Commission on Higher Education

Province of Albay
San Jose Community College
San Jose, Malilipot Albay

BASIC CALCULUS
Finals
1st Semester S.Y. 2022-2023

Prepared by:

PRIMO B. MIRANDILLA
Instructor

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 CHAPTER 3: THE DERIVATIVES

LESSON 1: Meaning of Derivatives

The derivatives of a function f is a new function f ' . Barnett and others (2003) stated
that it has various implications and interpretations. First, derivative is considered to be the
slope of a tangent line, wherein for each x in the domain of f , f ' ( x ) is the slope tangent to
the graph of f at the point ( x , f ( x ) ) . Second, derivative as an instantaneous rate of change.

Definition: For y=f (x ), the derivative of f at x , denoted by f (x), to be

f ( x )= lim
∆x → 0
( f ( x +∆∆xx)−f ( x) )
if the limit exists.

It states that for each x in the domain of f ' , f ' ( x ) is the instantaneous rate of change
y=f ( x ) with respect to x .

If f ' ( x ) exists for each x in the open interval ( a , b ) ,then, f is said to be differentiable
over ( a , b ).

Derivative Notation

dy
The derivative of a function y=f (x ) can be denoted in several ways, such as ( x ) , y , ,
dx
df (x)
, D f ( x ), or D x f .
dx

The notation is called the Leibniz Notation. It is read as “derivative of y with respect to
x ” or for short, “dee y over dee x ”. It means that the rate of change of y is based on the
dy
change on the value of x . Take note that is not being regarded as quotient, but as a
dx
single symbol.

The process of finding the derivative of a function is called differentiation. That is, the
derivative of a function is obtained by differentiating the function. (Barnett, et. al, 2003)

LESSON 2: Finding the Derivatives (Increment Method)

Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
1. Enumerate the steps in finding the derivatives of a function by increment method; 2
2. Determine the derivatives of the given function by applying the increment method;
3. Manifest the value of perseverance, and responsibility in doing one’s work.
 Steps in finding the derivative of a function using the Increment Method:
1. Substitute all values of x’s in the given function y= f(x) by x + ∆x.
2. Subtract the given function from the values in step 1 and simplify.
3. Divide the result in step 2 by ∆x.
4. Take the result in step 3 as ∆x→0.

Since the derivative is defined as the limit of the difference quotient, the concept of
limits can be applied in finding the derivatives. If, for a fixed value of x , the quotient
approaches to a limit as ∆ x →0 , this limit is called the derivative of y with respect to x for a
dy
given value of y , and is denoted by .
dx
Illustrative Examples:
1. Find the derivative of y=2 x +3.
Step 1. Substitute all x’s by x + ∆x.
y '=2(x+ ∆ x)+3
Step 2: Subtract the given function from the values from step 1 and simplify.
'
y =2 ( x+ ∆ x )+3−( 2 x+3 )
¿ 2 x+2 ∆ x +3−2 x−3
y ' =2 ∆ x
Step 3: Divide the result in step 2 by∆ x .
' 2Δy
y =¿
Δx
'
y =¿ 2
Step 4: Take the limit of the result for step 3 as ∆ x →0.
Since there is no ∆ x in the last equation in step 3, therefore, the derivative of
y=2 x +3 as ∆ x →0 is 2.

