42 Derivative of Functions

DERIVATIVE OF FUNCTIONS
2
DERIVATIVE OF A FUCNTION

Definition: The derivative of a function f (x) denoted by f ' ( x) is defined by

f ( x  x) - f ( x)
y   f ( x)  lim
x →0 x
provided this limit exists.

Remarks: The notation [read “delta x”] is defined by . Hence the two
symbols are not separate but are always taken as one.

The geometric interpretation of the derivative of a function is illustrated in Figure

2.1. A line that intersects a curve at two distinct points is called a secant line. If the line
intersects the curve at exactly one point, the line is called a tangent line.

Fig. 2.1

y
In Figure 2.1, the slope of the secant line is m  . As becomes smaller and
y
smaller, the secant line moves down towards the tangent line. The tangent line is the limiting
position of the secant line. Hence the derivative of a function may be interpreted as “the
slope of the line tangent to the curve at any point (x, y)”.

Gabino P. Petilos, Ph.D.

43 Derivative of Functions

dy y f ( x + x) - f ( x)
OTHER NOTATIONS USED: = lim = lim or
dx x →0 x x →0 x

y f ( x + x) - f ( x)
Dx [ f ( x)] = lim = lim .
x →0 x x →0 x

Definition: The derivative of the function f (x) at x  a is defined by the equation

f ( x) - f ( a )
f (a)  lim
x →a x-a
provided this limit exists.

Illustrations: Use the definition to find the derivative of the following functions:
1. f ( x) = 5 x + 3
2. f ( x) = x 2 + 2 x + 1
3. f ( x) = x
4. f ( x) = x 3
Solution:
f ( x  x)  f ( x) [5( x  x)  3]  (5x  3)
1. f ( x)  lim = lim
x 0 x x 0 x
5x
= lim
x 0 x

= lim 5 (cancel out x )

x  0

=5

Therefore, if f ( x)  5x  3 , then f ( x)  5 .

f ( x  x)  f ( x)
2. f ( x)  lim
x 0 x
[( x  x) 2  2( x  x)  1]  ( x 2  2 x  1)
= lim
x 0 x
x  2 x  x  (x)  2 x  2  x  1  x 2  2 x  1
2 2
= lim
x 0 x
2 x  x  (x)  2  x
2
= lim
x 0 x
x(2 x  x  2)
= lim = lim (2 x  x  2) (cancel out x )
x 0 x x  0

= (2 x  2)

Therefore, if f ( x)  x 2  2 x  1 , then f ( x)  2 x  2 .

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

44 Derivative of Functions

f ( x  x)  f ( x)
3. f ( x)  lim
x 0 x
x  x  x 0
= lim = (indeterminate)
x 0 x 0
( x  x  x ) ( x  x  x )
= lim  (rationalizing the numerator)
x 0 x ( x  x  x )
( x  x)  x
= lim
x 0
x( x  x  x )
x  1
= lim
x 0
x( x  x  x )
1
= lim (cancel out x )
x 0
x  x  x
1
= .
2 x

1
Therefore, if f ( x)  x , then f ( x)  .
2 x

f ( x  x)  f ( x)
4. f ( x)  lim
x 0 x
( x  x) 3  x 3
= lim
x 0 x
x  3x 2 (x)  3x(x) 2  (x) 3  x 3
3
= lim
x 0 x
3x (x)  3x(x) 2  (x) 3
2
= lim
x 0 x
x  [3x  3x(x)  (x) 2 ]
2
= lim
x 0 x
= lim [3x  3x(x)  (x) 2 ] (cancel out x )
2
x 0

= 3x 2

Therefore, if f ( x)  x 3 , then f ( x)  3x 2 .

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

45 Derivative of Functions

Exercise 2.1 Find the derivative of the given function using the definition.

1. f ( x)  7 x  5

2. g ( x)  1  2 x  x 2
1
3. f ( x) 
x
2x + 1
4. f ( x) =
3x + 4
5. f(x) = x 3 - 2 x 2 + 2
1
6. f ( x) 
x2

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

46 Derivative of Functions

THEOREMS ON DERIVATIVES OF ALGEBRAIC FUNCTIONS

We can simplify the process of finding the derivatives of functions using the
theorems that follow. The proofs of these theorems are omitted.

Theorem 2.1 Dx (c) = 0 [Derivative of a Constant]

dy
Illustrations: 1. D x (5) = 0 3. If y = 3, = 0.
dx
2. Dx (-7) = 0 4. If y = 2 , y ' 0 .

Theorem 2.2 Dx (x) = 1 [Derivative of the Identity Function]

dy
Illustrations: 1. If y = x, = 1. 3. If f ( x) = x , Dx ( x)  1 .
dx
2. If f ( x) = x , then f ' ( x) = 1 .

Theorem 2.3 Dx ( x ) = nx , n any rational number, n  0 .

n n -1
[Derivative of a Power]

Illustrations: 1. Dx ( x 2 ) = 2 x

2. Dx ( x 5 ) = 5x 4
1 dy 1
3. If y = , then = Dx ( x -1 ) = -1.x -2 = - 2 .
x dx x
1
-2
1 1
4. If y = x , then y' = Dx ( x 2 ) = 12 .x = .
2 x
1 dy 4
5. If y = 4 , then = Dx ( x -4 ) = -4.x -5 = - 5 .
x dx x
3 3 1
-4 3
6. If y = x 4 , then y ' = D x ( x 4 ) = 34 .x = 1 .
4x 4

Theorem 2.4 Dx [c. f ( x)] = c.Dx [ f ( x)] [Derivative of a Constant times a Function]

Illustrations: 1. Dx [2 x] = 2 Dx ( x) = 2(1) = 2

2. Dx [- x] = -1.Dx ( x) = (-1)(1) = -1

3. If y = 4 x 3 , then y ' = 4(3x 2 ) = 12 x 2 .

5 dy 10
4. If y = 2 , then = 5.Dx ( x -2 ) = 5(-2) x -3 = - 3 .
x dx x
Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.
47 Derivative of Functions

Theorem 2.5 Dx [ f ( x) ± g ( x)] = Dx [ f ( x)] ± Dx [ g ( x)] [Derivative of a Sum]

Illustrations: 1. Dx (2 x + 5) = Dx (2 x) + Dx (5) = 2 + 0 = 2

2. If y = 3x 2 - 4 x + 5 , then y' = 6 x - 4 . (Differentiate term by term)

dy
3. If y = 2 x 3 + 4 x 2 - 7 x + 10 , then = 6 x 2 + 8x - 7 .
dx
2 5 dy 1 2
4. If y = 3 x + 3 - x + 6 , then
3
= Dx ( x 3 ) + 2Dx ( x -3 ) - 53 x 3 .
x dx
1 6 2
= 2 - 4 - 53 x 3
3x 3 x .

