x+ Δx +√ x
Δy 2 2 1
lim = lim = =
Step 3. Δx→0 Δx Δx→ 0 √ x + Δx+ √ x √ x + √ x √ x
dy 1
=
Thus, dx √ x

dy
3
Example 5. If y=6 √ x , find dx a) for any value of x , b) x=8 .
Solution:
3
f ( x )=6 √ x
3
Step 1. f ( x + Δx ) =6 √ x + Δx
2 2
3 ( √3 x+ Δx ) + 3√ x + Δx √3 x + ( √3 x )
3
6 ( √ x+ Δx−√ x )⋅
Δy ( √3 x+ Δx )2 + 3√ x + Δx √3 x + ( √3 x )2
=
Step 2. Δx Δx
6 ( x + Δx −x )
2 2
( √ x + Δx ) + √3 x+ Δx 3√ x + ( 3√ x )
3

= Δx
6 Δx
2 2
(3 ) 3
= Δx ( √ x +Δx + √ x+ Δx √ x + √ x )
3
(3 )
6
=
( 3√ x +Δx )2 +√3 x+ Δx 3√ x +( 3√ x )2
[ ]
Δy 6
lim = lim
Δx→0 Δx Δx→ 0 ( 3 2 2
Step 3 [
√ x+ Δx ) + 3√ x +Δx √3 x+ ( √3 x ) ]
6 6 2
= = = 3
( 3√ x )2 + 3√ x 3√ x +( 3√ x )2 2 ( √3 x ) 2+ ( 3√ x )2 √ x 2
[ ] [ ]
3
f ( x )= '
Example 6. If x , find f ( x ) .
Solution:
 19

3
f ( x )=
x
3
f ( x +Δx ) =
Step 1. x +Δx
3 3 −3 Δx
−
Δy x +Δx x x ( x+ Δx ) −3
= = =
Step 2. Δx Δx Δx x ( x +Δx )
Δy −3 3
lim
Step 3. Δx→0
= lim
(
Δx Δx→ 0 x ( x +Δx )
=− 2
x )
3
'
−
Thus, f (x) = x2

1 dy
y=
Example 7. If x−5 , find dx at x=6 .
Solution:
1
f ( x )=
x−5
1
f ( x +Δx ) =
Step 1. x +Δx−5
1 1 x−5−x− Δx+5
−
Δy x +Δx−5 x −5 ( x + Δx−5 ) ( x−5 )
= =
Step 2. Δx Δx Δx
− Δx −1
= =
Δx ( x+ Δx−5 )( x−5 ) ( x +Δx−5 )( x−5 )
Δy −1 1
lim
Step 3. Δx→0
= lim
(
Δx Δx→ 0 ( x+ Δx−5 )( x−5 )
=−
)
( x−5 )2
dy 1
=−
Thus, dx ( x−5 )2
At x=6 ,
dy 1
=− =1
dx ( 6−5 )2

2 x +1
f ( x )=
Example 8. Find the derivative of the function x−2 .
Solution:
2 x +1
f ( x )=
x−2
 20

2 ( x+ Δx ) +1 2 x +2 Δx+1
f ( x + Δx ) = =
Step 1. x+ Δx−2 x+ Δx−2

2 x+ 2 Δx+1 2 x+1 ( 2 x+2 Δx+1 )( x−2 ) −( x+ Δx−2 ) ( 2 x +1 )

−
Δy x + Δx−2 x−2 ( x +Δx−2 ) ( x−2 )
= =
Step 2. Δx Δx Δx
−5 Δx
( x + Δx−2 ) ( x −2 ) −5
=
Δx = ( x +Δx−2 ) ( x −2 )
Δy −5 5
lim
Step 3. Δx→0
= lim
(
Δx Δx→ 0 ( x+ Δx−2 )( x−2 )
=−
)
( x −2 )2
5
f ' ( x )=−
Thus, ( x−2 )2

2.2 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS

The following formulas i.e. derivatives of algebraic functions, trigonometric and

inverse trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions, exponential functions, and
hyperbolic functions were derived using 3-Step Rule.

Derivative of Algebraic Functions

d
( C )=0 ,C
Formula 1: dx is constant.

Example 9. If. y=5 find y' .

Solution:
y=5
y'=5
d n
( ax ) =nax n−1
Formula 2: dx .