2. Find the derivative of y=3 x 2−6 x +1.

Step 1. Substitute all x’s by x + ∆x.
y '=3¿ .
Step 2. Subtract the given function from the values from step 1 and simplify.
y '=3¿
¿3¿
¿ 3 x 2+6 ∆ x2 +3 ∆ 2 x 2−6 x−6 ∆ x+1−3 x2 +6 x−1
' 2 2 2
y =6 ∆ x +3 ∆ x −6 ∆ x
Step 3: Divide the result in step 2 by ∆ x .
2 2 2
' Δ x + 3 ∆ x −6 ∆ x
y =¿
Δx
'
y =6 x +3 ∆ x−6
Step 4: Take the limit of the result for step 3 as ∆ x →0 .
'
lim y =¿ 6 x +3 ∆ x−6 ¿
∆ x →0
'
y =6 x−6
3
 3 x +5
3. Find the derivative of ¿ .
2 x−4
Step 1: Substitute all x’s by x + ∆x.
3( x + ∆ x )+5
y '=¿
2(x+ ∆ x)−4
Simplifying,
3( x + ∆ x )+5
y '=¿
2(x+ ∆ x)−4
Step 2. Subtract the given function from the values from step 1 and simplify.
3( x + ∆ x )+5 3 x +5
y '=¿ -
2(x+ ∆ x)−4 2 x−4
Simplifying,
( 2 x−4 )( 3 x+ 3 ∆ x+5 )−(3 x +5)(2 x +2 ∆ x−4)
y '=¿
(2 x+ 2 ∆ x −4)(2 x−4)
22 ∆ x
y '=¿
( 2 x +2 ∆ x−4 ) ( 2 x−4 )
Step 3: Divide the result in step 2 by∆ x .
22 ∆ x 1
y '=¿ .
( 2 x +2 ∆ x−4 ) ( 2 x−4 ) ∆ x
Step 4: Take the limit of the result for step 3 as ∆ x →0 .
22
lim y ' =¿ ¿
∆ x →0 ( 2 x +2 ∆ x−4 ) ( 2 x −4 )
' 22
y=
( 2 x−4 )( 2 x−4 )
' 22
y=
¿¿

LESSON 3: Rules in Finding the Derivatives

In the preceding sections, the derivatives of f at x were defined as

f ( x+ Δ x )−f (x)
f ’ ( x ) = lim
∆ x→ 0 Δx
and this definition was used in order to find the derivatives of several functions. In the next section,
some differentiation rules based on this definition will be represented, that will enable us to find the
derivatives of any given function without undergoing the long process.

Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
1. identify and define the different rules in finding the derivatives of functions;
2. apply the different rules in order to find the derivatives of the given polynomial functions; and
3. manifest the value of obedience, patience, and responsibility in doing one’s work.

The Constant Function Rule

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Proof:
If f ’ ( x ) =C , then
f ( x+ Δ x )−f (x)
f ’ ( x ) = lim
∆ x→ 0 Δx
C−C
¿ lim
∆ x→ 0 Δx
¿ lim 0
∆ x→ 0
Remember:
¿0
The derivative of any constant is
always equal to zero.
Illustrative Examples:
1. If f ( x )=1 , then f ' ( x )=0 .
2. If y=−23 ,then y ' =0.

Definition: If y=f ( x )=x , where x is a differentiable function, then y '=1 .

dy
Also, =1 and f ' ( x )=1
dx

dy
3. If y=π , then =0.
dx

The Identify Function Rule

Definition: If y=f ( x )=C , where C is a constant, then y '=0.

dy
Also, =0 and f ( x )=0
dx

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Proof:
If f ( x )=x , then
f ( x+ Δ x )−f (x)
f ’ ( x ) = lim
∆ x→ 0 Δx
x+ Δ x−x
¿ lim
∆ x→ 0 Δx

Definition: If y=f ( x )=x n, where x is a differentiable function and n is a real

number, then y ' =nx n−1

dy
Also, = nx n−1 and f ' ( x )=n x n−1
dx

lim Δ x
∆x →0
¿
Δx
¿ lim 1
∆ x→ 0

¿1

Illustrative Examples:
1. Find the derivative of y=x
'
y =1
2. Find the derivative of f ( x )=−x
'
f ( x )=−1
3. Find the derivative of y= √6 x
y =√ 6
'

4. Find the derivative of y=π x

y ' =π
1
5. Find the derivative of f ( x )= x
4
1
f ' ( x )=
4

The Power Rule

Remember:

The Derivative of identity function

is equal to 1. Likewise, the derivative of a
function on the first degree is equal to its
given numerical coefficient.

