LEARNING MODULE

Subject Code: MATH 5 Differential Calculus

Module Code: 5.0 Derivative and Differentiation
Lesson Code: 5.4.3 Rules on Differentiation: Quotient Rule
Time Limit: 30 minutes

TARGET TA1: 0.5 minute ATA2:

By the end of this learning module, the students should be able to:
1. discuss the quotient rule, and
2. find the derivative of algebraic functions using quotient rule.

HOOK TA: 1.5 minute ATA:

In our previous lesson, we discussed the product rule which enabled us to differentiate
new functions formed from old functions by multiplication, that is:

The Product Rule If 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are both differentiable, then

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

Today we are going to find a rule for differentiating the quotient of two differentiable functions
𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) in much the same way that we found the Product Rule.

IGNITE TA: 15 minutes ATA:

Let us proceed to the derivation of the quotient rule. Kindly click the link below to see how the
quotient rule was derived using the limit definition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxxzbMxihjQ

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
 The Quotient Rule If 𝑓 and 𝑡 are differentiable, then
𝒅 𝒅
𝒅 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒈(𝒙) [𝒇(𝒙)] − 𝒇(𝒙) [𝒈(𝒙)]
[ ]= 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙 .
𝒅𝒙 𝒈(𝒙) [𝒈(𝒙)]𝟐
In prime notation:
𝒇 ′ 𝒈𝒇′ − 𝒇𝒈′
( ) = .
𝒈 𝒈𝟐
Sometimes the Quotient Rule is remembered as:
𝒅 𝒉𝒊 𝒍𝒐 𝒅 [𝒉𝒊] − 𝒉𝒊 𝒅 [𝒍𝒐]
[ ]= .
𝒅𝒙 𝒍𝒐 𝒍𝒐 𝒍𝒐

The Quotient Rule says that the derivative of a quotient is denominator times the derivative of
the numerator minus the numerator times the derivative of the denominator, all divided by the
square of the denominator.

The Quotient Rule and the other differentiation formulas enable us to compute the derivative
of any rational function, as the next example illustrates.

Example 1:
3𝑥+5
Differentiate the 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥 2 −2

SOLUTION:
3𝑥+5
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −2
𝑑 𝑑
(𝑥 2 −2) (3𝑥+5)−(3𝑥+5) (𝑥 2 −2)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑓′(𝑥) = (apply the quotient rule)
(𝑥 2 −2)2
Derivative of Derivative of the
the numerator denominator

(𝑥 2 −2) (3) − (3𝑥+5)(2𝑥)

𝑓′(𝑥) = (Simplify)
(𝑥 2 −2)2

−3𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 6
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = . ∎
(𝑥 2 −2)2

𝑥 2 +𝑥−2
Example 2: Find the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 +6

SOLUTION:
𝑑 𝑑
(𝑥 3 +6) (𝑥2 +𝑥−2)− (𝑥 2 +𝑥−2) (𝑥 3 +6)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑓′(𝑥) = (apply the quotient rule)
(𝑥 3 +6)2

(𝑥 3 +6) (2𝑥 + 1)− (𝑥 2 +𝑥−2) (3𝑥 2 )

𝑓′(𝑥) = (simplify)
(𝑥 3 +6)2

(2𝑥 4 + 𝑥 3 + 12𝑥 + 6) − (3𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 6𝑥2 )

𝑓′(𝑥) = (combine like terms)
(𝑥 3 +6)2

Math 5 | Page 2 of 7
 −𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 6
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = (𝑥 3 +6)2
. ∎

Example 3:
2𝑥 3
Find the equation of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥+1 at 𝑥 = 3.

SOLUTION:
𝑑 𝑑
(𝑥+1) (2𝑥 3 ) − (2𝑥 3 ) (𝑥+1)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑦′= (apply the quotient rule)
( 𝑥 + 1 )2

(𝑥+1)(6𝑥 2 ) − (2𝑥 3 ) ( 1 )
𝑦′= (simplify)
( 𝑥 + 1 )2

6𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 3
𝑦′= (combine like terms)
( 𝑥 + 1 )2

4𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2
𝑦′= ( 𝑥 + 1 )2
.
4(3)3 + 6(3)2
Since the derivative is a slope, we know at 𝑥 = 3, the slope is = 10.125 .
( 3 + 1 )2
Now we need to find the y value at x = 3 (in the original function, since this point lies on the
original function):
2(3)3
𝑦= = 13.5 .
(3) + 1

We can use either the slope-intercept or point-slope

method to find the equation of the line (let’s use point-
slope):

𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )
𝑦 − 13.5 = 10.125 (𝑥 − 3)
𝑦 − 13.5 = 10.125𝑥 − 30.375
𝑦 = 10.125𝑥 − 16.875
2𝑥 3
The equation of the tangent line to 𝑓(𝑥) = at 𝑥 = 3 is
𝑥+1
81 135
𝑦 = 10.125𝑥 − 16.875 or 𝑦 = 𝑥− .
8 8

This problem looks like on a graph given on figure 1 (Taken

from: https://www.desmos.com/calculator).

