CHAPTER

r3 Differentiati ng Fu nctions
la+ * as? E
in a branch of mathematics called differential
problems invorving rate of change and the gradient of curves are studied
a range of
calculus in which we'll look at how to differentiate
calcutus.This chapter is an intrlduction to differential
algebraic and trigonometric functions'

What I am learning
of the
To l<now that the derivative of a function is a measure
;r rate of change of the function
.,r gradient of the graph of the function
be reduced to expressions involving powers of x
To differentiate algebraic functions which can
To differentiate k sin x and k cos x
chain rule
To differentiate composite functions using the
To solve problems lilce:
rocl<et is given by the equation
A small rocl<et is fired into the air. The motion of the
t seconds'
h(r) = 35, - 312, where h(t) metres is its height after
fina tne speed of the rocl<et after 2 seconds'

What I should knodbe able to do

Find the gradllnt of a straight line
Expand bracl<ets and simPlifY
Express a quotient as a sum of terms
Worl< with indices
Worl< with radians

Quick check!
Find the gradient of the line ioining the
points P ( I -5) and Q (4' 7)'
I '
2 Expand the brackets and simPlifY:
a) (3x +4)(x2-2) b) (2Y-s)'?

Express each quotient as a sum of terms:

xa+3I2-l uy n1+s
'
"1 x' 1n

Find the exact value of:

u) 3,' b) 7;' c) I 20,

d) 8l e)91' f) l6-7

Express 'n a1'l" lePP oXn:

b)* q* d) 4
17
^t* m

Express in the form x'; I I

b) Jt c) 4l x' d)
./x'
i 1[,',
167
 Chapter l3

7 Convert to degrees:
a) nradians b) f radians c).2n3 radrans d) 5tt
6 radians

4
3x3+4x2-6x-8 b) 4y2 -20y +25 03 -l3o -12

x2 +3 - x-r b) ln * ]n''

t
I
b)
I

1 c)l
I
2 e) 27 0e
c) 1x -,
I 4_,
5 a) x-a b) 5x-3 d) 1x'
7 .I
d) y2
I
2
6a) 13 b) ,' c) x-7

7a) I g0' b) 90' c) I 20' d) I 50"

tl | 2., 3 + ,
lntroductory problem ;V^ ^t
1; ?ol- rlo!
A small rocket is fired into the air. The motion of the rocket is given bythe 120
equation h(t1 = 35, - 312, where h(t) metres is its height after t seconds. o
o 80
Find the speed of the rocket after 2 seconds. E
c 40
Ol
'(,
The required speed (i.e. the rate of change of the rocket! height with
=
respect to time travelled) is given by the gradient of the curYe at the 0

pointwheret=2. 02 4 6 B 10 12
Time (seconds)
ln this chapter we will consider how to find the gradient of curves like .v. bA La
this one. r{
-3-
L*.

The gradient of a curve

The gradient of a straight line is the same at all points on the line.
However,the gradient, of a curve depends on where you are on the curve.
For example, the gradient of the curve h(Q = 35, - 3t2 is
O positive at the point (2,60)
O zero at the point (6, 108)
O negative at the point (9, 8 ) I

120
o
o 80
E
s 40
,9
a,
:f
0

t68
 Differentiating Functions

*-,e
gradient (or rate of change) at point P on the curve is defined as the gradient of the tangent
to the curve at the
::.nt P.

80

40

0
o 2 4 6 B ',10 12
Time (seconds)

,e is diffict{t to occurately draw the tange[it to a curye and therefore to meosure the gradient 9f a curve at a Particular
:oint.