7 5/3
Example 10. Find the derivative of (a )f ( x)=4 x , b) y=3 x ,
1
y= 4
c) 5 x , and d) f (x )=x √ x .
Solution:
5/3
a) f (x )=4 x7 (b) y=3 x
 21

2
' 6 3
f ( x )=28 x y'=5 x

1
y=
c) 5 x4 (d) f (x )=x √ x
1
= x−4
5 =x . x 1/2
−4
y'= x−5 3/2
5 = x
−4 3 3
y '= f ' ( x )= x 1/2 = √x
5 x5 2 2

d
[ u+v ] = du + dv
Formula 3: dx dx dx

d
[ 4 x 3−3 x 2 +5 x−6 ] .
Example 11. Find dx
Solution:
d
[ 4 x 3−3 x 2+5 x−6 ]
dx
=12 x 2−6 x +5

3 4 '
Example 12. If y=√ x ( √ x ) −√ x , find y .
Solution:
3 4
y=√ x ( √ x− √ x )
1 1 1

=x 2
(x 3
−x 4
)
5 3

=x 6 −x 4

5 3 −1
−1

y'= x 6 − x 4
6 4
5 3
= 1 − 1

6x 6
4x 4

5 3
y '= −
6 √ x 4 4√ x
6

d dv du
( uv )=u + v
Formula 4: dx dx dx

2
Example 13. Determine the derivative of y=( 4 x 3 −5 ) ( 3 x+1 ) .
Solution:
 22

2d d 2
y '=( 4 x 3 −5 ) ( 3 x+1 )+ ( 3 x +1 ) ( 4 x 3 −5 )
dx dx
2 d
=( 4 x 3 −5 ) ( 3 ) + ( 3 x +1 )( 2 ) ( 4 x3 −5 ) ( 4 x 3−5 )
dx
3 3 2
=( 4 x −5 ) [ 3 ( 4 x −5 ) +2 ( 3 x+ 1 ) 12 x ]
=3 ( 4 x−5 ) [ 4 x 3 −5+24 x +8 ]
y '=3 ( 4 x−5 ) ( 4 x 3 +24 x+3 )

du dv
−u v
d u dx dx
Formula 5:
()
dx v
=
v 2

Example 14. If ( x )=¿ , find f (1) .

Solution:
3
4 x +1
f (x )= 4
5 x −1
( 5 x 4 −1 ) d ( 4 x 3 +1 ) −( 4 x3 +1 ) d (5 x 4 )
dx dx
f ' (x )=
( 5 x 4 −1 )2
( 5 x 4 −1 )( 12 x 2 )−( 4 x 3 +1 )( 20 x 3 )
=
( 5 x 4 −1 )2
4 x 2 [(5 x 4 −1 )(3)− (5 x ) ( 4 x 3 + 1 ) ]
= 2
( 5 x 4 −1 )
4 x 2 ( 15 x 4 −3−20 x 4 −5 x )
=
( 5 x 4 −1 )2
4 x 2 (−5 x 4 −5 x−3 )
¿
( 5 x 4 −1 )2
−4 x 2 ( 5 x 4 +5 x+3 )
f ' (x ) =
( 5 x 4 −1 )2

d n
( u )=nu n−1 du
Formula 6: dx dx

5
'
Example 15. If f (x )=( 4 x 3−3 x +1) 3 , find f ( x ) .
Solution:
5

f ( x )=( 4 x 3−3 x +1) 3

 23

2
5 d
f ' ( x )= ( 4 x 3−3 x +1) 3 (4 x 3−3 x +1)
3 dx
2
5
( 4 x 3−3 x+1) 3 (3)(4 x−1)
= 3
2
'
f ( x ) = 5(4 x−1)(4 x3 −3 x +1) 3

Example 16. If f (x )=√ 4 x 3 −3 x , find f ' (1).

