Calculus

100 Examples on Derivative

(Ex1.) Let f (x) = 2009 . Use the definition of derivative to find f '(x)
f (x + h) " f (x)
f '(x) = lim
h!0 h
f ( x + h)
! ! f (x)

2009 " 2009 0

= lim = lim = lim 0 = 0
h!0 h h!0 h h!0

(Ex2.) Let f (x) = x 2 + 3x . Use the definition of derivative to find f '(x)

f ( x + h)
!## # "### $ !
#" #
f (x)
$
f (x + h) " f (x) (x + h) + 3(x + h) " (x + 3x)
2 2
f '(x) = lim = lim
h!0 h h!0 h
x 2 + 2xh + h 2 + 3x + 3h " x 2 " 3x 2xh + h 2 + 3h
= lim = lim
h!0 h h!0 h
h (2x + h + 3)
= lim
h!0 h
= 2x + "0"+ 3 = 2x + 3
(Ex3.) Let f (x) = 1 ! x . Use the definition of derivative to find f '(x)
f ( x + h)
!# "# $ !"
#f ( x )#
$

f '(x) = lim
f (x + h) " f (x)
= lim
1" x + h " 1" x ( )
h!0 h h!0 h
1" x + h "1+ x " x+h + x
= lim = lim
h!0 h h!0 h

= lim
x " x+h
#
( x + x+h )
h!0 h ( x+ x + h)
x " (x + h) x"x"h
= lim = lim
h!0
h ( x + x+h ) h!0
h ( x + x+h )
"h "1
= lim = lim
h!0
h ( x + x+h ) h!0 x + x+h

"1 "1
= =
x + x + "0" 2 x

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 1

 1
(Ex4.) Let f (x) = . Use the definition of derivative to find f '(x)
3x + 1
f ( x + h)
! "# $
f (x)

f (x + h) " f (x) 1
3( x + h)+1 " 1
3x +1
f '(x) = lim = lim
h!0 h h!0 h
3x +1"(3x + 3h+1)
1
" 1
(3x + 3h+1)(3x +1) 3x + 1 " 3x " 3h " 1
= lim 3x + 3h+1 3x +1
= lim = lim
h!0 h h!0 h h!0 h(3x + 3h + 1)(3x + 1)

"3 h
= lim
h!0 h (3x + 3h + 1)(3x + 1)
"3
= lim
h!0 (3x + 3h + 1)(3x + 1)

"3 "3
= =
(3x + 3#"0"+ 1)(3x + 1) (3x + 1)2
(Ex5.) Let f (x) = x 2 ! 5x . Use the definition of derivative to find f '(0)

!" $ !#"
#f ( x#
)
#$
f (0)

f '(0) = lim
f (x) " f (0)
= lim
2
(
x " 5x " 0 " 5(0)
2
)
x!0 x"0 x!0 x
x 2 " 5x x (x " 5)
= lim = lim = "0"" 5 = "5
x!0 x x!0 x
x
(Ex6.) Let f (x) = . Use the definition of derivative to find f '(0)
3x + 2
!f (x)
!f (0)

f (x) " f (0) 3x + 2 " 3(0)+ 2

x 0
f '(0) = lim = lim
x!0 x"0 x!0 x
x
x 1 1 1
= lim 3x + 2
= lim = lim = =
x!0 x x!0 x (3x + 2) x!0 3x + 2 3#"0"+ 2 2
x
(Ex7.) Let f (x) = . Use the definition of derivative to find f '(1)
3x + 2
!f (x)
! f (1)

f (x) " f (1) 3x + 2 " 3(1)+ 2 " 15

x 1 x
f '(1) = lim = lim = lim 3x + 2
x!1 x "1 x!1 x "1 x!1 x "1
5 x " 3x " 2
5(3x + 2)
2 x"2 2 (x " 1) 2 2
= lim = lim 15 x +10
= lim = =
x!1 x "1 x!1 x "1 x!1 (15x + 10) (x " 1) 15 #"1"+ 10 25

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 2

(Ex8.) Let f (x) = x + 1 . Use the definition of derivative to find f '(8)
!" # !"
f (x)
#
f (8)

f (x) " f (8) x +1 " 8 +1

f '(8) = lim = lim
x!8 x"8 x!8 x"8

= lim
x +1 " 3
#
( x +1 + 3 )
x!8 x"8 ( x + 1 + 3)
x +1" 9
= lim
x!8
(x " 8) ( x +1 + 3 )
(x " 8)
= lim
x!8
(x " 8) ( x +1 + 3 )
1 1
= =
"8"+ 1 + 3 6
(Ex9.) Let f (x) = 1
x
. Use the definition of derivative to find f '(9)

!
f (x)
!
f (9)

f (x) " f (9) " 9 1 1

f '(9) = lim = lim x

x!9 x"9 x!9 x"9
1
" 13 3" x
3" x " ( x"3 )
= lim x
= lim 3 x
= lim = lim
x!9 x"9 x!9 x"9 x!9 3 x ( x " 9) x!9
3 x ( x"3 )( )
x+3
"1 "1
= =
3 "9" ( "9" + 3 ) 54

(Ex10.) Let f (x) = 1

x 2 +1
. Use the definition of derivative to find f '(!1)

!
f (x)
!f (!1)

f (x) ! f (!1)
1
x 2 +1
! (!1)12 +1
f '(!1) = lim = lim
x"!1 x ! (!1) x"!1 x +1
2! x 2 !1
1
! 12 2( x 2 +1)
= lim x 2 +1
= lim
x"!1 x +1 x"!1 x +1
!x 2 + 1 !(x 2 ! 1) !(x ! 1) (x + 1)
= lim = lim = lim
x"!1 2(x + 1)(x + 1)
2 x"!1 2(x + 1)(x + 1)
2 x"!1 2(x 2 + 1) (x + 1)