Calculating the gradient of a curve

ine method described below can be used to colculate the gradient, of a curve at a Particular point.
f F is a point on rhe curve y = f(x), and Q is another point on the curve near to B then the gradient of the chgrd PQ
rres an approximation for the gradient of the tangent to the curYe at the point P

Y = f(x)

?*-2' 44^)r'
(
, lf3.
rE_xAr

ai Q moves nearer to fl to points Q,, Qr, Q, , then the gradient of the chords.PQ,, PQ, PQr, glve better and better
say
curve at P
uproximations for the grajient of the tangent ai P and therefore the gradient of the

' -.d the gradient of the curve f(*) = *' atthe point P (3,9)'

-:c Q be the point (3'5,3'5'?),Q,(3'1,3'l),Qr(3'01,3'012)and Q,(3'001,3'001)'

- -enmpQ= 3.52-9 = 3.25 , t spAL= -1-E--3-t
3.5_3 0.5 =o.) \l x q,- x?
3'12-9 = 0.61
mrq=:!-i _ 1t
=o'l
oJ

',.,=t?H =%9ffl =6 or

,,0,=tffiH=qffi=6'oor
4s Q moves nearer to P (3,9), the gradient of the chord gets nearer and nearer to 6.

lhe gradient of the tangent and therefore the gradient of the curve flx) = P at the point (3' 9) is 6'

t69
 I a) Find the gradient of the curve fV) = *' at the point:
(i) ( r, r) (ii) (2,4) (iii) (4, 16) (iv) (s,2s)
b) Use your ans\ryers to (a) to write down an expression for the gradient of the curve (x) = x2 at the
point P(x, y).
2 a) ofthe curve (x) = x' at the point
Find the gradient
(i) (1, l) (ii) (2, 8) (iii) (3, 27) (iv) (a, 6a) (v) (s, l2s)
b) Use your answers to (a) to write down an expression for the gradient of the curve f(x) = x3 at the
point P(x, y).
3 a) Find the gradient of the curve f(*) = I at the point:
(i) (r, r) (ii) (2, 16) (iii) (3,8 r ) (iv) (4,2s6) (v) (s,62s)
b) Use your answers to (a) to write down an expression for the gradient of the curve f(x) = xo at the
point P(x, y).
4 Complete the table below using the results to questions 1,2 and 3.

f(x) x*x3x4xsx'
Gradient of fG) at the point (x, y)

The gradient function

Q (k+h), f(x+h))
The gradient of f(x) at P = the gradient of PQ as Q -+ P

=)^-itff##
Q*7? x+h -x
="&1,ft!F9
The gradient function is denoted by f'(x), where f(x) =
I'g.&#@
The answers to the questions in Exercise I3.l suggest that the gradient
function for the curve f(x) = x'
is f(x)= nx'-t.

Use the formula ftrl= lg&?4 to prove that if f(x)= x2 then (x) = ]y.

SOLUTION

rt,.)=l$&*+
.. k+h\2-x2
=l,'g---;-
x2+Zxh+h2- x2
= lim
h+0

,.2xh+h2
=lll'fl-
h+0 h

=lim2x*h
h+0

_ZA

t70
 t \ R&C
L
Differentiating Functions

Use the formula t r, =

I'jr&*fl to prove that:

I lf f(x) = 5x2 then f(x) = 0x. I

2 lf f(x) = x then f(x) = l.

3 lf f(x)=4Y then f(x)=4'
+ tt f(x)=x3 rhen f'(x)-*3x2.-+ Hint (x+h)a = x3 +3x2h+3xh2+h3
5 lf (x) = l1r then f(x) = (;12.
f
6 lf f(x)= xo then f(x) =4x3.4 Hint (x + h)a - Y+ 1' 4Ys1, + 6x2hz + 4xha + h4
_t
z rr f(x)=* th"n f(r)= *-.
_)
g rr (r)= r+ tt'"n f(r) = t'.

The derivative of f(x)

The gradient function, flx), derivative of f(x).
is called the

The process of deriving f(x) from f(x) is called differentiation.

Using the formula flrl = lgft*fl to derive f'(x) from f(x) is called differentiating from first principles'

Differentiating functions from first principles can be time-consuming and cumbersome, so we will use certain rules for
differentiating without proof.

