Differentiation

Idea of Limit
If f(x) = 1
x
The following table will show the corresponding values of f(x) and x:

x 1 100 10 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 000

1 1 0.01 0.0001 0.000001 0.000000001

x

The values of x increases The values of f(x) decreases

Hence, when x approaches ∞ (infinity) x→∞

f(x) approaches 0 f(x) → 0

 This condition is read as “the limit of f(x) as x approaches ∞ is 0”

And is written as
lim f(x) = 0
x→0
→ is read as ‘approaches’ or ‘tends to’
∞ is read as ‘infinity’ [extremely large value to the extend that it cannot be defined
x→ ∞ does not mean x = ∞ but n approaches ∞

1. Find the lim ( 1 ) by completing the following 2. Find the value of lim ( 1 ) by completing the
table x→0 x following table n→0 2 + n

3. Without constructing a table, find the value of 4. Find the value of lim (x² – 9)
lim ( 1 ) x→ –3 x + 3
n→3 n + 7

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Differentiation
Differentiation: The Gradient of a Tangent to a Curve y = f(x)

Gradient of a Curve

 If P and Q are two points on a curve, then the line segment joining P and Q is known as chord
while the straight line that touches the curve at P is known as tangent to the curve at P
 The gradient of a curve at any point is defined as the gradient of the tangent to the curve at
that point

 Assume that we want to find the gradient of the curve at point P as shown in the diagram on the
earlier diagram. If Q is a neighbouring point to P, then the gradient of the chord PQ is an
approximation to the value of gradient of the tangent at P. As Q approaches P, the approximation
becomes more and more accurate, as Q → P
Gradient of the chord PQ → gradient of the tangent at P
Or
lim (gradient of the chord PQ) = gradient of the tangent at P
Q→P

 The gradient of the chord PQ is calculated and notice what will happen to the value of the
gradient as Q approaches P by studying the following table:

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Differentiation

 From the table in the column, it can be seen that as Q → P, the gradient of the chord PQ → 4,
hence conclusion can be made that the gradient at the point P(2, 4) is 4
 The above diagram shows the points P(x, y) and Q(x + δx, y + δy) which are two nearby points
on the curve y = f(x)
 δx is known as delta x while δy is known as delta y. δx and δy represents a small increase in x and
a small increase in y respectively
 Gradient of PQ = vertical distance
horizontal distance
= (y + δy) – y
(x + δx) – x
= δy
δx
 As δx becomes smaller and approaching 0 (δx → 0), point Q is getting nearer and nearer to P
until chord PQ becomes the tangent to the curve y = f(x) at point P
 Since δy represents the gradient of the chord PQ, lim (δy) represents the gradient of the tangent
δx δx→0 δx
to the curve y = f(x) at point P
 A conclusion can be made that if
dy = lim (δy)
dx δx→0 δx
then dy represents the gradient of the tangent to the curve y = f(x) at a certain point
dx
 dy is the notation of the differentiation of y with respect to x. It is the first derivative of a
dx
function y = f(x)

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Differentiation
First Derivatives from First Principle

5. Find the first derivative of the function 6. Find the first derivative of y = 3x² + x – 2 from
y = x² + 1 using the concept of differentiation as the first principle
the gradient of a tangent

7. Find the first derivative of y = 2 from first 8. By using the first principle, find the gradient of
x the curve y = 6x – 3
principles x

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Differentiation
To Deduce the Formula of the First Derivative of the Function y = axn by Induction

Deduce the formula of the first derivative of the function y = axn, where a is a constant and n = 1, 2, 3, ...

When n = 1, y = ax When n = 2, y = ax²

When n = 3, y = ax³

The results can be tabulated as:

y dy
dx

Hence, by induction, when y = axn,

dy = naxn–1
dx

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Differentiation
Questions 9.1

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Differentiation
Differentiation of the Function y = axn
 the derivative of the function y = axn means that the first-order differentiation and it is denoted by
dy or f’(x)
dx
 If y = k, where k is a constant, then dy = 0
dx
 If y = ax , then dy = nax
n n–1

 If f(x) = p(x) ± q(x) then f’(x) = p’(x) ± q’(x)