! ("! 1"! 1) 2 1
= = =
(
2 ("! 1") + 1 2
) 2(2) 2

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 3

(Ex11.) Each limit represents the derivative of some function f at a point a. State f '(a) and f

(10 + h)2 " 10 2 (10 + h)2 " 10 2

(a) lim Answer: lim = f '(10) where f (x) = x 2
h!0 h h!0 h
(2 + h)6 " 64 (2 + h)6 " 64
(b) lim Answer: lim = f '(2) where f (x) = x 6
h!0 h h!0 h
16 + h " 4 16 + h " 4
(c) lim Answer: lim = f '(16) where f (x) = x
h!0 h h!0 h
1
" 15 1
" 15
(d) lim 5+ h
Answer: lim 5+ h
= f '(5) where f (x) = 1
x
h!0 h h!0 h
1
(5+ !x )2
# 251 1
(5+ !x )2
# 251
(e) lim Answer: lim = f '(5) where f (x) = 1
!x"0 !x !x"0 !x x2

tan( "3 + h) # 3 tan( "3 + h) # 3

(f) lim Answer: lim = f '( "3 ) where f (x) = tan x
h!0 h h!0 h
e8+ h " e8 e8+ h " e8
(g) lim Answer: lim = f '(8) where f (x) = e x
h!0 h h!0 h
ln(15 + h) " ln15 ln(15 + h) " ln15
(h) lim Answer: lim = f '(15) where f (x) = ln x
h!0 h h!0 h
" 16
1
" 16
1
(i) lim x
Answer: lim x
= f '(6) where f (x) = 1
x!6 x " 6 x!6 x " 6
x

x +1 " 3 x +1 " 3
(j) lim Answer: lim = f '(8) where f (x) = x + 1
x!8 x"8 x!8 x"8
ex " 1 ex " 1
(k) lim Answer: lim = f '(0) where f (x) = e x
x!0 x x!0 x
x10 " 1 x10 " 1
(l) lim Answer: lim = f '(1) where f (x) = x10
x!1 x " 1 x!1 x " 1

sin(x) # 1 sin(x) # 1
(m) lim" Answer: lim" = f '( "2 ) where f (x) = sin x
x! 2 x # "2 x! 2 x # "2
3
x +1 " 2 3
x +1 " 2
(n) lim Answer: lim = f '(7) where f (x) = 3 x + 1
x! 7 x"7 x! 7 x"7
x 3 + 4x " 13 " 4(1) x 3 + 4x " 13 " 4(1)
(o) lim Answer: lim = f '(1) where f (x) = x 3 + 4x
x!1 x "1 x!1 x "1
x
3x + 2 " 1 x
3x + 2 " 1
= f '(1) where f (x) =
3(1)+ 2 3(1)+ 2
(p) lim Answer: lim x
3x + 2
x!1 x "1 x!1 x "1
Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 4
[Examples on “Rewriting the Function” and Using Power Rule]
(Ex12.) [From (Ex2.)] f (x) = x 2 + 3x

Power Rule: f '(x) = 2x 2!1 + 3x1!1

Answer: f '(x) = 2x + 3

(Ex13.) y = (3x + 8)2

*Expand: y = 9x 2 + 48x + 64

Power Rule: y ' = 9(2x 2!1 ) + 48(x1!1 ) + 0

Answer: y ' = 18x + 48

(Ex14.) g(x) = (x 2 + 5)(4x ! 2)

*Expand: g(x) = 4x 3 ! 2x 2 + 20x ! 10

Power Rule: g '(x) = 4(3x 3!1 ) ! 2(2x 2!1 ) + 20(x1!1 ) ! 0

Answer: g '(x) = 12x 2 ! 4x + 20

(Ex15.) f (x) = x + 3 x + 4 x
1 1 1
*Rewrite: f (x) = x 2 + x 3 + x 4
1
!1 1
!1 1
!1 ! 12 ! 23 ! 43
Power Rule: f '(x) = 12 x 2 + 13 x 3 + 14 x 4 = 12 x + 13 x + 14 x

1 1 1
Answer: f '(x) = + +
2 x 33 x2 4 4 x3
(Ex16.) g(x) = x( x + 3)
1 1
1+ 12 3
*Distribute: g(x) = x1 ! (x 2 + 3) = x1 ! x 2 + 3x = x + 3x = x 2 + 3x
3
!1 1
Power Rule: g '(x) = 23 x 2 + 3(x1!1 ) = 23 x 2 + 3

Answer: g '(x) = 3
2 x+3

(Ex17.) y = x x

( )
1
1 1 1 1 1
+ 14 3
y= x x = x2 ! x2 = x2 ! x4 = x2 = x4
2
*Rewrite:
3
!1 ! 14
Power Rule: y ' = 43 x 4 = 43 x

3
Answer: y' =
44 x
Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 5
 1 1 1 1
(Ex18.) y = + 3+ 5+ 7
x x x x
*Rewrite: y = x !1 + x !3 + x !5 + x !7
dy
Power Rule: = !1x !1!1 + (!3x !3!1 ) + (!5x !5!1 ) + (!7x !7!1 )
dx
dy 1 3 5 7
Answer: =! 2 ! 4 ! 6 ! 8
dx x x x x
5
(Ex19.) f (x) =
(x ! 8)3

*Rewrite: f (x) = 5(x ! 8)!3

Power Rule: (
f '(x) = 5! "3(x " 8)"3"1 = "15(x " 8)"4 )
!15
Answer: f '(x) =
(x ! 8)4
1 1 1
(Ex20.) f (x) = + 4
+ 6
x x x
! 12 ! 14 ! 16
*Rewrite: f (x) = x +x +x
! 12 !1 ! 14 !1 ! 16 !1 ! 23 ! 54 ! 67
Power Rule: f '(x) = ! 12 x ! 14 x ! 16 x = ! 12 x ! 14 x ! 16 x
1 1 1
Answer: f '(x) = ! ! !
3 4 5 6
2 x 4 x 6 x7
x10 ! 10x 7
(Ex21.) g(x) =
2x 3
x10 10x 7
*Split: g(x) = !
2x 3 2x 3
*Rewrite: g(x) = 12 x 7 ! 5x 4

