MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

MODULE 3
THE DERIVATIVES

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 1

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

Module 3
- It contains the topic of the course “THE DERIVATIVES”. The

principles of derivatives came from the increments and Limits.

Derivatives has so many sub-topics starting from derivatives using

long method delta x, to derivatives of a constant, a sum, product,

quotient and so on. Once again, set of problems were provided at

the end of this module to serve as activities to be performed by the

students.

DERIVATIVES

TOPIC 2.1: DEFINITION OF DERIVATIVES

If, for a fixed value of x, the quotient of x approaches to a limit as x approaches to zero, the
limit is called the derivative of y with respect to x for a given value of y. Thus, a derivative is
defined as the limit of the difference quotient.
dx
Using the symbol f’(x), read as “f prime of x” and ,
dt

f ' (x)=
dx
= lim
dt Δx → 0 (
f ( x + Δx )−f ( x)
Δx )
The distance x at time x + Δx is f(x + Δx) and the distance at time x is f(x). Subtracting the
two gives the change in distance, Δx, between (x + Δx) and (x). That is,
Δx =f ( x + Δx ) −f ( x ), where Δ is the symbol for change and is read as “delta”.

Taking the ratio of Δx and Δt, as Δt approaches zero,

f ' ( x)=
dx
= lim ( )
Δx
dt Δx → 0 Δt

Δx dx
This is known as Leibniz notation, where approaches .
Δt dt
CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 2
 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

It should be clearly noted that Δx is not the product of Δ and x, instead it is the change in x.
Δx dx
Also, is a single notation. Therefore, we don’t cancel Δ. Same with , we don’t cancel d.
Δt dt

Here are some of the notations we can interchangeably use:

SYMBOL READ AS DEFINITION

f (t ) “f of t” The value of the function at

time t

A short length of time;

Δt “delta t” Time step forward (positive) or
backward (negative) from t

f ( x+ Δx ) “f of x plus delta x” The value of x at time x + Δx

Δx “delta x” The change of

f ( x + Δx )−f ( x )

Δx “delta x over delta t” The ratio of the change in x

Δt and change in t

dx “dx over dt” The ratio of dx and dt

dt “dee x over dee t”

f ' (t) “f prime of t” The value of the derivative at

time t

lim ( X ) “limit as delta x approaches The process that starts with

∆ x→ o
zero” Δx dx
numbers and produces
Δt dt

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 3

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

Examples:
1. Find the derivative of y=4 x +6
Solution:
Step 1: Identify f (x).

f ( x )= y =4 x +6
Step 2: Substitute ∆ x + x for all values of x in the function and subtract the given f (x),
f ' ( x )=f ( ∆ x + x )−f ( x )
Since f ( x )=4 x +6,
f ' ( x )=(4 ( ∆ x+ x ) +6)−(4 x+ 6)
f ' ( x )=4 ∆ x + 4 x+ 6−4 x−6 ¿
'( x )
f =4 Δx
Step 3: Divide the answer of Step 2 with Δx.
4 Δx
f ' ( x )= =4
Δx
Step 4: Since there is no Δx in the equation, therefore, the derivative is 4.

2. Find the derivative of y=3 x 2 +2 x +1.

Solution:
Step 1: Identify f (x).
f ( x )= y =3 x2 +2 x+ 1
Step 2: Substitute ∆ x + x for all values of x in the function and subtract the given f (x),
f ' ( x )=f ( ∆ x + x )−f (x)
Since f ( x )=3 x 2 +2 x +1,
f ' (x)=(3 ( ∆ x + x ) ¿¿ 2+ 2 ( ∆ x + x ) +1)−(3 x 2+ 2 x +1)¿
f ' ( x )=3 ( ∆2 x2 +2 ∆ x 2+ x2 ) +2 ∆ x +2 x+1−3 x 2−2 x−1
f ' ( x )=( 3 ∆2 x2 +6 ∆ x 2 +3 x 2) + 2 ∆ x +2 x+ 1−3 x 2−2 x−1
f ' (x )=3 ∆ 2 x 2 +6 ∆ x 2+ 2 ∆ x
Step 3: Divide the answer of Step 2 with Δx.
3 ∆ 2 x 2 +6 ∆ x 2+ 2 ∆ x
f ' (x)=
Δx
'
f ( x )=3 Δx+ 6 x+2
Step 4: Taking the limit as Δx approaches zero,
'
lim f (x )= lim (3 Δx + 6 x +2)
Δx → 0 Δx → 0

f ' ( x )=3 ( 0 ) +6 x +2

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 4

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

'
f ( x )=6 x +2
Therefore, the derivative of y=3 x 2 +2 x +1is 6 x +2.