Solution:
3 1/2
f (x )=( 4 x −3 x )
1 −1/2 d
f ' (x )= ( 4 x3 −3 x ) ( 4 x3 −3 x )
2 dx
2
( 12 x −3 )
= 1/2
2 ( 4 x 3 −3 x )
3 ( 4 x 2 −1 )
f ' (x )=
2 √ 4 x3 −3 x
3 ( 4−1 ) 9
f ' (1 )= =
2 √ 4−3 2

dy 1
= , x=g ( y )
Formula 7: dx dx /dy

3 2
Example 17. If x=4 y −3 y +1 , find y’.
Solution:
3 2
x=4 y −3 y +1
dx
=12 y 2 −6 y
dy
=6 y(2 y−1 )
1
y'=
6 y(2 y−1)

dy dy /dt g ' (t )
= =
dx dx/dt f ' ( t ) , x=f ( t ) & y =g ( t )
Formula 8:
dy
4 3 3 2
Example 18. If x=5 t −3 t and y=4t −3 t find dx .
Solution:
 24

dy
dy dt
=
dx dx
dt
d
( 4 t 3−3 t2 )
dt
=
d 4
( 5 t −3t 3 )
dt
6 t ( 2 t−1 )
= 2
t (20 t−9 )
dy 6 ( 2 t−1 )
=
dx t (20 t−9 )

dy du
y '= ⋅
Formula 9: du dx , y=f (u) and u=g (x )

Example 19. If y=(4 u ³ +5)3 /2 and u=4 x+1, find y'.

Solution:
dy du
y '= ⋅
du dx
3
= (4 u ³ +5)1/2 ( 12 u2 ) ( 4 )
2
=72u²(4 u³+5)1/2
3 1 /2
= 72(4 x +1)² [ 4( 4 x+1 ) +5 ]
1/2
y '=72( 4 x+1 )² [ 4 (4 x +1)3 +5 ]

2 2
Example 20. If y=3 u −4u+1 and u=3 x −5 x, find y’.
Solution:
dy du
y '= ⋅
dx dx
d
[ 3u 2−4 u+1 ] d [ 3 x 2−5 x ]
= dx dx
=( 6u−4 ) ( 6 x−5 )
=[ 6 ( 3 x 2 −5 x )−4 ] ( 6 x−5 )
y '=( 18 x 2 −30 x−4 ) ( 6 x−5 )

Derivative of Trigonometric Functions

 25

d du
(sin u )=cosu
Formula 10: dx dx

Example 21. Find the derivative of (a) y=sin 3 x ² , and

(b)f ( x)=4sin( √ x−3) .
Solution:
(a) y=sin 3x ²
d
y'=cos 3 x ² (3 x ²)
dx
=(cos 3x ² )(6x )
y'=6 x cos3 x²

(b )f ( x )=4 sin ( √ x−3 )

d
f ' (x )=4 cos( √ x−3 ) ( √ x−3 )
dx
1
¿ 4 cos( √ x−3 ).
2√ x
2
f ' ( x )= cos( √ x−3 )
√x

Example 22. If f (x )=sin 3 x , find

f' ( π 3) . .
Solution:
d
f ' ( x )=cos3 x (3 x )
dx
=3 cos3 x
f' (π 3)=3 cos( 3 π 3 )
π
f ' ( ) =− 3
3

d du
cos u=−sin u
Formula 11: dx dx

2
Example 23. If y=cos (5 x+1) , find y' .
Solution:
2
y=cos (5 x+1)
 26

d
y '=2 cos(5 x +1) [ cos(5 x +1)]
dx
d
=2 cos(5 x +1) [ −sin(5 x+1) ] ( 5 x +1 )
dx
=2 cos(5 x +1) [ −sin(5 x+1) ] (5 )
=−5 [ 2 cos(5 x+1)sin(5 x+1 )]
y'=−5 sin 2(5 x+1)

d du
tan u=sec2 u
Formula 12: dx dx

Example 24. Find the derivative of y=5 tan(7 x³+2)³ .

Solution:
d
y '=5 sec²(7 x³ +2)³ (7 x ³+2 )³
dx
d
=5 sec² (7 x ³+2)³ ( 3 ) (7 x ³+2 )2 ( 7 x 3 +2 )
dx
=15(7 x ³+2 )² [sec²(7 x ³+2)³ ] ( 21 x 2 )
y'=315 x ²(7 x ³+2)²sec²(7 x ³+2 )³

d du
cot u=−csc²u .
Formula 13: dx dx

2
Example 25. Determine the derivative of x=cot ( 3 θ+1 ) with respect to θ.
Solution:
2
x=cot ( 3 θ+1 )
dx d
=2 [−csc 2 ( 3θ+1 )2 ] ( 3 θ+1 )2
dθ dθ
d
=−2 csc 2 ( 3 θ+1 )2 ( 2 ) ( 3 θ+1 ) ( 3θ +1 )
dθ
2 2
=−4 ( 3 θ+1 ) csc s ( 3 θ+1 ) ( 3 )
dx
=−12 ( 3θ+1 ) csc 2 ( 3 θ+1 )2
dθ
3
Example 26. If f (x )=√ ( tan x−cot 6 x )4 , find f ' ( x ) .
Solution:
4
3
f ( x )=[ tan 3 x−cot 6 x ]
 27