Power Rule: g '(x) = 12 (7x 7!1 ) ! 5(4x 4 !1 )

Answer: g '(x) = 27 x 6 ! 20x 3

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 6

 x 5 ! 7x 3 + 3
(Ex22.) f (x) =
x
x 5 7x 3 3
*Split: f (x) = ! +
x x x
*Rewrite: f (x) = x 4 ! 7x 2 + 3x !1

Power Rule: f '(x) = 4x 4 !1 ! 7(2x 2!1 ) + 3(!1x !1!1 )

3
Answer: f '(x) = 4x 3 ! 14x !
x2
x ! x3
(Ex23.) f (x) =
x
x x3
*Split: f (x) = !
x x
x1 x3 1! 12 3! 12 1 5
*Rewrite: f (x) = 1 ! 1 =x !x = x2 ! x2
x 2
x 2

1
!1 5
!1 ! 12 3
Power Rule: f '(x) = 12 x 2 ! 52 x 2 = 12 x ! 52 x 2

1 5 x3
Answer: f '(x) = !
2 x 2
2
! 1$
(Ex24.) f (x) = # x + &
" x%
1 1
*Expand: f (x) = x 2 + 2x ! + 2
x x
*Rewrite: f (x) = x 2 + 2 + x !2

Power Rule: f '(x) = 2x 2!1 + 0 + (!2x !2!1 )

2
Answer: f '(x) = 2x !
x3

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 7

[Examples on Using Product Rule]
(Ex25.) [From (Ex14.)] F(x) = (x 2 + 5) ! (4x " 2)

!"
#f ( x#
)
$ !"
#g( x )#
$
*Notice: F(x) = (x + 5) ! (4x " 2)
2

!"
#f ( x#
)
$ g%
'( x )
!"
#g( x )#
$ %f '( x )

Product Rule: F '(x) = (x + 5) ! (4) + (4x " 2) ! (2x) = 4x 2 + 20 + 8x 2 " 4x

2

Answer: F '(x) = 12x 2 ! 4x + 20

(Ex26.) F(x) = (!3x 7 + 5x 3 ) " (x 9 ! 200)

!# #" ##
f (x)
$ !#g("x )#$
*Notice: F(x) = (!3x 7 + 5x 3 ) " (x 9 ! 200)

!# #" ##
f (x)
$ % g '( x )
!#g("x )#$ !##f" ##$
'( x )

Product Rule: F '(x) = (!3x + 5x ) " (9x ) + (x ! 200) " (!21x + 15x 2 )
7 3 8 9 6

Expand: F '(x) = !27x15 + 45x11 ! 21x15 + 15x11 + 4200x 6 ! 3000x 2

Answer: F '(x) = !48x15 + 60x11 + 4200x 6 ! 3000x 2

(Ex27.) [From (Ex16.)] F(x) = x ! ( x + 3)

! "# $g( x$%

)
f (x)
1
*Rewrite: F(x) = x ! (x + 3)
2

"$g# $%
'( x )

! " 1 f (x) "$g(

#x )$
% f! '( x )
% x
Product Rule: F '(x) = x ! $ + 0 ' + ( x + 3) ! (1) = + x+3
#2 x & 2 x

x 2 x
Simplify: F '(x) = + +3
2 2
3 x
Answer: F '(x) = +3
2
(Ex28.) F(x) = x 5 ! sin x
! ! f (x)
g( x )

*Notice: F(x) = x ! sin x

5

! ! f (x)
g '( x ) g( x ) !
! f '( x )

Product Rule: F '(x) = x ! cos x + sin x ! 5x 4

5

Answer: F '(x) = x 5 cos x + 5x 4 sin x

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 8

(Ex29.) F(x) = sin x ! cos x
!f (x)
!g( x )

*Notice: F(x) = sin x ! cos x

!f (x)
"#
$g '( x$
)
% ! g( x )
!f '( x )

Product Rule: F '(x) = sin x ! (" sin x) + cos x ! cos x

Answer: F '(x) = ! sin 2 x + cos 2 x or F '(x) = cos(2x)

(Ex30.) F(x) = e x ! tan x

! ! f (x)
g( x )

*Notice: F(x) = e ! tan x

x

! ! f (x)
g '( x )
!
g( x ) !
f '( x )

Product Rule: F '(x) = e ! sec x + tan x ! e x

x 2

Answer: (
F '(x) = e x sec 2 x + tan x )
(Ex31.) F(x) = x 3 ! x + 1

! "#$ %
g( x )
f (x)
1
*Notice: F(x) = x ! (x + 1) 2
3

! "$#$ % "#% $ !
g '( x )
f (x) g( x ) f '( x )
"2
1 1
Product Rule: F '(x) = x ! 2 (x + 1) + (x + 1) ! 3x 2
3 1 2

x3
Simplify: F '(x) = + 3x 2 x + 1
2 x +1

x3 2 x +1
F '(x) = + 3x 2 x + 1 !
2 x +1 2 x +1
x3 6x 2 (x + 1)
F '(x) = +
2 x +1 2 x +1
x 3 + 6x 3 + 6x 2
F '(x) =
2 x +1
7x 3 + 6x 2
Answer: F '(x) =
2 x +1

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 9

(Ex32.) F(x) = x 3 ! ln(x + 1)
! "# $g( x )$
f (x)
%
*Notice: F(x) = x ! ln(x + 1)
3

!g '( x )
! 1 f (x)
"# % !
$g( x )$ f '( x )

Product Rule: F '(x) = x !

