Topic  Differentiation

7
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
1. Find the derivative by applying the basic differentiation rules,
product rule and quotient rule;
2. Apply the chain rule; and
3. Derive the power rule as a special case of the chain rule.

 INTRODUCTION
In this topic, you will be exposed to the process of obtaining derivatives for
functions, which can be differentiated. The process of finding the derivative is
called differentiation. Differentiating a function by direct use of the definition of
a derivative can be tedious, that is, applying the limit definition. Thus, a set of
differentiation rules has been derived from the limit method to simplify the
process. The rules are completely mechanical and are efficient procedures for
differentiation. Nevertheless, for those who are interested in the evidences of these
rules, they may refer to Calculus books for verification.

The common notation used to denote differentiation of a function, with respect to

dy
a variable x, is f (x) and is pronounced as f prime x and (pronounced “dee y,
dx
dee x”).

If f (x) can be found, f is said to be differentiable and f (x) is called the derivative
of the function f with respect to variable x or differentiation of f over x.

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150  TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION

There are eight rules in differentiation as shown in Figure 7.1.

Figure 7.1: Eight rules in differentiation

7.1 CONSTANT RULE

The formula for constant rule is:

If f (x) = c, where c is a constant, then f (x) = 0.

Let us now look at the examples given.

Example 7.1

(a) If f (x) = 15, then f (x) = 0.

(b) If g(x) = 1.4, then g(x) = 0.
dy
(c) If y = 3x0, then y    0 , as x0 = 1.
dx
(d) If y = e5, then y = 0, when e5 is a constant.
(e) If y = log 7, then y = 0.

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 TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION  151

7.2 POWER RULE

The formula for power rule is:

If f (x) = xn where n is a constant, then f (x) = nxn–1

Let us take a look at the examples given.

Example 7.2

(a) If f  x   x6 , then
dy
 6 x 61
dx
 6 x5

1
(b) If h  w   3
, then
w 5

3

h  w  w 5

3
3  1
Hence, h  w    w 5
5
8
3 
 w 5
5

d  
4
(c)
3 4
If y  x , then y   x 3 
dx  
 
4
4 1
 x 3
3
1
4 3
 x
3

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152  TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION

7.3 CONSTANT TIMES A FUNCTION RULE

The formula for constant times a function rule is:

If f (x) = c(g(x)), where c is a constant and g(x) exists, then f (x) = c(g(x))

Let us now look at the examples given.

Example 7.3

Suppose y = 9x4 then d y  9  d x 4 

dx  dx 
 
 
 9 4 x 4 1

 9 4 x  3

 36 x 3

Example 7.4

Given f  x   4 x3 . Find f (x).

Solution:

Convert f (x) into exponential form or power form.

1
f  x  4  
x 3 2

3
 4x 2

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 TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION  153

Therefore;

d  2
3
f  x  4
  x 
dx  
 
 3 3 1 
 4 x2 
2 
 
3 1
 4 x2 
2 
 
1
 6x 2 or 6 x

7.4 RULES OF SUMS AND DIFFERENCES OF

FUNCTIONS
To calculate the rules of sums and differences of functions, the formulas are:

(a) If f (x) = g(x) + h(x), where g(x) and h(x) exist, then f (x) = g(x) + h(x)
(b) If f (x) = g(x)  h ( x ) , where g(x) and h(x) exist, then f (x) = g(x)  h(x)

Let us now look at the examples given.

Example 7.5

(a) Suppose f (x) = 3x2 + 5. According to Rule IV, f (x) = g(x) + h(x), where
g(x) = 3x2 and h(x) = 5, then:

 
f ( x)  3 2 x 21  0

 6x

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154  TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION

(b) Suppose f (x) = 10x5 – 6x. According to Rule IV, f (x) = g(x) – h(x), where
g(x) = 10x5 and h(x) = 6x, then:

   
f ( x)  10 5 x51  6 1x11

 10  5 x   6  x 
4 0

 50 x 4  6

(c) Suppose f (x) = 5x4 – 8x3 + 3x2 – x + 12

Differentiation is performed on each expression of f (x).

    
f ( x)  5 4 x 41  8 3x31  3 2 x 21  1  0
 20 x3  24 x 2  6 x  1

Example 7.6

Given f ( x ) 

5 x4  3  . Find f (x).
2

Solution:

Simplify f (x):

5 x 4  15
f ( x) 
2
5 x 4 15
 
2 2
5 4 15
 x 
2 2

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 TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION  155

d  5 x 4  d  15 
Therefore, f   x      
dx  2  dx  2 


5
2
 
4 x 41  0

20 x3

2
 10 x3

Example 7.7

7 x3  x
Given f ( x )  . Find f (x).
2 x

Solution:
Convert f (x) by writing it in exponential form or power form.

