Subject: MAT060.

Calculus with Analytic Geometry I

Chapter: 3

Chapter Title: Derivative of a Function

Time Frame: 12 hrs

Chapter Objectives:

1. To define the derivative of a function

2. To solve for the derivative of a function using the 3-Step Rule

3. To calculate for the derivative of a function using different rules and techniques on differentiation

4. To solve for the derivative of a function implicitly

5. To interpret the derivative of a function geometrically

6. To calculate for higher order derivatives of a function

Introduction:

The derivative of a function is one of the two central concepts of calculus. The other is integral
which will be discussed in succeeding chapters.
In this chapter, we shall determine the derivatives of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and
logarithmic functions. Moreover, we shall learn to find the derivative of a function implicitly and
solve for higher order derivatives.
The process of finding the derivative of a function is called differentiation and the branch of
calculus dealing with this process is called differential calculus. Differentiation is an important tool
in physics, mechanics, economics and many other disciplines which involve change and motion.

1 Definition of a Derivative
Definition 1.1 The derivative of f (x) with respect to x is the function f 0 (x) and is defined as

f (x + h) − f (x)
f 0 (x) = lim , (1)
h→0 h
provided the limit exists.

We often read f 0 (x) as ”f prime of x”. If f 0 (x) exists, we say that f (x) has a derivative or is
differentiable at x, where x ∈ D(f ).

Remark 1.2 The above definition for the derivative is usually done in three steps, which we will
call the 3-Step Rule.

Step 1. Evaluate f (x + h) − f (x).

f (x + h) − f (x)
Step 2. Evaluate .
h
f (x + h) − f (x)
Step 3. Evaluate lim .
h→0 h
The answer in Step 3 is the required derivative.

1
Example 1.3 Find the derivative of f (x) = 2x3 using the 3-Step Rule.
Solution:

Step 1.

f (x + h) − f (x) = 2(x + h)3 − 2x3

= 2(x3 + 3x2 h + 3xh2 + h3 ) − 2x3
= 2x3 + 6x2 h + 6xh2 + 2h3 − 2x3
= 6x2 h + 6xh2 + 2h3
= (6x2 + 6xh + 2h2 )h
Step 2.

f (x + h) − f (x) (6x2 + 6xh + 2h2 )h

=
h h
= 6x2 + 6xh + 2h2
Step 3.

f (x + h) − f (x)
lim = lim (6x2 + 6xh + 2h2 )
h→0 h h→0
= 6x + 6x(0) + 2(0)2
2

= 6x2

Therefore, f 0 (x) = 6x2 .

x+2
Example 1.4 Find the derivative of f (x) = using the 3-Step Rule.
x−2
Solution:

Step 1.
x+h+2 x+2
f (x + h) − f (x) = −
x+h−2 x−2
(x + h + 2)(x − 2) − (x + 2)(x + h − 2)
=
(x + h − 2)(x − 2)
x2 + xh + 2x − 2x − 2h − 4 − (x2 + 2x + xh + 2h − 2x − 4)
=
(x + h − 2)(x − 2)
−4h
=
(x + h − 2)(x − 2)

Step 2.

f (x + h) − f (x) −4h
=
h h(x + h − 2)(x − 2)
−4
=
(x + h − 2)(x − 2)
Step 3.

f (x + h) − f (x) −4
lim = lim
h→0 h h→0 (x + h − 2)(x − 2)
−4
=
(x + 0 − 2)(x − 2)
4
= −
(x − 2)2

2
 4
Therefore, f 0 (x) = − , (x 6= 2).
(x − 2)2

Remark 1.5 When y = f (x) is given, any of the following notations will stand for the first
derivative of y or f (x) with respect to x:

dy df d
f 0 (x), y 0 , , , (y).
dx dx dx
Exercises 1.6 Find the derivatives of the following using the 3-Step Rule.
3x − 8 1
1. f (x) = 3x2 + 5 2. f (x) = , x 6= − 54 5. f (x) = √
4x + 5 x+4
√ √
3. f (x) = x + 1, x + 1 ≥ 0 4. f (x) = x x, x ≥ 0

2 Rules for Differentiation

The process of finding the derivative of y = f (x) by the use of the 3-Step Rule is obviously
time-consuming and tedious. Fortunately, there are differentiation rules which will enable us to
find the derivative of even complicated functions as rapidly as we can write. We list these rules,
interpret them, and give examples.
Proofs of the rules are found in most calculus books. In the rules below, u and v are differentiable
functions of x.
d
Rule 1 If f (x) = c, then f 0 (x) = 0 or (c) = 0. The derivative of a constant is zero.
dx
d
Rule 2 If f (x) = x, then f 0 (x) = 1 or (x) = 1.
dx
d n
Rule 3 If f (x) = xn , then f 0 (x) = nxn−1 or (x ) = nxn−1 , where n is any rational number.
dx
This formula is sometimes called the power rule.
Note that in order to use this formula n must be a number. It cannot be a variable but the
base must be a variable.

d du
Rule 4 If f (x) = ku(x), then f 0 (x) = ku0 (x) or (ku(x)) = k .
dx dx
If we have a constant k multiplying a function, we leave k alone and only take the derivative of the
function.

d d d
Rule 5 If y = u + v, then y 0 = u0 + v 0 or (u + v) = (u) + (v).
dx dx dx
d d d
Rule 6 If y = u − v, then y 0 = u0 − v 0 or (u − v) = (u) − (v).
dx dx dx
We note that in Rules 5 and 6, the function y can be extended to a sum of any finite number
of functions. The rules say that the derivative of the sum or difference of functions is the sum or
the difference of the derivatives.