9. Find dy for each of the following functions

dx
a) y = 7 b) y = 5x c) y = x4 d) y = 7x³

e) y = 7 f) y = 5 g) y = x7 h) y = 2
x x³ 14 5x5

Questions 9.2

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Differentiation
Answer 9.1 Answer 9.2

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Differentiation
Differentiation of Composite Function
Chain Rule
If y = f(u) and u = g(x)
Then, dy = dy × du
dx du dx

1) Given that y = t – 3t² and x = 3t + 8, find 2) If y = u³ + 4 and u = x² + x, find the dy

differentiation in terms of dx
a) t

b) x

Differentiate the following with respect to x

3) y = (6 – x)5 4) y = (x² + 5x – 6)7

5) y = √2x² – 6x + 7 6) y = (2 – 5x)-¾

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Differentiation
y = k(axm + b)n
= kn(axm + b)n–1. d (axm + b)
dx

Find the dy of the following:

dx
7) y = (2x³ + 5)6 8) y = (x² + 3)5

9) y = 1__ 10) y = √3x² + 1

(x² – 3)²

Find the f´(x) of the following:

11) f(x) = (3 + 2x)7 12) f(x) = 7(2 – 5x)5

13) f(x) = 4__ 14) f(x) = 1_____

(x² – 3)3 (2x² – x + 2)³

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Differentiation
 Differentiation may not only be written in the form of dy. It can also be written using other
dx
letters such as ds .
dt
 It should be: d(variable of left-hand side)
d(variable of right-hand side)
Example:
s = t² + 5t –3
t²

Differentiation of the Product of Algebraic Functions

Product Rule Method Quotient Rule Method

If y = uv If y=u
dy= u dv + v du v
dx dx dx v du – u dv
dy = dx dx
dx v²
Find the differentiation of the following:
15) y = (3x² – 2)(x² + 5x + 4) 16) y = x³_
2 – x4

17) y = x4(3 + 2x)7 18) f(x) = (x² + 3)5 , find f´(0)

2 – 5x

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Differentiation
Questions 9.3

Answers 9.3

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Differentiation
Gradient of Tangent, Equation of Tangent and Normal
 Gradient of a curve at any point is defined as the gradient of the tangent at that point
 Equations of Tangent and Normal to a curve

a) If P(x1, y1) is a point on the curve y = f(x), then the gradient of the tangent at P is the value of
dy when x = x1
dx
b) The equation of the tangent at point P(x1, y1) is y – y1 = m(x – x1), where m = f´(x1)
c) The normal to the curve y = f(x) at point P(x1, y1) is the straight line that passes through the point
P and is perpendicular to the tangent at that point, thus the gradient of the normal is – 1 .
f´(x1)
d) The equation of the normal at point P(x1, y1) is y – y1 = m(x – x1), where m = – 1 .
f´(x1)

1) Find the gradient of the curve y = 2x – 3 at point 2) The gradient of the curve y = ax + b at the point
(0, – 3 ) 2x + 5 (–2, 0) is 1 x²
2
Find the value of a and b

3) Find the coordinates of the points on the curve 4) Find the equations of the tangent and normal to
y = –3x³ + 4x such that the gradient of the normal the curve y = (x² –2)(3 – x) at the point (–1, –4)
at that point is 1
5

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Differentiation
Questions 9.4

Answers 9.4

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Differentiation
Turning Point or Stationary Point, Maximum Point and Minimum Point
 At turning point of stationary point, tangent is parallel to x-axis, therefore gradient of tangent is 0

 Maximum and minimum point can be determined by using the following method:
a) Tangent Sketching Method
b) Second-Order Derivative Method

5) Find the turning points of the curve y = (x + 3)² and determine whether each turning point is a
maximum point or a minimum point

Tangent Sketching Method

For point (–3, 0) For point (3, 12)

value of x Slightly < –3 –3 Slightly > –3 Value of x Slightly < 3 3 Slightly > 3
Let x = Let x = Let x = Let x =
Value of dy Value of dy
dx dx
Sign of dy Sign of dy
dx dx
Sketch of Sketch of
tangent tangent
Sketch of Sketch of
curve curve

Second-Order Derivative Method

 The second derivative of the function y = f(x) is the second-order differentiation and is denoted
by d²y of f"(x)
dx²
 d²y or f"(x) means to differentiate dy or f '(x) another time
dx² dx