7 x3  x
f ( x)  1
2x 2
7 x3 x
 1
 1
2x 2 2x 2
1 1
7 3 1 1
 x 2 x 2
2 2
5 1
7 1 2
 x2  x
2 2

7  5 2  1  1  1 
5 1
1

Therefore, f ( x )   x  x
2

22  22 
   
3 1
35 2 1 
 x  x 2
4 4

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156  TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION

Example 7.8
3
Suppose f ( x)  x 5
x 2

 7 x  1 . Find f (x).

Solution:
Expand f (x) by applying the exponential rule.
13 8 3
f ( x)  x5  7x5  x 5

13
13 5 1 8 8 1 3
3
1
f  ( x)  x  7  x5   x5
5 5  5
 
8 3 2
13 56 3 
 x5  x5  x 5
5 5 5
8 3 2

13 x 5  56 x 5  3x 5

5

7.5 PRODUCT RULE

The formula for product rule is:

If f (x) = g(x)h(x), where g(x) g' ( x ) and h(x) exist, then f (x) = h(x)g(x) +
g(x)h(x)

Let us take a look at the examples given.

Example 7.9

If f (x) = 2x(3x2 – 2). Determine the derivative for f (x).

Solution:

Let g(x) = 2x and h(x) = (3x2 – 2).

Then g(x) = 2 and h(x) = 6x

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 TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION  157

Therefore, f ( x)  (3x 2 – 2)(2) + 2x(6x)

 6x2 – 4 + 12x 2

 18x 2 – 4

Example 7.10

If f (x) = (x + 3)(4x2 + 2x). Determine the derivative for f (x).

Solution:

Let g(x) = x + 3 and h(x) = 4x2 + 2x, then

g(x) = 1 and h(x) = 8x + 2

Therefore, f (x) = (4x2 + 2x)(1) + (x + 3)(8x + 2)

= 4x2 + 2x + 8x2 + 24x + 2x + 6
= 12x2 + 28x + 6

Example 7.11

Given s(t) = (8 – 7t)(t2 – 2). Determine s′(t).

Solution:

s (t )   8  7t 
dx

d 2
  
t  2  t2  2
d
dx
 8  7t 
  8  7t  2t    t  2   7 
2

 16t  14t 2  7t 2  14

 21t 2  16t  14

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158  TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION

Example 7.12

dy
Given y = (x2 + 3x – 2)( 2x2 – x – 3). Determine .
dx

Solution:

dy
dx

 x 2  3x  2
d
dx
   
2 x2  x  3  2x2  x  3
d 2
dx
x  3x  2   
  x  3 x  2   4 x  1   2 x  x  3  2 x  3
2 2

  4 x  x  12 x  3 x  8 x  2    4 x  6 x  2 x
3 2 2 3 2 2
 3x  6 x  9 
  4 x  11x  11x  2    4 x  4 x  9 x  9 
3 2 3 2

 8 x3  15 x 2  20 x  7

7.6 QUOTIENT RULE

The formula for quotient rule is:

g  x
If y  f  x  , where g ( x) and h( x) exist, then
h  x

h  x  g   x   g  x  h  x 
f   x  2
 h  x  

Let us now look at the examples given.