Example 2.1 Given that y = 3x7 + 7x4 − 2x + 3. Find y 0 .

Solution:

y 0 = 3(7x6 ) + 7(4x3 ) − 2(1) + 0

= 21x6 + 28x3 − 2.

3
 5 √4 1
Example 2.2 Given that y = 3x4 − + √ + π 3 . Find y 0 .
x9 − 11
7x7 x5
Solution: Before we differentiate y, we need to rewrite it into exponential form.
5 1 9 1
y = 3x4 − 7
+ x 4 − 5 + π3
7 x x 11
5 −7 9 5
= 3x − x + x 4 − x− 11 + π 3 .
4
7
Thus,
 
0 5 −8

9 5 5 16
y 3
= 12x − −7x + x − −
4 x− 11 + 0
7 4 11
9 5 5 16
= 12x3 + 5x−8 + x 4 + x− 11 .
4 11
Rule 7 (Product Rule) If y = uv, then y 0 = uv 0 + vu0 = vu0 + uv 0 .
The derivative of the product of two functions is the first times the derivative of the second plus the
second times the derivative of the first. Meaning, if y= (first) (second), then y 0 = (first)(second)’ +
(second) (first)’.

Example 2.3 Given that y = (x2 + 3x + 1)(5x + 2), find y 0 .

Solution: Let
u = x2 + 3x + 1 and v = 5x + 2.
Then
u0 = 2x + 3 and v 0 = 5.
Thus,

y 0 = vu0 + uv 0
= (5x + 2)(2x + 3) + (x2 + 3x + 1)(5)
= 10x2 + 15x + 4x + 6 + 5x2 + 15x + 5
= 15x2 + 34x + 11.

Note that when

y = (x2 + 3x + 1)(5x + 2),
we could have

y = 5x3 + 15x2 + 5x + 2x2 + 6x + 2

= 5x3 + 17x2 + 11x + 2.

Thus,
y 0 = 15x2 + 34x + 11
as before.
u vu0 − uv 0
Rule 8 (Quotient Rule) If y = , then y 0 = .
v v2
The derivative of a quotient of two functions is the denominator times the derivative of the
numerator minus the numerator times the derivative of the denominator, all divided by the square
u
of the denominator. Meaning, if y = , then
v
low · (high)0 − high · (low)0
y0 = .
low squared
Note: When simplifying, simplify the numerator only.

4
Example 2.4 Find the derivative of
x2
y= .
x3 + 2x + 1
Solution: Let
u = x2 and v = x3 + 2x + 1.
Then
u0 = 2x and v 0 = 3x2 + 2.
Thus,
vu0 − uv 0
y0 =
v2
(x + 2x + 1)(2x) − x2 (3x2 + 2)
3
=
(x3 + 2x + 1)2
2x + 4x + 2x − (3x4 + 2x2 )
4 2
=
(x3 + 2x + 1)2
−x4 + 2x2 + 2x
= .
(x3 + 2x + 1)2
Rule 9 (Chain Rule) Suppose we have the composite function
y = f (u), u = u(x).
Then
dy dy du
= · .
dx du dx
The next rule is a direct consequence of Rule 9.

Rule 10 (Power Rule) Suppose we have the composite function y = un , then

dy du
= nun−1 · ,
dx dx
where u = u(x) and n is any real number.

dy
Example 2.5 Given that y = (x2 + 1)100 , find .
dx
du
Solution: Let u = x2 + 1. Then = 2x. Thus, by using the Power Rule,
dx
dy du
= 100u99 ·
dx dx
= 100(x + 1)99 2x
2

= 200x(x2 + 1)99 .

IMPORTANT REMINDERS TO THE STUDENT

You can apply the above rules even without writing u and v, (unless your teacher demands for
them). Just imagine what u and v are and apply the rules. It only takes a little practice.
For the product rule:
y 0 = (second)(first)0 + (first)(second)0
For the quotient rule:
low · (high)0 − high · (low)0
y0 =
low squared
For the power rule:
y 0 = (original exponent) · (untouched base)(original exponent) · (derivative of the base)

5
Example 2.6 Find the derivatives.
4
1. y = (x3 + 7x2 + 1) 3

Solution: Remember that

y 0 = (orig. exponent) · (untouched base)(orig. exponent)

· (derivative of the base)

4 3 1
y0 = (x + 7x2 + 1) 3 (3x2 + 14x)
3
4 1
= (3x2 + 14x)(x3 + 7x2 + 1) 3 .
3

5x − 2
2. y =
4x + 3

Solution: Remember that

low · (high)0 − high · (low)0

y0 = .
low squared

(4x + 3)(5) − (5x − 2)(4)

y0 = Simplify only the numerator
(4x + 3)2
20x + 15 − (20x − 8)
=
(4x + 3)2
23
= .
(4x + 3)2

3. y = (x2 − 3x + 2)(x3 + 2x2 − 6x)

Solution: Remember that

y 0 = (second)(first)0 + (first)(second)0 .
Thus,
y(x3 + 2x2 − 6x)(2x − 3) + (x2 − 3x + 2)(3x2 + 4x − 6).
Remark: Sometimes we need combinations of the listed rules for differentiation. See the following
examples.

