Module 3

THE DERIVATIVE

Differential and Integral Calculus

OBJECTIVES:
• to define the derivative of a function
• to find the derivative of a function by
increment method(4-step rule)

Differential and Integral Calculus

 Derivative of a Function

The process of finding the derivative of a function

is called differentiation and the branch of calculus
that deals with this process is called differential
calculus. Differentiation is an important
mathematical tool in physics, mechanics,
economics and many other disciplines that involve
change and motion.

Differential and Integral Calculus

Consider a point Q( x2 , f ( x2 )) on the curve y = f (x),
that is distinct from P( x1, f ( x1 )), and compute the
slope mPQ of the secant line through P and Q.

f ( x2 ) − f ( x1 )
mPQ = where x = x2 − x1
x
and x2 = x1 + x

f ( x1 + x) − f ( x1 )
mPQ =
x

Differential and Integral Calculus

If we let x 2 approach x1 , then the point Q will
move along the curve and approach point P. As
point Q approaches P, the value of x approaches
zero and the secant line through P and Q
approaches a limiting position, then we will
consider that position to be the position of the
tangent line at P.

Differential and Integral Calculus

 y
tangent line

P( x1 , f ( x1 )) Q( x2 , f ( x2 ))
secant line

y y = f (x)

x = x 2 − x1
x 2 = x1 + x

Differential and Integral Calculus

Thus we make the following definition
DEFINITION:
Suppose that x1is in the domain of the function f,
the tangent line to the curve y = f (x) at the point
P( x1 , f ( x1 )) is the line with equation
y − f ( x1 ) = m( x − x1 )
f ( x1 + x ) − f ( x1 )
where m = lim provided the limit
x →0 x
exists, and P( x1 , f ( x1 )) is the point of tangency.

Differential and Integral Calculus

DEFINITION
The derivative of y = f (x) at point P on the curve is
equal to the slope of the tangent line at P, thus the
derivative of the function f given by y = f (x) with
respect to x at any x in its domain is defined as:
dy y f ( x + x) − f ( x)
= lim = lim
dx x →0 x x→0 x

provided the limit exists.

Differential and Integral Calculus

Other notations for the derivative of a function are:
d
Dx y, Dx f ( x), y' , f ' , f ' ( x), and f ( x)
dx
Note:
To find the slope of the tangent line to the curve at point P
means that we are to find the value of the derivative at that
point P.

There are two ways of finding the derivative of a function:

1. By using the increment method or the four-step rule
2. By using the differentiation formulas

Differential and Integral Calculus

THE INCREMENT METHOD OR THE FOUR-STEP RULE
One method of determining the derivative of a
function is the increment method or more commonly
known as the four-step rule.
The procedure is as follows :

STEP 1: Substitute x + x for x and

y + y for y in y = f (x)

STEP 2: Subtract y=f(x) from the result of step 1 to

obtain y in terms of x and x.

Differential and Integral Calculus

STEP 3: Divide both sides of step 2 by x.

STEP 4: Find the limit of step 3 as x approaches 0.

Differential and Integral Calculus

EXAMPLE
dy
1. Find u sin g the four − step rule given y = 1 − x 2
dx
1. 𝑦 + 𝛥𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥 + 𝛥𝑥 2
2. 𝑦 + 𝛥𝑦 − 𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥 + 𝛥𝑥 2 −𝑦
2
2
𝛥𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥 − 2𝑥𝛥𝑥 − 𝛥𝑥 − 𝑦
2
𝛥𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥 − 2𝑥𝛥𝑥 − 𝛥𝑥 − 1 − 𝑥 2
2
2
𝛥𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥 − 2𝑥𝛥𝑥 − 𝛥𝑥 − 1 + 𝑥 2
2
2
𝛥𝑦 = −2𝑥𝛥𝑥 − 𝛥𝑥
𝛥𝑦 𝛥𝑥 −2𝑥 − 𝛥𝑥
3. =
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑥
𝛥𝑦
4. 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 −2𝑥 − 𝛥𝑥
𝛥𝑥→0 𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑥→0
𝑑𝑦
= −2𝑥
𝑑𝑥

