Lesson 5

Differentiation of Algebraic
Functions
OBJECTIVES:
• to identify the different rules of differentiation and distinguish
one from the other;
• to prove the different rules of differentiation using the
increment method;
• to find the derivative of an algebraic function using the basic
rules of differentiation; and
• to extend these basic rules to other “complex” algebraic
functions.
 DERIVATIVE USING FORMULAS

The increment-method (four-step rule) of finding the

derivative of a function gives us the basic procedures
of differentiation. However these rules are laborious
and tedious 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.
 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 : Differentiate the following functions.
3
1. y = 5 2. f(x) = -
4
y' = 0 f' (x) = 0
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 : Differentiate the following functions
1. y = x 4
4 −1
y' = 4 x
y' = 4 x 3
6
2. y = x 7

6
dy 6 −1
= x 7
dx 7
dy 6 67 − 77 6 − 17 6 67 x 6
= x = x = 7 =
dx 7 7 7 x 7x
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 differentiable at x and
d
cf ( x) = c  f ( x)
d
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.
Proof:
cf ( x + x) − cf ( x)
d
cf ( x) = lim
dx x →0 x
 f ( x + x) − f ( x) 
= lim c  
x →0
 x
f ( x + x) − f ( x)
= c lim
x →0 x

= c  f (x)
d
dx
Example : Differentiate the following functions
1. y = 5x 8 2. f(x) = −9 x −4
y' = (5)(8 )x 7
f'(x) = (− 9 )(- 4 )x
− 4 −1

−5 36
y' = 40 x 7 f'(x) = 36 x = 5
x
Derivatives of Sums or Differences
Theorem: ( Sum or Difference Rule)
f If f and g are
both differentiable functions at x, then so are f + g
and f − g and

d  
f ( x)  g ( x) =  f ( x)  g ( x)
d d
d
( f  g ) = d ( f )  d (g ) or 
dx dx dx 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.
Proof:
d [ f ( x + x)  g ( x + x) − [ f ( x)  g ( x)]
[ f ( x)  g ( x)] = lim
dx x →0 x

[ f ( x + x) − f ( x)]  [ g ( x + x) − g ( x)]

= lim
x →0 x

f ( x + x) − f ( x) g ( x + x) − g ( x)
= lim  lim
x →0 x x →0 x
d d
= [ f ( x)]  [ g ( x)]
dx dx
Proof:
d [ f ( x + x)  g ( x + x) − [ f ( x)  g ( x)]
[ f ( x)  g ( x)] = lim
dx x →0 x
[ f ( x + x) − f ( x)]  [ g ( x + x) − g ( x)]
= lim
x →0 x
f ( x + x) − f ( x) g ( x + x) − g ( x)
= lim  lim
x →0 x x →0 x
d d
= [ f ( x)]  [ g ( x)]
dx dx
Example : Differentiate the following functions
1. y = 5x 4 + 6 x 2 − 4x + 7 2. f(x) = 2 x −4 + 9 x − 4
y' = 20 x 3 + 12 x − 4 f'(x) = −8 x −5 + 9

y' = 4(5x 3 + 3x − 1)
-8
f'(x) = 5 + 9
x
 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
( f  g) = f + g
dg df or
dx dx dx
d
 f ( x)  g ( x) = f ( x) [ g ( x)] + g ( x)  f ( x)
d d
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.
Proof:
d f ( x + x)  g ( x + x) − f ( x)  g ( x)
[ f ( x)  g ( x)] = lim
dx x→0 x
f ( x + x)  g ( x + x) − f ( x + x)  g ( x) + f ( x + x)  g ( x) − f ( x)  g ( x)]
= lim
x→0 x

 g ( x + x) − g ( x) f ( x + x) − f ( x) 
= lim  f ( x + x)  + g ( x)  
x→0  x x 
g ( x + x) − g ( x) f ( x + x) − f ( x)
= lim f ( x + x)  lim + lim g ( x)  lim
x →0 x →0 x x →0 x →0 x

=  lim f ( x + x g ( x) +  lim g ( x)  f ( x)

d d
x→0  dx x→0  dx
Example : Differentiate the following functions and simplify.
(
1. y = (3x + 4 ) 4x 2 − 3)
y' = (3x + 4)(8x ) + (4x 2 − 3)(3)
y' = 24x2 + 32x + 12x2 - 9
y' = 36x2 + 32x - 9

( )
2. y = x 3 − 1 (5 - 2x )
y' = (x 3 − 1)(- 2) + (5 - 2x )(3x2 )
y' = -2x3 + 2 + 15x2 - 6x 3
y' = -8x3 + 15x2 + 2
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

g ( x)  f ( x) − f ( x) g ( x)
d d
d  f ( x)  dx dx
  =
dx  g ( x)  g ( x)2
In words, the derivative of a quotient of two functions
is the fraction whose numerator is the denominator
times the derivative of the numerator minus the
numerator times the derivative of the denominator
and whose denominator is the square of the given
denominator
Example : Differentiate the given function and simplify.
4x 2 − 3
y=
1 − 2x
(1 − 2x )(8x ) − (4x2 − 3)(− 2)
y' =
(1 − 2x )2
8x − 16x 2 + 8x 2 − 6
y' =
(1 − 2x )2
− 8x 2 + 8x − 6
y' =
(1 − 2x )2

2(− 4x 2 + 4x − 3)
y' =
(1 − 2x )2
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
( )
du n
= nu n −1 du

dx dx
Example : Differentiate 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 
 5 
2
 5   125 
G'(x) = 3 −   

 x -1   (x − 1)2  = −3 (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
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.
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 n −1 du
u  =  u 
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