4. y = (x2 + 1)8 (6x + 7)5

Solution: This problem involves the product rule but for each derivative, we will use the power
rule. We have

y 0 = (6x + 7)5 · 8(x2 + 1)7 (2x) + (x2 + 1)8 · 5(6x + 7)4 (6).
We can now simplify by factoring. We get

y 0 = 2(x2 + 1)7 (6x + 7)4 [8x(6x + 7) + 15(x2 + 1)]

= 2(x2 + 1)7 (6x + 7)4 [48x2 + 56x + 15x2 + 15]
= 2(x2 + 1)7 (6x + 7)4 [63x2 + 56x + 15].

6
 x3
5. y =
(x2 + 1)4

Solution: This problem involves the quotient rule but for each derivative, we will use the power
rule. We get

(x2 + 1)4 (3x2 ) − x3 [4(x2 + 1)3 (2x)]

y0 =
[(x2 + 1)4 ]2
x2 (x2 + 1)3 [3(x2 + 1) − 8x2 ]
=
(x2 + 1)8
2 2
x (−5x + 3)
= .
(x2 + 1)8

Remark: Sometimes in some problems we may not use the product or quotient rules. See the
following examples.

6. y = 5(x2 − 4)10

Solution: Although y is a product of two functions, we may not use the product rule since 5 is
a constant. Only the power rule is necessary.

y 0 = 5[10(x2 − 4)9 (2x)]

= 100x(x2 − 4)9 .

4
7. y =
x5

Solution: Although y is a quotient of two functions, we may not use the quotient rule. We can
rewrite y as
y = 4(x−5 )
and simply use the power rule. We have,

y 0 = 4(−5)x−6
20
= − 6.
x

b
8. y = , where b is any constant
(x2 + 5)8

Solution: We can rewrite y as

y = b(x2 + 5)−8 .
Thus,

y 0 = b[−8(x2 + 5)−9 (2x)]

16bx
= − 2 .
(x + 5)9

7
 2x3 − 3x2 + 4x − 2
9. y =
x3

Solution: We can rewrite y as follows.

2x3 3x2 4x 2
y = − 3 + 3 − 3
x3 x x x
= 2 − 3(x−1 ) + 4(x−2 ) − 2(x−3 ).

Thus,

y 0 = 0 − 3(−x−2 ) + 4(−2x−3 ) − 2(−3x−4 )

3 8 6
= 2
− 3 + 4.
x x x

Exercises 2.7 Find the derivative of each of the following using rules on differentiation.
1 1 1 1 1
1. f (x) = 4x2 + 3x − 2. f (x) = x3 − x2 + x 2 + 3x 3
4x3 3 2
2x3 + 4x2 − 6x + 9  1
1
3. f (x) = √5
4. f (x) = (x2 − 3x−2 ) x 2 − 3x 4
x
1
(7x2 + 6) 4
5. f (x) = (x2 − 2)3 (x3 + 8)2 6. f (x) = 1
r (3x2 − 9x) 3
3 3x − 4 (5x2 )(2x2 − 9)3
7. f (x) = 8. f (x) =
2x + 5 (4x − 5)2

3 Trigonometric Functions
Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions

1. If f (x) = sin x, then f 0 (x) = cos x.

2. If f (x) = cos x, then f 0 (x) = − sin x.

3. If f (x) = tan x, then f 0 (x) = sec2 x.

4. If f (x) = cot x, then f 0 (x) = − csc2 x.

5. If f (x) = sec x, then f 0 (x) = sec x tan x.

6. If f (x) = csc x, then f 0 (x) = − csc x cot x.

Generally, if u is a function of x then

7. If f (x) = sin u, then f 0 (x) = cos u · u0 .

8. If f (x) = cos u, then f 0 (x) = − sin u · u0 .

9. If f (x) = tan u, then f 0 (x) = sec2 u · u0 .

10. If f (x) = cot u, then f 0 (x) = − csc2 u · u0 .

11. If f (x) = sec u, then f 0 (x) = sec u · tan u · u0 .

12. If f (x) = csc u, then f 0 (x) = − csc u · cot u · u0 .

8
Example 3.1 Find the derivatives.

1. f (x) = sin(x2 + 2x + 3)
f 0 (x) = cos(x2 + 2x + 3) · (2x + 2)
f 0 (x) = (2x + 2) · cos(x2 + 2x + 3)

1
2. f (x) = sin 5x − sin3 5x
3
1
f 0 (x) = cos 5x · 5 − (3 sin2 5x · cos 5x · 5)
3
0
f (x) = 5 cos 5x − 5 sin2 5x · cos 5x
f 0 (x) = 5 cos 5x(1 − sin2 5x) = 5 cos 5x · cos2 5x = 5 cos3 5x

3. f 0 (x) = sin(x + 4) cos(x + 4)

f 0 (x) = sin(x + 4) · [− sin(x + 4)] + cos(x + 4) · cos(x + 4)
f 0 (x) = − sin2 (x + 4) + cos2 (x + 4)
f 0 (x) = cos2 (x + 4) − sin2 (x + 4)
f 0 (x) = cos[2(x + 4)]

1 − cos(4x)
4. f 0 (x) =
sin(4x)
sin 4x(sin 4x)(4) − (1 cos 4x)(4 cos 4x)
f 0 (x) =
(sin 4x)2
4 sin2 4x − 4 cos 4x + 4 cos2 4x
f 0 (x) =
(sin 4x)2
4 cos2 4x + 4 sin2 4x − 4 cos 4x
f 0 (x) =
sin2 4x
4(cos2 4x + sin2 4x) − 4 cos 4x
f 0 (x) =
1 − cos2 4x
4 − 4 cos 4x 4(1 − cos 4x) 4
f 0 (x) = = =
(1 − cos 4x)(1 + cos 4x) (1 − cos 4x)(1 + cos 4x) (1 + cos 4x)

csc x + cot x
5. f (x) =
csc x − cot x
(csc x − cot x)(− csc x cot x − csc2 x) − (csc x + cot x)(− csc x cot x + csc2 x)
f 0 (x) =
(csc x − cot x)2
(csc x − cot x)(− csc x)(cot x + csc x) − (csc x + cot x)(csc x)(− cot x + csc x)
f 0 (x) =
(csc x − cot x)2
−2 csc x(csc x − cot x)(cot x + csc x)
f 0 (x) =
(csc x − cot x)2
−2 csc x(csc x − cot x)(cot x + csc x)
f 0 (x) =
(csc x − cot x)(csc x − cot x)
−2 csc x(cot x + csc x)
f 0 (x) =
(csc x − cot x)

9
  
x+1
6. f (x) = sec
x−1
   
0 x+1 x+1 (x − 1)(1) − (x + 1)(1)
f (x) = sec tan ·
x−1 x−1 (x − 1)2
   
x+1 x+1 x−1−x−1
f 0 (x) = sec tan ·
x−1 x−1 (x − 1)2
   
0 −2 x+1 x+1
f (x) = sec tan
(x − 1) x−1 x−1

 
1 + sin x
7. f (x) = cos
sin x
 
0 1 + sin x sin x(cos x) − (1 + sin x) cos x
f (x) = − sin ·
sin x (sin x)2
 
1 + sin x sin x cos x − cos x − sin x cos x
f 0 (x) = − sin ·
sin x sin2 x
 
cos x 1 + sin x
f 0 (x) = 2 sin x
sin x sin x

Exercises 3.2 Find the derivative of the following.

1
1. f (x) = 3x + tan x 2. f (x) = cos 2x − (cos2 2)
2 3
3. f (x) = cos2 2x sec3 3x 4. f (x) = (1 + sin 2x) 2

3x2 + 1
 
sin x
5. f (x) = 6. f (x) = tan
1 + cos x 2x2 − 1
 
sin x + cos x
7. f (x) = sec(sin x) 8. f (x) = tan
sin x − cos x

4 Inverse Trigonometric Functions

−π π
1. y = arcsin x iff x = sin x and ≤y≤
2 2
2. y = arccos x iff x = cos y and 0 ≤ y ≤ π
−π π
3. y = arctan x iff x = tan y and <y<
2 2
4. y = arccot x iff x = cot y and 0 < y < π
π π
5. y = arcsec x iff x = sec y and −π ≤ y < − for x ≤ −1, 0≤y<− for x ≥ 1
2 2
π π
6. y = arccsc x iff x = csc y and −π < y ≤ − for x ≤ −1, 0<y≤ for x ≥ 1
2 2

10
Properties
1. arcsin(sin x) = x 2. sin(arcsin x) = x
3. arccos(cos x) = x 4. cos(arccos x) = x
5. arctan(tan x) = x 6. tan(arctan x) = x
7. arccot(cot x) = x 8. cot(arccot x) = x
9. arcsec(sec x) = x 10. sec(arcsec x) = x
11. arccsc(csc x) = x 12. csc(arccsc x) = x

Derivatives
1
1. If f (x) = arcsin x, then f 0 (x) = √
1 − x2
1
2. If f (x) = arccos x, then f 0 (x) = − √
1 − x2
1
3. If f (x) = arctan x, then f 0 (x) =
1 + x2
1
4. If f (x) = arccot, then f 0 (x) = −
1 + x2
1
5. If f (x) = arcsec x, then f 0 (x) = √
x x2 − 1
1
6. If f (x) = arccsc x, then f 0 (x) = − √
x x2 − 1
Generally if u is a function of x
u0
1. If f (x) = arcsin u, then f 0 (x) = √
1 − u2
u0
2. If f (x) = arccos u, then f 0 (x) = − √
1 − u2
u0
3. If f (x) = arctan u, then f 0 (x) =
1 + u2
u0
4. If f (x) = arccot u, then f 0 (x) = −
1 + u2
u0
5. If f (x) = arcsec u, then f 0 (x) = √
u u2 − 1
u0
6. If f (x) = arccsc u, then f 0 (x) = − √
u u2 − 1
Example 4.1 Find the derivative of the following.