Theorem 2.6 Dx [ f ( x) g ( x)] = f ( x) Dx [ g ( x)] + g ( x) Dx [ f ( x)] [Derivative of a Product]

Illustrations: 1. Dx [(2 x  5)( x 2  3x  4)]

 (2 x  5)(2 x  3)  ( x 2  3x  4)(2)
 4 x 2  16 x  15  2 x 2  6 x  8
 6 x 2  22 x  23 (answer)

2. Dx [( 2 x 3 - x 2  4)(3 x )]

 (2 x 3 - x 2  4) Dx (3 x )  (3 x ) Dx (2 x 3 - x 2  4)
1
 (2 x 3 - x 2  4) D x ( x 3 )  (3 x )(6 x 2 - 2 x)
1 -2
 (2 x 3 - x 2  4) x 3  (3 x )(6 x 2 - 2 x)
3
2x - x  4 3
3 2
 2
 ( x )(6 x 2 - 2 x) (answer)
3x 3

 f ( x)  g ( x)  f ( x)  f ( x)  g ( x)
Theorem 2.7 D x    . [Derivative of a Quotient]
 g ( x)  [ g ( x)] 2

2x  3 dy (3x - 5) Dx (2 x  3) - (2 x  3) Dx (3x - 5)
Illustrations: 1. If y  , then 
3x - 5 dx (3x - 5) 2
(3x - 5)(2) - (2 x  3)(3)

(3x - 5) 2
6 x - 10 - 6 x - 9

(3x - 5) 2
- 19
 (answer)
(3 x - 5) 2

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

48 Derivative of Functions

x3 dy ( x  5) D x ( x  3) - ( x  3) D x ( x  5)
2. If y  , then 
x 5 dx ( x  5) 2
-1
( x  5)(1) - ( x  3)( 12 x 2 )

( x  5) 2
x3
x 5-
2 x 2 x  10 x - x - 3
  (answer)
( x  5) 2 2 x ( x  5) 2

Remarks: The following important formulas should be memorized as you will find them useful
in evaluating derivatives of functions.

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

49 Derivative of Functions

Exercise 2.2 Use the preceding theorems to find the derivative of following functions.

Find the derivative of the given function.

1. f(x) = 7x – 5
2. g(x) = 1- 2x - x 2
3. f (x) = x 4 -3x 3 +8x +5
4. f(x) = x 7  2 x 5  5 x 3  7 x
1 8 4
5. f ( x) = x -x
8
1
6. f ( x) = x 2 + 3x +
x2
x3 3
7. f ( x) = +
3 x3
8. f(x) = x 4  5  x 2  4 x 4
9. f (s) = 3(s 3  s 2 )

10. f(x) = (4 x 2 + 3) 2

11. f(x) = (7 - 3 x 3 ) 2

Evaluate the following.

12. f(x) = (x 3 2 x  1)( 2 x 2  2 x)
2 3
13. Dx ( x - 3x + 2)(2 x + 3x)

 2x  1 
14. Dx  
 3x  4 
 x 2  2 x  1
15. D x  2 
 x - 2x  1 

 x 4 - 2 x 2  5 x  1
16. D x  
 x4 

 x 3  1  2 
17. Dx  3 ( x - 2 x 1  1)
 x  3  

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

50 Derivative of Functions

THE CHAIN RULE FOR DIFFERENTIATION

Theorem 2.8 If the function g is differentiable at x and the function f is differentiable at g(x),
then the composite function f  g is differentiable at x, and
( f  g )' ( x)  f ' [ g ( x)]g ' ( x) .

The chain rule is useful in finding derivatives of composite functions. When we apply
the chain rule, we first simplify the function y  f (x) by introducing a new variable u that
will split the function into y  f (u ) and u  g (x) so that

dy dy du
= .
dx du dx

dy
Example 1. Find if y = (2 x 3 - 5 x 2 + 4 x + 3) 5 .
dx

Solution: The given function is a power whose base is also a function. Hence if we let the
base be the variable u, we have u = 2 x 3 - 5x 2 + 4 x + 3 and y becomes y = u 5 .
dy du
Applying the chain rule, we have = 5u 4 while = 6 x 2 - 10 x + 4 . Hence ,
du dx

dy dy du
= . = 5u 4 .(6 x 2 - 10 x + 4) or,
dx du dx

dy
= 5(2 x 3 - 5x 2 + 4 x + 3) 4 .(6 x 2 - 10 x + 4) .
dx

Remark: Whenever, a power has a base which is a function, we apply the power rule and
multiply the result by the derivative of the base.

Example 2. Find f’(x) if f ( x) = 3 x 4 + 4 x 3 - 2 x + 8 .

Solution: Note that f ( x) = ( x 4 + 4 x 3 - 2 x + 8) 3 . Hence we have,

2
-
f ' ( x) = 13 ( x 4 + 4 x 3 - 2 x + 8) 3 (4 x 3 + 12 x 2 - 2) .

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

51 Derivative of Functions

1
Example 3. Find y’ if y = .
2
( x + 3x + 6) 6

Solution: The given function can be written as y = ( x 2 + 3x + 6) -6 . Hence we have,

