XYC003:
Investigative Skills Using Mathematics
Differentiation and rate of change
Indexed Learning Outcomes
2. From the sessions on differentiation you should be able to:
2.1 `Carry out calculations using the rules of differentiation;
2.2 Use differentiation to calculate rates of change;
2.3 Determine stationary points and identify their nature;
2.4 Apply optimisation to solve medically related scenarios, which require maximum or minimum values;
Session Outcomes for this session
• Be able to understand the purpose of a differential
• Be aware of different notations used in calculus
• Be able to calculate differentials of basic equations
• Be able to apply the following rules for more complex function using:
o Chain Rule
o Product Rule
o Quotient Rule
What is Calculus?
The study of how things change:
Usually with respect to time
Variable
that you
measure
time
Average Change
Average Change
Average Change
ON AVERAGE
Between days 0 and 2:
Between days 3 and 5: ON AVERAGE
Varying rates of change
While a linear equation would have a constant rate of change as it has a fixed gradient, more complex
functions will vary
Here we see regions where the
gradient is positive and negative
- + - + - + -
Varying rates of change
While a linear equation would have a constant rate of change as it has a fixed gradient, more complex
functions will vary
Here we see regions where the
gradient is positive and negative
/
This implies the “turning points”
Must have a gradient of zero.
They are sometimes referred to as
stationary points.
- + - + - + -
Or can be described as local
maximum/minimum points
Instantaneous rate of change
This would be the equivalent of taking the tangent at a given point on the curve:
Let us explore what is happening the
graph at x=13
Instantaneous rate of change
This would be the equivalent of taking the tangent at a given point on the curve:
Here we see at x=13
There is a negative rate of change.
The gradient gives a good
approximation
Δ 𝑦=−15 For this location we know the y-variable is
reducing by 3 for every unit change in x,
But only at this instant
Δ 𝑥=5
If we zoom in on any curve, the graph tends to linear…
If we zoom in on any curve, the graph tends to linear…
If we zoom in on any curve, the graph tends to linear…
If we zoom in on any curve, the graph tends to linear…
Δ 𝑦=−0.009
Δ 𝑥=0.003
We define the true gradient by taking an infinitely
small increase in x such that
This leads to a change in y defined as
𝑑𝑦 𝑓 ( 𝑥+ h) − 𝑓 ( 𝑥)
=lim
𝑑𝑥 h → 0 h
Y1 = The gradient defined by the
above equation is known as
𝑑𝑦 the diffferential
When applied, the process
Y2 = can be simplified into a more
𝑑𝑥 =h structured procedure…
𝑥 𝑥 +h
What we expect to find for non-linear graphs
Unlike linear graphs that have a
constant, fixed gradient…
When you find the differential of a
function you will obtain a new equation
that then allows you to determine the
gradient at any given value of x
Example of differentiating from first principals
You do not really need to know this method, but it’s useful to see…
𝑑𝑦 𝑓 ( 𝑥+ h) − 𝑓 ( 𝑥)
=lim
𝑑𝑥 h → 0 h
Determine an equation for the gradient at any given point of the equation
Or in function notation
Leibniz Notation
If the rate of how one variable is changing with respect to another we use the notation
The differential describes how y changes with respect to x
The differential describes how velocity, v, changes with respect to time, t
Lagrange Notation
If we are exploring how the output of a function changes with respect to a variable:
The differential defines how changes with respect to x
This can be read as f-dash
Procedure for determining the differential of a polynomial
Do the following to each term:
• Multiply by the power
• Reduce the power by 1
Procedure for determining the differential of a polynomial
Do the following to each term:
• Multiply by the power Note: any constants will disappear.
This can be explained in two ways:
• Reduce the power by 1 • A constant is
• A constant never affects gradient
Examples
Examples
Further examples
Notice that I’ve changed
the question first to
make the process easier
Other useful differentials
Rules for more differentiating more complex function:
Chain rule – when a function contains an embedded function
For example:
Product rule – when two functions are multiplied in the same term
For example:
Quotient rule - when one function is divided by another
For example:
Chain Rule
Lagrange notation:
then
Leibniz notation: (my preferred choice to follow this method)
It’s also more obvious why it works….
Let u become the embedded function of x,
Chain rule procedure
• Define equation using new variable (U)
• Differentiate y with respect to U
• Differentiate U with respect to x
• Multiply your two differentials together
• Replace U with its original definition.
Example:
Chain rule procedure
LET
• Define equation using new variable (U)
Such that
• Differentiate y with respect to U
• Differentiate U with respect to x
• Multiply your two differentials together
• Replace U with its original definition.
Example:
Chain rule procedure
LET
• Define equation using new variable (U)
Such that
• Differentiate y with respect to U
• Differentiate U with respect to x
• Multiply your two differentials together
• Replace U with its original definition.
Example:
Chain rule procedure
LET
• Define equation using new variable (U)
Such that
• Differentiate y with respect to U
• Differentiate U with respect to x
Hence
• Multiply your two differentials together
• Replace U with its original definition.
Practice:
Differentiate the following:
The product rule:
Lagrange notation
OR
In Leibniz notation (again my preference)
Let
Keeping your work organised is key to making this easy
Define the function in terms of
Keeping your work organised is key to making this easy
Define the function in terms of
Then differentiate both
Keeping your work organised is key to making this easy
Define the function in terms of
Then differentiate both
Then put things into the right
place in the formula,
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑣
you’ll see a kind of cross multiplication
=𝑣 +𝑢
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
Differentiate the following:
Differentiate the following:
Differentiate the following:
Differentiate the following:
The quotient rule:
Lagrange notation
OR
In Leibniz notation (again my preference)
Differentiate the following:
Differentiate the following:
NOTE:
• In some instances you may have to use
multiple rules:
Differentiate the following:
