Basic Differentiation:

d
A Quick Refresher
dx
NESTOR G. ACALA, PhD

Mathematics Department
Mindanao State University Main Campus
Marawi City
nestor.acala@msumain.edu.ph
Learning Competencies (STEM_BC11-III)

• illustrate the tangent line to the graph of a function at a given point

• apply denition of the derivative of a function at a given number
• relate derivative of a function to the slope of the tangent line
• apply dierentiation rules in computing the derivative of an algebraic,
exponential, and trigonometric functions
• compute higher order derivatives
• illustrate the Chain Rule of dierentiation
What is a DERIVATIVE?
y

x
What is a DERIVATIVE?
y

x
What is a DERIVATIVE?
y

P0
•
x
What is a DERIVATIVE?
y

P
•

P0
•
x
What is a DERIVATIVE?
y

P
•

P0
∆x
•
x
What is a DERIVATIVE?
y

P
•

∆y

P0
∆x
•
x
What is a DERIVATIVE?
y

P
•

∆y
∆y m=
∆x
P0
∆x
•
x
What is a DERIVATIVE?
y

P
•

∆y
∆y m=
∆x
P0 rate of change
∆x
•
x
What is a DERIVATIVE?
What is a DERIVATIVE?
What is a DERIVATIVE?
Then the slope mS of the line LS is
f (x0 + h) − f (x0 )
mS = .
(x0 + h) − x0
Any line, such as LS , which passes through two distinct points on the curve is
called a secant line.
Now observe the variation of LS as P moves closer and closer to P0 . An
illustration is given in the next gure.
y

x
 f (x)
y
LS

P•

•
P0

x
 f (x)
y
LS

P•

P•
•
P0

x
 f (x)
y
LS

P• LS

P•
•
P0

x
 f (x)
y
LS

P• LS
LT
P•
•
P0

x
 f (x)
y
LS

P• LS
LT
P•
•
P0

x
It appears that as P gets closer and closer to P0 , the limiting position of the
secant line is the line which is tangent to the curve of y = f (x) at the point P0 .
f (x0 + h) − f (x0 ) f (x0 + h) − f (x0 )
m= lim = lim = f ′ (x0 ).
x0 +h→ x0 (x0 + h) − x0 h→ 0 h
The Derivative of a Function

Denition. If f is a function of an independent variable, say x , then the

derivative of f at x0 , denoted by f ′ (x0 ), is given by
f (x0 + h) − f (x0 )
f ′ (x0 ) = lim ,
h→0 h
whenever this limit exists.
If f ′ (x0 ) exists, then f is said to be dierentiable at x0 .
The function f is said to be dierentiable if it is dierentiable at each point
in the domain of f .
From the above denition, a systematic procedure for obtaining the derivative of
f at x , if it exists, can be immediately formulated. This is the so-called
three-step rule as stated below:
1. Solve and simplify an expression for f (x + h) − f (x).
f (x + h) − f (x)
2. Divide f (x + h) − f (x) by h ̸= 0, that is, solve for .
h
f (x + h) − f (x)
3. Evaluate lim . By denition, this limit, if it exists, is f ′ (x).
h7→0 h
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
= x 2 + 2xh + h2 − 1 − x 2 + 1
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
= x 2 + 2xh + h2 − 1 − x 2 + 1
= 2xh + h2 = h(2x + h)
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
= x 2 + 2xh + h2 − 1 − x 2 + 1
= 2xh + h2 = h(2x + h)
f (x + h) − f (x)
2.
h
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
= x 2 + 2xh + h2 − 1 − x 2 + 1
= 2xh + h2 = h(2x + h)
f (x + h) − f (x) h(2x + h)
2. =
h h
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
= x 2 + 2xh + h2 − 1 − x 2 + 1
= 2xh + h2 = h(2x + h)
f (x + h) − f (x) h(2x + h)
2. = = 2x + h .
h h
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
= x 2 + 2xh + h2 − 1 − x 2 + 1
= 2xh + h2 = h(2x + h)
f (x + h) − f (x) h(2x + h)
2. = = 2x + h .
h h
f (x + h) − f (x)
3. lim
h→0 h
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
= x 2 + 2xh + h2 − 1 − x 2 + 1
= 2xh + h2 = h(2x + h)
f (x + h) − f (x) h(2x + h)
2. = = 2x + h .
h h
f (x + h) − f (x)
3. lim = lim (2x + h)
h→0 h h→0
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
= x 2 + 2xh + h2 − 1 − x 2 + 1
= 2xh + h2 = h(2x + h)
f (x + h) − f (x) h(2x + h)
2. = = 2x + h .
h h
f (x + h) − f (x)
3. lim = lim (2x + h) = 2x + 0
h→0 h h→0
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
= x 2 + 2xh + h2 − 1 − x 2 + 1
= 2xh + h2 = h(2x + h)
f (x + h) − f (x) h(2x + h)
2. = = 2x + h .
h h
f (x + h) − f (x)
3. lim = lim (2x + h) = 2x + 0 = 2x .
h→0 h h→0
 Example. Use the 3-Step Rule to nd the derivative of f (x) = x 2 − 1.