1
3. Find the derivative of y= .
x
Solution:
Step 1: Identify f ( x).

1
f ( x )= y =
x
Step 2: Substitute ∆ x + x for all values of x in the function and subtract the given f ( x),

f ' ( x )=f ( ∆ x + x )−f (x)

1
Since f ( x )= ,
x
1 1
f ' (x)= −
( ∆ x+x) x

' x−( ∆ x−x)

f ( x )=
x (∆ x+ x)
x− Δx−x
f ' (x)=
x ( ∆ x+ x )
−∆ x
f ' (x )=
∆ x 2+ x2
Step 3: Divide the answer of Step 2 with Δx.
−∆ x
2 2
' ∆ x +x −1
f ( x )= = 2 2
∆x ∆ x +x
Step 4: Taking the limit as Δx approaches zero,

' −1
lim f (x )= lim ( 2 2
)
Δx → 0 Δx → 0 ∆x +x
' −1
f ( x )=
(0)2 + x 2
−1
f ' ( x )= 2
x

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 5

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

1 −1
Therefore, the derivative of y= is 2 .
x x
Note: When a derivative is negative, the function is decreasing and Δf is less than or below zero,
the graph goes downward and the slope is negative. (The graph and slope will be discussed
in the succeeding lessons.)

TOPIC 2.2: Rules of Differentiation

TOPIC 2.2.1: DIFFERENTIABILITY IMPLIES CONTINUITY

For a “limit”, the value of x approaches a certain value ‘a’ but never reaches it. For a
continuous function, the function f(a) will be considered and the following condition must be
satisfied:
1. The number f(a) exists.
2. The limit of f(a) exists.
3. The number f(a) is equal to the limit of f(a).

A function is regarded as discontinuous if any of these conditions is not satisfied.

Having the general equation for finding the derivative of a given function,
' f ( ∆ x + x )−f (x)
f ( x )= lim ( ¿ )¿
∆ x →0 ∆x

It can also be regarded as:

lim ( f ( ∆ x+ x ) −f ( x) )
' n→0
f ( x )=
lim ( ∆ x )
n→0

The quantity lim ( f ( ∆ x + x )−f ( x) ) becomes zero as the limit slowly approaches
n→ 0

zero, while the derivative f ' ( x ) becomes zero as fast as ∆ x becomes zero.
Therefore, a function with a derivative should be continuous at a point.
Inversely, a function can be continuous at a point even without a derivative.

TOPIC 2.3: THE DIFFERENTIATION RULES AND EXAMPLES

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 6

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

In the previous lessons, we had the formula

' f ( ∆ x + x )−f (x)

f ( x )= lim ( ¿ )¿
∆ x →0 ∆x

and used this in finding the derivatives of linear and non-linear functions. Additional
differentiation rules will be presented enabling us to find derivatives without undergoing long
processes.
2.3.1 Constant Function Rule
This rule involves a constant C in the equation.
Applying the formula above for the function f(x) = C,
' C−C 0
f ( x )= = =0
∆x ∆x

This is applicable for all constants, no matter what value it is. Therefore, the derivative of
any constant is always zero.
' dy
f ( x )= =0
dx

2.3.2 Identity Function Rule

This rule is applicable only if the equation is equal to a differentiable function x. Finding the
derivative of x, we have:
f ( x )=x

( ∆ x+ x ) −x
x )=
∆x
∆ x+ x−x
x )=
∆x

x )=1

Therefore, the derivative of f ( x )=x is always 1.

2.3.3 The Power Rule

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 7

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

This rule is applicable when the given differentiable function has an exponent, whether a
positive, negative or fractional number. It follows the idea that the derivative of the function
is simply equal to the product of the exponent and the n-1 power of the base given. Simply,

If f ( x )=x n , the derivative is f ' ( x )=n( xn −1 ).

Examples:

1. Find the derivative of y=x 3 using Power Rule.

f ( x )=n ( x )
' n−1
Solution: since n =3,

f ' ( x )=3 ( x 3−1 )=3 x 2

2. Find the derivative of y= √ x using Power Rule.

1 1
Solution: y= √ x=x 2 Since n¿ ,
2
1
1 −1
f ' ( x )= (x 2 )
2
−1
1
f ' ( x )= x 2
2

2.3.4 Constant Multiple Rule

This rule follows the same idea as Power Rule except that the exponent n is multiplied to
the numerical coefficient of the given function.

If the given function is f ( x )=C xn , it can be observed that the constant C is the numerical
coefficient of the function. The derivative of the function can be solved as,
' n−1
f ( x )=Cn x

Examples:

1. Find the derivative of y=4 x 3

Solution: f ' ( x )=4 ( 3 ) ( x3 −1 )

' 2
f ( x )=12 x

2. Find the derivative of y=5 x 1 /2.

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 8

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

)( )
1

( 1 −1
Solution: f ' ( x )=5 x2
2

' 5 −1 /2
f ( x )= x
2

2.3.5 The Rule of Linearity

Linearity applies when we add or subtract functions and multiply them by constants of the
equation. This can be illustrated as

d du dv
( u ± v )= ± =u' ( x ) ± v ' ( x)
dx dx dx

Examples:
Find the derivative of the following equations using the Power of Linearity.

1. y=x 2 + x

Solution:
' ' 2−1
y =f ( x )=2 x +1
'
f ( x )=2 x+1
−1
2. f ( x )=x 2−x 2

Solution:
−1
' 2−1 −1 2
−1
f ( x )=2 x −( )( x )
2
' 1 −3 /2
f ( x )=2 x+ x
2

3. f ( x )=3 x 2 +4 x 6

Solution:

f ' ( x )=3 ( 2 ) ( x2−1 ) + 4(6)(x 6−1 )

' 2 5
f ( x )=6 x +24 x

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 9

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

16 4 3
4. y= 4 x −12 x

Solution:
16
f ( x )= ( 4 ) ( x )−12( 3)(x )
' 4−1 3−1
4
f ' ( x )=16 x 3−36 x 2

5. y=x 2 +3 x−x−1 /2
−1
' 2−1 −1 2
−1
Solution: f ( x )=2 x +3 ( 1 )−( )(x )
2
' 1 −3 / 2
f ( x )=2 x+3+ x
2

2.3.6 The Product Rule

For a given function f ( x )=u ( x ) ∙ v ( x), the derivative can be solved by multiplying the first
factor by the derivative of the second factor and adding the product of the second factor and
the derivative of the first. In symbol,

' dv du '
f ( x )=u + v =u ( x ) ∙ v ( x )+ v ( x ) ∙u ' ( x)
dx dx

Example:

1. Find the derivative of y=2 x ( x2 +2 ) .

Solution:
'
Let u ( x )=2 x and u ( x ) =2

v ( x )=( x +2 )
2 '
and v ( x )=2 x

Using the Formula: f ' ( x )=u ( x ) ∙ v ' ( x ) + v ( x ) ∙u '( x )

' 2
f ( x )=2 x ( 2 x )+( x + 2)(2)
f ' ( x )=4 x 2+2 x 2+ 4
f ' ( x )=6 x 2 +4

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 10

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

The Product Rule can also be accomplished by taking the product uv, then apply the
linearity rule. That is,

y=2 x ( x +2 )
2

y=2 x 3 +4 x ‘Multiplying the values of u and v

y '=2 ( 3 ) ( x 3−1 )+ 4 (1) ‘Applying Linearity Rule

y ' =6 x 2 +4

2.3.7 The Quotient Rule

The quotient rule is applicable if the derivative of the ratio of two differentiable functions u(x)
and v(x) is required.
u(x )
f ( x )=
v( x)

This equation can be analyzed similar to that of product rule because as what we can
observe below, the function can also be written as:

1
f ( x )=u ( x ) ∙
v(x)

Looking at the formula of the product rule,

f ' ( x )=u ( x ) ∙ v ' ( x ) + v ( x ) ∙u ' (x )

1
Substituting the derivative of the first factor u( x ) is u ' (x ) and the second factor is
v (x )
−v ' ( x )
' 2 to the rule above,
(v ( x ))
' −v ' ( x ) 1
f ( x )=u ( x ) ∙ ' 2 + ∙ u ' (x )
( v ( x )) v ( x )
Simplifying, we get
'
' −u ( x ) ∙ v ( x ) +v (x )∙ u '( x )
f ( x )= ' 2
( v ( x ))

Rearranging the equation above, we finally have:

v ( x ) ∙ u' ( x )−u( x)∙ v ' ( x)

f ' ( x )= 2
(v ' ( x ))

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 11

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

This equation corresponds to the rule used for the quotient rule.