3
+ ln(x + 1) ! 3x 2
x +1
x3
Answer: F '(x) = + 3x 2 ln(x + 1)
x +1
x3
(Ex33.) F(x) =
x +1
! "# $g( x )$
f (x)
%
*Rewrite: F(x) = x ! (x + 1)"1
3

! "$#$% "#
g '( x )
f (x)
$g( x )$
% ! f '( x )

(
"2
) "1
Product Rule: F '(x) = x ! "(x + 1) + (x + 1) ! 3x 2
3

!x 3 3x 2
Simplify: F '(x) = +
(x + 1)2 (x + 1)
!x 3 3x 2 (x + 1)
F '(x) = + "
(x + 1)2 (x + 1) (x + 1)
!x 3 + 3x 3 + 3x 2
F '(x) =
(x + 1)2

2x 3 + 3x 2
Answer: F '(x) =
(x + 1)2

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 10

[Examples on Using Quotient Rule]
1
(Ex34.) [From (Ex4.)] f (x) =
3x + 1
! f (x)

1
*Notice: F(x) =
3x
" +1
g( x )

!"
#g( x#
$ f %'( x ) f (%x ) g%
) '( x )

(3x + 1) ! 0 " 1 ! (3)

Quotient Rule: F '(x) =
(3x
&#'# + 1)
(
2

[ g( x )]2

!3
Answer: F '(x) =
(3x + 1)2
1
(Ex35.) F(x) =
x + x2 + x
3

! f (x)

1
*Notice: F(x) = 3
x$
" +# +%x
x 2$
g( x )

!#g("x )#$ f %'( x ) f (%x ) !##g" ##

'( x )
$
(x + x + x) ! 0 " 1 ! (3x + 2x + 1)
3 2 2
Quotient Rule: F '(x) =
(x
&#
3
+'
# + x)
x 2 ## (
2

[ g( x )]2

!3x 2 ! 2x ! 1
Answer: F '(x) = 3
(x + x 2 + x)2

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 11

 x3
(Ex36.) [From (Ex33.)] F(x) =
x +1
! f (x)

x3
*Notice: F(x) =
x +1
"
g( x )

! g( x ) !
f '( x )
! !
f ( x ) g '( x )

(x + 1) ! 3x " x 3 ! 1
2
Quotient Rule: F '(x) =
(x
"#$ + 1)2
[ g( x )]2

3x 3 + 3x 2 ! x 3
Simplify: F '(x) =
(x + 1)2
2x 3 + 3x 2
Answer: F '(x) =
(x + 1)2
(Ex37.) F(x) = tan x
!f (x)

sin x
*Notice: F(x) =
cos
"x
g( x )

!g( x )
!f '( x )
!
f (x)
"#
$g '( x$
)
%
cos x ! cos x " sin x ! (" sin x)
Quotient Rule: F '(x) = 2
(cos
&'$ x)
$(
[ g( x )]2

cos 2 x + sin 2 x 1
Simplify: F '(x) = 2
=
cos x cos 2 x
Answer: F '(x) = sec 2 x

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 12

 x3
(Ex38.) F(x) =
x +1
!
f (x)

x3
*Notice: F(x) =
"x#+$1
g( x )

!g("x#
)
$
f '( x )
$ $
f ( x ) g '( x )

x + 1 ! 3x " x 3 ! 2 1x +1
2

Quotient Rule: F '(x) =

(%'x&+'
1)
2

(
[ g( x )]2

3x 2 x + 1 ! 2 xx +1
3

Simplify: F '(x) =
x +1
3x 2 x + 1 ! 22 x +1
" 2 xx +1
3

x +1
F '(x) =
x +1
6x 2 (x + 1) ! x 3
F '(x) =
2(x + 1) x + 1
5x 3 + 6x 2
Answer: F '(x) = 3
2(x + 1) 2

[Examples on Using Chain Rule]

(Ex39.) [From (Ex13.)] F(x) = (3x + 8)2

"$ #$ %
f (g( x ))

*Notice: F(x) = (3x

! + 8 )2 , where f (x) = x 2
g( x )

!# "#$ g '(%x )
f '(g( x ))

Chain Rule: F '(x) = 2(3x + 8)2!1 " 3

F '(x) = 6(3x + 8)
Answer: F '(x) = 18x + 48

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 13

(Ex40.) F(x) = (x 5 + x 4 + x 3 )10

%## &##'
f (g( x ))

*Notice: F(x) = (x!#

5
+"
x4 # +$ x 3 )10 , where f (x) = x10
g( x )

!### "###
f '(g( x ))
$ !## #g" ###
'( x )
$
Chain Rule: F '(x) = 10(x 5 + x 4 + x 3 )10!1 " (5x 4 + 4x 3 + 3x 2 )

Answer: F '(x) = 10(5x 4 + 4x 3 + 3x 2 )(x 5 + x 4 + x 3 )9

(Ex41.) F(x) = cos 5 x

"#
$ $%
f (g( x ))

*Notice: F(x) = (cos

!x ) , where f (x) = x
5 5

g( x )

!# "# $ !"
f '(g( x ))
#g '( x#
)
$
Chain Rule: F '(x) = 5(cos x)4 ! (" sin x)

Answer: F '(x) = !5 sin x cos 4 x

(Ex42.) F(x) = sin(x 3 + 5x 2 )

%# # &##
f (g( x ))
'
*Notice: F(x) = sin(x!#+"5x $ ) , where f (x) = sin x
3 2
#
g( x )

!# # "##
f '(g( x ))
$ !#g" #$
'( x )

Chain Rule: F '(x) = cos(x + 5x ) ! (3x + 10x)

3 2 2

Answer: F '(x) = (3x 2 + 10x) cos(x 3 + 5x 2 )