1. f (x) = arcsin(2x − 3)
Let u = 2x + 3, u0 = 2
u0 2
f 0 (x) = √ =p
1−u 2 1 − (2x + 3)2
2. f (x) = x arcsin x
 
0 1 x
f (x) = x √ + arcsin x · 1 = √ + arcsin x
1−x 2 1 − x2

11
 arctan x
3. f (x) =
1 + x2  
1
(1 + x2 ) − arctan x · (2x)
1 + x2
f 0 (x) =
(1 + x2 )2
1 − 2x arctan x
f 0 (x) =
(1 + x2 )2

 
x
4. f (x) = arctan √
1 − x2  
2 1 1 2 −1
(1 − x ) · 1 − x (1 − x ) (−2x)
2 2
2
1 2
h i
(1 − x2 ) 2
f 0 (x) =  2
x
1+ √
1 − x2
1 −1
(1 − x2 ) 2 + x2 (1 − x2 ) 2

f 0 (x) = 1− x2 
x2
1+
1 − x2
1 x2
(1 − x2 ) 2 + 1
(1 − x2 ) 2
f 0 (x) = 1 − x2
1 − x2 + x2
1 − x2
1 x2
(1 − x2 ) 2 + 1
(1 − x2 ) 2 1 − x2
f 0 (x) = ·
1 − x2 1 − x2 + x2
1 x2
f 0 (x) = (1 − x2 ) 2 + 1
(1 − x2 ) 2
1 − x2 + x2
f 0 (x) = 1
(1 − x2 ) 2
1 1
f 0 (x) = 1 or f 0 (x) = √
(1 − x2 ) 2 1 − x2

√
x 4 − x2
5. f (x) = arccos −
2 x  
1

−1 2 −1
2 1

 x 2 (4 − x ) (−2x) − (4 − x ) (1) 
2 2

f 0 (x) = r 2  −  
x 2  x2 
1−
2
2 (4 − x2 ) −1
" 1
#
−1 −x 2 − (4 − x2 ) 2
f 0 (x) = r  x 2 − x2
2 1−
2

12
 −1
−(4 − x2 ) x2 + (4 − x2 )
 
−1 2
f 0 (x) = r −
4 − x2 x2
2
4
−1 x2 + (4 − x2 )
f 0 (x) = √ + 1
4 − x2 (4 − x2 ) 2 x2
−1 4
f 0 (x) = √ + √
4−x 2 x 4 − x2
2

−x2 + 4
f 0 (x) = √
x2 4 − x2
4 − x2
f 0 (x) = √
x2 4 − x2
√
0 4 − x2
f (x) =
x2

√ 1
6. f (x) = x 1 − 4x2 + arcsin 2x
2
  " #
1 −1 1 1 2
f 0 (x) = x (1 − 4x2 ) 2 (−8x) + (1 − 4x2 ) 2 · 1 + p
2 2 1 − (2x)2
−1 1 1
f 0 (x) = −4x2 (1 − 4x2 ) 2 + (1 − 4x2 ) 2 + √
1 − 4x2
−1  1
f 0 (x) = (1 − 4x2 ) 2 −4x2 + (1 − 4x2 ) + √

1 − 4x2
2
−4x + (1 − 4x ) 2 1
f 0 (x) = √ +√
1 − 4x 2 1 − 4x2
1 − 8x2 1
f 0 (x) = √ +√
1 − 4x 2 1 − 4x2
2 − 8x2
f 0 (x) = √
1 − 4x2
2(1 − 4x2 )
f 0 (x) = √
1 − 4x2
√
f 0 (x) = 2 1 − 4x2

Exercises 4.2 Find the derivative of the following.

√
 
x+1
1. f (x) = arctan 2. f (x) = arcsin 1 − x2
x−1 "√ #
√ x 2−4 1√
3. f (x) = x2 − 4 + 2 arccot 4. f (x) = x arcsin 2x + 1 − 4x2
2 2
√ !
2
 
1+x sin x + cos x
5. f (x) = arcsec 6. f (x) = arctan
x sin x − cos x

13
5 Logarithmic Function
Z x
1
For values of x > 0, we define ln x = dt.
1 t
Theorem 5.1 If a and b are any positive numbers, then

1. ln(a · b) = ln a + ln b
a
2. ln = ln a − ln b
b
3. ln 1 = 0

4. ln ar = r ln a, if r is any number

Note: The domain of the ln function consists of all positive numbers. The range of the ln function
consists of all real numbers.