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 Remember:
Illustrative Examples:
In finding the derivative using the
1. Find the derivative of y=x 10 Constant Multiple Rule, the following steps
'
y =10 x
9 should be followed.
2. Find the derivative of f ( x )=x −5 1. Multiply the exponent by the
' −6
f ( x )=−5 x numerical coefficient of the given
−5 function.
¿ 6
x 2. Subtract one from the exponent of
3 the given function.
3. Find the derivative of y=x 4
3. Simplify the resulting derivative.
−1
' 3 4
y= x
4
3
y'= 4
4 √x

4. Find the derivative of y=x 25

y ' =25 x 24
1
5. Find the derivative of y=x 2
1
y ' =x 2
1
y'= Remember:
2√x
In finding the derivative using the
Power Rule, just make the exponent as the
numerical coefficient and subtract one (1)
The Constant Multiple Rule from the given exponent of the variable x.
Simplify the derivatives that are not in
their simplified forms.

Illustrative Examples:
1. Find the derivative of y=3 x 2.
' 2−1
y =( 3 ) ( 2 ) x
'
y =6 x
2. Find the derivative of f ( x )=−6 x−4.
' −5
f ( x )=(−6 )(−4 ) x

Definition: If y=f ( x )=C ∙ f (x ) where u( x ) is a differentiable function, then

y ' =C · f ' (x)

dy
Also, = C · f ' ( x) and f ' ( x )=C · f ' (x)
dx

7
 24
f ' ( x )= 5
x
' 4 5
3. Find the derivative of y = x .
5
y'=
4
5 ()
( 5 ) x 5−1
' 4
y =4 x

4. Find the derivative of y=4 x−3.

' −3−1
y =( 4 ) (−3 ) x
y ' =−12 x−4
−12
y'= 4
x
1
5. Find the derivative of y=3 x 2 .
1
1
y ' =3 · x 2
2
' 3
y=
2√x

The Sum and Difference Rule

Illustrative Examples:
1. y=3 x 2 +2 x −5

Definition: If y=f ( x )=u(x )± v (x ), where u and v are differentiable functions, then

y ' =u ' (x )± v ' (x)

dy '
Also, =u ( x ) ± v ' ( x )∧u' ( x ) =u' ( x ) ± v ' ( x)
dx

2 '
y =( 3 x ) + ( 2 x ) −(5) '
' '

y=¿ Remember:
'
y =6 x +2 In finding the derivative using the
Sum and Difference Rules, the following
steps should be followed.
2. y=4 x 6−9 x 3 +3 x 2
1. Get the derivative of each term by
y '=(4 x¿¿ 6)' −(9 x 3 )'+(3 x 2)' ¿
2 applying the previously discussed rules
y '=(4 )(6 x¿ ¿5)−(9)(3 x )+(3)(2 x )¿ in finding the derivatives.
5 2
y '=24 x −27 x +6 x 2. Simplify the resulting derivatives.

8
 3. y=−12 x−3+ √ x
1
' 1
y =−12+ x 2
2
' 1
y =−12+
2√x
' 1−24 √ x √ x
y= ∙
2√x √x
'
y=
√ x −24 x
2x

The Product Rule

In finding the derivatives of products, two methods can be used. The first method is by
applying the Product Rule, and the second method is by finding first the products of the given

Definition: If y=f ( x )=u( x )∙ v (x ) where u and v are differentiable functions, then

y ' =u ( x ) · v ' ( x ) + v (x) ·u ' ( x)

dy
Also, =u ( x ) · v ' ( x ) +v ( x ) · u' ( x ) and f ' ( x )=u ( x ) · v ' ( x )+ v ( x ) ·u ' ( x )
dx

functions, and then, take the derivatives of the product.

