Ch 3: The Derivative

• Chain Rule
Let us see if we have collected all the necessary tools (Rules) for finding the derivative of a
function. Try answering the following questions:

Question 1: For f (x) = (3x + 7)2, how do we find f ' (x). Here the base of the power is a
polynomial in x. Also, the power is a small positive number.
Answer : We do not have a rule which applies to some general function (3x + 7) with a
power. However, if we expand (3x + 7)2 = 9x2 + 42x + 49, then we can use the
sum rule as follows:
d d
f ' (x) = d x (3 x + 7)2 = d x (9x2 + 42x + 49)

d d d
= d x (9x2 ) + d x (42 x) + d x (49)

d d
= 9 d x (x2 ) + 42 d x (x ) + 0 = 9(2x) + 42(1) = 18x + 42

Thus, we could use our tools indirectly to find the derivative of a function raised to a power.
Can we do this all the time? Attempt the following question:

dy
Question 2: For y = (3x + 7)100, find . Here the base of the power is a polynomial in x
dx
and the power is a large positive number.
Answer : In this case, expanding (3x + 7)100 is cumbersome; it can take hours. Don’t we
wish that it was just a letter u raised to the 100th power, like u100 and we could
use our common power rule. Well, let us try to fulfill our wish and substitute
u = 3x + 7. We have u = 3x + 7, which gives
du d dy
= y = u100 ⇒ = 100 u99
dx dx (3x + 7) = 3 du
du dy
Here, we have two derivatives, namely d x and d u . But we are looking for

⎛ d y⎞ du dy ⎛ d y ⎞ from ⎛ d y ⎞ and
⎜ ⎟ which is neither d x nor d u . How do we get ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟
⎝ d x⎠ ⎝ d x⎠ ⎝ d u⎠
⎛ d u ⎞ ? The following rule answers this question:
⎜ ⎟
⎝ d x⎠

• Rule 13: Chain Rule

For y = f (u) and u = g (x) where f, g are both differentiable functions, and

y = ( f D g ) (x) is well-defined, we have

d d y d y du
( f D g) ( x) = = ⋅ .
dx d x du d x

124
 3.3 Rules for Derivatives

d y d y du
Remark: On the right side of the rule, it seems as if du cancels out in = ⋅ .
d x du d x
This is not a mathematical fact but only a pattern recognition.

Let us return to question 2 (above) and answer it completely.

dy
Example 1: For y = (3x + 7)100, find .
dx
Solution: We set u = 3x + 7, and the original function becomes y = u99,

We find d x = dx ( 3x + 7) = 3 and du = d u ( u ) = 100u .

du d dy d 100 99

d y d y du
Now we use the Chain Rule to get d x = d u ⋅ d x = 100 u99 · (3).

Now bring back 3x + 7 for u.

dy 99 99
d x = 100
 (x +7)
3 
· 3 = 300( 3x + 7)

d d
( 3x + 7)100 ⋅ ( 3x + 7)
du dx
power rule

Observe that the part 100(3x + 7)99 is just like the power rule.
⎡ d 100 99 ⎤
⎢⎣ d x x = 100 x ⎥⎦ and the factor (3) in the product is the derivative of (3x + 7).
Therefore in order to find the derivative of a function raised to a power, we multiply two
parts: the first part comes from the power rule and the second part is the derivative of the
base of the power.

( 3x 2 + 7) = 15 ( 3x 2 + 7) ( 6 x + 0)
d 15 14
Try another :
dx

= 15 ( 3x 2 + 7) 6 x = 90 x ( 3x 2 + 7)
14 14

Very often we need the derivative of ( f (x))power. The above method of substitution and the chain
rule will work and we state it as a separate rule.

• Rule 14: (Generalized Power Rule)

d n n– 1
d x ( f (x)) = n ( f (x)) · f ' ( x)

Remark: The generalized power rule works the same way as the power rule except
it has a new factor f '(x). The new factor f ' (x) is the derivative of the
‘INSIDE’ (base of the power).

125
Ch 3: The Derivative

Example 2: For y = (9x – 5)100, find y ' .

Solution:
Method 1 (Using the generalized power rule)
d d
y' = (9x – 5)100 = 100(9x – 5)99 · (9x – 5)
dx dx
= 100(9x – 5)99 · 9 = 900(9x – 5)99

Method 2 (Using the chain rule)

du dy
Let u = 9x – 5 ⇒ y = u100 ⇒ =9 ⇒ d x = 100 u
99
dx
Using the chain rule, we get
dy dy du
y' = d x = · d x = 100 u99 · 9 = 900 u 99 = 900(9x – 5)99
du

Example 3: For f (x) = (5x2 – 3x + 100)9 , find f '(x).

Solution: Let y = f (x) = (5x2 – 3x + 100)9
Method 1 (Using the generalized power rule)
d d
y ' = f ' (x) = (5x2 – 3x + 100)9 = 9(5x2 – 3x + 100)8 · (5x2 – 3x + 100)
dx dx
= 9(5x2 – 3x + 100)8 (10x – 3)
Method 2 (Using the chain rule)
du
Let u = 5x2 – 3x + 100 ⇒ d x = 10x – 3
dy
Then y = u9 ⇒ = 9u8
du
Using the chain rule, we get:
dy dy du
y' = = · = 9u8 · (10x – 3) = 9(5x2 – 3x + 100)8 (10x – 3)
dx du dx

2
Example 4: For g(x) = x4 − 9x , find g' (x)

Solution: Let y = g(x) = (x 4

− 9x
2
)
Method 1 (Using the generalized power rule)
d d
( )
1/ 2
y' = g' (x) = x4 − 9x2 = x4 − 9 x 2 Change radical to power.
dx dx

( )
1 4 −1/ 2 d
= x − 9x2 · ( x4 – 9 x2) n [ f (x)] n –1 · f ' (x)
2 dx

2(
− 9x ) (x )
1 −1/ 2 d
2
= x 4
· (4x3 – 18x) 4
− 9 x 2 = 4 x 3 − 18 x
dx

126
 3.3 Rules for Derivatives

=
1
2
[ ]
⋅ 2 x ( 2 x 2 − 9) ⋅ 4
1
x − 9x2
4x3 – 18x = 2x(2x 2 – 9)

x ( 2 x 2 − 9)
=
x4 − 9x2

Method 2 (Generalized Using the chain rule)

du
Let u = x4 – 9x2 ⇒ 3
d x = 4x – 18x
dy 1 1
1 −
Then y = u = u2 ⇒ = 1u 2 =
du 2 2 u
Now, using the chain rule we get:
dy dy du 1
y' = = · = · (4x3 – 18x)
dx du dx 2 u

2 x ( 2 x 2 − 9) x ( 2 x 2 − 9)
= =
2 x4 − 9x2 x4 − 9x2

Example 5: For y = sin3 x, find y ' .

Solution: Method 1 (Generalized Power Rule)

y = sin 3 x = (sin x)3

d d
y' = (sin x)3 = 3 (sin x)2 · (sin x) = 3(sin x) 2 cos x = 3 sin2 x cos x
dx dx
In the final answer write (sin x)2 as sin2 x.

Method 2 (Chain Rule)

du
Let u = sin x ⇒ = cos x
dx
dy
y = u3 ⇒ = 3u2
du
Using the chain rule, we get
dy dy du
y' = = · = 3 u2 · cos x = 3(sin x)2 cos x
dx du dx
= 3 sin2 x cos x

Before we end this section, let us try to find the derivative of a trigonometric function with
an angle other than x. For example:

127
Ch 3: The Derivative

dy
Example 6: For y = sin (3x2 + 7), find.
dx
Solution: We could handle the derivative of sin x or sin u (Rule 7), therefore we set
u = 3x2 + 7
We get y = sin u,
dy du
= cos u and = 6x
du dx
dy dy du
Now, by the chain rule: = · = cos u · 6x
dx du dx
dy
Replacing 3x2 + 7 for u, we get = cos (3x2 + 7) · 6x
dx
d
Look at the pattern: sin (3x2 + 7) = cos(3x2 + 7) · 6x.
dx
d
sin (3x2 + 7) = cos (3x2 + 7), the extra factor 6x is the derivative of the angle (3x2 + 7).
du
Observe this pattern in the following illustrations:
d d
(sin 5x) = (cos 5x) · 5 sin(cos x) = cos(cos x) (– sin x)
dx dx
derivative of angle derivative of angle

This pattern holds for any trig function. We record this as the next rule.
• Rule 15: (Generalized Trig Rule)
d ⎛ derivative of Trig⎞
d x Trig (angle) = ⎜ ⎟ · (derivative of angle)
⎝ Function (angle) ⎠

In particular
d d
sin ( f (x)) = cos( f ( x)) · f ' (x) sin x = cos x
dx dx
d d
cos ( f (x)) = – sin ( f (x)) · f ' (x) cos x = – sin x
dx dx
d d
tan ( f (x)) = sec2 f ( x) · f ' (x) tan x = sec2 x
dx dx
d d
sec ( f (x)) = [sec f (x) · tan f (x)] · f ' (x) sec x = sec x tan x
dx dx
d d
csc ( f (x)) = [– csc f (x) · cot f (x)] · f ' (x) csc x = – csc x· cot x
dx dx
d d
cot ( f (x)) = – csc2 f (x) · f ' (x) cot x = – csc2 x
dx dx
Reminder: Do not forget to multiply by the derivative of the angle of the trig function.

128
 3.3 Rules for Derivatives

Example 7: For y = cos (4x2 ), find y' .

Solution: Method 1 Method 2
du
y' =
d
cos(4x2 ) = – sin (4x2 ) · 8x Let u = 4x2 ⇒ = 8x
dx dx
dy
derivative of angle y = cos u ⇒ = – sin u
du
= – 8x sin(4x2) Using the chain rule, we get
dy dy du
= · = (– sin u) · 8x
dx du dx
= – 8x sin(4x2)

Method 1 is faster than using substitution u = 4 x 2 and the chain rule.

Also observe that Method 1 is also a chain rule without substitution.

Example 8: For y = 3 tan (5x2 + 7), find y' .

Solution:
Method 1 (Generalized Trigonometric Rule) Method 2 (Chain Rule)
d Let u = 5x2 + 7, then y = 3 tan u.
y' = (3 tan (5x2 + 7))
dx du dy
= 10 x, and d u = 3 sec2 u
d dx
= 3 (tan(5x2 + 7)) Using the chain rule we get
dx
(
= 3 sec ( 5x + 7) ⋅ ( 10 x )
2 2
) y' =
dy
dx
=
dy du
·
du dx
derivative of angle = 3 sec2 u · 10x
= 30x sec2 (5x2 + 7) = 30x sec2 (5x2 + 7)

Example 9: For y = sec(3x), find y' .

Solution:
Method 1 Method 2

d Let u = 3x, then y = sec u

y' = (sec(3x)) du dy
dx
= 3 and = sec u · tan u
= sec(3x) tan (3x) · 3 dx du
Using the chain rule, we get
derivative of angle
dy dy du
= 3 sec (3x) tan (3x) y' = = · = sec u tan u · 3
dx du dx
= 3 sec(3x) tan(3x)

129
Ch 3: The Derivative

Example 10: For f (x) = csc ( x ), find f ' (x).

Solution:
Method 1 Method 2

f ' (x) =
d
csc ( x1/ 2 ) Let u = x = x1/ 2 , and y = csc ( x ) = csc u
dx
du 1 − 1 / 2 1 dy
= x = , and = – csc u cot u
= – csc ( x1/ 2 ) cot ( x1/ 2 ) 2 x
1 −1/ 2 dx 2 2 x du
Using the chain rule, we get
derivative of angle

− csc ( x1/ 2 ) cot ( x1/ 2 )

dy dy du
f ' (x) = y' = = ·
= dx du dx
2 x1/ 2
1 − csc x cot x
csc ( x ) cot ( x ) = – csc u cot u · =–
=– 2 x 2 x
2 x

Example 11: For g (x) = cot(sin x), find g' (x).

Solution:
Method 1 Method 2

d du
g' (x) = cot (sin x) Let u = sin x ⇒ = cos x
dx dx
d y = g(x) = cot (sin x) = cot u
= – csc 2 (sin x) · sin x
dy
dx ⇒ = – csc 2 u
du
= – csc 2 (sin x) · cos x
Using the chain rule, we get
= – cos x csc2 ( sin x)
dy dy du
g' (x) = y ' = = ·
dx du dx
= csc2 u · (cos x)
= – cos x · csc2 (sin x)
• Rule 16: Derivative of the exponential function ex.
d x x
d x (e ) = e .

Example 12: For f (x) = eax find f ' (x).

du
Solution: We use the chain rule with u = ax and rule 16. Then f (x) = eu, = a and
dx
d d d du
f ' ( x) = ( f (x)) = ( e u) = ( e u) · Rule 13: Chain rule
dx dx du dx
u ax
= e · a = ae . Rule 16

130
 3.3 Rules for Derivatives

Example 13: Find the derivative of the following functions:

2
(a) f (x) = e x (b) g (x) = ecos 2x
Solution:
du
(a) We use the chain rule with u = x2 and rule 16. Then f (x) = eu, = 2x and
dx
d d d du
f ' ( x) = ( f (x)) = ( e u) = ( e u) · Rule 13: Chain rule
dx dx du dx
2
= eu · 2x = 2 xe x . Rule 16

(b) We use the chain rule with u = cos 2x and rule 15 and rule 16.
du
Then g (x) = eu, = – sin 2x · 2 Rule 15
dx
d d d du
g ' ( x) = ( g(x)) = ( eu ) = ( eu ) · Rule 13: Chain rule
dx dx du dx
u cos 2x
= e · (– sin 2x · 2) = – 2 sin 2 x · e Rule 16

Example 14: (Rate of Bacteria Growth) The number of bacteria in a person's mouth at time t is modeled
by the exponential equation A(t) = pe0.11t. Assume that the number of bacteria in a person's
mouth right after brushing is 1050 so that p = 1050. Find the rate at which number of
bacteria are growing 12 hours and 24 hours after brushing.
Solution: The rate of growth of bacteria 12 hours and 24 hours after brushing is given by A' (12),
A' (24). Now the number of bacteria t hours after brushing is given by
A (t) = 1050 e0.11t
and the rate of growth of bacteria t hours after brushing is given by A' (t). Next, we have
A' (t) = 1050 × 0.11 × e0.11t.
We thus have A' (12) = 1050 × 0.11 × e0.11 × 12 = 432.37
and A' (24) = 1050 × 0.11 × e0.11 × 24 = 1618.5.
Hence, the bacteria are growing at the rate of approximately 432 bacteria / hr 12 hours after
brushing and at the rate of approximately 1619 bacteria / hr twenty-four hours after brushing.
This shows that one should brush teeth at least twice daily.
Chemical and Pharmaceutical scientists have developed polymer-based drug delivery systems to
improve the pharmacological and therapeutic properties of drugs administered parenterally, that is
administered in a manner other than through the digestive tract, as by intravenous or intramuscular
injection. We, next, give an example to illustrate the efficacy of these polymer based drug delivery
systems over drugs that are administered by intramuscular injection. Example 15 (below) shows
that the rate at which the concentration of a drug delivered by a polymer based drug delivery
system decreases is much less than the rate at which the concentration of a drug delivered by
intramuscular injection decreases.
The concentration k (t) of a drug delivered by intramuscular injection at time t is modeled by the
equation
k ( t) = a 0 e – q t, (1)

131
Ch 3: The Derivative

where a0 is the amount of drug administered initially and q > 0 is the per unit rate at which the
drug is cleared from the blood. The concentration c(t) of a drug delivered by polymer-based
drug delivery system at time t is modeled by the equation
c (t) = c 0 e –st – c1 e – u t, (2)
where c0, c1, s, u are positive constants with u > s. We note that in the case of intramuscular
injection initial dosage of the administered drug is relatively high and the concentration decreases
with time continuously. In the case of polymer-based drug delivery system initial dosage is quite
small and for a time concentration of the drug increases and starts decreasing after sometime.

