HIGHER ORDER DERIVATIVES

𝑑𝑦
The derivative 𝑦 ′ = 𝑑𝑥 is the first (first-order) derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥. This
derivative may itself be a differentiable function of 𝑥; if so, its derivative
𝑑𝑦′ 𝑑 𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
𝑦 ′′ = 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = = ( )= 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
is called the second (second-order) derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥.
If 𝑓′′(𝑥) is differentiable, its derivative,
𝑑𝑦′′ 𝑑 𝑑2𝑦 𝑑3𝑦
𝑦 ′′′ = 𝑓 ′′′ (𝑥) = = ( 2) = 3
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

is the third (third-order) derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥.

The names continue as you imagine, with

𝑑𝑦 (𝑛−1) 𝑑 𝑑 (𝑛−1) 𝑦 𝑑𝑛 𝑦
𝑦 (𝑛) = 𝑓 (𝑛) (𝑥) = = ( (𝑛−1) ) = 𝑛
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

denoting the 𝑛 th (𝑛 th-order) derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥 for any positive integer 𝑛.

Example: Find 𝑦 (𝑛) if 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 .

Solution: 𝑦 ′ = 3𝑥 2
𝑦 ′′ = (3𝑥 2 )′ = 6𝑥
𝑦 ′′′ = (6𝑥)′ = 6
𝑦 (4) = (6)′ = 0

𝑦 (5) = (0)′ = 0
For 𝑛 > 4, 𝑦 (𝑛) = 0
𝑑4 𝑦
Example: Find if 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥.
𝑑𝑥 4
𝑑𝑦
Solution: 𝑑𝑥 = 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 . 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑥

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑 𝑑𝑦 𝑑
= 𝑑𝑥 (𝑑𝑥 ) = 𝑑𝑥 (𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑥) = 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑3 𝑦 𝑑 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑
= 𝑑𝑥 (𝑑𝑥 2 ) = 𝑑𝑥 (2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑥) = −4 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥 3

𝑑4 𝑦 𝑑 𝑑3 𝑦 𝑑
= 𝑑𝑥 (𝑑𝑥 3 ) = 𝑑𝑥 (−4 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑥) = −8 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥 4
 1
Example: Find 𝑓 (4) (𝑥) if 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1 − 𝑥

Solution:
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 −2
𝑑
𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 𝑑𝑥 (3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 −2 ) = 6𝑥 − 2 − 2𝑥 −3
𝑑
𝑓 ′′′ (𝑥) = 𝑑𝑥 (6𝑥 − 2 − 2𝑥 −3 ) = 6 + 6𝑥 −4
𝑑
𝑓 (4) (𝑥) = 𝑑𝑥 (6 + 6𝑥 −4 ) = −24𝑥 −5

Definition: 𝑛! (called 𝑛 factorial) is defined as follows:

0! = 1
1! = 0! .1 = 1.1 = 1
2! = 1! .2 = 1.2 = 2
3! = 2! .3 = 2.3 = 6
4! = 3! .4 = 3.2.1.4 = 24
⋮
𝑛! = (𝑛 − 1)!. 𝑛 = 1.2.3 … (𝑛 − 1). 𝑛
Example: Find the 𝑛th derivative, 𝑦 (𝑛) , of 𝑦 = (1 + 𝑥)−1 .
Solution:
𝑦 ′ = −1. (1 + 𝑥)−2 = −1!. (1 + 𝑥)−2
𝑦 ′′ = (−1). (−2). (1 + 𝑥)−3 = 2!. (1 + 𝑥)−3
𝑦 ′′′ = 2. (−3). (1 + 𝑥)−4 = −6(1 + 𝑥)−4 = −3!. (1 + 𝑥)−4
𝑦 (4) = −3!. (−4). (1 + 𝑥)−5 = 4!. (1 + 𝑥)−5
The pattern here is becoming obvious. It seems that
𝑦 (𝑛) = (−1)𝑛 . 𝑛!. (1 + 𝑥)−𝑛−1