Basic Differentiation Rules for Calculus I (NYU

Section 2.
3
Basic Differentiation Rules
V63.0121.021, Calculus I
New York University
September 30, 2010
Announcements
◮ Last chance for extra credit on Quiz 1: Do the get-to-know you
survey and photo by October 1.
Announcements
◮ Last chance for extra credit

on Quiz 1: Do the
get-to-know you survey
and photo by October 1.
V63.0121.021, Calculus I (NYU) Section 2.3 Basic Differentiation Rules September 30, 2010 2 / 42
Objectives
◮ Understand and use these

differentiation rules:
◮ the derivative of a
constant function (zero);
◮ the Constant Multiple
Rule;
◮ the Sum Rule;
◮ the Difference Rule;
◮ the derivatives of sine
and cosine.
Recall: the derivative
Definition
Let f be a function and a a point in the domain of f. If the limit
f(a + h) − f(a) f(x) − f(a)
f′(a) = lim = x→
lima
h→ 0 h x−a
exists, the function is said to be differentiable at a and f′(a) is the
derivative of f at a.
The derivative …
◮ …measures the slope of the line through (a, f(a)) tangent to the
curve y = f(x);
◮ …represents the instantaneous rate of change of f at a
◮ …produces the best possible linear approximation to f near a.
Notation
Newtonian notation Leibnizian notation

dy d df
f′(x) y′(x) y′ f(x)
dx dx dx
Link between the notations
f′(x) = lim f(x + ∆x) − f(x) = lim ∆y = dy

∆ x→ 0 ∆x ∆ x→ 0 ∆x dx
dy
◮ Leibniz thought of as a quotient of “infinitesimals”
dx
dy
◮ We think of dx as representing a limit of (finite) difference
quotients, not as an actual fraction itself.
◮ The notation suggests things which are true even though they
don’t follow from the notation per se
Outline
Derivatives so far
Derivatives of power functions by hand
The Power Rule
Derivatives of polynomials
The Power Rule for whole number powers
The Power Rule for constants
The Sum Rule
The Constant Multiple Rule
Derivatives of sine and cosine
Derivative of the squaring function
Example
Suppose f(x) = x2. Use the definition of derivative to find f′(x).
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x)
f′(x) = lim
h→ 0 h
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2 − x 2
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2 − x 2
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
x + 2xh + h − x
2 2 2
= lim
h→ 0 h
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2 − x 2
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
x + 2xh + h − x
2 2 2 h + h✁
2x✓ 2
= lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 ✓
h
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2 − x 2
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
x + 2xh + h − x
2 2 2 h + h✁
2x✓ 2
= lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 ✓
h
= lim (2x + h) = 2x.
h→ 0
So f′(x) = 2x.
The second derivative
If f is a function, so is f′, and we can seek its derivative.
f′′ = (f′) ′
It measures the rate of change of the rate of change!
The second derivative
If f is a function, so is f′, and we can seek its derivative.
f′′ = (f′) ′
It measures the rate of change of the rate of change! Leibnizian

notation:
d2y d2 d2f
dx2 f(x) dx2
dx2
The squaring function and its derivatives
f
x
y
f′ ′
◮ f increasing =⇒ f ≥ 0
′
◮ f decreasing =⇒ f ≤ 0
f
x ◮ horizontal tangent at 0
′
=⇒ f (0) = 0
y
f′
f′′ ◮ f increasing =⇒ f′ ≥ 0
′
◮ f decreasing =⇒ f ≤ 0
f
x ◮ horizontal tangent at 0
′
=⇒ f (0) = 0
Derivative of the cubing function
Example
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 3 − x 3
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 3 − x 3
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
x3 + 3x2h + 3xh2 + h3 − x3
= lim
h→ 0 h
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 3 − x 3
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
1 2
x3 + 3x2h + 3xh2 + h3 − x3 2✕
3x2h + 3xh✁ 3✕
+ h✁
✓
= lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 ✓
h
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 3 − x 3
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
1 2
x3 + 3x2h + 3xh2 + h3 − x3 2✕
3x2h + 3xh✁ 3✕
+ h✁
✓
= lim = lim
h→ 0
( h ) h→ 0 ✓
h
= lim 3x2 + 3xh + h2 = 3x2.
h→ 0
So f′(x) = 3x2.
The cubing function and its derivatives
f
x
y ◮ Notice that f is increasing,