(Ex43.) F(x) = x 3 + 5x 2

%# &#'
f (g( x ))
1
2 12
*Notice: F(x) = (x!3
#"#+ 5x $ ) , where f (x) = x 2

g( x )

!## "##
f '(g( x ))
$ !#g" #$
'( x )
1
!1
Chain Rule: F '(x) = 2 (x + 5x ) " (3x + 10x)
1 3 2 2 2

3x 2 + 10x
Answer: F '(x) =
2 x 3 + 5x 2

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 14

 2
!x
(Ex44.) F(x) = e10 x
% &'
f (g( x ))

10
!
2
#x"#!$x
*Notice: F(x) = e g( x )
, where f (x) = e x
! "# !
f '(g( x ))
$g" $
'( x )
#
10 x 2 ! x
Chain Rule: F '(x) = e " (20x ! 1)
2
!x
Answer: F '(x) = (20x ! 1)e10 x

(Ex45.) F(x) = sec(e x )

"#
$ $%
f (g( x ))

*Notice: F(x) = sec( e!x ) , where f (x) = sec x

g( x )

!## "##
f '(g( x ))
$ g%
'( x )

Chain Rule: F '(x) = sec(e ) tan(e ) ! e x

x x

Answer: F '(x) = e x sec(e x ) tan(e x )

(Ex46.) F(x) = sin(cos x)

"$ #$ %
f (g( x ))

*Notice: !x ) , where f (x) = sin x

F(x) = sin(cos
g( x )

!# "# $ !"
f '(g( x ))
#g '( x#
)
$
Chain Rule: F '(x) = cos(cos x) ! (" sin x)
Answer: F '(x) = ! sin x " cos(cos x)
(Ex47.) F(x) = ln(ln x)

"#$
f (g( x ))

*Notice: F(x) = ln(ln!x ) , where f (x) = ln x

g( x )

! !
f '(g( x )) g '( x )

1 1
Chain Rule: F '(x) = !
ln x x
1
Answer: F '(x) =
x ln x

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 15

 1
(Ex48.) [From (Ex35.)] F(x) =
x + x2 + x
3

%## &##
f (g( x ))
'
*Notice: F(x) = (x!3#
+" x 2# +$x )!1 , where f (x) = x !1
g( x )

!##f '(g(
"x##))
$ !##g" ##
'( x )
$
!1!1
Chain Rule: F '(x) = !(x + x + x) " (3x + 2x + 1)
3 2 2

3x 2 + 2x + 1
Answer: F '(x) = !
(x 3 + x 2 + x)2

(Ex49.) F(x) = tan !1 (5x)

"$ #$ %
f (g( x ))
!1 !1
*Notice: F(x) = tan (5x ! ) , where f (x) = tan x
g( x )

!# "# $ g '( x )
f '(g( x ))

1 %
Chain Rule: F '(x) = ! 5
1 + (5x)2
5
Answer: F '(x) =
1 + 25x 2
(Ex50.) F(x) = ln(sec x + tan x)

%## &##'
f (g( x ))

*Notice: F(x) = ln(sec

!#" x +# tan$x ) , where f (x) = ln x
g( x )

!#f '(g(
"x# ))
$
!###g" ###
'( x )
$
1
Chain Rule: F '(x) = ! (sec x tan x + sec x)
2

sec x + tan x

sec x tan x + sec 2 x sec x (tan x + sec x)

Simplify: F '(x) = =
sec x + tan x (tan x + sec x)

Answer: F '(x) = sec x

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 16

[Examples on “Tricks”]
(Ex51.) y = ! 3

! 3 is just a constant, therefore y ' = 0

x 2 ! 49
(Ex52.) g(x) =
x+7
(x ! 7) (x + 7)
*Factor: g(x) = = x!7
(x + 7)

Answer: g '(x) = 1
x2 + x ! 6
(Ex53.) g(x) =
7x + 21
(x ! 2) (x + 3) x!2 1 2
*Factor: g(x) = = = x!
7 (x + 3) 7 7 7

1
Answer: g '(x) =
7
5x 7 ! 3
(Ex54.) y =
3 ! 5x 7

5x 7 ! 3 (5x 7 ! 3)
*Factor: y= = = !1
!5x 7 + 3 ! (5x 7 ! 3)

Answer: y' = 0
4x ! 12
(Ex55.) f (x) =
3x ! x 2

4(x ! 3) 4 (x ! 3) 4
*Factor: f (x) = = =!
x(3 ! x) !x (x ! 3) x

*Rewrite: f (x) = !4x !1

Power Rule: f '(x) = !4(!x !1!1 ) = 4x !2

4
Answer: f '(x) =
x2

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 17

(Ex56.) f (x) = 5 sin 2 x + 5 cos 2 x

!sin
## "
x+ cos##
x =1$
2 2

*Trig Identity: f (x) = 5(sin x + cos 2 x ) = 5

2

Answer: f '(x) = 0

(Ex57.) g(x) = cos !1 (cos 2 x ! sin 2 x)

cos x !sin x = cos(2 x )
2 2
! ##"## $
*Trig Identity: g(x) = cos !1 (cos 2 x ! sin 2 x ) = cos !1 ( cos (2x)) = 2x
Answer: g '(x) = 2

(Ex58.) y = ln(x 5 )

*Log Property: y = ln(x 5 ) = 5 ln x

5
Answer: y' =
x
! 1$
(Ex59.) y = ln # 6 &
"x %

! 1$
*Log Property: y = ln # 6 & = ln(x '6 ) = '6 ln x
"x %

6
Answer: y' = !
x
(Ex60.) y = ln ( x + 36 )
*Log Property: y = ln ( ) ( 1

)
x + 36 = ln (x + 36) 2 = 12 ln(x + 36)

1
Answer: y' =
2(x + 36)

(Ex61.) y = ln(e7 x )