Examples:
2x
1. Find the derivative of y= 2 .
x
Solution: Let u ( x )=2 x and v ( x )=x 2
'
u ( x ) =2 and v' ( x )=2 x
Substituting the following values to the rule:
v ( x ) ∙ u' ( x )−u( x)∙ v ' ( x)
f ' ( x )= 2
(v ' ( x ))

' (x 2) ( 2 )−2 x (2 x )
f ( x )= 2 2
(x )
2 2
2 x −4 x
f ' ( x )=
x4

' −2 x 2 −2 −2
f ( x )= 4 = 2 =−2 x
x x

15
2. Find the derivative of f ( x )= .
3 x2
Solution:

Let u ( x )=15 and v ( x )=3 x 2

u' ( x ) =0 and v' ( x )=6 x
'
' v ( x ) ∙ u ( x )−u( x)∙ v ' ( x)
f ( x )= ' 2
( v ( x ))

' (6 x )( 0 )−15(6 x )
f ( x )= 2 2
(3 x )

' 0−90 x
f ( x )= 4
9x

' −90 x −10 x −3

f ( x )= 4
= 4 =−10 x
9x x

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 12

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

3 x−12
3. Find the derivative of f ( x )= 2 .
4 x +5 x
Solution:
2
Let u ( x )=3 x−12 and v ( x )=4 x +5 x
' '
u ( x ) =3 and v ( x )=8 x+ 5
'
' v ( x ) ∙ u ( x )−u( x)∙ v ' ( x)
f ( x )= ' 2
( v ( x ))

' ( 4 x 2 +5 x ) ( 3 )−(3 x−12)(8 x +5)

f ( x )= 2 2
(4 x +5 x)

' ( 4 x 2 +5 x ) (3)−(24 x 2+15 x−96 x −60)

f ( x )= 2 2
(4 x +5 x)

' ( 4 x 2 +5 x ) (3)−( 24 x 2−81 x −60)

f ( x )= 2 2
(4 x +5 x)

2
' 3 24 x −81 x−60
f ( x )= 2
−
4 x +5 x ( 4 x 2+ 5 x )2

( 4 x 2 +5 x ) (3)−(24 x 2+15 x−96 x −60)

f ' ( x )= 2 2
(4 x +5 x)

f ' ( x )=( 12 x 2+15 x )−24 x2 −15 x +96 x +60 ¿ ¿

16 x + 40 x3 +25 x 2
4

' −12 x 2+ 96 x+60

f ( x )= 4 3 2
16 x +40 x + 25 x

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 13

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

References: Work Text in Basic Calculus by Villarica, Sicat and Dalisay

Mathalino.com

Name: _________________________________________ Score: ______________

Teacher: ________________________________________ Date: ______________

ACTIVITY 8 Score:
DERIVATIVES: POWER RULE AND CONSTANT MULTIPLE RULE

Instruction: Find the derivative of the following functions using the Power Rule.

1. y=x 10

2. y=6 x 3 / 4

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 14

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

3. y=x −7

4. y=x −1 /2

5. f ( x )=9 x −2

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 15

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

Name: _________________________________________ Score: ______________

Teacher: ________________________________________ Date: ______________

ACTIVITY 9 Score:
DERIVATIVES USING PRODUCT RULE

Apply the Rule of Linearity and Product Rule to the following examples to find the value of
the derivative.
1. f ( x )=15 ( 3 x 3 +2 x 2 +5 )

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 16

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

2. f ( x )=12 x ( 3 x 2 +2 )

−3 5 1 3
3. y=4 x (8 x + 4 x +2 x)

4. y=5 x 2 ( 3 x 1 /2−5 x−1 /5 )

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 17

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

2 3 4 −3
5. f ( x )= 3 x (4 x −3 x )

Name: _________________________________________ Score: ______________

Teacher: ________________________________________ Date: ______________

ACTIVITY 10 Score:
DERIVATIVES USING QUOTIENT RULE
Instruction: Find the derivative of the following functions using the Quotient Rule.
6x
1. y= 3
12 x

15 x+ 4
2. f ( x )= 4 x

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 18

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

4 2
5 x +5 x
3. f ( x )= 3
2x

3 x 3+ 4 x
4. y= 2
2x

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 19

 MODULE 3: THE DERIVATIVES

CALC 111 / DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS Page 20