The derivative of f(x) = oxn

tf f(x) = ox' then f'(x)= onxn-t, where o is a constant and n is.a whole number.

Find the derivative of each of the following functions.

a) (x) = xe b) g(x) = 4xs

,LUTION
'f\ f(x)=9xg b) g/(x) = lQ2r+

Find the derivative of each of the following functions:

I f(x) = x6 2 g(x) = lzo V(x) = v r(s) = I

5 h(x)=2sat 6 r(x) = -3ru C(n) = 4n s(u) = 5

e f@)= lt lo s(0 = 3,'o il A(x) =

\x6 t2 P(o) =
fio8

t7t
 Chapter I 3

The value of f'(x) when x = o is denoted by f(o).

The value f(o) is a measure of:

O the rate of change of f(x) at x = o

O the gradient of the curve y = f(x) at the point (o, f(o))
O the gradient of the tangent to the curve y = f(x) at the point (o, f(o)).

For 2t3, find the value of:

.f(t)=
a, f(4) b) the derivative of f at t=5
c) thegradient of f at t=-2 d) the rate of change of f at t =
SOLUTION
f(t) = 6t' = a) f'(4)=6x42=.96 b) F(5)=6x52=150
c) f'(-2) = 6x (-2)2 = 24 o) r'(+)=r"(*)'=3

I For f(x)= xo, find the value of:

a) the derivative of f at x = 2 b) f(3)
I
c) the gradient of f at x = -l d) the rate of change of f at x = 1
2 Find the rate of change of s(t) = ts at t = 2.

3 .
Find the gradient of the tangent to the curve g(x) = 4x3 ar the o"'* (i, *).
4 Find ihe gradient of the curve A(x) =
{x'l at the point (-6,1 2). AB
5 lf C(n) = n3, find two possible values for o given that C(o) = 75 .@
've f(x) = utwhich the gradient is 16. ACE
lxo ,

7 Prove that ihe gradient of the curve f(x) = 3xu is never negative. AcE .

The derivative of a sum or product of terms

O lf f(x)= g(x)+h(x)+... then f(x)= y'(x)+ h'(x)+....
O To find the derivative of a product of terms, first bxpress it as a sum of terms and then differentiate term by term.

177
 a

Differentiating Functions

Find the derivative of each of the following functions:

a) f(x) =2xs -3xa +7x-2 g(t)=(t+3)(2t-l)

f'(x) =loxa -12x3 +7 B(t) = 2t2+ 5t- 3 =r d(t) = 4t+ S

Find the derivative of each of the following functionsl

I (x) = xa -2x3 + 4x2 - 5x +3 2 s(x) =t +sx-?x3

3 h(x)=(3x-2)Q+a) 4 f(t)=(t-r)(s-0
5 S(n) = (n + 6)2 6 A(r) = (2r - 3)2

7 Y(t) = 7t(2- t) m(x) = (x2 + 4)(2x + I )

.8.

i e f(p)=1p+t)(p+3)(p+s) l0 S(d)=(d+2)3
i tl Cir"nthat P(x)=(x-l)(x3+l),nna f(Z).
:
: I 2 Find the gradient of the curve (x) = 3x(x + ) at the point (-2, 6).
I
,:
i I f fina rhe rate of change ol V(h)= h( | - h\2 at h =3. :
1 f n n small rocl<et is fired into the air. The motion of the rocket is given by the equation oii -.,. :
o -" -/ -"- -r---'-"
,L^-^ h(t)
h(t) = 36t - 3t2, where hl+\ metres ia
is ;+-
its l^^;-L+ :
: height afrer -^^^^t^-
^t.^- r' seconds.
! Find the speed of the rocket after 2 seconds. !
! lS fina thegradientofthetangentro the curve g(x)=(x-l)3 atthe point (0,-l). i
! 16Doesthecurve g(x)=2x(5-x) slopeupordownatthepoint (3,12)?Explainyour.answer. ACE-1 i
::
i lZ tf (x) = x'+ 2x find two possible values for o given that f(o) = !Q . ace t. !
: 18 Find the coordinates of the point on the curve f(x) = 5x'- 3x at which the gradient, is 7. i i