f′ and f′ > 0 except f′(0) = 0
f
x

f′′ f′ and f′ > 0 except f′(0) = 0
f
x

f′′ f′ and f′ > 0 except f′(0) = 0
◮ Notice also that the
f tangent line to the graph of
x f at (0, 0) crosses the
graph (contrary to a
popular “definition” of the
tangent line)
Derivative of the square root function
Example
√
Suppose f(x) = x = x1/2 . Use the definition of derivative to find f′(x).
Example
√
Solution
√ √
f(x + h) − f(x) x+h− x
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
Example
√
Solution
√ √
f(x + h) − f(x) x+h− x
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0
√ h √ √ h→ 0 √ h
x+h− x x+h+ x
= lim ·√
h→ 0 h x + h + √x
Example
√
Solution
√ √
f(x + h) − f(x) x+h− x
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0
√ h √ √ h→ 0 √ h
x+h− x x+h+ x
= lim ·√ x + h + √ x
h→ 0 h
(x✁+ h) − x✁
lim0 h (√ x + h + √ x)
= h→
Example
√
Solution
√ √
f(x + h) − f(x) x+h− x
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0
√ h √ √ h→ 0 √ h
x+h− x x+h+ x
= lim ·√
h→ 0 h x + h + √x
(x✁+ h) − x✁ ✓
h
= lim (√ √ ) = lim (√
h→ 0 h x+h+ x h→ 0 ✓
h x + h + √x)
Example
√
Solution
√ √
f(x + h) − f(x) x+h− x
f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0
√ h √ √ h→ 0 √ h
x+h− x x+h+ x
= lim ·√
h→ 0 h x + h + √x
(x✁+ h) − x✁ ✓
h
= lim (√ √ ) = lim (√
h→ 0 h x+h+ x h→ 0 ✓
h x + h + √x)
1
= √
2 x
√
So f′(x) = x = 1 x−1/2 .
2
The square root function and its derivatives
′
f ◮ lim0+ f (x) = ∞ and f
Here x→
′ is not differentiable at 0
fx
′
f ◮ lim0+ f (x) = ∞ and f
Here x→
′ is not differentiable at 0
fx
◮ Notice also lim f′(x) = 0
x→ ∞
Derivative of the cube root function
Example
√
Suppose f(x) = 3
x = x1/3 . Use the definition of derivative to find f′(x).
Example
√
Suppose f(x) = 3
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 1/3 − x1/3

f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
Example
√
Suppose f(x) = 3
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 1/3 − x 1/3

f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
(x + h) 1/3 − x1/3 ·(x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3x 1/3 + x 2/3
= lim
h→ 0 h (x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3 x1/3 + x2/3
Example
√
Suppose f(x) = 3
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 1/3 − x 1/3

f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
(x + h) 1/3 − x1/3 ·(x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3x 1/3 + x 2/3
= lim
h→ 0 h (x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3 x1/3 + x2/3
(x✁+ h) − x✁
= lim ( )
h→ 0 h (x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3 x1/3 + x2/3
Example
√
Suppose f(x) = 3
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 1/3 − x 1/3

f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
(x + h) 1/3 − x1/3 ·(x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3x 1/3 + x 2/3
= lim
h→ 0 h (x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3 x1/3 + x2/3
(x✁+ h) − x✁
= lim ( )
h→ 0 h (x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3 x1/3 + x2/3
✓
h
= lim ( )
h→ 0 h (x + h)
✓ 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3 x1/3 + x2/3
Example
√
Suppose f(x) = 3
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 1/3 − x 1/3