Differential and Integral Calculus

 dy 2x − 1
2. Find u sin g the four − step rule given y =
dx 1 + 2x
2( x + x ) − 1
1. y + y =
1 + 2( x + x )
2( x + x ) − 1 2 x − 1
2. y = −
1 + 2( x + x ) 1 + 2 x

=
(2 x + 2x − 1)(1 + 2 x ) − (2 x − 1)(1 + 2 x + 2x )
(1 + 2 x + 2x )(1 + 2 x ))
2 x + 2x − 1 + 4 x 2 + 4 xx − 2 x − 2 x − 4 x 2 − 4 xx + 1 + 2 x + 2x
=
(1 + 2 x + 2x )(1 + 2 x ))
y 4 x
3. =
x x( 1 + 2 x + 2x )( 1 + 2 x )
y 4
4. lim = lim
x →0 x x →0 ( 1 + 2 x + 2x )( 1 + 2 x )

dy 4
=
x) 2 and Integral Calculus
dx (1 + 2Differential
 dy
3. Find u sin g the four − step rule given y = x − 1 when x = 10
dx
1. y + y = x + x − 1 4. lim
y
= lim
1
x →0 x x →0 x + x − 1 + x − 1
2. y = x + x − 1 − x − 1 dy 1
=
dx 2 x − 1
3. y x + x − 1 − x − 1
=
x x
y x + x − 1 − x − 1 x + x − 1 + x − 1 when x =10,
= 
x x x + x − 1 + x − 1
dy 1 1 1
y
=
x + x − 1 − x + 1 = = =
dx 2 10 − 1 2( 3 ) 6
(
x x x + x − 1 + x − 1 )
y x
=
x x ( x + x − 1 + x − 1 )
y 1
=
x x + x − 1 + x − 1
Differential and Integral Calculus
 Module 5
DIFFERENTIATION RULES FOR
ALGEBRAIC FUNCTIONS

Differential And Integral Calculus

OBJECTIVES:
•to identify the different rules of differentiation
and distinguish one from the other;
•prove the different rules of differentiation
using the increment method;
•find the derivative of an algebraic function
using the basic rules of differentiation; and
•extend these basic rules to other “complex”
algebraic functions.

Differential and Integral Calculus

The increment-method (four-step rule) of finding the
derivative of a function gives us the basic procedures of
differentiation. However these rules are laborious and
tedious when the functions to be differentiated are
“complex”, that is, functions with large exponents, functions
with fractional exponents and other rational functions

Differential and Integral Calculus

Understanding of the theorems of differentiation is
very important. This is the heart of differential
calculus. All of the succeeding topics such as
applications of derivatives, differentiation of
transcendental functions etc. Will be dependent on
these theorems. Understanding of these theorems
will enable us to calculate derivatives more efficiently
and will make calculus easy and enjoyable.

Differential and Integral Calculus

 DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS

Derivative of a Constant

Theorem (Constant Rule): The derivative of a

constant function
is 0; that is, if c is any real number, then
d
[c] = 0
dx

Differential and Integral Calculus

Example : Differenti ate the following functions
3
1.y = 5 3. f(x) = -
4
y' = 0 f' (x) = 0

2. y = − 25 4. h(x) = log 3 4
dy
=0 h' (x) = 0
dx

Differential and Integral Calculus

Derivatives of Power Functions
Theorem ( Power Rule) : If n is a positive integer,
then
d n n −1
[ x ] = nx
dx
In words, to differentiate a power function,
decrease the constant exponent by one and
multiply the resulting power function by
the original exponent .