6(2 x + 3)
y ' = - 6( x 2 + 3x + 6) -7 (2 x + 3) = - .
2
( x + 3x + 6) 7

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

52 Derivative of Functions

Exercise 2.3 Differentiate the following functions

1. f ( x) = (3x + 5) 4

2. f ( x) = (3x 4 - 2 x 2 + 8) 3

3. f ( x) = ( x 4 - 2) 3 ( x 5 + 4 x) 2

(2 x 3  5) 3
4. y 
(4 x 2 - 2 x - 1) 4
4
 x2  1
5. y   
 3x  1 

4x + 3
6. y = 3
x-5
7. f ( x) = (2 x 2 - 7 x + 1) -5

8. f ( x) = (2 x 2 / 3 - 7 x -2 + x) -2
-1 / 2
 x 3  3x  2 
9. y   2 
 x - 5x  3 

( x 2 + 2) 2 (2 x + 1) 3
10. y =
(3 x - 2) 2

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

53 Derivative of Functions

RECTILINEAR MOTION AND THE DERIVATIVE AS A RATE OF CHANGE

Suppose we have a particle moving along a straight line. Let s = f (t ) be the distance
traveled by the particle at any time t. The distance is positive if the object is moving to the
right and negative if it moving to the left. Let the distance travelled by the particle from t = t1
to t = t 2 be s1 = f (t1 ) and s2 = f (t 2 ) , respectively. We define the average velocity of the
particle in this interval of time as

s 2 - s1 f (t 2 ) - f (t1 )
Average Velocity   .
t 2 - t1 t 2 - t1

Example 4. A particle is moving along a straight line such that the distance travelled at any
time t is given by s = f (t ) = t 2 + 2t + 3 cm. Find the average velocity of the
particle as it moves from a) t1 = 1 second to t2 = 2 seconds and b) t1 = 2 seconds
to t2 = 4 seconds.

Solution: a) f (t1 ) = f (1) = 12 + 2(1) + 3 = 6 and f (t 2 ) = f (2) = 2 2 + 2(2) + 3 = 11

11 - 6 5
Average Velocity = = = 5 cm/sec
2 -1 1

b) f (t1 ) = f (2) = 2 2 + 2(2) + 3 = 11 and f (t 2 ) = f (4) = 4 2 + 2(4) + 3 = 17

17 - 11 6
Average Velocity = = = 3 cm/sec
4-2 2

Take note that the average velocity is not constant. The average velocity does not give
us information about the velocity of the particle at the instant when t = 2 seconds. The
velocity of the particle at the instant when t  t1 is called the instantaneous velocity at t1 .
The instantaneous velocity of a car at a particular time is the reading of the speedometer at
s - s1
that time. By getting the limit of the quotient as t approaches t1 , we get the
t - t1
instantaneous velocity of the particle at t  t1 , i.e., the instantaneous velocity of t  t1 is given
s - s1
by lim  f ' (t1 ) , provided this limit exists.
t →t1 t - t
1

Definition: If f is a function given by s = f (t ) and a particle is moving along a straight line

such that s is the number of units in the directed distance of the particle from a
fixed point O on the line at t units of time, then the instantaneous velocity of the
particle is given by
ds
v(t ) = f ' (t ) or v(t ) = , if it exists.
dt
The speed of the particle is given by | v(t ) | = | f ' (t ) | .
dv
The acceleration of the particle a is given by a(t ) = f " (t ) = .
dt
Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.
54 Derivative of Functions

Example 5. A particle is moving along a straight line such that at any time t, its distance
travelled is given by s = f (t ) = 4 - t 2 feet. Find the instantaneous velocity of
the particle at t = 3 seconds.

ds
Solution: s = f (t ) = 4 - t 2 and = -2t . So the instantaneous velocity at t = 3
v(t ) =
dt
seconds is v(3) = -2(3) = -6 ft / sec . The speed of the particle at that instant is
6ft/sec.

Example 6. A particle moves along a horizontal line where s = 2t 3 - 4t 2 + 2t - 1 , where s is

measured in centimeters. Determine when the particle is at rest and the intervals
of time when the particle is moving to the right or moving to the left. Also
determine the time when the particle reverses its direction.

Solution: Since s = 2t 3 - 4t 2 + 2t - 1 , the velocity of the particle at any time t is given by

ds
v(t ) = = 6t 2 - 8t + 2 . The questions can be answered by knowing when the
dt
velocity is negative, o or positive. Equating the velocity to zero, we have
6t 2 - 8t + 2 = 0 or 3t 2 - 4t + 1 = 0 or (3t - 1)(t - 1) = 0 .
1
Solving for t, we have t = 1 or t = . To know the signs of the velocity, we
3
construct the following table.

sign/value of the velocity

interval / value of time t v(t ) = 2(3t - 1)(t - 1)
1
t< positive
3
1
t= 0
3
1
< t <1 negative
3
t =1 0
t >1 positive

From the table, we conclude that the particle was moving to the right when
t  13 and when t > 1. It was moving to the left when t is between 13 and 1. The
particle changes direction where the velocity changes its sign, that is, at t = 1 and
t  13 .

Example 7. A stone is dropped from a height of 64 ft. If s ft is the height of the stone t
seconds after being dropped, then s = -16t 2 + 64 .
a. How long does it take the stone to reach the ground?
b. Find the instantaneous velocity of the stone when it reaches the ground.
Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.
55 Derivative of Functions

Solution: a. On the ground, s = 0. Thus, we have s = -16t 2 + 64 = 0 . Solving for t, we have

t 2 = 4 or t = ±2 . We take t = 2 sec. Hence it will take the stone 2 seconds to
reach the ground.

ds
b. s = -16t 2 + 64 and v(t ) = = -32t . The instantaneous velocity of the stone
dt
when it reaches the ground is -32(2) = -64 ft/sec.

Example 8. A boy a ball up with an initial velocity of 64 feet per second. If the distance of
the ball from the ground at any time t, is h(t ) = -16t 2 + 64t , where t is time in
seconds, find a) the velocity of the ball at any time t; b) the time it will take the
ball to reach the maximum height; c) the maximum height reached by the ball;
and d) the final velocity of the ball as it strikes the ground.

Solution: a. h(t ) = -16t 2 + 64t , so the velocity of the ball at any time t is
dh
v= = -32t + 64 . (answer)
dt
b. At the instant the ball researches its maximum height, the instantaneous velocity
is 0. Hence we have,
v = -32t + 64 = 0
Solving for t, we have t = 2 seconds. Hence it will take the ball 2 seconds to
reach the maximum height.

c. The ball attains its maximum height after 2 seconds. Hence. The maximum
height is
h(2) = -16(2 2 ) + 64(2) = 64 feet.
d. On the ground, s = 0. Thus, we have h(t ) = -16t 2 + 64t = 0 . Solving for t, we
have:
- 16t 2 + 64t = 0 or - 16t (t - 4) = 0

The values of t are 0 and 4. Hence it will take the ball 4 seconds to reach the
ground and the final velocity is v(4) = -32(4) + 64 = -64 feet per second. The
significance of the minus sign is that the ball was moving downward at that
instant.