f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
(x + h) 1/3 − x1/3 ·(x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3x 1/3 + x 2/3
= lim
h→ 0 h (x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3 x1/3 + x2/3
(x✁+ h) − x✁
= lim ( )
h→ 0 h (x + h) 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3 x1/3 + x2/3
✓
h 1
= lim ( ) =
h→ 0 h (x + h)
✓ 2/3 + (x + h) 1/3 x1/3 + x2/3 3x2/3
So f′(x) = 1 x−2/3 .
3
The cube root function and its derivatives
y
◮ Here lim f′(x) = and f is
∞
x→ 0
f
′ not differentiable at 0
fx
y
◮ Here lim f′(x) = and f is
∞
x→ 0
f
′ not differentiable at 0
fx ◮ Notice also lim f′(x) = 0
x→ ±∞
One more
Example
Suppose f(x) = x2/3. Use the definition of derivative to find f′(x).
One more
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2/3 − x2/3

f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
One more
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2/3 − x2/3

f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
(x + h) 1/3 −x 1/3 )
= lim ( + h) 1/3 + x1/3
·(x
h→ 0 h
One more
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2/3 − x2/3

f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
(x + h) 1/3 −x 1/3 )
= lim ( + h) 1/3 + x1/3
·(x
h→ 0 h
1 −2/3 (
)
= x 3 2x 1/3
One more
Example
Solution
f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2/3 − x2/3

f′(x) = lim = lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
(x + h) 1/3 −x 1/3 )
= lim ( + h) 1/3 + x1/3
·(x
h→ 0 h
1 −2/3 (
) 2 −1/3
= x 3 2x 1/3 = x 3
So f′(x) = 2 x−1/3.
3
The function x 7→ x2/3 and its
derivative
derivative
derivative
◮ fand
is not f′(x) =
limdifferentiable at 0
f ±
±∞
′ x→ 0
fx
derivative
◮ fand
is not f′(x) =
limdifferentiable at 0
f ±
±∞
′ x→ 0
fx ◮ Notice also lim f′(x) = 0
x→ ±∞
Recap
y y′
x2 2x
x3 3x2
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
Recap
y y′
x2 2x
x3 3x2
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
Recap
y y′
x2 2x
x3 3x2
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
Recap
y y′
x2 2x
x3 3x2
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
Recap
y y′
x2 2x
x3 3x2
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
Recap
y y′
x2 2x1
x3 3x2
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
Recap: The Tower of Power
y y′
x2 2x1
◮ The power goes down by
x3 3x2 one in each derivative
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
y y′
x2 2x
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
y y′
x2 2x
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
y y′
x2 2x
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
y y′
x2 2x
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
y y′
x2 2x
1 x−1/2
2
x1/2
1 x−2/3
3
x1/3
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
y y′
x2 2x
1 x−1/2
2 ◮ The coefficient in the
x1/2
1 x−2/3 derivative is the power of
3
x1/3 the original function
2 x−1/3
3
x2/3
The Power Rule
There is mounting evidence for

Theorem (The Power Rule)
Let r be a real number and f(x) = xr. Then
f′(x) = rxr−1
as long as the expression on the right-hand side is defined.
◮ Perhaps the most famous rule in calculus

◮ We will assume it as of today
◮ We will prove it many ways for many different r.
The other Tower of Power
Outline
Derivatives so far
Derivatives of power functions by hand
The Power Rule
Derivatives of polynomials
The Power Rule for whole number powers
The Sum Rule
The Constant Multiple Rule
Derivatives of sine and cosine
Remember your algebra
Fact
Let n be a positive whole number. Then
(x + h) n = xn + nxn−1h + (stuff with at least two hs in it)
Fact
Proof.
We have
∑n −k
(x + h) n = (x + h) ·(x + h) ·(x + h) ···(x + h) = ck xk hn
{z
| n copies } k=0
Fact
Proof.
We have
∑n −k
{z
| n copies } k=0
The coefficient of xn is 1 because we have to choose x from each

binomial, and there’s only one way to do that.
Fact
Proof.
We have
∑n −k
{z
| n copies } k=0

binomial, and there’s only one way to do that. The coefficient of xn−1h
is the number of ways we can choose x n − 1 times, which is the same
as the number of different hs we can pick, which is n.
Fact
Proof.
We have
∑n −k
{z
| n copies } k=0