Differential and Integral Calculus

Example : Differenti ate the following functions
1. y = x 4 3. f(x) = x −8
4 −1 − 8 −1
y' = 4 x f' (x) = -8 x
−9 −8
y' = 4 x 3
f' (x) = -8 x = 9
x
6
2. y = x 7
4. F(x) = x log3 4
6
dy 6 7 −1
F' (x) = ( log 3 4 )(x )
 log3 4 −1
= x
dx 7
6 7 1
dy 6 − 6 − 6 7 x6 6
= x 7 7
= x 7
= 7 =
dx 7 7 7 x 7x
Differential and Integral Calculus
Derivative of a Constant Times a Function
Theorem (Constant Multiple Rule) : If 𝑓 is a
differentiable function at x and c is any real
number, then cf is also differentiable at x and
d d
cf ( x) = c  f ( x)
dx dx
In words, the derivative of a constant times a
function is the constant times the derivative
of the function, if this derivative exists.
Differential and Integral Calculus
Proof:
d cf ( x + x) − cf ( x)
cf ( x) = lim
dx x →0 x
 f ( x + x) − f ( x) 
= lim c  
x →0
 x
f ( x + x) − f ( x)
= c lim
x →0 x
d
= c  f (x)
dx

Differential and Integral Calculus

Example : Differentiate the following functions
1. y = 5 x 8 3. f(x) = −9 x −4
y' = (5 )(8 )x 7
f' (x) = (− 9 )(- 4 )x
− 4 −1

−5 36
y' = 40 x7 f' (x) = 36 x = 5
x
2
4 3
2. y = −5 x 5
4. F(r) = r
3
2
dy 2 5 −1 4 
= (− 5 ) x F' (r) =   (3)(r )
2

dx 5 3 
2 5 3
dy − − − 2 − 2 5
x 2
= −2 x 5 5 = −2 x 5 = =
dx 5
x3 x
Differential and Integral Calculus
Derivatives of Sums or Differences
Theorem (Sum or Difference Rule): If f and g are
both differentiable functions at x, then so are
f + g , and f − g
then, d d d
( f  g ) = ( f )  (g ) or
dx dx dx
d  d d 
 f ( x)  g ( x) =  f ( x)  g ( x)
dx  dx dx 
In words, the derivative of a sum or of a
difference equals the sum or difference of
their derivatives, if these derivatives exist.
Differential and Integral Calculus
Proof:

d [ f ( x + x)  g ( x + x) − [ f ( x)  g ( x)]

[ f ( x)  g ( x)] = lim
dx x →0 x
[ f ( x + x) − f ( x)]  [ g ( x + x) − g ( x)]
= lim
x →0 x
f ( x + x) − f ( x) g ( x + x) − g ( x)
= lim  lim
x →0 x x→0 x
d d
= [ f ( x)]  [ g ( x)]
dx dx

Differential and Integral Calculus

Example : Differentiate the following functions
1. y = 5 x 4 + 6 x 2 − 4x + 7 3. f(x) = 2 x −4 + 9 x − 4
y' = 20 x 3 + 12 x − 4 f' (x) = −8 x −5 + 9

(
y' = 4 5x3 + 3 x − 1 ) -8
f' (x) = 5 + 9
x

3
4 3
−4
2. y = −6 x − 2 x − 4x − 5 x + 9
2 2
4. F(r) = r + r −2

3
1
dy 15 4 
F' (r) = - 2r +   (3)(r )
2
= 24 x −5 - 4x - 4 - x 2 -3

dx 2 3 
dy 24 15 21 4 
F' (r) = 6r +   (3)(r )
2
= 5 - 4x - 4 - x -4

dx x 2 3 
6
F' (r) = 4 4r 2
x
Differential and Integral Calculus
Derivative of a Product
Theorem (The Product Rule): If f and g are both
differentiable functions at x, then so is the
product f  g , and
d dg df or
( f  g) = f + g
d dx dx d dx d
 f ( x)  g ( x) = f ( x) [ g ( x)] + g ( x)  f ( x)
dx dx dx
In words the derivative of a product of two
functions is the first function times the derivative
of the second plus the second function times the
derivative of the first, if these derivatives exist.
Differential and Integral Calculus
 Proof:
d f ( x + x)  g ( x + x) − f ( x)  g ( x)
[ f ( x)  g ( x)] = lim
dx x→0 x
f ( x + x)  g ( x + x) − f ( x + x)  g ( x) + f ( x + x)  g ( x) − f ( x)  g ( x)]
= lim
x→0 x
 g ( x + x) − g ( x) f ( x + x) − f ( x) 
= lim  f ( x + x)  + g ( x)  
x →0
 x x