Definition. If y = f ( x) , the instantaneous rate of change of y per unit change in x at x 1 is

f ' ( x1 ) , i.e., the derivative of y with respect to x at x1, if it exists.

Example 9. A balloon maintains the shape of a sphere as it is being inflated. Find the rate of
change of the surface area with respect to the radius r at the instant when r = 2
meters.

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

56 Derivative of Functions

Solution: The formula for the surface area of the sphere as a function of the radius r is
S (r ) = 4r 2 . The rate of change of the surface area with respect to r is given by

dS
 4 (2r )  8r .
dr

At the instant when r is 2 meters, the surface area is increasing at the rate of
8(2 meters ) = 16 sq. m. per unit change in radius.

Example 10. From Boyle’s Law, the expansion of a gas is given by PV = C, where P is the
number of pounds per square unit of pressure, V is the number of cubic units in
the volume of the gas, and C is constant. Find the instantaneous rate of change
of V with respect to P when P = 3 and V = 6.

C
Solution: From PV = C , we have V = . Thus, the instantaneous rate of change of V with
P
respect to P is given by
dV C
=- 2 .
dP P

dV 18
When P = 3 and V = 6, C = (3)(6) = 18. Hence, = - 2 = -2 cubic units, i.e.,
dP (3)
when P = 3 lbs per square unit, the volume decreases at the rate of 2 cubic units.

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

57 Derivative of Functions

Exercise 2.4 Solve the following problems.

1. A particle moves in one direction along a straight line so that after t minutes its distance is
s  6t 4 feet from the origin.
a. Find the average velocity of the particle when it traveled from 2 min to 4 min.
b. Find the instantaneous velocity at t = 2 minutes.

2. If s(t) = t4 – t3 + t represents the position function of a particle that moves on a horizontal

line, find the position, velocity, and speed and acceleration of the particle at t = 3. [Note:
The acceleration of a particle is the derivative of the velocity function.]

3. The area of a circular field is given by A = r 2 . As the radius r increases, the cost of
making the field increases. What is the rate of increase in area when r = 200 feet?

4. Suppose a gas is pumped into a spherical balloon at a constant rate of 50 cubic centimeters
per second. Assume that the gas pressure remains constant and that the balloon always has
a spherical shape. How fast is the radius of the balloon increasing when the radius is 5
centimeters?

5. Each edge of a cube is expanding at the rate of 1 centimeter (cm) per second. How fast is
the volume changing when the length of each edge is (a) 5 cm? (b) 10 cm? (c) a cm?

6. A baseball diamond is a 90-foot square. A bal1 is batted along the third-base line at a
constant speed of 100 feet per second. How fast is its distance from first base changing
when (a) it is halfway to third base? (b) it reaches third base?

7. What is the rate of change of the volume of a cube with respect to the length of each edge?

8. Find the rate of change of the area of a square with a variable side x at the instant when x is
3 cm.

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

58 Derivative of Functions

HIGHER ORDER DERIVATIVES AND IMPLICIT DIFFERENTIATION

The derivative of a function denoted by f ‘(x) is called the first derivative of f and is
again another function. Hence it makes sense to find the derivative of the first derivative
which we call the “second derivative” of the function. If the second derivative is again
differentiable, we can find its derivative and call this the “third derivative” of the function.
Derivatives of the derivative of a function are called “higher order derivatives’.

The second derivative of a function finds many applications in the physical sciences
and it is for this reason that we have to learn how to find higher order derivatives of a given
function. The table below shows the different notations for higher order derivatives.

Order of the Derivative Notations Used

dy
First Derivative y dx f (x) Dx ( f )

d dy d2y
y  ( ) 2 f (x) Dx 2 ( f )
Second Derivative dx dx dx

d d2y d3y
Third Derivative y  ( 2) 3 f (x) Dx 3 ( f )
dx dx dx

d d3y d4y
( ) 4 Dx 4 ( f )
Fourth Derivative y ( 4) dx dx 3 dx f ( 4 ) ( x)

    

dny
(n ) n
nth Derivative y dx n f ( n ) ( x) Dx ( f )

2
Example 11. Find y  if y 
x
2 2
Solution: Since y  , it follows that y    2 . Thus, we have
x x

d 4
y   (2 x 2 )  4 x 3  3 (answer).
dx x

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

59 Derivative of Functions

d3y
Example 12. Find 3
if y = 2 x 3 - 5 x 2 + 4 x + 3 .
dx

Solution: We start by getting the first derivative of the function. Thus,

dy
= 6 x 2 - 10 x + 4 ;
dx
d2y
= 12 x - 10 ; and
dx 2
d3y
= 12 (answer).
dx3

Example 13. Find Dx4 ( x 4 ) .

Solution: Dx ( x 4 )  4 x 3
Dx2 ( x 4 )  Dx (4 x 3 )  12 x 2
Dx3 ( x 4 )  Dx (12 x 2 )  24 x
Dx4 ( x 4 )  Dx (24 x)  24 (answer)

When the dependent variable y is explicitly expressed as a function of the independent

variable x, it is easy to find the derivative of y using the formulas presented earlier.

There are equations in which the dependent variable y is not explicitly expressed in
terms of the independent variable x. For instance, the equation 2 xy + 5 = x 2 defines an
implicit (implied) function of y in terms of x. How do we find the derivative of y with respect
dy
to x? The process of finding for implicit function is called implicit differentiation. This
dx
technique is best illustrated through the following examples.

dy
Example 14. Find if 2 xy + 5 = x 2 .
dx

Solution: To find the required derivative, we differentiate each term with respect to x since
we assume that the independent variable is x. Thus, we have

d d
(2 xy + 5) = ( x 2 )
dx dx

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

60 Derivative of Functions

dy d d
[2 x. + y. (2 x)] + (5) = 2 x ;
dx dx dx

dy dy
2 x. + 2 y = 2 x or x. + y = x .
dx dx

dy dy
Solving for , we have x = x- y or
dx dx

dy x - y
= provided x  0. (answer).
dx x

Example 15. Find y  if x 2 y 2 = 25 .