*Log Property: y = ln ( e 7 x ) = 7x
Answer: y' = 7

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 18

 " x ! 10 %
(Ex62.) y = ln $
# x + 10 '&
*Log Property: y = ln(x ! 10) ! ln(x + 10)
1 1
Answer: y' = !
x ! 10 x + 10
3
(Ex63.) f (x) = e x ! e7 x
3 3
+7x
*Exp. Law: f (x) = e x ! e7 x = e x
d
( x3 + 7 x )
!"
# #
dx
$
x3 + 7 x
Chain Rule: f '(x) = e ! (3x + 7 )
2

3
+7x
Answer: f '(x) = (3x 2 + 7)e x

(Ex64.) f (x) = e5 ln x

*Log Property: f (x) = e

( ) = e ln ( x ) = x 5
ln x 5 5

Answer: f '(x) = 5x 4

(Ex65.) f (x) = e! ln x

*Log Property: f (x) = e

( ) = e ln ( x ) = x !1
ln x !1 !1

1
Answer: f '(x) = !
x2

[Examples on Implicit Differentiation]

dy
Find y ' (or dx , which is another notation for y ' )

(Ex66.) x 2 + y 2 = 100

*Implicit Diff: d
dx ( x ) + ( y ) = (100 )
2 d
dx
2 d
dx

2x + 2y ! y ' = 0
2y ! y ' = "2x
x
Answer: y' = !
y

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 19

(Ex67.) !x 3 + xy + y 2 = 1

*Implicit Diff: d
dx ( !x ) + ( x " y ) + ( y ) = (1)
3 d
dx
d
dx
2 d
dx

# !# "#$ &
d
dx
( x"y)

!3x 2 + % x dx + y " (1)( + 2y dx = 0

dy dy

% (
$ '

x dx + 2y dx = 3x 2 ! y
dy dy

(x + 2y) dx = 3x 2 ! y
dy

dy 3x 2 ! y
Answer: =
dx x + 2y

(Ex68.) y 4 + y 3 + y 2 + y = x 6 + x 4 + x 2

*Implicit Diff: d
dx ( y ) + ( y ) + ( y ) + ( y) = ( x ) + ( x ) + ( x )
4 d
dx
3 d
dx
2 d
dx
d
dx
6 d
dx
4 d
dx
2

+ 3y 2 + 2y dx + dx = 6x 5 + 4x 3 + 2x
dy dy dy dy
4y 3 dx dx

( 4y 3
+ 3y 2 + 2y + 1 ) dy
dx = 6x 5 + 4x 3 + 2x

dy 6x 5 + 4x 3 + 2x
Answer: =
dx 4y 3 + 3y 2 + 2y + 1
(Ex69.) cos x ! cos y = x
*Implicit Diff: d
dx ( cos x ! cos y ) = dxd ( x )
cos x ! (" sin y) ! dx + cos y ! (" sin x) = 1
dy

! sin y " cos x dx = 1 + sin x " cos y

dy

dy 1 + sin x cos y
Answer: =!
dx sin y cos x

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 20

(Ex70.) sin y ! x 2 y + tan x = 4x 3

*Implicit Diff: d
dx (sin y ) ! dxd ( x 2 " y ) + dxd ( tan x ) = dxd ( 4x 3 )
# !# ( x !y)
$&
d 2
#
dx
"##
cos y ! dx " x ! dx + y ! 2x ( + sec 2 x = 12x 2
%
dy 2 dy
% (
$ '

cos y ! dx " x 2 ! dx " 2x ! y + sec 2 x = 12x 2

dy dy

(cos y ! x 2 ) dx = 12x 2 + 2xy ! sec 2 x

dy

dy 12x 2 + 2xy ! sec 2 x

Answer: =
dx cos y ! x 2

(Ex71.) e y ! ln y = e x ! ln x

*Implicit Diff: d
dx ( e ) ! ( ln y ) = ( e ) ! ( ln x )
y d
dx
d
dx
x d
dx

e y ! dx " 1y ! dx = e x " 1x
dy dy

(e y ! 1y ) dx = e x ! 1x
dy

dy e x ! 1x
=
dx e y ! 1y

dy
= y
(
e x ! 1x xy
"
)
dx (
e ! 1y xy )
dy xye x ! y
Answer: =
dx xye y ! x

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 21

[Examples on “No Equation for the Function”]
Use the following table for (Ex72.) to (Ex79.)
x f (x) f '(x) g(x) g '(x)
0 3 !1 2 !3
2 1 !1 0 5
3 7 4 2 3

(Ex72.) If F(x) = f (x) ! g(x) , then F '(0) =

Product Rule: F '(x) = f (x) ! g '(x) + g(x) ! f '(x)
F '(0) = f (0) ! g '(0) + g(0) ! f '(0)
(Let x = 0)
= 3! ("3) + 2 ! ("1)
Answer: F '(0) = !11
f (x)
(Ex73.) If F(x) = , then F '(3) =
g(x)
g(x) ! f '(x) " f (x) ! g '(x)
Quotient Rule: F '(x) =
[g(x)]2
g(3) ! f '(3) " f (3) ! g '(3)
F '(3) =
[g(3)]2
(Let x = 3)
2 ! (4) " 7 ! (3)
=
(2)2
13
Answer: F '(3) = !
4
(Ex74.) If F(x) = f ( g(x)) , then F '(2) =

Chain Rule: F '(x) = f ' ( g(x)) ! g '(x)

F '(2) = f ' ( g(2)) ! g '(2)