Illustrative Examples:

1. Find the derivative of y=3 x 2 (2 x2 −3) .

Method 1: By applying the Product Rule

Let u(x) = 3 x 2 and v(x) = (2 x 2−3)

2 2 2
y '=(3 x ¿¿ 2)(2 x −3)'+(2 x −3)(3 x )' ¿
2
y '=(3 x ¿¿ 2)( 4 x)+(2 x −3)(6 x )¿
y ' =24 x 3−18 x
Method 2: By finding first the product, then take the derivatives.

Given: y=3 x 2 (2 x2 −3)

Distribute 3 x 2 to the quantities inside the parenthesis, which are 2 x2 and -3. By
multiplying, the product will be

y=6 x 4−9 x 2
Taking the derivative by applying the Sum and Difference Rules, the derivative will be
' 3
y =24 x −18 x

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 2. Find the derivative of y=(3 x 2−5)(2 x +3).

Method 1: By applying the Product Rule

Let u(x) = 3 x 2−5 and v(x) = 2 x+3
y '=(3 x ¿¿ 2−5)(2 x +3)' +(2 x +3)(3 x 2−5) ' ¿
y '=(3 x ¿¿ 2−5)(2)+(2 x +3)(6 x )¿
' 2 2
y =6 x −10+12 x +18 x
' 2
y =18 x +18 x−10
Method 2: By finding first the product, then take the derivatives.

Given: y=(3 x 2−5)(2 x +3)

By multiplying the two factors, using either the vertical method or the FOIL method, the
product will be
3 2
y=6 x +9 x −10 x−15
Taking the derivative by applying the Sum and Difference Rules, the derivative will be
' 2
y =18 x +18 x−10

Remember:

In finding the derivative of the products of a function, the following methods can be used:

1. By applying the Product Rule; and

2. By getting first the product, taking the derivative by applying the Sum and Difference Rules.

In using the Product Rule, the following steps will be followed:

1. Multiply the first factor by the derivative of the second factor, and then add to the product of
the second factor and the derivative of the first factor.
2. Simplify the resulting derivatives.

In getting first the product, the following steps will be followed:

1. Get the product of the first factor and the second factor.
2. Find the derivative of the resulting products.
3. Simplify the final answer.

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The Quotient Rule

u(x)
Definition: If y=f (x )= where u and v are differentiable functions, then
v (x )

v ( x ) ∙ u' ( x )−u( x)∙ v ' (x)

y'= 2
⌊ v ( x) ⌋
du dv
v ∙ u' −u . v ' v ∙ −u ∙
Also, f ' (x)= and dy dx dx
v
2 =
dx v 2

In finding the derivatives, either of the methods can be used:

1. By using the Quotient Rule; and
2. By splitting the fractions into two or more fractions, or finding the quotient if possible,
then, taking the derivative using any of the previous rules and simplify.

Illustrative Examples:
2
x
1. Find the derivative of y= .
x−1
Method 1: By applying the Quotient Rule

Let u(x) = x 2 and v(x) = x−1

' ( x−1)(2 x)−x 2 (1)
y= 2
( x−1)

2 2
2 x −2 x−x
y'= 2
(x−1)
2
' x −2 x ' x 2−2 x
y= 2 or y =
( x−1) x 2−2 x +1
Method 2: By renaming the given quotient into fractions or by finding the quotient first, then
take the derivative.

x2
Given: y=
x−1
Finding the quotient of the given functions,
1
x +1+
x−1

x−1 √ x 2
2
x −x
x

x−1
11
 +1

Taking the derivatives of each term in the quotient using the previously discussed rules,
−1
y=x +1+( x−1)

y ' =1+0+(−1)( x−1)−2

' 1
y =1−
( x−1)2

Simplifying the resulting derivatives, the derivative of the given quotient is

Remember:

In finding the derivative of the quotients of a function, the following methods can
be used:

1. By applying the Quotient Rule; and

2. By splitting the quotient into two or more fractions or finding the quotient if
possible, then take the derivative using any of the previous rules and simplify.