i ::::::::::::::::::::'::::::::::i:::::::::1 ll :::::::T::::::l::i: i

Differentiating functions involving rational powers of x

The rule for differentiating f(x) =:ox' also applies when n is a rational number.
That is, f(x)= ax'=f'(x)= onXn-t,where o is a cohstant and n is a rationai number.

Find the derivative of each of the following functions;

4 3
a) f(x) =2x-s g(x) ='1: v(t) = $14

4! 4xj ?l
r'(t)=6xit-z=6t-t
I

f(x)=2x-5x-6--lox-6 {(*) =
3^ - 3

t73
t-

4 i

6 f(o) = 7 A(h) = Yt 8 C(n) = laa

+of

0 Reminders 1_u_,
xn-n
\f x- = yn
4

the derivative of each of the following functions:

f-lina
Y q s$)=*
-t/l
b) t(x)=ff c) f(t) = {t rr) P(n)=+
vn-

g(x)= x-a
= g'(x) = -4x-s = -* f(x) =
4
21: + f'(x)=tri=+
t .,,\ 5-l ,=- 5
c) f(t)=1* - f'(t)=Iri =
*=# P(n)= n z + I(n)=-1n
rrtr=-ffi
5

Find the derivative of each of the following functions,

I flr)=* z g(r)=* 3 h(x)={lae 4 f(t) = JF

5 m(n) = {P: 6 g(t) = vG 7 c@)=+
<lu'
I ,@=#
I
9 Given ttrat f(x) = | , nna f(z). hodi
l0 Find the gradient of the curve f(r) = JF at the point (4, 8).,Ftr!!\
i , t f,no the gradient of the tangent to the curve f(x) = I *" n.i". (S, j).
".
! lz rinathe rateofchange of h(t) =fr
^r*=+.
ti a.

Jvt
u,
J
)
(,
E Find the derivative of each of the following functions:
U
i f@)=+ b)

c) g(s) = .fs(s - G) d)

174
 Differentiating Functions

SOLUTION

a) =lF, = 2., 2
-1P '= -3tr
f(p)

t4
b) h(t)=ft-+t-l =r ff(t)=,l++t-'=l*1
5',r
E ' +2

l13
c) g(s)=57(s-52)=52-s + g/(s)=
|,*-r=$-'
d) C(n) =2n2+l-*= 2n2+l-n-2 I C(n)=4n+2n-3=ar*fi

Find the derivative of each of the following functions:

I h(0=?h 2 f(p)=f
A
3 g(,)=* a h(x)=2Jxs

s r(s)=6vF 6 v(fi=7J* 7 qtr)= l0 8 m(o)=# ,

.Jr

t h(t)=lt'+f l0 r(u) =2Jrt -* il t(x)= eV7+f l2 u(t) = 7^lt1Z+ t)

r2
I3 v(u)= (Ju - 3) tq f(x)=(,.1)(,.i)

rs h(c)=(**r.)' ,6 c0)=[.F.#)(#
')
The derivative of a rational function
lf f(x) = tn"n rearrange f(x) into a sum of terms and differentiate term by term'
ffi

Find the derivative of each of the following functions:

a) I(x)
x3+4x-l b) c(0 =T
SOLUTION
I

a) f(x) =X*+-+=x2+4-x-r = f'(x) = 2x + x-2 - 2x-t ,

b) g(t) =+-t= r,i-,-* {G)={+*lr-tr =+.+=++--l:

-L'4 = E\L)-L'T'/
t2 t2 21 ztl vt NF

t75