g ( x + x) − g ( x) f ( x + x) − f ( x)
= lim f ( x + x)  lim + lim g ( x)  lim
x→0 x→0 x x→0 x→0 x


= lim f ( x + x
x →0
d
dx

g ( x) + lim
x →0
g ( x)
d
dx

 f ( x)  
Differential and Integral Calculus
Example : Differentiate the following functions and simplify .
(
1. y = (3 x + 4 ) 4 x 2 − 3 )
y' = (3 x + 4 )(8 x ) + (4 x 2
− 3 (3) )
y' = 24x2 + 32x + 12x2 - 9
y' = 36x2 + 32x - 9

( )
2. y = x 3 − 1 (5 - 2x)
y' = (x 3
− 1)(- 2 ) + (5 - 2x)(3x ) 2

y' = -2x3 + 2 + 15x2 - 6x3

y' = -8x3 + 15x2 + 2

Differential and Integral Calculus

3. y = (2 − x 3 )(− 10 x + 5 )
y' = (2 − x 3 )(− 10) + (− 10 x + 5 )(− 3 x 2 )
y' = -20 + 10 x 3 + 30 x 3 − 15 x 2
y' = 40 x 3 − 15 x 2 - 20
y' = 5(8x3 − 3 x 2 − 4 )

Differential and Integral Calculus

Derivative of a Quotient
Theorem (The Quotient Rule): If f and g are both
differentiable functions at x, and if g ( x)  0,
then f is differentiable at x and
g
df dg
g −f
d f
  = dx 2 dx or
dx  g  g
d d
g ( x)  f ( x) − f ( x) g ( x)
d  f ( x)  dx dx
=
dx  g ( x)  g ( x)2

Differential and Integral Calculus

In words, the derivative of a quotient of two
functions is the fraction whose numerator is
the denominator times the derivative of the
numerator minus the numerator times the
derivative of the denominator and whose
denominator is the square of the given
denominator
Note:
The proof is left for the students .

Differential and Integral Calculus

Example : Differenti ate the following functions and simplify .
4 x2 − 3
1. y =
1 − 2x

y' =
( ( )
1 − 2 x )(8 x ) − 4 x 2 − 3 (− 2 )
(1 − 2 x )2
8 x − 16 x 2 + 8 x 2 − 6
y' =
(1 − 2 x )2

− 8 x2 + 8 x − 6
y' =
(1 − 2 x )2

y' =
(
2 − 4 x2 + 4 x − 3 )
(1 − 2 x )2
Differential and Integral Calculus
Derivatives of Composition
Theorem (The Chain Rule): If g is differentiable at
x and if f is differentiable at x, then the
composition g (x) is differentiable at x.
Moreover, if y = f ( g ( x)) u = g (x) and y = f (u)
dy dy du
then f  g and = 
dx du dx
or
du ( )
= nu
n
n −1 du

dx dx
Differential and Integral Calculus
Example : Differentiate the following functions and simplify .
(
1. y = 3x − 10 x + 15
2
) 5

(
y' = 5 3x − 10 x + 15 (6x - 10)
2
)
4

3
 5 
2. G(x) =  
 x -1
2
 5   5   125 
G' (x) = 3   −  = −3
2 

4 
 x -1  (x − 1)   (x − 1) 
3. y = (3x + 1)(4 x − 5 )
4

y = 4(3x + 1)(4 x − 5 ) (3x + 1)(4 ) + (4 x − 5 )(3)