Example 4:
𝑓
Suppose 𝑓(0) = 3, 𝑓’(0) = −2, 𝑔(0) = 7, 𝑔’(0) = 4, Let 𝑘 = 𝑔. Find 𝑘’(0).

SOLUTION:
𝑓 ′ (0)𝑔(0) − 𝑓(0)𝑔′(0) (−2) (7) − (3) (4) 26
By the quotient rule, we obtain 𝑘 ′ (0) = 2 = = − 49 ∎
(𝑔(0)) 49

Math 5 | Page 3 of 7
APPLICATION

Example 5: Rate of Change of Systolic Blood Pressure

As blood moves from the heart through the major arteries out
to the capillaries and back through the veins, the systolic blood
pressure continuously drops. Consider a person whose systolic
blood pressure P (in millimeters of mercury) is given by 𝑃 =
25𝑡 2 +125
, 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 10 where 𝑡 is measured in seconds. At what
𝑡 2 +1
rate is the blood pressure changing 5 seconds after blood leaves
the heart? Problem taken from Larson R. (2007) Example 8 p. 123

SOLUTION:

Begin by applying the Quotient Rule.

25𝑡 2 +125
𝑃= (write the original function)
𝑡 2 +1

𝑑 𝑑
𝑑𝑃 (𝑡 2 +1) (25𝑡 2 +125)− (25𝑡 2 +125) (𝑡 2 +1)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= (𝑡 2 +1)2
(apply the quotient rule)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑃 (𝑡 2 +1) (50𝑡)− (25𝑡 2 +125)(2𝑡)

= (𝑡 2 +1)2
(simplify)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑃 50𝑡 3 + 50𝑡 − 50𝑡 3 − 250𝑡

= (𝑡 2 + 1) 2
(simplify)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑃 200𝑡
= − (𝑡 2 + 1) 2
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑃 200 (5) 1000

When 𝑡 = 5, the rate of change is =− [(5)2 + 1]2
=− ≈ −1.48 millimeters per
𝑑𝑡 262
second.

So, the pressure is dropping at a rate of 1.48 millimeters per second at 𝑡 = 5 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠. ∎

Math 5 | Page 4 of 7
 NAVIGATE TA: 6 minutes ATA:

PRACTICE EXERCISE (Non-graded)

1. Differentiate the following:
3𝑥−1 3𝑥+4
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥+5 c. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥

2𝑥+1 4
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥−2 d. 𝑦 =
√𝑥

2𝑥 2 −4𝑥+3
2. Find an equation of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑦 = at the point (1, −1).
2−3𝑥

𝑓 𝑓′
3. For Level 2, your classmate claims that ( ) ′ = for any functions 𝑓 and 𝑔. Show an
𝑔 𝑔′
example that proves your classmate wrong.

KNOT TA: 1 minute ATA:

IN A NUTSHELL
In summary, the Quotient Rule and other differentiation formulas enable us to compute the
derivative of any rational function.

The Quotient Rule If 𝑓 and 𝑡 are differentiable, then

𝒅 𝒅
𝒅 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒈(𝒙) [𝒇(𝒙)] − 𝒇(𝒙) [𝒈(𝒙)]
[ ]= 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙 .
𝒅𝒙 𝒈(𝒙) [𝒈(𝒙)]𝟐

Sometimes the Quotient Rule is remembered as:

𝒅 𝒉𝒊 𝒍𝒐 𝒅 [𝒉𝒊] − 𝒉𝒊 𝒅 [𝒍𝒐]
[ ]= .
𝒅𝒙 𝒍𝒐 𝒍𝒐 𝒍𝒐

In words, the Quotient Rule says that the derivative of a quotient is the denominator times the
derivative of the numerator minus the numerator times the derivative of the denominator, all
divided by the square of the denominator.

Math 5 | Page 5 of 7
GRADED ASSESSMENT: TA: 6 minutes ATA:

Direction: Write your complete solution on a sheet of bond paper and have the scanned copy
submitted through your KHub account.

A. Determine the derivative of the following:

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

2. 𝑦 = (5𝑥 5 + 5)(−2𝑥 5 − 3)

4𝑥 5 + 𝑥 2 + 4
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 2 − 2

4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2
4. 𝑦 = 4𝑥 5 − 4

𝑥3− 𝑥2 − 3
5. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥5 + 3

𝑡2 − 𝑡 + 1
B. The function 𝑃(𝑡) = measures the percent 𝑃 (in decimal form) of the normal level
𝑡2 + 1
of oxygen in a pond, where 𝑡 is the time (in weeks) after organic waste is dumped into the
pond. Find the rate of change of 𝑃 at 𝑡 = 0.5, 𝑡 = 2, and 𝑡 = 8. Interpret the meaning of
these values.

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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxxzbMxihjQ Retrieval Date: September 23, 2020

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. Derive the following:
17
a. 𝑓′(𝑥) = ( 2𝑥 + 5 ) 2
−7
b. 𝑓′(𝑥) = ( 3𝑥 − 2 ) 2
−4
c. 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 𝑥2
− 2√𝑥
d. 𝑦′ = 𝑥2

3. Varied Answers
2
Sample Answer: If 𝑓 = 4, 𝑔 = 2𝑥, then in − 𝑥 2 ≠ 0

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.