In using the Quotient Rule, the following steps will be followed:

1. Subtract the product of the derivative of the numerator and the denominator from
the product of the derivative of the numerator and the numerator all over the
square of the denominator.
2. Simplify the resulting derivatives.

In finding the derivatives by splitting the quotient into two or more fractions, or finding the
quotient if possible, the following steps will be followed:

1. Express the given quotient of a function into two or more fractions, or take the
quotient of the given function.
2. Take the derivative of each term of the resulting quotient.
3. Simplify the resulting derivatives.

2
' x −2 x
y= 2
x −2 x +1

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 Definition: If u ( x ) is a differentiable function, n is any real number, and

y=f ' ( x )=⌊ u(x )⌋ n , then f ' ( x )=n ⌊ u( x ) ⌋ n−1 · u' ( x ) .

Remember:
The Chain Rule
In finding the derivative using the
Chain Rule, the following steps will be
used:
Illustrative Examples:
1. Take the derivative of the given
1. Find the derivative of y=¿. function by applying the Constant
y '=3¿ Multiple or Power Rule.
y '=15 ¿ 2. Multiply the resulting derivative in
2. Find the derivative of y=¿. step 1 to the derivative of the
function inside the parenthesis or
1
y '= ¿ grouping symbol.
2
3. Simplify the resulting derivative.
3
y '= ¿
2
3
y '=
2 √3−5
1
3. Find the derivative of y= 2 .
( x −3 x +2)
y '=¿
'
y =−2 ¿
−4 x+ 6
y '=
¿¿¿

ACTIVITIES

Exercise 3.2
The Increment Method
Direction: Find the derivatives of the following functions using the Increment Method.
1. y=4 x +10
13
 2. y=3 x 2−2 x+ 5
2 x +5
3. y=¿
3 x −2
1
4. y=¿
x
2 x−5
5. y=¿
3x

Exercise 3.3
Power Rule
Direction: Find the derivatives of the following functions by applying the Power Rule.

1. y=x 34
6
2. y=
7
3. f ( x)= x−12
−1
4. y=
2
5. f ( x)= x−3

Exercise 3.4
Constant Multiple Rule
Direction: Find the derivatives of the following functions by applying the Constant Multiple
Rule.
1. y=−12 x 10
3
1
2. f ( x)= x
5
1
3. y=−3 x 4
4. y= √11 x3
3
5. f (x)= x 4

Exercise 3.5
Sum and Difference Rules
Direction: Find the derivatives of the following functions by applying the Sum and Difference
Rules

1. y=3 x +5
2. f ( x )=5 x 4 −3 x2
3 3 1 4
3. f ( x )= x − x
4 2
4. y=7 x +2 x 2−13 x−2
−3

3 2
5. y= x −10 x +5
10

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Exercise 3.7
Product Rule
Direction: Find the derivatives of the following functions by applying the Product Rule.

1. y=x 3 (3 x 2−5)
2. f ( x )=x 2 ( x +1)
3. f ( x )=3 x 4 ( x 3 −5 x 2 +4 x)
4. y=(x +1)(x 2−3 x )
5. y=(x 2−1)( x3 +7 x )
Exercise 3.8
Quotient Rule
Direction: Find the derivatives of the following functions by applying the Quotient Rule.
x
1. f ( x )=
x +1
1
2. f ( x )=
4 x−3
x 2+ 5 x +6
3. f ( x )=
x +1

Exercise 3.9
Chain Rule
Direction: Find the derivatives of the following functions by applying the Chain Rule.
5 10
1. y=(1−4 x +7 x )
2. y=(3 x+ x ¿¿ 2)¿
3. y=(5 x−4 )4
4. f ( x )=( x 4 +1)−2
5. f ( x )=(3 x−4 )3

/tbc

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