1

MATH 114 – differential calculus

Handout #4

The Differentiation Formulas

The increment-method (three-step rule) of finding the derivative of a function gives us the basic
procedures of differentiation. However these rules are laborious and tedious when the functions to be
differentiated are “complex”, that is, functions with large exponents, functions with fractional exponents
and other rational functions.
Understanding of the theorems of differentiation is very important. This is the heart of
differential calculus. All of the succeeding topics such as applications of derivatives, differentiation of
transcendental functions etc. will be dependent on these theorems. Understanding of these theorems
will enable us to calculate derivatives more efficiently and will make calculus easy and enjoyable.

Differentiation Formulas of Algebraic Functions

1. Derivative of a Constant
The derivative of a constant function is 0 , that is, if c is any real number, then

d
(c )  0
dx
Examples:
d d 1
(3)  0 0
dx  4 
a.) c.)
dx
d d
b.) (5)  0 d.) ( )  0
dx dx
2. Derivative of a Power Function
To differentiate a power function, decrease the constant exponent by one and multiply the resulting
power function by the original exponent.

d n
dx
 x   nx n 1

Examples:

d  32 
a.)
d 4
dx
x  b.)
dx
x 
d 2
c.) x 
dx  

3. Derivative of a Constant Times a Function

The derivative of a constant times a function is the constant times the derivative of the function, if
this derivative exists.

d d
cf ( x)  c  f ( x)
dx dx
Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998
Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
 2

Examples:

d  52 
a.)
d
dx
8x2  b.)  5x 
dx  

d 4 3
c.)
d
dx
 6x3  d.) r
dx  3 

4. Derivatives of Sums or Differences

The derivative of a sum or of a difference is equal to the sum or difference of their derivatives, if
these derivatives exist.
If u and v are both differentiable functions at x , then so are u  v and u  v .

d d d
u  v   u    v 
dx dx dx
Examples:

a.)
d
dx
 2 x  5 b.)
d
dx
 5x4  6 x2  4 x  7 

d  13 3
1  d  4 3

c.)  3 x  8 x 4
 x d.)  6 x  2 x  4 x  5 x 2  9 
2

dx  3  dx  

Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998

Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
 3

5. Derivative of a Product (The Product Rule)

The derivative of a product of two functions is the first function times the derivative of the second
plus the second function times the derivative of the first, if these derivatives exist.
d d d
u v   u   v   v u 
dx dx dx
Examples:

a.)
d
 2 x  1 3x  5 
dx 
b.)
d  2
dx 
 x  4 x3  6 x 

c.)
d  3
dx 
 x  5  5  2 x  d.)
d 
dx 
 2  x3   10 x  5

6. Derivative of a Quotient (The Quotient Rule)

The derivative of a quotient of two functions is the fraction whose numerator is the denominator
times the derivative of the numerator minus the numerator times the derivative of the denominator and
whose denominator is the square of the given denominator.
d d
d u v u   u v 
 dx dx
dx  v  v2

Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998

Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
 4

Examples:
d  2  5x  d  x2  1 
dx  3  4 x  dx  x 2  4 
a.) b.)

d  4 x2  3  d  x3  2 x 
dx  1  2 x  dx  x 2  1 
c.) d.)

Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998

Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
 5

7. Derivative of the Power of a Function (The Chain Rule)

The derivative of the power of a function is equal to the power, times the function raised to the
power minus one, times the derivative of the function.

d n
dx
 u   n  u n 1 
d
dx
(u )

Examples:

a.)
d
dx
5x  2
4
b.)
d 4
dx
 8x  9 

3
d  5 
d
 3x 2  10 x  15
5

dx  x  1 
c.) d.)
dx

Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998

Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
 6

8. Derivative of Composition
If g is differentiable at x and if f is differentiable at g ( x) , then the composition f g is
differentiable at x .
The derivative of a composite function of f and g is equal to the product of their respective
derivatives.
dy dy du
If y  f (u) and u  g ( x) , then  
dx du dx
Examples:
dy
a.) Given y  u 3 and u  3x 1 , find .
dx

dy
b.) If y  3u 2  1 and u  1  x2 , find .
dx

Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998

Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
 7

9. Other Differentiation Formula

dy
If the variable x is a function of y then the derivative is equal to the reciprocal of the derivative
dx
of the given function with respect to y .

Examples:
dy
a.) Given x  2 y 2 , find .
dx

dy
b.) Given x  3 y 2  y  4 , find .
dx

Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998

Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002