LEARNING MODULE

Subject Code: MATH 5 Differential Calculus

Module Code: 5.0 Derivative and Differentiation
Lesson Code: 5.4.1 Rules on Differentiation: Constant Power Constant Multiple
Sum and Difference Rule
Time Limit: 30 minutes

TARGET TA1: 1 minute ATA2:

By the end of this learning module, the students should be able to:
1. define the constant rule, power rule, constant multiple rule, sum rule and difference
rule, and
2. apply the rules of differentiation in determining the derivatives of algebraic functions.

HOOK TA: 1 minute ATA:

In our previous lesson, we discussed the derivatives of functions using the limit process
or limit definition. This process is tedious, even for simple functions. Fortunately, there are
rules that greatly simplify differentiation. These rules allow us to calculate derivatives without
the direct use of limits.

IGNITE TA: 17 minutes ATA:

In this session, we will learn how to differentiate constant

functions, power functions, and polynomial functions.

Constant Functions

Let’s start with the simplest of all functions, the constant

function, f (x) = c. The graph of this function is the horizontal
line y = c which has slope 0, so we must have 𝑓 ‘(𝑥) = 0. (See
Figure 1.)

A formal proof, from the definition of a derivative, is also easy:

𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑐−𝑐
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim = lim = lim 0 = 0
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0

1
Time Allocation, in minutes, set by the teacher
2
Actual Time Allocation, in minutes, spent by the student (for information purposes only)

Math 5 | Page 1 of 7
In Leibniz notation, we write this rule as follows.

Derivative of a Constant Function 𝒄

𝒅
(𝒄) = 𝟎
𝒅𝒙

Example 1: Find the derivatives of the following constant functions

a. 𝑦 = 7
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 0
c. 𝑔(𝑡) = √15

Answers:
𝑑(𝑦)
a. =0
𝑑(𝑥)
′ (𝑥)
b. 𝑓 =0
′ (𝑡)
c. 𝑔 =0

Power Functions

We next look at the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑛 , where 𝑛 is a

positive integer. If n = 1, the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 is the line
𝑦 = 𝑥, which has slope 1 (See Figure 2). So, 𝑓′(𝑥) = 1.

𝑑
(We can also verify Equation 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 from the definition of a derivative.) 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥) = 1

The Power Rule If 𝑛 is a positive integer, then

𝒅 𝒏
(𝒙 ) = 𝒏𝒙𝒏−𝟏
𝒅𝒙

Example 2: We illustrate the Power Rule using the following examples:

a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 7
5
b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 4
c. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2000
d. 𝑦 = 𝑥 −4
𝑑
e. 𝑑𝑡 (𝑡 6 )

Math 5 | Page 2 of 7
Answers:
a. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 7𝑥 6
1
5
b. 𝑔′(𝑥) = 4 𝑥 4
c. 𝑦′ = 2000𝑥1999
𝑑𝑦
d. = −4𝑥 −5
𝑑𝑥
𝑑
e. (𝑡 6 ) = 6𝑡 5
𝑑𝑡

What about power functions with negative integer exponents?

Let us verify from the definition of a derivative that

𝑑 1 1
( ) = − 𝑥2 .
𝑑𝑥 𝑥

𝑑
We can rewrite this equation as (𝑥 −1 ) = (−1)𝑥 −2 and so the Power Rule is true when
𝑑𝑥
𝑛 = −1.

What if the exponent is a fraction?

1 1
𝑑 1 𝑑 1
In previous lesson, we found that 𝑑𝑥 √𝑥 = 2 which can be written as 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 2 ) = 2 𝑥 −2 .
√𝑥

1
This shows that the Power Rule is true even when 𝑛 = 2.

Example 3a: Differentiate

1 3
(a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 (b) 𝑦 = √𝑥 2

SOLUTION:
In each case we rewrite the function as a power of 𝑥.
(a) Since 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 −2 , we use the Power Rule with 𝑛 = − 2:
𝑑 2
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 −2 ) = −2𝑥 −2−1 = −2𝑥 −3 = − 𝑥 3 ∎

2 2 1
𝑑𝑦 𝑑 3 𝑑 2 2
(b) = ( √𝑥 2 ) = (𝑥 3 ) = 𝑥 3 − 1 = 𝑥 −3 ∎
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 3 3

Example 3b: Find the derivatives of the following Power Functions

5
a. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 4
b. 𝑦 = 𝑥 −4
Answers:
1
5
a. 𝑔′(𝑥) = 4 𝑥 4
𝑑𝑦
b. = −4𝑥 −5
𝑑𝑥