(Let x = 2) = f '(0) ! g '(2)
= ("1) ! (5)
Answer: F '(2) = !5

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 22

 g(x)
(Ex75.) If F(x) = , then F '(3) =
f (x)
f (x) ! g '(x) " g(x) ! f '(x)
Quotient Rule: F '(x) =
[ f (x)]2
f (3) ! g '(3) " g(3) ! f '(3)
F '(3) =
[ f (3)]2
(Let x = 3)
7 ! (3) " 2 ! (4)
=
(7)2
13
Answer: F '(3) =
49
(Ex76.) If F(x) = [ f (x)] , then F '(0) =
5

dx (
f ( x ))d
!
Power/Chain: F '(x) = 5 [ f (x)] ! f '(x)
4

F '(0) = 5 [ f (0)] ! f '(0)

4

(Let x = 0)
= 5(3)4 ! ("1)
Answer: F '(0) = !405
(Ex77.) If F(x) = f (7x) , then F '(0) =
d
(7 x)
! dx

Chain Rule: F '(x) = f '(7x) ! 7

F '(0) = f ' ( 7 ! (0)) ! 7
(Let x = 0) = f '(0) ! 7
= ("1) ! 7
Answer: F '(0) = !7

(Ex78.) If G(x) = x 3 ! g(x) , then G '(2) =

Product Rule: G '(x) = x 3 ! g '(x) + g(x) ! 3x 2

G '(2) = 2 3 ! g '(2) + g(2) ! 3! 2 2

(Let x = 2)
= 8 ! 5 + 0 !12
Answer: G '(2) = 40

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 23

 1
(Ex79.) If h(x) = , then h '(2) =
f (x)
1
= [ f (x)]
!1
*Notice: h(x) =
f (x)
f '(x)
Power/Chain: h '(x) = ! [ f (x)] " f '(x) = !
!2

[ f (x)]2
f '(2)
h '(2) = !
[ f (2)]2
(Let x = 2)
!1
=!
[1]2
Answer: h '(2) = 1

[Examples on “Derivative of Inverse Function”]

Use the following table for (Ex80.) to (Ex85.). Assume that both f !1 and g !1 exist.
1
*A SERIOUS NOTE: f !1 (x) "
f (x)
x f (x) f '(x) g(x) g '(x)

!4
1
0 2 3 4
1 4 5 0 !5
4 11 2
3 !3 ! 19

(Ex80.) Evaluate the following

(a) f !1 ( 12 ) = Answer: f !1 ( 12 ) = 0

(b) f !1 (11) = Answer: f !1 (11) = 4

(c) f !1 (4) = Answer: f !1 (4) = 1

(d) g !1 (0) = Answer: g !1 (0) = 1

(e) g !1 (4) = Answer: g !1 (4) = 0

(f) g !1 (!3) = Answer: g !1 (!3) = 4

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 24

(Ex81.) If h(x) = f !1 (x) , then h '( 12 ) =

* Since h(x) = f !1 (x) , so by the property of inverse, we have

h ( f (x)) = x

Implicit Diff: h ' ( f (x)) ! f '(x) = 1

1
h ' ( f (x)) =
f '(x)

!! $
1
f (0)= 2
1
**(Let x = 0) h ' # f (0) & =
#" &% f '(0)

1
Answer: h ' ( 12 ) =
3
(Ex82.) If h(x) = f !1 (x) , then h '(4) =

* Since h(x) = f !1 (x) , so h ( f (x)) = x

Implicit Diff: h ' ( f (x)) ! f '(x) = 1

1
h ' ( f (x)) =
f '(x)

! f!
(1)= 4
$ 1
**(Let x = 1) h ' # f (1) & =
" % f '(1)

1
Answer: h '(4) =
5
(Ex83.) If h(x) = g !1 (x) , then h '(4) =

* Since h(x) = g !1 (x) , so h ( g(x)) = x

Implicit Diff: h ' ( g(x)) ! g '(x) = 1

1
h ' ( g(x)) =
g '(x)

! g(0)=
!4 $ 1
**(Let x = 0) h ' # g(0) & =
" % g '(0)

1
Answer: h '(4) = !
4
Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 25
(Ex84.) If h(x) = g !1 (x) , then h '(!3) =

* Since h(x) = g !1 (x) , so h ( g(x)) = x

Implicit Diff: h ' ( g(x)) ! g '(x) = 1

1
h ' ( g(x)) =
g '(x)

" g(4
! )= !3
% 1
**(Let x = 4) h ' $ g(4) ' =
# & g '(4)

1
h '(!3) =
! 19

Answer: h ' ( !3) = !9

(Ex85.) If h(x) = f !1 (x) , then h '(11) =

* Since h(x) = f !1 (x) , so h ( f (x)) = x

Implicit Diff: h ' ( f (x)) ! f '(x) = 1

1
h ' ( f (x)) =
f '(x)

! f!
(4 )=11
$ 1
**(Let x = 4) h ' # f (4) & =
" % f '(4)

1
h '(11) = 2
3

3
Answer: h ' (11) =
2

[Some Actual AP MC Problems on Derivatives]

(Ex86.) [AB 1969]

d
dx
( )
ln e2 x =

*Log Property:
d
dx
( d
)
ln e 2 x = ( 2x ) = 2
dx

Answer:
d
dx
( )
ln e2 x = 2

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 26

 dy
(Ex87.) [AB/BC 1969] If sin x = e y , 0 < x < ! , what is in terms of x ?
dx
*Implicit Diff: d
dx (sin x ) = dxd ( e y )
cos x = e y ! dx
dy

dy cos x cos x
= y = = cot x
dx e sin x
dy
Answer: = cot x
dx
dy
(Ex88.) [AB 1973] If tan(xy) = x , then =
dx
1 ! y tan(xy)sec(xy) sec 2 (xy) ! y
(A) (B)
x tan(xy)sec(xy) x

cos 2 (xy)
(C) cos (xy)
2
(D)
x
cos 2 (xy) ! y
(E)
x
*Implicit Diff: d
dx ( tan(x ! y)) = dxd ( x )
" !#dx" #$ %
d
( x!y)

sec 2 (xy) ! $ x ! dx + y ! (1)' = 1

dy

$ '
# &

x sec 2 (xy) dx + y sec 2 (xy) = 1

dy

x sec 2 (xy) dx = 1 ! y sec 2 (xy)

dy

dy 1 ! y sec 2 (xy)
=
dx x sec 2 (xy)