Solution: To find the required derivative, we apply the product rule keeping in mind that we
are finding the derivative with respect to x. Thus, we have

d 2 2 d
( x y ) = (25)
dx dx
d d
x 2 . ( y 2 ) + y 2 . ( x 2 ) = 0 (Applying the product rule to the left quantity)
dx dx
dy
x 2 .2 y + y 2 .2 x = 0 (Applying the power rule)
dx
dy
x 2  ( 2 y )  - y 2 ( 2 x)
dx
dy y  2x
2
y
- 2 - .
dx x  2y x
dy y
Therefore =- .
dx x

Example 16. Find y  if x 3 + y 3 = xy .

Solution: To find the required derivative, we differentiate each term with respect to x since
we assume that the independent variable is x. Thus, we have
d 3 d
( x + y 3 ) = ( xy )
dx dx
dy dy dy dx
[ ( x 3 ) + ( y 3 )] = x + y ;
dx dx dx dx

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

61 Derivative of Functions

3x 2  3 y 2 y   xy   y

Solving for y we have 3 y 2 y  - xy   y - 3x 2 or

y   (3 y 2 - x)  y - 3x 2 or
y - 3x 2
y  (answer).
3y 2 - x

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

62 Derivative of Functions

Exercise 2.6 Differentiate the following functions

A. Find the first and second derivative of f.

1. f ( x) = x 5 + 3x 3 + 6
1
2. g ( x) = x + , x0
x

3. y  3 x
x3
4. f ( x)  , x2
x2
1
5. f ( x) 
( x  2) 2
t
6. y =
1- t 2

B. Evaluate the following derivatives.

7. Find Dx3 ( x 4 - 2 x 2 + x - 5)

2
8. Find f ( 4) ( x) if f ( x) =
x +1
d 3u
9. Find if u = v v + 2
dv3
dy
C. Use implicit differentiation to find .
dx
10. 2 x + 3 y = 5

11. 2 x 2 .y 3 = 3

12. xy - y 2 = 4

13. 4 x 2 + 4 y 2 - y 3 = 0

14. xy 2 + 4 y 3 = x - 2 y

15. x 2 / 3 + y 2 / 3 = a 2 / 3
16. x = sin( x + y)
17. tan x + tan y = xy
18. sin( x + y) + sin( x - y) = 1
19. cos(x + y) = y sin x

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

63 Derivative of Functions

D. Answer the following questions.

d2y 1
20. Given x 2 + y 2 = 1 , show that 2 = - .
dx y3

3 3 d 2 y - 2x
21. Given x + y = 1 , show that = 5 .
dx 2 y

1/ 2 1/ 2 d2y 1
22. Given x +y = 2 , show that 2 = .
dx x2/3

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

64 Derivative of Functions

DERIVATIVE OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Let us now discuss the derivatives of transcendental functions. We start with

trigonometric functions. We first establish the derivatives of the sine and cosine functions.

dy f ( x + x) - f ( x)
If y = f ( x) = sin x , = lim
dx x→0 x
sin( x + x) - sin( x)
= lim
x →0 x
sin x. cos x + cos x. sin x - sin x
= lim
x →0 x
sin x.(cos x - 1) + cos x. sin x
= lim
x →0 x
sin x. sin x
= lim . lim (cos x - 1) + lim cos x. lim
x →0 x x →0
     x →0
   
x →0 x
1 1-1 cos x 1
= cos x

dy
Hence, If y = f ( x) = sin x , = cos x .
dx

On the other hand, if y = f ( x) = cos x ,

dy f ( x + x) - f ( x)
= lim
dx x→0 x
cos(x + x) - cos(x)
= lim
x →0 x
cos x. cos x - sin x. sin x - cos x
= lim
x →0 x
cos x.(cos x - 1) - sin x. sin x
= lim
x →0 x
(cos x - 1 sin x
= lim cos x. lim ) - lim sin x. lim
x →0
   
x →0 x   x →0
   
x →0 x
cos x 0 sin x 1
= -sin x

dy
Hence, If y = f ( x) = cos x , = - sin x .
dx

Hence we state the following theorem:

du du
Theorem 2.9 1. Dx (sin u ) = cosu. 2. Dx (cosu) = - sin u.
dx dx

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

65 Derivative of Functions

The following theorems are easy to prove using the theorems about derivative of
functions discussed earlier.

du du
Theorem 2.10 1. Dx (tan u) = sec 2 u. 2. Dx (cot u) = - csc2 u.
dx dx
du du
3. Dx (sec u) = sec u. tan u. 4. Dx (cscu) = - cscu. cot u.
dx dx

dy
Example 18. Show that if y = f ( x) = tan x , then = sec 2 x .
dx
sin x
Proof: Since y = f ( x) = tan x = , we apply the quotient rule. Thus we have
cos x

dy cos x.Dx (sin x) - sin x.Dx (cos x) cos x. cos x - sin x.(- sin x)
= =
dx (cos x) 2 (cos x) 2
cos2 x + sin 2 x 1
= 2 = 2 = sec 2 x .
cos x cos x

Example 19. Find y  if y = csc x

1 sin x.D x (1) - 1.D x (sin x) sin x.(0) - 1.(cos x)
Solution: y   Dx ( ) 
sin x sin 2 x sin 2 x
- cos x
=
sin 2 x
- 1 cos x
= . = - csc x.cot x .
sin x sin x
Thus, if y = csc x , y   - csc x. cot x .

Example 20. Find y  if y = cos3 x

Solution: Applying the chain rule, we let u = cos x so that y = u3. Thus we have:

y   3u 2 .(- sin x)  3 cos2 x.(- sin x)  -3 cos2 x. sin x

Example 21. Find y  if y = x 2 sin( 2 x)

Solution: Applying the product and chain rule, we have:

y ' = x 2 [cos(2 x).2] + sin( 2 x)(2 x)

= 2 x 2 . cos(2 x) + 2 x. sin( 2 x) .