When new functions are formed from old functions by addition, subtraction, or multiplication
by a constant, their derivatives can be calculated in terms of derivatives of the old functions.
In particular, the following formula says that the derivative of a constant times a function is the
constant times the derivative of the function.
Math 5 | Page 3 of 7
 The Constant Multiple Rule If c is a constant and f is a differentiable function, then

𝒅 𝒅
[ 𝒄 𝒇(𝒙)] = 𝒄 𝒇(𝒙).
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

Example 4:
𝑑 𝑑
a. (3𝑥 4 ) = 3 (𝑥 4 ) = 3(4𝑥 3 ) = 12𝑥 3 ∎
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
b. (−𝑥) = [(−1)𝑥] = (−1) (𝑥) = −1(1) = −1 ∎
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

The next rule tells us that the derivative of a sum of functions is the sum of the derivatives.

The Sum Rule If 𝑓 and 𝑡 are both differentiable, then

𝒅 𝒅 𝒅
[ 𝒇(𝒙) + 𝒈(𝒙) ] = 𝒇(𝒙) + 𝒈(𝒙).
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

The Sum Rule can be extended to the sum of any number of functions. For instance, using
this theorem twice, we get
( 𝑓 + 𝑔 + ℎ)’ = [( 𝑓 + 𝑔 ) + ℎ]’ = (𝑓 + 𝑔)’ + ℎ’ = 𝑓’ + 𝑔’ + ℎ’.
By writing 𝑓 − 𝑔 as 𝑓 + (−1)𝑔 and applying the Sum Rule and the Constant Multiple
Rule, we get the following formula.

The Difference Rule If 𝑓 and 𝑡 are both differentiable, then

𝒅 𝒅 𝒅
[ 𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒈(𝒙) ] = 𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒈(𝒙).
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

The Constant Multiple Rule, the Sum Rule, and the Difference Rule can be combined with the
Power Rule to differentiate any polynomial functions, as the following examples demonstrate.

Example 5:
a. Find the derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑥 8 + 12𝑥 5 − 4𝑥 4 + 10𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 + 5 .

SOLUTION:
𝑑
(𝑥 8 + 12𝑥 5 − 4𝑥 4 + 10𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 + 5)
𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
= 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 8 ) + 12 (𝑥 5 ) − 4 (𝑥 4 ) + 10 (𝑥 3 ) − 6 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥) + 𝑑𝑥 (5)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

= 8𝑥 7 + 12 (5𝑥 4 ) − 4 (4𝑥 3 ) + 10 (3𝑥 2 ) − 6(1) + 0

= 8𝑥 7 + 60𝑥 4 − 16𝑥 3 + 30 𝑥 2 − 6 ∎

Math 5 | Page 4 of 7
b. Differentiate 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 − 6𝑥 2 + 4

SOLUTION:
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
𝑓′(𝑥) = 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 4 ) − 6 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 2 ) + 𝑑𝑥 (4)

𝑓′(𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 6(2𝑥) + 0
𝑓′(𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 12𝑥 ∎

Example 6: A motorist enters a turnpike, and his distance from the entrance is given by
𝑠(𝑡) = 15𝑡 2 + 25𝑡, where t is measured in hour and s in miles. At what time will he reach the
speed limit of 55 miles per hour?

SOLUTION:
𝑑𝑠 𝑑𝑠 𝑑 𝑑
Since 𝑣 = 𝑑𝑡 , then = 15 𝑑𝑡 (𝑡 2 ) + 25 𝑑𝑡 (𝑡) = 30𝑡 + 25.
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑠
Let 𝑑𝑡 = 55 mile per hour, then solve for 𝑡
𝑑𝑠
= 30𝑡 + 25
𝑑𝑡
55 = 30𝑡 + 25
𝑡=1
Hence, the motorist will reach the speed limit of 55 miles per hour by 1 hour. ∎

NAVIGATE TA: 10 minutes ATA:

PRACTICE EXERCISE (Non-graded)

1. Answer the following:
a) Find the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 + 4.
b) Find the derivative of 𝑦 = 2𝑡 4 − 10𝑡 2 + 13𝑡.
c) Find the derivative of 𝑔(𝑧) = 4𝑧 7 − 3𝑧 −7 + 9𝑧.
d) Find the derivative of ℎ(𝑦) = 𝑦 −4 − 9𝑦 −3 + 8𝑦 −2 + 12.
3 4
e) Find the derivative of 𝑦 = √𝑥 + 8 √𝑥 − 2 √𝑥.
2. Find the slope of the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 + 2 at the point (1,-1).
1
3. Find the equation of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = − 2 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 at the point
3
(−1, − 2 )
4. A mountain climber stumbles and as a consequence a small rock falls over the edge of a
cliff which is 576 feet high. In t seconds the rock drops 16𝑡 2 feet.
a. How long does it take for the rock to reach the ground?
b. What is the average velocity of the rock while it is falling?
c. What is the instantaneous velocity of the rock at the moment it hits the ground?
5. For Level 2 only, prove the Sum Rule of Differentiation using Limit-definition.