3

y = 4(3x + 1)(4 x − 5 ) (12x + 4 + 12x - 15)

3

y = 4(24x - 11) (3x + 1)(4 x − 5 )

3

Differential and Integral Calculus

Derivative of a Radical with index equal to 2

If u is a differentiable function of x, then

du
d
( )
dx
u = dx
2 u
The derivative of a radical whose index is two,
is a fraction whose numerator is the derivative
of the radicand, and whose denominator is
twice the given radical, if the derivative exists.
Differential and Integral Calculus
Derivative of a Radical with index other than 2
If n is any positive integer and u is a differentiable
function of x, then
d  1
 1
1 n −1 du
u  =  u 
n
dx   n dx
The derivative of the nth root of a given
function is the exponent multiplied by the
product of u whose power is diminished by
one and the derivative of u, if this derivative
exists.
Differential and Integral Calculus
Differenti ate the following and simplify .
1. H (x ) = 3 x − 5
3 3x − 5 3 3x − 5
H' (x ) = • =
2 3x − 5 3 x − 5 2(3 x − 5 )

2. y = 5 (2 x − 4 )( x − 5 )
1
y = ((2 x − 4 )( x − 5 )) 5

1 1
y' = ((2 x − 4 )(x − 5 ))5 ((2 x − 4 )(1) + ( x − 5 )(2 ))
−1

5
1 4
y' = ((2 x − 4 )(x − 5 )) 5 (2 x − 4 + 2 x − 10)
−

5
1 4
y' = ((2 x − 4 )(x − 5 )) 5 (4 x − 14)
−

5 Differential and Integral Calculus

 1 4
y' = ((2 x − 4 )(x − 5 )) 5 (2 x − 4 + 2 x − 10)
−

5
1 4
y' = ((2 x − 4 )(x − 5 )) 5 (4 x − 14)
−

5
2(2 x − 7 )
y' = 4
5((2 x − 4 )(x − 5 )) 5

Differential and Integral Calculus

SLOPE OF A CURVE, TANGENT,
AND NORMAL LINE
CALCULUS 1 - DERIVATIVES
OBJECTIVES
• determine the slope of a curve and the derivative of a function at a
specified point
• determine the equations of tangent and normal lines
RECALL:
• The derivative of ! = #(%) at point P on the curve is equal to the
slope of the tangent line at P, thus the derivative of the function given
by ! = #(%)

'! ∆! # % + ∆% − #(%)
= lim = lim
'% ∆"→$ ∆% ∆"→$ ∆%
provided the limit exists.
• To find the equation of a line you need a point and a slope.
• The slope of the tangent line is the value of the derivative at the point
of tangency.
• The normal line is a line that is perpendicular to the tangent line and
passes through the point of tangency.
• Because the slopes of perpendicular lines (neither of which is vertical)
are negative reciprocals of one another, the slope of the normal line
to the graph of f(x) is −1/f(x)
EXAMPLES
• Find the slope of the curve ! = 3% % − 2% + 1 at (-1,6)
"&'
• At what points do the curve ! = "(' (% ≠ 1) have a slope of 2?
• Find the equation of the tangent line and normal line to the curve
! = 4% % − 2% + 1 at (-2,21)
)
• What is the equation of the tangent line and normal line to ! = −
"
at (4,-4)?
• Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve ! = 2% % + 3 that is
parallel to the line 8x − ! + 3 = 0
PARAMETRIC DIFFERENTIATION
• If ! = #(9) and % = :(9) then:
!"
!" !%
=
!# !#
!%
!" $% &
= ; &’(%) ≠ 0
!# '% &
EXAMPLES
1. Suppose # = 3- ( − 2- + 5 and " = 4- − 2, find dy/dx
2. # = 2- ( − 5- − 1 and " = - ) − 3- ( + 5- − 1, find dy/dx