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

66 Derivative of Functions

Example 22. Find f (x) if f ( x) = cos2 x. tan x

1
Solution: We note that f ( x) = cos2 x. tan x = cos2 x. tan 2 x = Applying the product and
power rule we have:

- 12 1

f ( x)  cos2 x.[ 12 tan x]  tan 2 x.(2 cos x.(- sin x)

cos2 x
= - 2 cos x. sin x. tan x or
2 tan x
cos2 x
= - sin 2 x. tan x [since sin2x = 2sinx.cosx].
2 tan x

Example 23. Find the derivative of y  sin(cos 5x) .

du
Solution: If we let u = cos5x then y = sinu. Thus, = - sin 5x.(5) = -5 sin 5x and
dx
dy
= cosu . Therefore the derivative of the function is
du
dy dy du dy
= . = cosu.(-5 sin 5x) or = -5 cos(cos5x)(sin 5x) .
dx du dx dx

dy sec 3 2 x
Example 24. Find if y =
dx csc(x 2 )

Solution: Since the function is a quotient, we apply the quotient rule and apply the “chain
rule” as needed. Thus we have,

dy csc(x 2 ).[3 sec 2 (2 x).(sec 2 x. tan 2 x.2)] - sec 3 (2 x).[- csc(x 2 ). cot(x 2 ).(2 x)]
=
dx csc2 ( x 2 )
6 csc(x 2 ). sec 3 (2 x). tan 2 x - 2 x. sec 3 2 x. csc(x 2 ) cot(x 2 )
= (answer).
csc2 ( x 2 )

d2y
Example 25. Find if y = 2 sin 2 x + 5 cos3x - 4
dx2

Solution: Since y = 2 sin 2 x + 5 cos3x - 4 , we have the following higher order derivatives:
dy dy
= 2 cos 2 x.(2) - 5 sin 3x.(3) or = 4 cos 2 x - 15 sin 3x ;
dx dx
d2y
Therefore, = - 4 sin 2 x.(2) - 15 cos3x.(3) or
dx 2
d2y
 - 8 sin 2 x - 45 cos 3x (answer).
dx 2
Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.
67 Derivative of Functions

Exercise 2.5

A. Differentiate the following functions

1. f ( x) = sin( 2 x + 5)
2. f ( x) = sec x
3. f ( x) = cos x. sin 3x
sin( x + 5)
4. f ( x) =
cos(4 x - 1)
5. y = 2 sec 2 x - csc2 3x
6. f ( x) = 3 csc5x
7. f ( x) = cos2 (4 x 5 + 1)
8. f ( z ) = tan(sin 2 z )
9. f ( z ) = z 2 . cos 2 z + z sin( z 2 )
10. f ( x) = tan 2 (sec x )
cot 2 x
11. f ( x) =
x3
12. y = tan 3x. sec 4 x
2 - sin x
13. f ( x) =
2 - cos x
sec(x 3 + 1)
14. y =
cos x
tan 2 (2 x) + cot(x 2 )
15. y =
sin 2 x
B. Find the first and second derivative of f.
16. y = 3 sin 3 (2 x)

17. f ( x) = cot 2 ( x)

18. f ( x) = 2 + sin 3x
19. y = cot x
20. y = x. tanx
21. y = 3sinx + 2cosx
22. y = sec x

C. Find the following higher order derivatives

23. Find y ( 4 ) if y = cos(2x) – sin(2x)

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

68 Derivative of Functions

DERIVATIVE OF LOGARITHM EXPONENTIAL AND FUNCTIONS

Logarithmic Function

The graph of the inverse of a given function can be obtained by simply reflecting the
graph of f (x) about the line y  x (the identify function). The two graphs are said to be
symmetric with respect to the line y  x . Moreover, the ordered pairs that satisfy the inverse
of a given function are the same ordered pairs as the original function with the abscissa and
ordinate interchanged.

Consider the functions y  2 x (1)

x  2y (2)

Note that the points (0,1), (1,2), (2,4) and (3,8) satisfy (1). Interchanging the roles of the
components of the given ordered pairs yield the ordered pairs (1,0), (2,1), (2,4), and (8,3)
which all satisfy equation (2). The graphs of (1) and (2) are shown in Figure 2.2.


y  2x
y
y=x



x  2y

x
        











Fig. 2.2

The equation x  2 y is called the inverse function of y  2 x . This inverse function is

denoted by y  log 2 x (read: the logarithm of x to base 2).

Definition. The logarithmic function to base a is defined by y  log a x if and only if

x  2 . The domain of this function is the set of all positive real numbers
y

whereas the range is the set of all real numbers.

From this Definition, we note that

34 = 81 implies that log 3 81  4 .

62 = 36 implies that log 6 36  2 .
271/3 = 3 implies that log 27 3  13 .
Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.
69 Derivative of Functions

Thus, the “logarithm of x to base a” is the power to which a must be raised that will
result in the number x.

Logarithms were invented by John Napier out of his interest in reducing complex
computations in astronomy research. Computations using logarithms were usually done using
the table of logarithms. As a computational device, logarithms have lost much of their
importance with the advent of the scientific calculators. The logarithmic function, however,
has been very useful because of its wide use in both the theoretical and applied sciences.

The definition of the logarithmic function is useful in graphing logarithmic functions

as shown in the example that follows.

Example 26. Sketch the graph of y = log 2 x .

Solution: To graph this function, we have to get some ordered pairs that satisfy the given
equation. The points can be obtained by noting that y = log 2 x is the same as
2 y = x . Some of these points are given in the table below and the graph of the
function is shown in Figure 2.3

x 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 4 8

y = log 2 x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

 y



x
        











Fig. 2.3

1
We recall that if f denotes the inverse function of f, then

1
(f  f )( x)  x .

Thus, if y = f ( x) = log a x , then y = f -1 ( x) = a x , so that

f  f -1 ( x) = f (a x ) = log a (a x ) = x

and

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

70 Derivative of Functions

( f -1  f )( x) = f -1 (a loga x ) = x .

We therefore have the following properties of logarithms :

1. log a (a x )  x
2. a loga x  x

In addition to these properties, we also note that log a 1  0 since a 0  1 .

The graph of the function y = f ( x) = log a x , is shown Figure 2.4.

 y

Graph of

y = f ( x) = log a x



x
        











Fig. 2.4

The domain of y = f ( x) = log a x is the set of all positive real numbers while the
range is the set of all real numbers. Note that as x approaches 0 from the left, the function is
undefined. However, as x approaches 0 from the right, the function decreases without bound,
that is, lim+ log a x = -∞ . On the other hand, as x increases without bound, the function also
x →0

increases without bound, that is, lim log a x = +∞ .

x → +∞

When the base a = e = 2.718281828…, we obtain the natural logarithmic function

given by

f ( x)  log e x or f ( x)  ln x

The domain of the natural logarithmic function is the same as the logarithmic function to base
a where a > 0, a  1 . The graph of this function is similar to the graph of the logarithmic
function to base a.

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

71 Derivative of Functions

PROPERTIES OF THE NATURAL LOGARITHM FUNCTION

1. ln 1 = 0
2. ln e = 1
3. ln( xy )  ln x  ln y
x
4. ln = ln x - ln y
y
5. ln x r = r ln x

From the above properties, it follows that ln e x = x and e ln x = x . The inverse of

natural logarithmic function is given by

ey  x.

Interchanging the roles of x of y in this equation yields the equation

y  ex

Which is called the natural exponential function. The graph of the natural logarithm function
and the natural exponential function are also mirror images of each other with respect to the
identity function y = x (Figure 2.5).
y  ex
 y y=x



y  ln x

x
        











Fig. 2.5

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

72 Derivative of Functions

Derivative of Logarithmic Functions

Let us find the derivative of the natural logarithm function f ( x)  ln x . We will be

n
 1
using the theorem about limits which says that lim 1    e . Applying the definition of
n 
 n
the derivative, we have

f ( x  h) - f ( x)
Dx (ln x)  lim
h →0 h
 x  h
ln  
ln( x + h) - ln( x)
 lim  x  a
(using the property: ln = ln a - ln b )
= lim
h→0 h h →0 h b
 1  x  h  1 x  x  h  x
 lim   ln   = lim    ln   (inserting , since x > 0)

h →0 h
 x  
h →0 h x
 x  x
 x

1 x  x  h   1  hh 
 lim    ln   = lim  ln 1  
h →0  x x 

h →0 x h
 x  
 
 x
  x

1  h  1  h 
  lim ln 1      ln lim 1   
h h

x h →0   x  x  h →0  x  
   
e
1
=  ln e
x
1
=
x

Hence, we have the following theorems:

1 du
Theorem 2.11: 1. Dx (ln u)   [Natural Logarithmic Function]
u dx
1 1 du
2. Dx (log a u)    , a > 0, a  1 [Logarithmic Function to Base]
u ln a dx

dy
Example 27. Find if y = ln(1 + 4 x 2 ) .
dx
dy d 1 8x
Solution:  [ln(1  4 x 2 )]  (8 x)  .
dx dx 1  4x 2
1  4x 2

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

73 Derivative of Functions

Example 28. Find y  if y = ln cos x .

d 1 1
Solution: y   [ln cos x ]   (- sin x ) 
dx cos x 2 x

- sin x 1 tan x
or y   . or y  - .
cos x 2 x 2 x

Example 29. Use implicit differentiation to find y if x = ln( x + y + 1) .

d d 1 d
Solution: ( x) = [ln( x + y + 1)] or 1   ( x  y  1)
dx dx ( x  y  1) dx
1
or 1  (1  y ) or ( x  y  1)  (1  y )
( x  y  1)

Solving for y we have y   x  y (answer).

LOGARITHMIC DIFFERENTIATION

We now apply a technique for finding the derivative of complicated functions. For
instance, how do we find the derivative of the function y = x x . The power rule will not be
applicable since the exponent is not a rational number. To find the derivative of this function,
we first simplify the exponent by getting the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation.
This is best illustrated by an example.

Example 30. Find y  if y = x x .

Solution: If y = x x , then ln y = ln( x x ) or ln y  x ln x . Applying implicit differentiation,

1 1 1
we have  y   x   ln x  1 or  y   1  ln x .
y x y
Solving for y  , we have y   y(1  ln x) or

y   x x (1  ln x) .

( x 2  2) 2 (2 x  1) 3
Example 31. Find y  if y  .
(3x - 2) 2

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

74 Derivative of Functions

Solution: We can find the derivative of this function using the rules of differentiation we
learned earlier. Let us apply logarithmic differentiation technique. Getting the
logarithm of both sides and applying the properties of logarithms, we have

( x 2 + 2) 2 (2 x + 1) 3
ln y = ln = ln( x 2 + 2) 2 + ln( 2 x + 1) 3 - ln( 3x - 2) 2 or
(3x - 2) 2

ln y = 2 ln( x 2 + 2) + 3 ln( 2 x + 1) - 2 ln( 3x - 2) .

Applying implicit differentiation, we have

1 2(2 x) 3(2) 2(3)

 y  2  - or
y ( x  2) (2 x  1) (3x - 2)
 4x 6 6 
y   y   2  -  or
 ( x  2 ) ( 2 x  1) (3 x - 2 ) 
 ( x 2  2) 2 (2 x  1) 3  4 x 6 6 
y    2

 ( x 2  2) (2 x  1) (3x - 2) 
 -
 (3 x - 2)  

Exponential Functions

Another kind of transcendental function which finds many applications in the physical
sciences is the exponential function. Earlier we discussed different kinds of algebraic
functions such as the square root function and the polynomial functions.

The function y  x 2 called a quadratic function. If the roles of the base x and the
constant power 2 are swapped, we get the function y  2 x . This function is called an
exponential function apparently because the independent variable is an exponent.

Definition. The exponential function to base a is defined by f ( x)  a x , where a is any real

number greater than zero, a > 0, a  1.

The domain of this function is the set of all real numbers while the range is the set of
all positive real numbers.

Example 32. Sketch the graph of y  2 x by plotting some ordered pairs satisfying the
equation.

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

75 Derivative of Functions

Solution: By assigning arbitrary values of x, we get some points of the exponential function
y  2 x .The graph is shown in Figure 2.6.
x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 …
y 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 4 8 …

y



x
        





Fig. 2.6

x
1
Example 33. Sketch the graph of y    or y  2  x
2

Solution: Let us first identify some ordered pairs that satisfy the equation. These ordered
pairs are shown in the following table. Plotting these ordered pairs and connecting
the resulting points using a smooth curve, we get the graph of y  2  x As shown in
Figure 2.7.

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 …
y 8 4 2 1 1/2 1/4 1/8 …

y



x
        





Fig. 2.7

Definition. The natural exponential function is defined by y = f(x) = ex, where e is the non-
terminating and non-repeating decimal number whose value is 2.718281828…

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

76 Derivative of Functions

The domain of this function is the set of all real numbers while the range is the set of
all positive real numbers. The graph of this function is shown below.

 y
y  ex



x
        









Fig. 2.8

Note that the graph passes through the point (0, 1). Just like any real number, the
natural exponential function follows the rules of exponents. Thus,

1. e a .e b = e a +b
2. (e a ) b = e ab
3. (e a .e b ) r = e ar .e br
r
 ea  e ar
4.  b   br
e  e
a
e
5. b = e a-b
e

Derivative of Exponential Functions

Consider the function y  e x . This equation is equivalent to the equation ln y  x .