Solution: Following the 3-Step Rule:

1. f (x + h) − f (x)= [(x + h)2 − 1] − (x 2 − 1)
= x 2 + 2xh + h2 − 1 − x 2 + 1
= 2xh + h2 = h(2x + h)
f (x + h) − f (x) h(2x + h)
2. = = 2x + h .
h h
f (x + h) − f (x)
3. lim = lim (2x + h) = 2x + 0 = 2x .
h→0 h h→0
Therefore, f ′ (x) = 2x .
Notation:
If the function f is dened by the equation y = f (x), then the derivative of f
at x can be denoted by any of the following symbols:
dy d
f ′ (x), , Dx f , Dx f (x), Dx y , [f (x)], y′
dx dx
Theorem 1.[Derivative of a constant]
If f (x) = c for all x , where c is a constant, then f ′ (x) = 0.

Theorem 2. [Derivative of a power]

If r is a real number, then
d
(x r ) = rx r −1 .
dx
Example
√
1. Let f (x) = 2.
Example
√
1. Let f (x) = 2. Then f ′ (x) = 0.
Example
√
1. Let f (x) = 2. Then f ′ (x) = 0.
Example
√
1. Let f (x) = 2. Then f ′ (x) = 0.
2. Let f (x) = x 3 .
Example
√
1. Let f (x) = 2. Then f ′ (x) = 0.
2. Let f (x) = x 3 . Then f ′ (x) = 3x 2 .
Example
√
1. Let f (x) = 2. Then f ′ (x) = 0.
2. Let f (x) = x 3 . Then f ′ (x) = 3x 2 .
1
3. Let f (x) = √ .
x
Example
√
1. Let f (x) = 2. Then f ′ (x) = 0.
2. Let f (x) = x 3 . Then f ′ (x) = 3x 2 .
1 1
3. Let f (x) = √ . Note that f (x) = x − 2 so that
x
1 1 1 3 1
f ′ (x) = − x − 2 −1 = − x − 2 = − .
2 2 2x 2
3
Theorem 3
If h is a dierentiable function at x and f (x) = c · h(x), where c is a
constant, then f is dierentiable at x and f ′ (x) = c · h′ (x).

Theorem 4 [Derivative of a Sum]

If g and h are dierentiable at x and f (x) = g (x) + h(x), then f is
dierentiable at x and f ′ (x) = g ′ (x) + h′ (x).
Example
1. Let f (x) = 6x 4 .
Example
1. Let f (x) = 6x 4 . Then f ′ (x) = 6 · 4x 3 = 24x 3 .
Example
1. Let f (x) = 6x 4 . Then f ′ (x) = 6 · 4x 3 = 24x 3 .
2. Let f (x) = 3x 5 − 7x 3 .
Example
1. Let f (x) = 6x 4 . Then f ′ (x) = 6 · 4x 3 = 24x 3 .
2. Let f (x) = 3x 5 − 7x 3 . Then
d d
f ′ (x) = (3x 5 ) + (−7x 3 ) = 15x 4 − 21x 2 .
dx dx
Example
1. Let f (x) = 6x 4 . Then f ′ (x) = 6 · 4x 3 = 24x 3 .
2. Let f (x) = 3x 5 − 7x 3 . Then
d d
f ′ (x) = (3x 5 ) + (−7x 3 ) = 15x 4 − 21x 2 .
dx dx