Theorem 5.2 If f (x) = ln x, then

1
1. f 0 (x) = , x > 0 2. f is increasing
x
1
3. ≤ ln 2 < 1 4. ln x → +∞ as x → +∞
2
5. ln x → −∞ as x → 0+ 6. the range of f consists of all real numbers.

Derivatives
1
1. If f (x) = ln x, then f 0 (x) = .
x
u0
2. If u is a function of x and f (x) = ln u, then f 0 (x) = .
u

Example 5.3 Find the derivative of the following.

1. f (x) = ln(x2 + 2x + 3)
2x + 3
f 0 (x) =
x2 + 2x + 3

√
2. f (x) = ln(x x + 1)

Using the property of logarithm, we have

√
f (x) = ln(x x + 1)
1
= ln x + ln(x + 1)
2

Thus,
1 1 x+1+x 2x + 1
f 0 (x) = + = = .
x x+1 x(x + 1) x(x + 1)

14
 x2 + 1
3. f (x) = ln
x2 − 1

Using the property of logarithm, we have

x2 + 1
f (x) = ln
x2 − 1
= ln(x2 + 1) − ln(x2 − 1)

Thus,
2x 2x 2x(x2 − 1) − 2x(x2 + 1) 2x3 − 2x − 2x3 − 2x −4x
f 0 (x) = − 2 = = = 2
x2+1 x −1 2 2
(x + 1)(x − 1) (x2 + 1)(x2 − 1) (x + 1)(x2 − 1)

4. f (x) = ln(arcsin x)
1
f 0 (x) = √
2
1 − x arcsin x

5. f (x) = ln(sin x)
cos x
f 0 (x) = = cot x
sin x

(x2 + 1) cos(x − 1)
6. f (x) = ln √
x2 + 4
1
f 0 (x) = ln(x2 + 1) + ln[cos(x − 1)] −
ln(x2 + 4)
2
2x − sin(x − 1) 1 2x
f 0 (x) = 2 + −
x +1 cos(x − 1) 2 x2 + 4
2x x
f 0 (x) = 2 − tan(x − 1) − 2
x +1 x +4

Exercises 5.4 Find the derivative of the following.

√
1. f (x) = ln(x3 x3 + 1) 2. f (x) = ln(csc x + cot x)
r
1 + sin x ln x
3. f (x) = ln 4. f (x) =
1 − sin x x2 −9
(x2 + 1) cos(x − 1) (x2 + 1) arccos(x − 1)
5. f (x) = ln √ 6. f (x) = ln
x2 + 4 sec x

6 Exponential Function
The exponential function, denoted by exp, is defined to be the inverse of the ln function.

Note: The domain of exp x consists of all real numbers, and the range consists of all positive
numbers.

15
Theorem 6.1 If f (x) = exp x = ex , then

1. f is increasing for all values of x,

2. exp(x1 + x2 )=(exp x1 )(exp x2 )

(exp x1 )
3. exp(x1 − x2 )=
(exp x2 )
4. exp rx=(exp x)r if r is rational,

5. f (x) → +∞ as x → +∞

6. f (x) → 0 as x → −∞

7. e lies between 2 and 4.

Definitions

ln(ex ) = x for all x and eln x = x, if x > 0

If a > 0, we define ax = ex ln a for any x.

If b > 0, b 6= 1,and N > 0, we define logb N as that number y such that by = N

Properties

ax
1. ax · ay = ax+y ; = ax−y ; (ax )y = axy ; (ab)x = ax · bx
ay
2. logb (x · y) = logb x + logb y
 
x
3. logb = logb x − logb y
y

4. logb (xy ) = y logb x, if x > 0

ln x
Remark: logb x =
ln b
Derivatives

1. If f (x) = ex , then f 0 (x) = ex .

2. If f (x) = ax , then f 0 (x) = ax ln a, if a > 0 and a 6= 1.

7 Logarithmic Differentiation
Steps in Logarithmic differentiation
1.Take the logarithm of both sides of the equation.
2. Simplify the right side by using the properties of logarithm.
3. Take the derivative of both sides of the equation.
4. Simplify and the solve for f 0 (x).

16
Example 7.1 Find the derivatives of the following.

1. f (x) = xsin x
Solution:
f (x) = xsin x
ln f (x) = ln(xsin x )
ln f (x) = sin x(ln x)
f 0 (x) 1
= sin x · + ln x · cos x
f (x) x
f 0 (x) sin x
= + ln x · cos x
f (x) x
 
0 sin x
f (x) = + ln x · cos x xsin x
x

 cos x x
2. f (x) =
x
Solution:
 cos x x
f (x) =
x
 cos x x
ln f (x) = ln
x
 cos x 
ln f (x) = x ln
x
In f (x) = x ln(cos x) − x ln x
f 0 (x)
   