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 TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION  159

Example 7.13

x
Given f ( x)  . Determine the first derivative for f ( x).
x 1

Solution:

d d
 x  1  x    x   x  1
f  ( x)  dx dx
 x  1 2


 x  11   x 1
 x  12

 x  1  x
 x  12
1

 x  12
Example 7.14

2x  3 dy
Given y  . Determine .
4x 1 dx

Solution:

d d
dy 
4 x  1  2 x  3   2 x  3  4 x  1
 dx dx
dx  4 x  1 2


 4 x  1 2    2 x  3 4 
 4 x  12
8 x  2  8 x  12

 4 x  12
14

 4 x  12

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160  TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION

Example 7.15

8x2  2 x  1 dy
Given y  2
. Determine .
x  5x dx

Solution:

dy 8 x 2  2 x  1

dx x2  5x

x 2
 5x  dxd 8x 2
 
 2 x  1  8x2  2 x  1  dxd  x 2
 5x 

x 
2 2
 5x


x 2
 
 5 x 16 x  2   8 x 2  2 x  1  2 x  5  
x 
2 2
 5x


16 x 3
 2 x 2  80 x 2  10 x   16 x  40 x 3 2
 4 x 2  10 x  2 x  5 
 x  5x 2 2

16 x 3  82 x 2  10 x  16 x 3  44 x 2  12 x  5

x 
2
2
 5x

38 x 2  2 x  5

x 
2
2
 5x

7.7 CHAIN RULE

The formula for chain rule is:

dy  dy   du 
If y = f (u), where u = g(x), then y  x   
dx  du   dx 

Let us now look at the examples given.

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 TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION  161

Example 7.16

dy
Given y = (1 + x)4 . Determine .
dx

Solution:

dy du
Step 1: Introduce one new variable, u, so that and are easy to calculate.
du dx

Let u = 1 + x, then y = u4

dy du
Step 2: Calculate and .
du dx

When u = 1 + x, and y = u4,

du dy
Then =1 and = 4u3
dx du

dy
Step 3: Use the chain rule to calculate .
dx

dy  dy  du 
y  x      
dx  du  dx 
 4u 3 1

 4u 3

dy
Step 4: Calculate into expressions of x.
dx

dy
Substitute u = 1 + x into , gives
dx

dy
= 4(1 + x)3.
dx

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162  TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION

Example 7.17

dy
Determine , given y = (3 + x3)4.
dx

Solution:

(a) Let u = (3 + x3), hence y = u4

du dy
(b) Then = 3x2 and = 4u3
dx du

dy  dy   du 
(c) By using the chain rule:    
dx  du   dx 

 
 4u 3 3x 2

dy
(d) Substitute u = (3 + x3) into .
dx

dy
   3x 
3
 4 3  x3 2
dx
 12 x 2 3  x  3 3

Example 7.18
3

Given y  2 x  1 2
 2, determine y(x).

Solution:
3
(a) Let u = (2x + 1), hence y 
2
(u ) 2

1
du dy 3 2
(b) Then  4 x and  u
dx du 2

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 TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION  163

dy  dy   du 
(c) By using the chain rule:    
dx  du   dx 
1
3
 u 2 4x
2

dy
(d) Substitute u = ( 2x 2 + 1) into .
dx

1
dy 3

 2 x2  1
dx 2
 2  4x
1

 6x 2x 1 2
 2

7.8 POWER RULE (A SPECIAL CASE OF THE

CHAIN RULE)
The formula for power rule (a special case of chain rule) is:

n n 1
If y   g  x   , then y  n  g  x   g  x  .

Let us now look at the examples given.

Example 7.19

Given y = (3x + 4)7. Find y(x).

Solution:

Let g(x) = 3x + 4, then g(x) = 3 and n = 7.

Therefore, y(x) = 7(3x + 4)7–1(3)

= 21(3x + 4)6

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164  TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION

Example 7.20

Given y = (13 – x4)5. Find y(x).

Solution:

Let g(x) = (13 – x4), then g(x) = –4x3 and n = 5.

Therefore, y(x) = 5(13 – x4)5–1 (–4x3)

= –20x3 (13 – x4)4

Example 7.21
1
2
Differentiate the function y = (3x – 2x + 1) 2 .