3. Let f (x) = e x + sin x .

Example
1. Let f (x) = 6x 4 . Then f ′ (x) = 6 · 4x 3 = 24x 3 .
2. Let f (x) = 3x 5 − 7x 3 . Then
d d
f ′ (x) = (3x 5 ) + (−7x 3 ) = 15x 4 − 21x 2 .
dx dx

3. Let f (x) = e x + sin x .

Derivative of Trigonometric Functions

Theorem. The derivative of each of the six trigonometric functions are as

follows.
1. Dx (sin x) = cos x 4. Dx (csc x) = − csc x cot x
2. Dx (cos x) = − sin x 5. Dx (sec x) = sec x tan x
3. Dx (tan x) = sec2 x 6. Dx (cot x) = − csc2 x
Theorem.
i. Dx (e x ) = e x .
1
ii. Dx (ln x) = .
x
iii. Dx (ax ) = ax ln a, a > 0.
1
iv. Dx (loga x) = , a > 0.
x · ln a
Example
1. Let f (x) = 6x 4 . Then f ′ (x) = 6 · 4x 3 = 24x 3 .
2. Let f (x) = 3x 5 − 7x 3 . Then
d d
f ′ (x) = (3x 5 ) + (−7x 3 ) = 15x 4 − 21x 2 .
dx dx
3. Let f (x) = e x + sin x .
Example
1. Let f (x) = 6x 4 . Then f ′ (x) = 6 · 4x 3 = 24x 3 .
2. Let f (x) = 3x 5 − 7x 3 . Then
d d
f ′ (x) = (3x 5 ) + (−7x 3 ) = 15x 4 − 21x 2 .
dx dx
3. Let f (x) = e x + sin x .
Then
d x d
f ′ (x) = (e ) + (sin x) = e x + cos x.
dx dx
Theorem 5 [Derivative of a Product (Product Rule)]
If g and h are dierentiable at x and f (x) = g (x) · h(x), then f is
dierentiable at x and
f ′ (x) = g (x) · h′ (x) + h(x) · g ′ (x).
 Example. Find the derivative of f (x) = (3x 2 + 2x)(x 2 − 5x + 1).

Solution:
 Example. Find the derivative of f (x) = (3x 2 + 2x)(x 2 − 5x + 1).

Solution:
Here, we let u(x) = 3x 2 + 2x and v (x) = x 2 − 5x + 1. Then,
f ′ (x) = uv ′ + vu ′
d  2 d  2
= (3x 2 + 2x) · (x − 5x + 1) + (x 2 − 5x + 1) · (3x + 2x)
 
dx dx
2 2
= (3x + 2x)(2x − 5) + (x − 5x + 1)(6x + 2)
= 6x 3 − 15x 2 + 4x 2 − 10x + 6x 3 + 2x 2 − 30x 2 − 10x + 6x + 2
= 12x 3 − 39x 2 − 14x + 2.
 dy
Example. Find , given y = ln x · arctan x .
dx

Solution:
 dy
Example. Find , given y = ln x · arctan x .
dx

Solution:
Theorem. For x in the given domain,
1
1. Dx (arcsin x) = √ , −1 < x < 1
1 − x2
−1
2. Dx (arccos x) = √ , −1 < x < 1
1 − x2
1
3. Dx (arctan x) = , x ∈R
1 + x2
−1
4. Dx (arccot x) = , x ∈R
1 + x2
1
5. Dx (arcsec x) = √ , |x| > 1
x x2 − 1
−1
6. Dx (arccsc x) = √ , |x| > 1.
x x2 − 1
 dy
Example. Find , given y = ln x · arctan x .
dx