Math 5 | Page 5 of 7
 KNOT TA: 1 minute ATA:

IN A NUTSHELL
The derivatives of algebraic functions can be determined with the following differentiation
rules:
𝒅
1. Constant rule: 𝒅𝒙 (𝒄) = 𝟎

𝒅
2. Power rule: (𝒙𝒏 ) = 𝒏𝒙𝒏−𝟏
𝒅𝒙

𝒅 𝒅
3. Constant Multiple rule: 𝒅𝒙 [ 𝒄 𝒇(𝒙)] = 𝒄 𝒇(𝒙)
𝒅𝒙

𝒅 𝒅 𝒅
4. Sum rule: 𝒅𝒙 [ 𝒇(𝒙) + 𝒈(𝒙) ] = 𝒅𝒙 𝒇(𝒙) + 𝒅𝒙 𝒈(𝒙)

𝒅 𝒅 𝒅
5. Difference rule: 𝒅𝒙 [ 𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒈(𝒙) ] = 𝒅𝒙 𝒇(𝒙) − 𝒅𝒙 𝒈(𝒙)

References:

Albarico, J.M. (2013). THINK Framework. (Based on Ramos, E.G. and N. Apolinario.
(n.d.) Science LINKS. Rex Bookstore, Inc.)
Larson, R. (2007) Brief Calculus: An Applied Approach with zCalcChat &CalcView.
10th ed. Cengage Learning. Boston USA
Stewart, J. (2016). Calculus: Early Transcendentals. International Metric Version. 8th ed.
Cengage Learning. Singapore

Prepared by: Jeovanni D. Soncio, Jr. Reviewed by: Fritzie Mae V. Orcajada
Position: Special Science Teacher V Position: Special Science Teacher IV
Campus: PSHS-SRC Campus: PSHS-SRC

Math 5 | Page 6 of 7
ANSWER KEY

Navigate
PRACTICE EXERCISE (Non-graded)
1. Answer the following:
a. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 18𝑥 2 − 9
𝑑𝑦
b. = 8𝑡 3 − 20𝑡 + 13
𝑑𝑡

c. 𝑔′ (𝑧) = 28𝑧 6 + 21𝑧 −8 + 9

d. ℎ′ (𝑥) = −4𝑦 −5 + 27𝑦 −4 − 16𝑦 −3
1 2 3
𝑑𝑦 1 8 1
e. = 2 𝑥 −2 + 3 𝑥 −3 − 2 𝑥 −4
𝑑𝑥

2. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 4 So, the slope of the graph of 𝑓 at (1, −1) is

𝑓′(1) = 3(1)2 − 4 = 3 − 4 = −1 ∎
15
3. Equation of tangent line: 𝑦 = 9𝑥 + 2

4.
a. Solve the equation 16𝑡 2 = 576, 𝑡 = 6 seconds
576
b. The rock travels 576 feet in 6 seconds, so its average velocity is 6 = 96feet per second.
c. The instantaneous velocity is computed by taking the derivative of the distance function,
𝑠(𝑡) = 16𝑡 2 . We find the 𝑣(𝑡) = 32𝑡, so that 𝑣(6) = 32(6) = 192 feet per second.

5. Proof of the Sum Rule of Differentiation using Limit-definition

Let 𝐹(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥), then
𝐹(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝐹(𝑥)
𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
[𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) + 𝑔(𝑥 + ℎ)] − [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)]
𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑔(𝑥)
𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = lim [ + ]
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ
𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑔(𝑥)
𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = lim [ ] + lim [ ]
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑓′(𝑥) + 𝑔′ (𝑥) ∎

Math 5 | Page 7 of 7
© 2020 Philippine Science High School System. All rights reserved. This document may contain proprietary information and may only be
released to third parties with approval of management. Document is uncontrolled unless otherwise marked; uncontrolled documents are
not subject to update notification.