Saint Paul University Surigao Calculus 1 Professor: Dr. Jenny C.

Cano

MODULE 3
THE DERIVATIVE OF FUNCTIONS
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 Use the 3-step rule of differentiation in finding the derivative of a function.

 Differentiate algebraic and transcendental functions.
 Find the derivative of a function using the rules on differentiation.
 Apply the Chain rule in finding derivatives of rational and power functions.
 Solve higher-order derivatives.
 Find derivatives using implicit differentiation.
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION

The derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) at 𝑥 is defined by the formula

′
𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓 𝑥 = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
provided that the limit exists.
Note:
𝑑𝑦
➢ 𝑓′ 𝑥 = 𝑦′ = 𝑑𝑥
➢ The process of obtaining the derivative of a function is called differentiation.
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION

The derivative of 𝑓 may be obtained using a method called 3-step rule.

′ 𝑓 𝑥+ℎ −𝑓(𝑥)
Suppose 𝑓 𝑥 = lim . We may follow the following steps:
ℎ→0 ℎ

Step 1. Find the expression ∆𝑓 = 𝑓 𝑥 + ℎ − 𝑓 𝑥 .

∆𝑓
Step 2. Simplify the expression .
ℎ
∆𝑓
Step 3. Evaluate lim .
ℎ→0 ℎ

Example: Find the derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 = 4𝑥 2 using the 3-step rule.

 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

DERIVATIVE OF A FUNCTION
Example: Find the derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 = 4𝑥 2 using the 3-step rule.

∆𝑓
Step 1. Find ∆𝑓. Step 3. Evaluate lim .
ℎ→0 ℎ
∆𝑓 = 𝑓 𝑥 + ℎ − 𝑓 𝑥 ∆𝑓
lim = lim (8𝑥 + 4ℎ) = 8𝑥.
= 4(𝑥 + ℎ)2 −4𝑥 2 ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0

= 4 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥ℎ + ℎ2 − 4𝑥 2
= 8𝑥ℎ + 4ℎ2 Therefore,
∆𝑓 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 8𝑥.
Step 2. Find .
ℎ
∆𝑓 8𝑥ℎ+4ℎ2 ℎ(8𝑥+4ℎ)
= = = 8𝑥 + 4ℎ
ℎ ℎ ℎ
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

Note this always: ∆𝑓 = 𝑓 𝑥 + ℎ − 𝑓 𝑥

Practice:
➢ If 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 3, then 𝑓 𝑥 + ℎ = 2 𝑥 + ℎ + 3.

➢ If 𝑓 𝑥 = (𝑥 2 − 4𝑥)3 , then 𝑓 𝑥 + ℎ = [ 𝑥 + ℎ 2 − 4 𝑥 + ℎ ]3 .
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

ALGEBRAIC VS. TRANSCENDENTAL

FUNCTIONS

Algebraic function is a function of the form 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 or 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0 which can be

constructed using only a finite number of elementary operations together with
the inverses of functions capable of being so constructed. Polynomial, rational or radical
functions are examples of algebraic functions.

Functions which are not algebraic functions are called transcendental functions. Examples
are trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions.

𝑓 𝑥 = arcsin 𝑥
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

BASIC RULES ON DIFFERENTIATION

Examples: Find the derivative of the following functions.
1.) 𝑓 𝑥 = 4𝑥 3 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 4 ∙ 3𝑥 3−1 = 12𝑥 2

2.) 𝑓 𝑥 = 5𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 6 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 20𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 + 7
3.) 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 5 2𝑥 2 + 1
2𝑥+3
4.) 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−1

𝑥+3
5.) 𝑓 𝑥 =
2𝑥−1
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

EXERCISE

1.) Find the derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 using the 3-step rule.

2.) Find the derivative of:
8 5 2 3
(a) 𝑓 𝑥 = 5𝑥 − 6𝑥 − 𝑥 + 4𝑥 2 − 10
3
(b) 𝑓 𝑥 = (2𝑥 3 + 5)(𝑥 − 𝑥) 2

3𝑥+2𝑥 2
(c) 𝑓 𝑥 = 2−3𝑥
4
(d) 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 3
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

HIGHER ORDER DERIVATIVES

Find the following derivatives:

(1) 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 of 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 4 − 7𝑥 − 6 First, solve the
derivative. Then, solve the
first

second derivative using the

result of the first derivative.

(2) 𝑓 ′′′ 𝑥 of 𝑓(𝑥) = (3𝑥 2 + 2)2 First, solve the first

derivative. Then, solve the
second derivative using the
result of the first derivative.
Finally, solve the third
derivative using the result
of the second derivative.
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

EXERCISES
3
1.) Find the derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1 using the 3-step rule.
2.) Find the derivative of the following functions:
𝑥
a.) 𝑓 𝑥 = (2𝑥 3 + 1) 3𝑥 2 − 7 + 2
3𝑥
b.) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥2 +1

3𝑥+2𝑥 2
c.) 𝑓 𝑥 = 2−3𝑥
4
3.) Find the third derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 3 .
4.) Determine the value that will make the second derivative of the function
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 5 zero.
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION
To find the derivative of an implicit function 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0 with respect to 𝑥, consider 𝑦 as
unknown but differentiable at 𝑥 and everytime we differentiate 𝑦, we differentiate it as
𝑑𝑦
usual but multiply the result by 𝑑𝑥 .

Examples: Given the following, find dy/dx.

1.) 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑦
2.) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2

See the solution at the next page.

 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION
Examples: Given the following, find dy/dx.
1.) 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑦

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
1 𝑦 +𝑥 =1+
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑥 − =1−𝑦
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
𝑥−1 =1−𝑦
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 1 − 𝑦
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 − 1
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION
Examples: Given the following, find dy/dx.
2.) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2
1 1
−1 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
(𝑥 + 𝑦) 2 1+ + 0 = 2𝑥 − 2𝑦
2 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1 1 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
1+ 1 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 2𝑦 𝑑𝑥
2(𝑥 + 𝑦)2 2(𝑥 + 𝑦)2
1 𝑑𝑦 1
1 + 2𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 1
2 𝑥+𝑦 2 2(𝑥 + 𝑦)2
1 + 4𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 4𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 1
=
2 𝑥+𝑦 𝑑𝑥 2 𝑥+𝑦
𝑑𝑦 4𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑦 − 1
=
𝑑𝑥 4𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 1
 Module 3 – The Derivative of Functions

IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION
Exercises:
1.) Find dy/dx.
a.) 𝑦 + 𝑥 2 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2
b.) 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑥𝑦
c.) 𝑥𝑦 + 2𝑦 = 𝑦

2.) Find the second derivative of 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 − 𝑥 + 1 = 0 at the point (1, 1).