Solution:
 dy
Example. Find , given y = ln x · arctan x .
dx

Solution:
Here, we let u(x) = ln x and v (x) = arctan x. Then,
dy
= uv ′ + vu ′
dx
d d
= ln x · (arctan x) + arctan x · (ln x)
dx dx
1 1 x ln x + (1 + x 2 ) arctan x
= ln x · + arctan x · = .
1 + x2 x x(1 + x 2 )
Theorem 2.6 [Derivative of a Quotient (Quotient Rule)]
g (x)
If g and h are dierentiable at x and f (x) = with h(x) ̸= 0, then f is
h(x)
dierentiable at x and
h(x)g ′ (x) − g (x)h′ (x)
f ′ (x) = .
[h(x)]2
 x2 + 1
Example. Find y ′ , given that y = .
x −1

Solution:
Let u(x) = x 2 + 1 and v (x) = x − 1. Then
d 2 + 1 − (x 2 + 1) · d (x − 1)
(x − 1) ·


′
vu − uv ′ x
y′ = = dx dx
v2 (x − 1)2
(x − 1)(2x) − (x 2 + 1)(1)
=
(x − 1)2
2x 2 − 2x − x 2 − 1 x 2 − 2x − 1
= = .
(x − 1)2 (x − 1)2
 Example. Apply quotient rule to derive the derivative of the function
f (x) = tan x .

Solution:
sin x
Note that tan x = . Hence,
cos x
d d
d d

sin x
 cos x · (sin x) − sin x · (cos x)
(tan x) = = dx dx
dx dx cos x cos2 x
cos x · cos x − sin x(− sin x)
=
cos2 x
cos2 x + sin2 x 1
= 2
= = sec2 x.
cos x cos2 x
Theorem 7. [Derivative of a Composite Function - The Chain Rule]
Suppose that f , g , and u are functions with f (x) = g (u(x)) and suppose
that g and u are dierentiable at x . Then f is dierentiable at x and
f ′ (x) = g ′ (u(x)) · u ′ (x).

Corollary 8.
If f (x) = [u(x)]r , where r is any real number, and u is a dierentiable
function, then
f ′ (x) = r [u(x)]r −1 u ′ (x).
 Example. Find the derivative of f (x) = (x 2 + 3x − 2)5 .

Solution:
Let
u(x) = x 2 + 3x − 2 and thus, u ′ (x) = 2x + 3.
Hence,
 Example. Find the derivative of f (x) = (x 2 + 3x − 2)5 .

Solution:
Let
u(x) = x 2 + 3x − 2 and thus, u ′ (x) = 2x + 3.
Hence,
f ′ (x) = 5[u(x)]4 · u ′ (x)
 Example. Find the derivative of f (x) = (x 2 + 3x − 2)5 .

Solution:
Let
u(x) = x 2 + 3x − 2 and thus, u ′ (x) = 2x + 3.
Hence,
f ′ (x) = 5[u(x)]4 · u ′ (x)
= 5(x 2 + 3x − 2)4 (2x + 3)
 Example. Find the derivative of f (x) = (x 2 + 3x − 2)5 .

Solution:
Let
u(x) = x 2 + 3x − 2 and thus, u ′ (x) = 2x + 3.
Hence,
f ′ (x) = 5[u(x)]4 · u ′ (x)
= 5(x 2 + 3x − 2)4 (2x + 3)
= (10x + 15)(x 2 + 3x − 2)4 .
 Example. Find the derivative of f (x) = (x 2 + 3x − 2)5 .

Solution:
Let
u(x) = x 2 + 3x − 2 and thus, u ′ (x) = 2x + 3.
Hence,
 Example. Find the derivative of f (x) = (x 2 + 3x − 2)5 .

Solution:
Let
u(x) = x 2 + 3x − 2 and thus, u ′ (x) = 2x + 3.
Hence,
f ′ (x) = 5[u(x)]4 · u ′ (x)
 Example. Find the derivative of f (x) = (x 2 + 3x − 2)5 .

Solution:
Let
u(x) = x 2 + 3x − 2 and thus, u ′ (x) = 2x + 3.
Hence,
f ′ (x) = 5[u(x)]4 · u ′ (x)
= 5(x 2 + 3x − 2)4 (2x + 3)
 Example. Find the derivative of f (x) = (x 2 + 3x − 2)5 .