Solution:
1
dy 1
  d
 
1
 3x 2  2 x  1 2 3x2  2 x  1
dx 2 dx
1
1
 

 3x2  2 x  1 2  6x  2
2
1
 

2
 3x  2 x  1 2  3x  1

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 TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION  165

Example 7.22
3
 2x  2 
Differentiate the function f ( x )  3  
 x3 

Solution:
31
 2x  2  d  2x  2 
f  ( x)  3    
 x3  dx  x  3 
 d d 
 2x  2    x  3  2 x  2    2 x  2   x  3 
2
 3 dx dx
  
 x3    x  32 
 
2
 2x  2 
 3 
 x  3 2    2 x  2 1 
  
 x3    x  32 
2
 2x  2  2x  6  2x  2 
 3   
 x3    x  32 
 
2
 2x  2   4 
 3  
 x  3    x  32 

ACTIVITY 7.1

For more details on the rules of differentiation, visit the following website
and share your findings in the myINSPIRE forum:

https://www.intmath.com/differentiation/differentiation-intro.php

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166  TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION

EXERCISE 7.1

Find the first degree differentiation for the following functions:

(a) f (x) = 15 (b) f (x) = 5x0

(c) y = 6e3 (d) y = 8 ln2

(e) y = x3(x4) (f) h(s) = x5
2
 1
(g) p(r) = r 3 (h) s(t) = 3
t 5

4
(i) y= x5 (j) y= x5

3
(k) y = 4 8 x2 (l) f (x) = 5 x 2  4
x
x
(m) f (x) = 3x + 7 (n) f (x) = 2 
4

2 5( x4  3)
(o) y = x + 4x + 8 (p) f (x) =
2

4 x3  7 x  4
(q) f (x) = (r) y = (1 + x) (1 – 2x)4
x
x 1
(s) y = (2x – 1) (x + 1)4 (t) y=
x2  2

4 x3  1
(u) y= 2 (v) y = (2x – 1)2
x 1

(w) y = (x2 + 4)5 (x) y= 3x 2  2 x  1

3
2  2x  2 
(y) f (x) = x  5x (z) f (x) =  
 x3 

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 TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION  167

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS 7.1

1. If f (x) = x4 +5x, then f (1) is

A. 0 B. 4 C. 5 D. 9

2
2. If g ( x)  3x 4  , then g ( x ) 
x
3

3
A. 3+ x B. 3x  x 2

3

3
C. 12x  x D. 12x  x 2

8(9  3x)5
3. If y  , then y  =
5

4 8(9  3x)5
A. 24(9  3x) B. 
25

8(9  3x)5
C. D. 24(9  3x)4
25

3  2x 2
4. If y  , then y  =
x2

3 6 4 3  4x
A. 2 B.  C.  D.
x2 x3 x3 x4

5. Given y  5 x3  x  8, then y(2)  y(1) =

A. 14 B. 34 C. 46 D. 60

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168  TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION

This topic explains the eight rules of differentiation:

 Constant rule
– If f (x) = c, where c is a constant, then f (x) = 0

 Power rule
– If f (x) = xn where n is a constant, then f (x) = nx n ă1

 Constant times a function rule

– If f (x) = c (g (x )) , where c is a constant and g(x) exists, then

f (x) = c(g(x))

 Rules of sums and differences of functions

– If f (x) = g(x)  h(x), where g(x) and h(x) exist, then
f (x) = g(x)  h(x)

– If f (x) = g(x) h(x), where g(x) and h(x) exist, then

f (x) = h(x) g(x) + g(x) h(x)

 Product rule
– If f ( x )  g ( x ) h ( x ), where g' ( x ) and h' ( x ) exist, then

f  ( x )  h ( x ) g  ( x )  g ( x ) h ( x )

 Quotient rule
g  x
– If y  f  x   , where g(x) and h(x) exist, then
h x

h  x  g   x   g  x  h  x 
f   x  2
 h  x  

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 TOPIC 7 DIFFERENTIATION  169

 Chain rule
dy  dy   du 
– If y = f (u), where u = g(x), then y  x   
dx  du   dx 

 Power rule (a special case of the chain rule)

n 1
– If y   g  x   , then y  n  g  x   g   x 
n

Chain rule Power rule (a special case of the chain rule)

Constant rule Quotient rule
Constant times a function rule Rules of Sums and differences of functions
Product rule
Power rule

Ayres, F. Jr., & Mendelson, E. (2013). Calculus. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

Barnett, R. A., Ziegler, M. R., & Byleen, K. E. (2002). Calculus for business,
economics, life sciences, and social sciences. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.

Calculus: Volume 1. (2016, March 30). Retrieved from

https://openstax.org/details/books/calculus-volume-1

Weisstein, E. (2019, April 18). Differential calculus. Retrieved from

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/topics/DifferentialCalculus.html

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