− sin x 1
=x + ln(cos x) · x − x − ln x · 1
f (x) cos x x
f 0 (x)
= −x tan x + x ln(cos x) − 1 − ln x
f (x)
 cos x x
f 0 (x) = [−x tan x + x ln(cos x) − 1 − ln x]
x

3. f (x) = sin x · ln(x + 2) · 25x

Solution:
f (x) = sin x · ln(x + 2) · 25x

ln f (x) = ln{sin x · ln(x + 2) · 25x }

ln f (x) = ln(sin x) + ln[ln(x + 2)] + ln(25x )

f 0 (x) cos x 1 25x 5 ln 2

= + +
f (x) sin x (x + 2) ln(x + 2) 25x

f 0 (x) 1
= tan x + + 5 ln 2
f (x) (x + 2) ln(x + 2)
 
1
f 0 (x) = tan x + + 5 ln 2 [sin x · ln(x + 2) · 25x ]
(x + 2) ln(x + 2)

17
 √
etan x x2 + 4
4. f (x) =
arcsin x
Solution:
√
etan x x2 + 4
f (x) =
arcsin x
√ !
etan x x2 + 4
ln f (x) = ln
arcsin x
√
ln f (x) = ln etan x + ln x2 + 4 − ln(arcsin x)
1
ln f (x) = tan x ln e + ln(x2 + 4) − ln(arcsin x)
2
1
In f (x) = tan x + ln(x2 + 4) − ln(arcsin x)
2
f 0 (x) 1 2x 1
= sec2 x + 2
−√
f (x) 2x +4 2
1 − x arcsin x
f 0 (x) 1 2x 1
= sec2 x + 2
−√
f (x) 2x +4 2
1 − x arcsin x
√
 
0 2 x 1
f (x) = sec x + 2 − 2
arcsin x [etan x · x2 + 4 · arcsin x]
x +4 1−x

Exercises 7.2 Find the derivative using logarithmic differentiation.

r
x2 + 4
1. f (x) = (ln x)sin x 2. f (x) =
sin x arctan x
√
ln(x2 ) arcsec x 3
2x2 + 5
3. f (x) = √ 4. f (x) = 5x2 x2 +16
x2 + 1 4 e
2
ex cos x arctan x sin x
 
5. f (x) = √ √ 6. f (x) =
3x2 + 4 3 x2 + 9 cos x

8 Implicit Differentiation
In the previous rules for differentiation we only calculate derivatives of functions defined by formulas
of the form y = f (x). However, in some instances, y cannot be expressed explicitly in terms of x.
If such cases occur, we use the process called implicit differentiation.

dy
Example 8.1 Find implicitly.
dx
1. y 3 + 3xy + x2 − 5 = 0

Solution: In the given equation, it is assumed that y is a function of x. We need to use the
previous rules for differentiation. We will differentiate the first term with the use of power
rule, the second term with the use of product rule, and the rest the old way.
 
dy dy
3y 2 + 3x + y(3) + 3x2 − 0 = 0
dx dx
dy dy
3y 2 + 3x + 3y + 3x2 = 0
dx dx

18
 dy
(3y 2 + 3x) = −3y − 3x2
dx

Thus,

dy −3y − 3x2
=
dx 3y 2 + 3x
dy −y − x2
= 2 .
dx y +x

2. y 5 + x4 y 7 + x3 = 9

Solution:
 
dy dy
5y 4 + (x4 ) 7y 6 + y 7 (4x3 ) + 3x2 = 0
dx dx
dy 4x3 y 7 + 3x2
=− 4 .
dx 5y + 7x4 y 6

9 Geometric Interpretation of the Derivative

Let a curve be given by a function y = f (x). Suppose we choose one fixed point on the curve, say
P0 . Then P0 is the point (x0 , (fx0 )). Next, we assign any arbitrary point in the curve, say P . The
line that connects these two points P0 and P is called secant line. See the figure below.

In the figure above, P is the point (x0 + h, f (x0 + h)), where h is some positive value. (Note: h
would be negative if P is to the left of P0 ). The slope of the secant is denoted by ms , and is given
by
f (x0 + h) − f (x0 ) f (x0 + h) − f (x0 )
ms = = .
(x0 + h) − x0 h
If the function y = f (x) has a derivative at x = x0 , then by definition we get

f (x0 + h) − f (x0 )
f 0 (x0 ) = lim .
h→0 h

19
This means that ”the slopes of the secant lines approaches to a unique number f 0 (x0 ) as long as
h → 0”.

Before we proceed with the geometric meaning of f 0 (x0 ), let us have the following important
remark:

As h tends to zero, we see that the point P tends to P0 . Intuitively, this means that as h tends
to zero, the secant lines approach a certain limiting line. This limiting line is called tangent line.
It should be noted that this tangent line may cross the graph more than once.

Now the geometric meaning of the number f 0 (x0 ) is as follows: It is the slope of the line tangent
to the curve y = f (x) at the point (x0 , y0 ), where y = f (x0 ). The point (x0 , y0 ) is often called a
point of tangency. Further, the slope of the tangent line is sometimes denoted by m.