Solution:
Let
u(x) = x 2 + 3x − 2 and thus, u ′ (x) = 2x + 3.
Hence,
f ′ (x) = 5[u(x)]4 · u ′ (x)
= 5(x 2 + 3x − 2)4 (2x + 3)
= (10x + 15)(x 2 + 3x − 2)4 .
 dy 3
Example. Find given that y = 3 .
dx x − 4x 2 − 5x + 2

Solution:
 dy 3
Example. Find given that y = 3 .
dx x − 4x 2 − 5x + 2

3
Solution:Note that y = can be written as
x3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2
 dy 3
Example. Find given that y = 3 .
dx x − 4x 2 − 5x + 2

3
Solution:Note that y = can be written as
x3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2
y = 3(x 3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)−1 .
 dy 3
Example. Find given that y = 3 .
dx x − 4x 2 − 5x + 2

3
Solution:Note that y = can be written as
x3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2
y = 3(x 3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)−1 .

Thus,
 dy 3
Example. Find given that y = 3 .
dx x − 4x 2 − 5x + 2

3
Solution:Note that y = can be written as
x3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2
y = 3(x 3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)−1 .

Thus,
dy
dx
 dy 3
Example. Find given that y = 3 .
dx x − 4x 2 − 5x + 2

3
Solution:Note that y = can be written as
x3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2
y = 3(x 3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)−1 .

Thus,
dy
= 3(−1)(x 3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)−1−1 (3x 2 − 8x − 5)
dx
 dy 3
Example. Find given that y = 3 .
dx x − 4x 2 − 5x + 2

3
Solution:Note that y = can be written as
x3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2
y = 3(x 3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)−1 .

Thus,
dy
= 3(−1)(x 3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)−1−1 (3x 2 − 8x − 5)
dx
−3(3x 2 − 8x − 5)
= 3
(x − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)2
 dy 3
Example. Find given that y = 3 .
dx x − 4x 2 − 5x + 2

3
Solution:Note that y = can be written as
x3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2
y = 3(x 3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)−1 .

Thus,
dy
= 3(−1)(x 3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)−1−1 (3x 2 − 8x − 5)
dx
−3(3x 2 − 8x − 5) −9x 2 + 24x + 15
= 3 = .
(x − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)2 (x 3 − 4x 2 − 5x + 2)2
 √
Example. Given the function h(x) = arcsin( 3x), nd h′ (x).

Solution:
 √
Example. Given the function h(x) = arcsin( 3x), nd h′ (x).

Solution:
1 √
h′ (x) = q √ · d( 3x)
1 − ( 3x)2
 √
Example. Given the function h(x) = arcsin( 3x), nd h′ (x).

Solution:
1 √
h′ (x) = q √ · d( 3x)
1 − ( 3x)2
1 1
=√ · 12 (3x)− 2 · d(3x)
1 − 3x
 √
Example. Given the function h(x) = arcsin( 3x), nd h′ (x).

Solution:
1 √
h′ (x) = q √ · d( 3x)
1 − ( 3x)2
1 1
=√ · 12 (3x)− 2 · d(3x)
1 − 3x1
(3x)− 2
= √ ·3
2 1 − 3x
 √
Example. Given the function h(x) = arcsin( 3x), nd h′ (x).

Solution:
1 √
h′ (x) = q √ · d( 3x)
1 − ( 3x)2
1 1
=√ · 12 (3x)− 2 · d(3x)
1 − 3x1
(3x)− 2
= √ ·3
2 1 − 3x
3
= p .
2 3x(1 − 3x)
 dy
Example. Given the function y = 2ln(5x) , nd .
dx

Solution:
 dy
Example. Given the function y = 2ln(5x) , nd .
dx

Solution:
dy
= 2ln(5x) ln 2 · d[ln(5x)]
dx
 dy
Example. Given the function y = 2ln(5x) , nd .
dx

Solution:
dy
= 2ln(5x) ln 2 · d[ln(5x)]
dx
1
= 2ln(5x) ln 2 · · d(5x)
5x
 dy
Example. Given the function y = 2ln(5x) , nd .
dx

Solution:
dy
= 2ln(5x) ln 2 · d[ln(5x)]
dx
1
= 2ln(5x) ln 2 · · d(5x)
5x
1
= 2ln(5x) ln 2 · ·5
5x
 dy
Example. Given the function y = 2ln(5x) , nd .
dx

Solution:
dy
= 2ln(5x) ln 2 · d[ln(5x)]
dx
1
= 2ln(5x) ln 2 · · d(5x)
5x
1
= 2ln(5x) ln 2 · ·5
5x
2ln(5x) ln 2
= .
x
 Example. Given the function f (x) = [cot(e 2x )]5 , nd f ′ (x).

Solution:
 Example. Given the function f (x) = [cot(e 2x )]5 , nd f ′ (x).

Solution:
f ′ (x)= 5[cot(e 2x )]4 · d[cot(e 2x )]
 Example. Given the function f (x) = [cot(e 2x )]5 , nd f ′ (x).

Solution:
f ′ (x)= 5[cot(e 2x )]4 · d[cot(e 2x )]
= 5[cot(e 2x )]4 [− csc2 (e 2x )] · d(e 2x )
 Example. Given the function f (x) = [cot(e 2x )]5 , nd f ′ (x).

Solution:
f ′ (x)= 5[cot(e 2x )]4 · d[cot(e 2x )]
= 5[cot(e 2x )]4 [− csc2 (e 2x )] · d(e 2x )
= −5[cot(e 2x )]4 csc2 (e 2x ) · e 2x · d(2x)
 Example. Given the function f (x) = [cot(e 2x )]5 , nd f ′ (x).

Solution:
f ′ (x)= 5[cot(e 2x )]4 · d[cot(e 2x )]
= 5[cot(e 2x )]4 [− csc2 (e 2x )] · d(e 2x )
= −5[cot(e 2x )]4 csc2 (e 2x ) · e 2x · d(2x)
= −10e 2x [cot(e 2x )]4 csc2 (e 2x ).
Higher Order Derivatives

If the function f is dierentiable, then its derivative f ′ is called the rst

derivative of f . If the function f ′ is dierentiable, then the derivative of f ′ is
called the second derivative of f , denoted by f ′′ . Similarly, the third
derivative of f , denoted by f ′′′ , is dened as the derivative of f ′′ , provided that
f ′′ exists.

Denition. The nth derivative of the function f , denoted by f (n) , is dened

as the derivative of the (n-1)th derivative of f , provided the latter exists.
 dy
Remark. The Leibniz notation for the rst derivative is , where y = f (x).
dx
The Leibniz notation for the second derivative of f with respect to x is
d 2y
   
d dy d d
= = (y ) .
dx 2 dx dx dx dx
d ny
In general, the symbol n denotes the nth derivative of y with respect to x .
dx
That is,
d ny d n−1 y
      
d d d d d
= = ... = ··· (y )
dx n dx dx n−1 dx dx dx dx
 Example. Find fth derivative of the function
f (x) = x 5 − 2x 4 + 3x 3 − 4x 2 + 5x − 6.

Solution:
f ′ (x) = 5x 4 − 8x 3 + 9x 2 − 8x + 5
f ′′ (x) = 20x 3 − 24x 2 + 18x − 8
f ′′′ (x) = 60x 2 − 48x + 18
f (4) (x) = 120x − 48
f (5) (x) = 120
 Example. Find d3 1
.


dx 3 x2

Solution: Observe that x12 = x −2 . Then,

1
 
d d −2
2
= (x ) = −2x −3
dx x dx
d2 1 1
    
d d d −3
2 = 6x −4


= = − x
dx 2 x 2 dx dx x 2 dx
d3 1 d d2 1
    
d −4
6 = −24x −5


3 2
= 2 2
= x
dx x dx dx x dx
 Example. Find f ′′′
(x), given f (x) = cos(3x − 5).

Solution:
 Example. Find f ′′′
(x), given f (x) = cos(3x − 5).