Example 15: A patient, J, is administered a chemotherapy drug by an intramuscular injection. The

concentration k (t) of the drug in J's blood t hours after the drug is administered is given
by the equation
k (t) = 100 e – 0.4t. (3)
Another patient, M, is administered the same chemotherapy drug by a polymer-based
drug delivery system. The concentration c (t) of the drug in M's blood t hours after the
drug is administered is given by the equation
c (t) = 10 (0.5 e – 0.05t – 0.1e – 0.3t ). (4)
Find the rates at which the concentration of the drug is decreasing in J's and M's blood
1 hours, 6 hours and 20 hours after the drug was administered.
Solution: The rates at which the concentration of the drug is decreasing in J's and M's blood t hours
after the drug was administered is given by k '(t) and c '(t) respectively. We see from equations
(3), (4) that
k '(t) = –100 × 0.4 e– 0.4t = – 40 e – 0.4 t and
c'(t) = 10 ( – 0.5 × 0.05 e – 0.05 t – (–0.1 × 0.3 e– 0.3t )) = – 0.25 e – 0.05t + 0.3 e – 0.3t.
Thus, the rate at which concentration of the drug is decreasing in J's blood 1 hour, 6 hours,
and 20 hours after the drug was administered is given by
k' (1) = – 40 e –0.4 × 1 = – 40 e – 0.4 = –26.813 (5)
–0.4 × 6 –2.4
k' (6) = – 40 e = – 40 e = –3.629
–0.4 × 20 –8
k' (20) = – 40 e = – 40 e = –0.013
and the rate at which concentration of the drug is decreasing in M's blood 1 hour,
6 hours, and 20 hours after the drug was administered is given by
c' (1) = – 0.25 e– 0.05 × 1 + 0.3 e –0.3 × 1 = – 0.25 e–0.05 + 0.3 e – 0.3 = –0.0155 (6)
c' (6) = – 0.25 e– 0.05 × 6 + 0.3 e – 0.3 × 6 = – 0.25 e– 0.3 + 0.3 e –1.8 = –0.13561
c' (20) = – 0.25 e– 0.05 × 20 + 0.3 e –0.3 × 20 = – 0.25 e–1 + 0.3 e –6 = –0.09123.
We notice that initial concentration of the drug in J's blood is 100 mcg and the initial
concentration in M's blood is 4 mcg. Also the concentration of the drug in J's blood 1 hour,
6 hours, and 20 hours after the drug was administered is given by
k (1) = 100 e–0.4 × 1 = 100 e– 0.4 = 67.032 mcg (7)
k (6) = 100 e–0.4 × 6 = 100 e– 2.4 = 9.0718 mcg
k (20) = 100 e–0.4 × 20 = 100 e– 8 = 0.033546 mcg

132
 3.3 Rules for Derivatives

and the concentration of the drug in M's blood 1 hour, 6 hours, and 20 hours after the
drug was administered is given by

c (1) = 10 (0.5 e –0.05 × 1 – 0.1 e –0.3 × 1) = 10 ( 0.5 e – 0.05 – 0.1 e – 0.3 ) = 4.0153 mcg (8)

c (6) = 10 ( 0.5 e –0.05 × 6 – 0.1 e –0.3 × 6 ) = 10 ( 0.5 e – 0.3 – 0.1 e – 1.8 ) = 3.5388 mcg
c (20) = 10 (0.5 e –0.05 × 20 – 0.1 e –0.3 × 20 ) = 10( 0.5 e –1 – 0.1 e – 6 ) = 1.8369 mcg

Finally, we see from equations (5), (6), (7), (8) that the concentration of the drug in J's blood
decreases very rapidly and comes down to a very low level by the 20th hour, while the
concentration of the drug in M's blood decreases gradually in that the concentration in M's
blood by the 20th hour is still quite reasonable even though initially M received a considerably
smaller dosage of the drug than what J received. Hence the polymer-based drug delivery
system is far more preferable to the intramuscular injection method.

Summary
1. (Product Rule):
d
(product) = (der. of first) · (second) + (first) · (der. of second)
dx

2. (Quotient Rule):
d ( der. of numerator ) ⋅ ( denominator ) − ( numerator ) ⋅ ( der. of denominator )
(quotient) =
dx ( denominator ) 2

3. (Power Rule):
d
(INSIDE) POWER = (Power) (INSIDE) POWER – 1 · (der. of INSIDE)
dx

4. Derivative of sine: cosine 5. Derivative of cosine: – sine

6. Derivative of tangent: secant 2 7. Derivative of cotangent: – cosecant 2

8. Derivative of secant: secant · tangent

9. Derivative of cosecant: – cosecant · cotangent

10. Derivative of any basic trig. function is:

d
Trig (angle) = (derivative of Trig) (angle) · (derivative of angle)
dx
11. If a given function contains radical then change the radical to exponent before using power rule.
12. If there is a trig. function with a power, then re-write it as (Trig. function) Power.
For example: sin2 x = (sin x)2 or tan3 x = (tan x)3 .
13. Derivative of ex : ex

133
Ch 3: The Derivative

EXERCISE 3.3D
In exercises (1-7), find y' by using the chain rule. Express the answer in terms of x.

1. y = u5 ; u = x 2 – 3x + 5 2. y = u3/2 ; u = x5 – 3x 4 3. y= u ; u = sin x
4. y = sin u ; u = tan x 5. y = cos 2u ; u = sin x

6. y = sin u ; u = v ; v = x 2 + 3 7. y = u3 ; u = sin v ; v = cos 2x

In exercises (8-36), find the derivative by using two different methods.

8. f (x) = (x2 – 5x + 7 )4 9. g(x) = (9x 4 + 7x3 – 8x2 )3 10. f (x) = (3x2 – 4x + 5) – 7

3 2 5/ 2
11. g (x) = (2x2 + 3x + 4)– 3 12. f (x) = ( x 2 + x − 6) 2 / 3 13. H(x) = ( 9 x + 5 x + 7 x − 10)
2 −3
14. f (x) = 15. g(x) = 16. f (x) = 3
3x 2 − 5x + 7
( 5x )
3
( 3x + 7) 2
−7
2

2 2 2
5
17. g(x) = 3
7 x − 6x + 1 18. f (x) = 5
6 x + 5x + 4 19. g (x) = 3x + 6 x + 8 20. h(x) =
8x + 5

3
21. y= 22. y = (3 + 2 sin x)4 23. h(x) = (sin x – x)5 24. f(x) = (3x + 4 sin x)5
2
x − 5x + 4
25. f (x) = (2x + 5 cos x)4 26. f (x) = (2 sin x + 3x)5 27. f(x) = 4 cos (x/2) 28. y = 2 sin (3x/4)

29. y = sec x 3( ) 30. ( )

f(x) = 3 sin x 3 31. y = sin 2 / x
2
32. y = tan (1/x)

g(x) = tan ( x )
1 2 4 2
33. y= cos ( 2 x ) 34. 35. f(x) = cos (tan 3x) 36. g(x) = tan (cos 3x)
4

In exercises (37-45), find the derivative of the composite function.

⎛ 1⎞
5
37. y= 5+ 2 x 38. f (x) = 3 + 2 sin (4 x ) 39. f (t ) = ⎜ t 3 + 3 ⎟
⎝ t ⎠

⎛ 2 2 ⎞
4
40. g (z) = ⎜ z − 2 ⎟ 41. y = sin x +9
2 42. z = cos2 2
x +9
⎝ z ⎠

43. y = sin x + cos x 44. f (x) = cos 3

x +
3
cos x 45. y = tan 2 x

( )
dy
2 cos x Find f ' (x) for f (x) = sin x 2 e 3 x .
46. Find f ' (x) for f (x) = x 2 e 3x. 47. Find for y = x +e 48.
dx

⎛ 1⎞
2
⎛ 9⎞
49. Find an equation of the tangent line to the graph of y = ⎜ x − ⎟ at the point ⎜ 2, ⎟ .
⎝ x⎠ ⎝ 4⎠

50. Find an equation of the tangent line to the graph y = sin π + x 2 at the point (0, 0). ( )
51. A particle travels distance s = 6 3 sin ( 0.2 t + 1.3) in time t. Find the velocity of the particle at any time t.

Writing Exercises
52. State the generalized power rule. 53. State the generalized trigonometric rule.

134