1
4 d
= [ tan 3 x−cot 6 x ] 3 ( tan 3 x −cot 6 x )
3 dx
4 3
= [ √ tan3 x−cot 6 x ( 3 sec 2 3 x +6 csc 2 6 x ) ]
3
4
= [ √3 tan3 x−cot 6 x ( 3 sec 2 3 x +6 csc 2 6 x ) ]
3
4
= √3 tan 3 x−cot 6 x (3 ) ( sec 2 3 x +2 csc2 6 x )
3
4
= [ sec 2 3 x+2 csc2 6 x ] 3√ tan3 x−cot 6 x
f ' (x) 3

d du
( secu ) =secu tanu
Formula 14: dx dx

Example 27. If f (θ )=3 sec ( 5θ−1 ) , find f ' ( θ ) .

Solution:
d
f ' ( θ ) =3 sec ( 5 θ−1 ) tan ( 5 θ−1 ) (5 θ−1 )
dθ
=3sec (5 θ−1 ) tan ( 5 θ−1 ) [ 5 ]
f ' (θ )=15 sec ( 5θ−1 ) tan ( 5 θ−1 )

d du
( cscu ) =−cscu cot u
Formula 15: dx dx

3
Example 28. If y=csc 4 x , find y'.
Solution:
d
y'=−csc4 x3 cot 4 x 3 (4 x3 )
dx
2 3 3
y' =−12x csc 4 x cot 4 x

Derivative of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

d 1 du
Arc sin u= ⋅
Formula 16:
dx √ 1−u 2 dx
3
Example 29. If f ( x )=arcsin 5 x , find f ' ( x ) .
Solution:
1 d
f ' ( x )= ( 5 x3 )
1−( 5 x 3 ) dx
2
√
 28

15 x 2
f ' (x )=
√1−25 x 6
d −1 du
Arc cosu= ⋅
Formula 17:
dx √1−u 2 dx

3/2
Example 30. If f ( x )=( arccos 2 x+1 ) , find f ' ( x ) .
Solution:
3 d
f ' ( x )= ( arccos 2 x+1 )1/2 ( arccos 2 x +1 )
2 dx
3 −1 d
=
2
( arccos 2 x +1 )1/2
(
√ 1−4 x 2 dx )
(2 x )

3 −1
=
2
( arccos 2 x +1 )1/2
(√ 1−4 x 2 )( )
2

( arccos2 x+1 )1/2

f ' (x )=−3
√ 1−4 x 2
d 1 du
Arc tanu= ⋅
Formula 18: dx 1+u 2 dx

Example 31. Find the derivative of f ( x )=√ arctan √ x ,

Solution:
1/2
f ( x )=( arctan √ x )
1 −1/ 2 d
f ' ( x )= ( arctan √ x ) ( arctan √ x )
2 dx
1 1 1 d
= (√ x )
2 ( arctan √ x ) 1+ ( √ x ) dx
1/2 2

1 1 1 1
= ( )( )
4 √ arctan √ x 1+ x √ x
1
f ' (x )=
4 ( 1+x ) √ x arctan √ x

d −1 du
Arc cot u= ⋅
Formula 19: dx 1+u2 dx

Example 32. Determine the derivative of f ( x )=arc cotln x .

 29

Solution:
f ( x )=arc cotln x
f ' ( x )=−
( 1+ ln1 x ) dxd ( ln x )
2

1 1
=−
( )( )
1+ ln 2 x x
1
f ' ( x )=−
x ( 1+ ln 2 x )

d 1 du
Arc secu= ⋅
Formula 20:
dx u √u 2−1 dx
x
Example 33. If f ( x )=arc sece , find f ' ( x ) .