15
Differentiation
Questions 9.5

Answers 9.5

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Differentiation
Maxima and Minima
 To express the quantity that has to be maximized or minimized in terms of only one variable
based on the given information
Let V (volume) be the quantity that has to be maximized and minimized. Thus express V in terms
of only one variable, let it be x
 Find dV and solve the equation dV = 0 to determine the value of x
dx dx
 Find d²V and substitute the value of x that is found into d²V.
dx² dx²
If the value of d²V is negative, then the value of V is a maximum
dx²
If the value of d²V is positive, then the value of V is a minimum
dx²
 Calculate the maximum or minimum value of V by substituting the value of x into V

1. A cuboid has a base where its length is twice its 2. Diagrams below shows a rectangular piece of
width and its total surface area is 300 cm². If the manila cardboard ABCD. The sides AD and BC
width of the cuboid is x cm and the volume of the are joined to form an open cylinder of height h cm
cuboid is V cm³, show that V = 100x – 4 x³. as shown in the diagrams. The perimeter of ABCD
3 is 50 cm and the volume of the cylinder is V cm³
Find the length, width and height of the cuboid
when its volume is a maximum and find the
maximum volume of the cuboid.

a) show that V = x² (25 – x)

4π

b) find the value of x and of h such that the

volume of the cylinder is a maximum

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Differentiation
Questions 9.6

Answers 9.6

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Differentiation

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Differentiation
Rates of Change
 If y = f(t), where t is time, then dy represents the rate of change of y
dt
 If A is the area in cm² and t is the time in seconds, then dA = 10 means the area is increasing at
dt
–1
the rate of 10 cm²s
 If V is the volume in cm³ and t is the time in seconds, then dV = –30 means the volume is
dt
decreasing at the rate of 30 cm³s–1
 Notice that a negative sign has to be inserted to represent the rate of decrease
 Steps to solve problems on rates of change:
a) write the rate of change required by the question in the form of mathematical symbol. For
example, if the question asks for rate of change in y, write it as dy
dt
b) separate dy and dt as follows:
dy = dy × __
dt dt
c) let the third quantity be x, then
dy = dy × dx
dt dx dt

1. A spherical air bubble is formed at the base of 2. If the radius of a circle is decreasing at the rate
a pond. When bubble moves to the surface of of 0.2 cm s–1, find the rate of decrease of the area
the water, it expands. If the radius of the of the circle when its radius is 3 cm
bubble is expanding at the rate of 0.05 cm s–1,
find the rate at which the volume of the bubble
is increasing when its radius is 2 cm.

3. Water is poured into a container in the shape of an inverted cone at the rate of 2 cm³s–1. If the radius
of the base of the cone is 12 cm and its height is 18 cm, find the rate of increase of the height of the
water level when the height of the water level is 6 cm.

20
Differentiation
Questions 9.7

Answers 9.7

21
Differentiation
Small Changes and Approximations
 Write the small change that has to be calculated in the form of mathematical symbol. Assume
that the small change of an area (A) has to be calculated. Denote it by δA.
 Divide the small change in the first quantity (δA) by the small change in the second quantity, let
it be radius (δr), such as δA
δr
 Approximate δA to dA , such as δA ≈ dA
δr dr δr dr
 Hence, δA can be calculated using the approximation of δA ≈ dA × δr
dr
 The positive value of δA represents small increase in A while the negative value of δA represents
small decrease in A

1. A closed cylinder has a height of 15 cm. 2. An open tank in the shape of a cuboid has a
Find the approximated increase in the total rectangular base of length 2x m and width x
surface area of the cylinder when radius of m, while its height is 2 m. Find the
the cylinder increase from 5 cm to 5.02 cm approximated decrease in the total surface
while its height is a constant. area of the tank if x decrease from 3 to
2.99.

3. The height of a cone is four times its base-radius. Find the approximate change in its base-radius
if its volume increase from 36π cm³ to 39π cm³.

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Differentiation
Approximation
 The approximated value of y is given by:
ynew = yoriginal + δy
= yoriginal + dy (δx)
dx
4. Given that y = 32 , find the value of dy when x = 2. Hence, estimate the value of
x5 dx
a) 32__
(2.01)5

b) 32__
(1.98)5

Questions 9.8

Answers 9.8

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