=
2
(
dy cos (xy) 1 ! y sec (xy)
2
)
dx x
dy cos 2 (xy) ! y
Answer: (E) =
dx x

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 27

 dy
(Ex89.) [AB/BC 1973] If y = cos 2 (3x) , then =
dx
y = cos 2 (3x) = ( cos(3x))
2
*Rewrite:
d
(cos(3x ))
"$$ dx
#$$%
y ' = 2 ( cos(3x)) " ( ! sin(3x)) " 3!
2!1
Chain Rule:
d
dx
(3x )

Answer: y ' = !6 sin(3x) cos(3x)

(Ex90.) [AB 1985] If f (x) = x , then f '(5) =
(A) 0 (B) 1
5 (C) 1 (D) 5 (E) 25
2

Power Rule: f '(x) = 1

(Let x = 5) f '(5) = 1
Answer: (C) f '(5) = 1

x "!%
(Ex91.) [BC 1985] If f (x) = , then f ' $ ' =
tan x # 4&

tan x !1 " x ! sec 2 x

Quotient Rule: f '(x) =
tan 2 x

" ! % tan !4 ( !4 ) sec !

1 ( !4 ) ( 2 )2
2
(Let x = !
) f '$ ' = 4
=
4
# 4& tan 2 !4 12

"!% !
Answer: f '$ ' = 1(
# 4& 2
ln x dy
(Ex92.) [AB 1988] If y = , then =
x dx
dy x ! 1x " ln x !1
Quotient Rule: =
dx x2
dy 1 ! ln x
Answer: =
dx x2

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 28

 tan 3(x + h) " tan 3x
(Ex93.) [AB 1988] The lim is
h!0 h
tan 3(x + h) " tan 3x
*Notice: lim = f '(x) , where f (x) = tan 3x
h!0 h
Chain Rule: f '(x) = 3sec 2 (3x)
tan 3(x + h) " tan 3x
Answer: lim = 3sec 2 (3x)
h!0 h
(Ex94.) [AB 1993] If f (x) = (x ! 1)2 sin x , then f ' ( 0 ) =
d d
( x !1)2
!
dx
(sin x )
"#
$dx
$%
Product Rule: f '(x) = (x ! 1) " cos x + sin x " 2(x ! 1)
2

(Let x = 0) f '(0) = (0 ! 1)2 " cos 0 + sin 0 " 2(0 ! 1)

Answer: f '(0) = 1
dy
(Ex95.) [BC 1997] If y = xy + x 2 + 1 , then when x = !1 , is
dx
*Implicit Diff: d
dx ( y ) = dxd ( xy ) + dxd ( x 2 ) + dxd (1)
= x ! dx + y ! (1) + 2x + 0
dy dy
dx

! x " dx = y + 2x
dy dy
dx

(1 ! x) dx = y + 2x
dy

dy y + 2x
=
dx 1 ! x
" y = xy + x 2 + 1
*Notice: # ! y = (!1) " y + (!1)2 + 1 ! y =1
$ x = !1
dy 1 + 2(!1)
x = – 1 , y = 1: =
dx 1 ! (!1)
dy 1
Answer: =!
dx 2

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 29

 e2 x
(Ex96.) [AB 1997] If f (x) = , then f ' ( x ) =
2x
2x ! e2 x ! 2 " e2 x ! 2
Quotient Rule: f '(x) =
(2x)2
4xe2 x ! 2e2 x 2e2 x (2x ! 1)
f '(x) = =
4x 2 4x 2
e2 x (2x ! 1)
Answer: f '(x) =
2x 2
( )
(Ex97.) [AB 1998] If f (x) = sin e! x , then f ' ( x ) =
d
(e! x )
"$dx
#$%
Chain Rule: f '(x) = cos e! x ( ) !x
" e " (!1)
!
d
dx
(! x )

Answer: f '(x) = !e! x cos e! x ( )

"!%
(Ex98.) [AB 1998] If f (x) = tan(2x) , then f ' $ ' =
# 6&
d
! dx
(2 x )

Chain Rule: f '(x) = sec 2 ( 2x ) ! 2

(Let x = !6 ) f '( !6 ) = 2 sec 2 ( 2( !6 ))

f '( !6 ) = 2 ( sec( !3 ))
2

f '( !6 ) = 2 ( 21 )
2

"!%
Answer: f '$ ' = 8
# 6&

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 30

 ( )
(Ex99.) [AB 2003] If f (x) = ln x + 4 + e!3x , then f ' ( 0 ) =
d
( x + 4 + e!3 x )
!#"#
dx
$
1 !3x
Chain Rule: f '(x) = " 1 ! 3e
x + 4 + e!3x
1 ! 3e!3"0
(Let x = 0) f '(0) =
0 + 4 + e!3"0
1 ! 3"1
f '(0) =
4 +1
2
Answer: f '(0) = !
5
(Ex100.) [AB 2003] Let f be the function defined by f (x) = x 3 + x . If g(x) = f !1 (x) and g(2) = 1 ,
what is the value of g '(2) ?
(A) 1
13 (B) 1
4 (C) 7
4 (D) 4 (E) 13

*Notice: f (1) = 2 and f '(1) = 3(1)2 + 1 = 4

*Inverse Property: g ( f (x)) = x

*Implicit Diff: g ' ( f (x)) ! f '(x) = 1

1
g ' ( f (x)) =
f '(x)

! f!
(1)= 2
$ 1
(Let x = 1) g ' # f (1) & =
" % f '(1)

1
Answer: g '(2) =
4

Produced by Steve Chow, 2009 31