Solution:
1
d x
f ' ( x )= (e )
e √ e −1 dx
x 2x

1
=
x
2x
(ex )
e √ e −1
1
f ' (x )=
2x
√ e −1
d −1 du
Arcc csc u= ⋅
Formula 21:
dx u √ u 2
−1 dx

2
Example 34. Differentiate f ( x )=arc csc x with respect to x.
Solution:
1
f ' ( x )=− (2 x )
x 2 √ x 4 −1
2
=−
x √ x 4 −1

Derivatives of the Logarithmic Functions

d log a e du
log u =
Formula 22: dx ( a ) u dx
 30

Example 35. If y=log(3 x−2) , find y'.

Solution:
y=log(3 x−2)
log e d
y'= ( 3 x−2 )
(3 x−2 ) dx
3 log e
y'=
3 x−2

d 1 du
( ln u ) =
Formula 23: dx u dx

Example 36. Find the derivative of y=lnsin 3 x with respect to x.

Solution:
y=lnsin 3 x
1 d
y '= ( sin3 x )
sin 3 x dx
1
= (3cos 3 x )
sin 3 x
y'=3cot 3 x

Derivatives of Exponential Functions

d u
( a )=au ln a⋅du
Formula 24: dx dx
3x
Example 37. If y=5 , find y'.
Solution:
3x
y=5
d
y '=53 x ln 5 (3 x )
dx
3x
y'=3 ( ln5 ) 5
 31

d u u du
e =e
Formula 25: dx dx

2 3x
Example 38. If y=x e , find the derivative of y with respect to x.
Solution:
d 3x 3 x d 2
y '=x 2 ( e ) +e (x )
dx dx
=x 2 ( 3 e 3 x ) +e3 x ( 2 x )
3x
y '=xe ( x +2 )

Derivative of Hyperbolic Function

d du
( sinh u )=cosh u
Formula 26: dx dx

'
Example 39. If f ( x )=2 sinh 3 x , find f ( x ) .
Solution:
'
f ( x )=2 cosh3 x ( 3 )
'
f ( x )=6 cosh 3 x

d du
( cosh u )=sinh u
Formula 27: dx dx

x
Example 40. Determine the derivative of y=e ( cosh2 x ) with respect to x.
Solution:
x
y=e ( cosh2 x )
x x
y '=e ( 2sinh 2 x )+ ( cosh2 x ) e
x
y '=e [ 2 sinh 2 x+cosh2 x ]

d du
( tanh u )=sech2 u
Formula 28: dx dx

3 '
Example 41. If f (x )=tanh 2 x +3 x , find f ' (x )
Solution:
f (x )=tanh 3 2 x +3 x
f (x )=tanh 3 2 x +3 x
f ' ( x )=3 [ 2 tanh 2 2 x sech 2 2 x+1 ]
 32

d du
( cothu )=−csc h2 u
Formula 29: dx dx

Example 42. y=√ coth 2x−3 , find y'.

Solution:
1

y=( coth 2 x−3 ) 2

1 −1
d
y '= ( coth 2 x−3 ) 2 ( coth2 x−3 )
2 dx
1 2
= 1 (−csc h 2 x ) ( 2 )

2 ( coth2 x−3 ) 2

−csch 2 2 x
=
√ coth2 x−3

d du
( sechu )=−sec hu tanh u
Formula 30: dx dx

'
Example 43. If f (x )=sin x sec hx find f ( x ) .

Solution:
f ' ( x )=sin x (−sec hx tan h x ) +sec h cos x
'
f ( x )=sec hx ( cos x −sin x tan h x )

d du
( cschu )=−csc hu cothu
Formula 31: dx dx

Example 44. f (x )=x csc h ( ln x ) , find f ' (x ).

Solution:
1
f ' ( x )=x (−csch ln x cothln x ) +csch ln x ( 1 )
x
=−csch ln x cothln x +csc h ln x
f ' (x )=csc h ln x ( 1−cothln x )
3x
e
f (x )=
Example 45. If csc h5 x , find f ' (x ).
Solution:
 33

3x
e
f (x )=
csc h5 x
csc h5 x ( 3 e3 x )−e3 x (−5 csc h 5 x coth 5 x )
f ' (x )=
( csc h5 x )2
e3 x csch 5 x ( 3+5 coth 5 x )
f ' (x )=
csc h2 5 x
e3 x (3+5 coth5 x )
f ' (x )=
csc h5 x