Definition 9.1 The tangent to the curve with equation y = f (x) at P0 (x0 , y0 ) is the line through
P0 (x0 , y0 ) with slope f 0 (x0 ). Moreover, the equation of this tangent line is
y − y0 = f 0 (x0 )(x − x0 ).
Definition 9.2 The normal to the curve with equation y = f (x) at P0 (x0 , y0 ) is the line through
P0 which is perpendicular to the tangent line at P0 . Moreover, the equation of the normal line is
1
y − y0 = − 0 (x − x0 ).
f (x0 )
Example 9.3 Find the equations of the tangent and normal to the graph of the given functions
at the given point.

1. f (x) = 3x2 − 2x + 1 at (2, 9)

Solution: f 0 (x) = 6x − 2.
Thus, mt = f 0 (2) = 6(2) − 2 = 10.

Therefore, the tangent line is: While the normal line is:
1
y − 9 = 10(x − 2) y−9=− (x − 2)
10
y − 9 = 10x − 20 10y − 90 = −x + 2

10x − y − 11 = 0 x + 10y − 92 = 0.
√
2. f (x) = x x − 1 at (5, 10)

1
Solution: f (x) = x(x − 1) 2
1 1 1
f 0 (x) = (x) (x − 1)− 2 + (x − 1) 2 (1).
2   
0 1 − 12 1 1 1 13
Thus, mt = f (5) = (5) (5 − 1) + (5 − 1) (1) = 5
2 +2= .
2 2 2 4
Therefore, the tangent line is: While the normal line is:
13 4
y − 10 = (x − 5) y − 10 = − (x − 5)
4 13
4y − 40 = 13x − 65 13y − 130 = −4x + 20

13x − 4y − 25 = 0 4x + 13y − 150 = 0.

20
10 Derivatives of Higher Order
Definition 10.1 If f (x) has the derivative f 0 (x), and f 0 (x) has the derivative f 00 (x), then f 00 (x)
is called the second derivative of f (x).

Other symbols for the second derivative of y = f (x) are

d2 y
y 00 , f 00 , D2 y, D2 f, or .
dx2
If f 00 (x) has the derivative f 000 (x), then f 000 (x) is called the third derivative of f (x).

If we continue this process of getting derivatives then we define the derivative of the (n − 1)th
derivative of y, if it exists, to be nth derivative of y = f (x). Symbols used for the nth derivative of
y or f (x) are

dn y
y (n) , f (n) , Dn y, D2 f, or .
dxn
Example 10.2 Find the first five derivatives of

y = 2x5 − 3x4 + 6x + 1.

Solution:

y 0 = 10x4 − 12x3 + 6
y 00 = 40x3 − 36x2
y 000 = 120x2 − 72x
y (4) = 240x − 72
y (5) = 240

Note that if we continue getting higher derivatives after the fifth, they will all turn out to be
zero.

Exercises 10.3 Find the derivative of the following by implicit differentiation.

1. x2 − y 2 = 1 2. x3 + y 3 = 8
3. x3 + 3x2 y 2 − y 3 = 4 4. x3 − 4x2 y + 3xy 2 − 3y 3 = 3

Exercises 10.4 Find the equation of the tangent and normal lines to the curve at the indicated
points.
 
2 x−2 1
1. f (x) = x − 2x + 3 at (0, 3) 2. f (x) = at 3,
x+2 5
3. y 2 + 3y − 2x + 4 = 0 at (7, 2)

Exercises 10.5 Find the first, second, third, and fourth derivatives of the following functions.

1. f (x) = x2 − 2x + 3 2. f (x) = 3x3 − 2x2 + 5x + 6

3. f (x) = 5x4 − 6x3 − 3x2 + 8x − 4 4. f (x) = 8x8 − 7x7 − 5x4 − 3x2 − x + 4

Exercises 10.6 Find the first and second derivative of

r
2x + 2 2x + 3
1. f (x) = 2. f (x) =
x−3 6x + 7

21
Chapter Exercises
4x − 7
Exercises 10.7 I. Find the derivative using the 3-step rule: f (x) = .
3x + 5
II. Find the derivative of the following.

5 −2 3x2 − 7x + 5
1. f (x) = 3x3 − 3x 4 + 2x + x 5 − 5x−6 2. f (x) =
4x2 + 5x − 7
r
2
3 2x − 3x + 4
 5 2

3. f (x) = 4. f (x) = (x3 − 6x−2 ) 3x 6 − 5x 3
3x2 − 4x + 5
1√
 
2x + 1
5. f (x) = sin 6. f (x) = x arcsin 3x + 1 − 9x2
3x − 2 3
(x2 + 1) tan(x − 1)
7. f (x) = ln 8. f (x) = (x + 1)2x
arcsin(x + 1)
III. Find the equation of the tangent and normal lines to the curve at x2 + y 2 − 3x − 8y + 18 = 0
at (1, 4)

IV. Find the derivative of 3x2 y 2 + 5xy + 6x + 5y = 0 using implicit differentiation.

V. Find the first, second, and third derivative of f (x) = x4 − 4x2 + 5.

22