Fact
Proof.
We have
∑n −k
{z
| n copies } k=0

Fact
Proof.
We have
∑n −k
{z
| n copies } k=0

Pascal's Triangle
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1 (x + h) 0 = 1
1 4 6 4 1 (x + h) 1 = 1x + 1h
(x + h) 2 = 1x2 + 2xh + 1h2
1 5 10 10 5 1 (x + h) 3 = 1x3 + 3x2h + 3xh2 + 1h3
... ...
1 6 15 20 15 6 1
Pascal's Triangle
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1 (x + h) 0 = 1
1 4 6 4 1 (x + h) 1 = 1x + 1h
(x + h) 2 = 1x2 + 2xh + 1h2
1 5 10 10 5 1 (x + h) 3 = 1x3 + 3x2h + 3xh2 + 1h3
... ...
1 6 15 20 15 6 1
Pascal's Triangle
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1 (x + h) 0 = 1
1 4 6 4 1 (x + h) 1 = 1x + 1h
(x + h) 2 = 1x2 + 2xh + 1h2
1 5 10 10 5 1 (x + h) 3 = 1x3 + 3x2h + 3xh2 + 1h3
... ...
1 6 15 20 15 6 1
Pascal's Triangle
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1 (x + h) 0 = 1
1 4 6 4 1 (x + h) 1 = 1x + 1h
(x + h) 2 = 1x2 + 2xh + 1h2
1 5 10 10 5 1 (x + h) 3 = 1x3 + 3x2h + 3xh2 + 1h3
... ...
1 6 15 20 15 6 1
Proving the Power Rule
d n
x = nxn−1
dx
Proving the Power Rule
d n
x = nxn−1
dx
Proof.
As we showed above,
So
(x + h) n − xn nxn−1h + (stuff with at least two hs in it)
=
h h
= nxn−1 + (stuff with at least one h in it)
and this tends to nxn−1 as h → 0.

Theorem
Let c be a constant. Then
d
c=0
dx
Theorem d
like x0 = 0x−1
Let c be a constant. Then dx
d
c=0
dx
−1
(although x 7→ 0x is not defined at zero.)
Theorem d
like x0 = 0x−1
Let c be a constant. Then dx
d
c=0
dx
−1
(although x 7→ 0x is not defined at zero.)
Proof.
Let f(x) = c. Then
f(x + h) − f(x) c−c

= =0
h h
So f′(x) = lim 0 = 0.
h→ 0
Calculus
Recall the Limit Laws
Fact
Suppose lim f(x) = L and lim g(x) = M and c is a constant. Then
x→ a x→ a
lima [f(x) + g(x)] = L + M
1. x→
lima [f(x) − g(x)] = L − M
2. x→
lima [cf(x)] = cL
3. x→
4. . . .
Adding functions
Theorem (The Sum Rule)

Let f and g be functions and define
(f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x)
Then if f and g are differentiable at x, then so is f + g and
(f + g) ′(x) = f′(x) + g′(x).
Succinctly, (f + g) ′ = f′ + g′.
Proof of the S um Rule
Proof.
Follow your nose:
(f + g)(x + h) − (f + g)(x)
(f + g) ′(x) = lim
h→ 0 h
Proof.
Follow your nose:
(f + g)(x + h) − (f + g)(x)
(f + g) ′(x) = lim
h→ 0 h
f(x + h) + g(x + h) − [f(x) + g(x)]
= lim
h→ 0 h
Proof.
Follow your nose:
(f + g)(x + h) − (f + g)(x)
(f + g) ′(x) = lim
h→ 0 h
f(x + h) + g(x + h) − [f(x) + g(x)]
= lim
h→ 0 h
f(x + h) − f(x) g(x + h) − g(x)
= lim + lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
Proof.
Follow your nose:
(f + g)(x + h) − (f + g)(x)
(f + g) ′(x) = lim
h→ 0 h
f(x + h) + g(x + h) − [f(x) + g(x)]
= lim
h→ 0 h
f(x + h) − f(x) g(x + h) − g(x)
= lim + lim
h→ 0 h h→ 0 h
= f′(x) + g′(x)
Note the use of the Sum Rule for limits. Since the limits of the
difference quotients for for f and g exist, the limit of the sum is the sum
of the limits.
S caling functions
Theorem (The Constant Multiple Rule)

Let f be a function and c a constant. Define
(cf)(x) = cf(x)
Then if f is differentiable at x, so is cf and

(cf) ′(x) = c f′(x)
·
Succinctly, (cf) ′ = cf′.
Proof of the Constant Multiple Rule
Proof.
Again, follow your nose.
(cf)(x + h) − (cf)(x)
(cf) ′(x) = lim
h→ 0 h
Proof of the Constant Multiple Rule
Proof.
Again, follow your nose.
(cf)(x + h) − (cf)(x)
(cf) ′(x) = lim
h→ 0 h
cf(x + h) − cf(x)
= lim
h→ 0 h

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Basic Differentiation Rules for Calculus I (NYU

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Section 2.

New York University

September 30, 2010

◮ Last chance for extra credit

◮ Understand and use these

Newtonian notation Leibnizian notation

f′(x) = lim f(x + ∆x) − f(x) = lim ∆y = dy

Derivatives of sine and cosine

If f is a function, so is f′, and we can seek its derivative.

It measures the rate of change of the rate of change!

If f is a function, so is f′, and we can seek its derivative.

It measures the rate of change of the rate of change! Leibnizian

y ◮ Notice that f is increasing,

y ◮ Notice that f is increasing,

y ◮ Notice that f is increasing,

f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 1/3 − x1/3

f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 1/3 − x 1/3

f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 1/3 − x 1/3

f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 1/3 − x 1/3

f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 1/3 − x 1/3

f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2/3 − x2/3

f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2/3 − x2/3

f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2/3 − x2/3

f(x + h) − f(x) (x + h) 2/3 − x2/3

There is mounting evidence for

as long as the expression on the right-hand side is defined.

◮ Perhaps the most famous rule in calculus

Derivatives of sine and cosine

(x + h) n = xn + nxn−1h + (stuff with at least two hs in it)

(x + h) n = xn + nxn−1h + (stuff with at least two hs in it)

(x + h) n = xn + nxn−1h + (stuff with at least two hs in it)

The coefficient of xn is 1 because we have to choose x from each

(x + h) n = xn + nxn−1h + (stuff with at least two hs in it)

The coefficient of xn is 1 because we have to choose x from each

(x + h) n = xn + nxn−1h + (stuff with at least two hs in it)

The coefficient of xn is 1 because we have to choose x from each

(x + h) n = xn + nxn−1h + (stuff with at least two hs in it)

The coefficient of xn is 1 because we have to choose x from each

(x + h) n = xn + nxn−1h + (stuff with at least two hs in it)

The coefficient of xn is 1 because we have to choose x from each

(x + h) n = xn + nxn−1h + (stuff with at least two hs in it)

and this tends to nxn−1 as h → 0.

f(x + h) − f(x) c−c

Theorem (The Sum Rule)

(f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x)

Then if f and g are differentiable at x, then so is f + g and

(f + g) ′(x) = f′(x) + g′(x).

Theorem (The Constant Multiple Rule)

Then if f is differentiable at x, so is cf and

Succinctly, (cf) ′ = cf′.

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