Solution:
f ′ (x) = − sin(3x − 5) · 3 = −3 sin(3x − 5)
f ′′ (x) = −3 cos(3x − 5) · 3 = −9 cos(3x − 5)
f ′′′ (x) = −9 · − sin(3x − 5) · 3 = 27 sin(3x − 5).
 d 2y
Example. Given y = e sin x , nd .
dx 2

Solution:
 d 2y
Example. Given y = e sin x , nd .
dx 2

Solution:
dy
= e sin x cos x.
dx
d 2y
 
d dy d sin x
= − sin x · e sin x + cos2 x · e sin x .


2
= = e cos x
dx dx dx dx
Implicit Differentiation

If f = {(x, y ) : y = 9x 2 + 3x − 8}, then the equation

y = 9x 2 + 3x − 8

denes the function f explicitly .

However, not all functions are dened explicitly by an equation. For instance,
the equation
x 5 + 3 = y 5 + 3y 3 − 2 (1)
cannot be solved for y in terms of x . However, there may exist one or more
functions f such that if y = f (x), equation (1) is satised. In this case, we
say that the function f is dened implicitly by the given equation.
Take for instance, the equation x 2 + y 2 − 1 = 0. Dene f1 and f2 as follows:
n o
f1 = (x, y ) : y = 1 − x 2
p

and n o
f2 = (x, y ) : y = − 1 − x .
p
2

Observe that
p 2
x 2 + (f1 )2 − 1 = x 2 + 1 − x2 −1=0

and  p 2
2 2 2
x + (f2 ) − 1 = x + − 1 − x 2 − 1 = 0.
Because f1 and f2 satises the given equation, we say that f1 and f2 are
dened implicitly by the given equation.

With the assumption that an equation denes y as at least one dierentiable

function of x , the derivative of y with respect to x can be found by a process
called implicit dierentiation.

We illustrate the process of implicit dierentiation in the next examples.

 Example. Given x 2 + y 2 − 1 = 0, nd dy /dx assuming that y is a
dierentiable function of x .

Solution:
 Example. Given x 2 + y 2 − 1 = 0, nd dy /dx assuming that y is a
dierentiable function of x .

Solution:
dy
2x + 2y · = 0
dx
dy
2y · = −2x
dx
dy x
= − .
dx y
 Example. Given x 3 + 2x 2 y − 3xy 2 + 4y 4 = 0, nd dy /dx assuming that y is
a dierentiable function of x .

Solution:
   
2 2 dy 2 dy dy
3x + 4xy + 2x − 3y + 3x · 2y + 16y 3 = 0
dx dx dx
dy dy dy
3x 2 + 4xy + 2x 2 − 3y 2 − 6xy + 16y 3 = 0
dx dx dx
dy
(2x 2 − 6xy + 16y 3 ) = −3x 2 − 4xy + 3y 2
dx
dy −3x 2 − 4xy + 3y 2
= .
dx 2x 2 − 6xy + 16y 3
 Example. Given sin(x 2 y 3 ) = e x+y , nd y ′ assuming that y is a dierentiable
function of x .

Solution:
cos(x 2 y 3 ) · d(x 2 y 3 ) = e x+y · d(x + y )
cos(x 2 y 3 )(2xy 3 + 3x 2 y 2 y ′ ) = e x+y (1 + y ′ )
2xy 3 cos(x 2 y 3 ) + 3x 2 y 2 cos(x 2 y 3 )y ′ = e x+y + e x+y y ′
[3x 2 y 2 cos(x 2 y 3 ) − e x+y ]y ′ = e x+y − 2xy 3 cos(x 2 y 3 )
e x+y − 2xy 3 cos(x 2 y 3 )
y′ = 2 2
3x y cos(x 2 y 3 ) − e x+y
References

• Protter, M. H. and Protter, P.E.(1988). Calculus with Analytic Geometry (4th Ed.)
Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
• Stewart, James (2015). Calculus (8th Ed). Boston:Cengage Learning.
• https://www.sfu.ca/math −
coursenotes/Math%20157%20Course%20Notes/sec_Slope.html
• Derivative as a concept:Derivatives introduction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2PpRnFqnqY
• Derivatives. What? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ktrtzYVk_I&t=523s
Daghang Salamat sa tanan!