Applying logarithmic differentiation, we have

1
y  1  y  y  e x .
y

Hence, we have the following theorem.

Theorem 2.12
du
1. Dx (e u ) = e u . [Derivative of Natural Exponential Function]
dx
du
2. Dx (a u ) = a u . ln a. , a > 0, a  1 [Derivative of Exponential Function to Base a]
dx

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

77 Derivative of Functions

dy 2
Example 34. Find if y = e x +3 x + 4 .
dx
d x 2 3 x  4 d
)  e x 3 x  4  ( x 2  3x  4)
2
Solution: (e
dx dx
3 x  4
 (2 x  3) (answer).
2
= ex

Example 35. Find y’ if y = e x .

d d
Solution: (e x )  e x
 ( x)
dx dx
 1  e x
=e x
    (answer).
2 x  2 x

Example 36. Find f (x) if f ( x) = 3sin( x ) .

2

d sin( x 2 ) d
Solution: f ( x)  ]  3sin( x )  [sin( x 2 )]  ln 3
2
[3
dx dx
d
= (ln 3)  3sin( x )  cos(x 2 )  ( x 2 )
2

dx
= (ln 3)  3 sin( x )  cos(x 2 )  2 x .
2

ex 1
Example 37. Find f ' ( x) if f ( x)  -x .
e -1
(e - 1)  D x (e  1) - (e x  1)  D x (e - x - 1)
-x x
Solution: f ( x) 
(e - x - 1) 2
(e - x - 1)(e x ) - (e x  1)(-e - x )

(e - x - 1) 2
(e - x )(e x ) - e x - (-e x e - x - e - x )

(e - x - 1) 2
e 0 - e x - (-e 0 - e - x )
=
(e - x - 1) 2
1 - e x - (-1 - e - x )
=
(e - x - 1) 2
1 - e x +1 + e-x )
=
(e - x - 1) 2
2 - e x + e-x )
= (answer).
(e - x - 1) 2

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

78 Derivative of Functions

dy
Example 38. Use implicit differentiation to find if xy = e x + y .
dx

Solution: Differentiating both sides, we have,

Dx ( x. y) = Dx (e x+ y ) or x  y   y  e x  y (1  y )

Solving for y  we have: x  y   y  e x  y  y e x  y

y ( x - e x  y )  e x  y - y
e x y - y
y  .
x - e x y

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

79 Derivative of Functions

Exercise 2.7

A. Differentiate the following functions

cos x e x - e-x
1. f ( x) = e y=
e x + e-x
16.
x2 - 3 x -x
2. f ( x) = e 17. y = ln( e + e )
ex 2

3. f ( x) = e 18. y = 43x
5 -3 ln x csc 3 x
4. y = x .e 19. f ( x) = 2
x x2
5. y = tan e 20. f ( x) = x
6. y = log 3 sin x 21. y = log 5 (tan x)
2
7. y = e x 22. y = ln(sin x )
sin x
8. y = 2 23. y = ln( 3 2 x + 5 )
x e x + e -x
9. y = x 24. y =
2
x
x
e - e -x
10. y = sin( e 2 ) 25. y =
2
11. f ( x) = ln 4 + 5x 26. y = (ln sin x) 2
12. f ( x) = ln( 3x + 2) 2 27. y = cot(e - x + e x )
2
13. y = ln(ln x) 28. y = 2 cos x

e x + e -x
14. y = ln(sec 2 x + tan 2 x) 29. y =
e x - e-x
 1- x 
15. y = csc(ln(x + 3)) 30. y  log 5  
1  x 

B. Find y  using implicit differentiation.

31. y = ln(cos 2 x + sin 2 x)

32. ln( xy + x + y) = 2
x
33. ln + xy = 1
y
34. ln( x + y) + ln( x - y) = 4
35. ln(sin xy ) = xy

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

80 Derivative of Functions

DERIVATIVE OF INVERSE TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Let us first recall the definitions of the inverse trigonometric functions together with
their domains and ranges.

Definition. The inverse trigonometric functions are defined as follows:

1. y = f ( x) = sin -1 x if and only if sin y = x . Domain: {x | x  R,-1  x  1}

Range: { y | y  R,- 2 ≤ y ≤ 2 }

2. y = f ( x) = cos-1 x if and only if cos y = x . Domain: {x | x  R,-1  x  1}

Range: { y | y  R, 0 ≤ y ≤  }

3. y = f ( x) = tan -1 x if and only if tan y = x . Domain: R

Range: { y | y ∈ R,- 2 < y < 2 }

4. y = f ( x) = sec -1 x if and only if sec y = x . Domain: {x | x  R, | x | 1}

Range: { y | y  R, 0 ≤ y ≤ 2   ≤ y ≤ 3
2
}

5. y = f ( x) = csc-1 x if and only if csc y = x . Domain: {x | x  R, | x | 1}

Range: { y | y  R, 0 ≤ y ≤ 2   ≤ y ≤ 3
2
}

6. y = f ( x) = cot-1 x if and only if cot y = x . Domain: R

Range: { y | y  R, 0  y   }

1 du
Theorem 2.13 1. D x (sin -1 u )   [Derivative of the Arcsine Function]
1 - u dx
2

1 du
2. D x (cos-1 u )  -  [Derivative of the Arccosine Function]
1 - u 2 dx
1 du
3. D x (tan -1 u )   [Derivative of the Arctangent Function]
1  u dx
2

1 du
4. D x (cot -1 u )  -  [Derivative of the Arccotangent Function]
1  u dx2

1 du
5. D x (sec -1 u )   [Derivative of the Arcsecant Function]
u u 2 - 1 dx
1 du
6. D x (csc-1 u )  -  [Derivative of the Arccosecant Function]
u u - 1 dx
2

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

81 Derivative of Functions

The proofs of these formulae are easy to establish. For instance, if y = sin -1 x , then
sin y = x by definition of the inverse sine function. Applying implicit differentiation to the
equation sin y = x , we have

dy 1 1
cos y  y   1  = = ±
dx cos y 1 - sin 2 y
dy 1
 =+
dx 1 - sin 2 y

The positive sign is chosen since the arcsine function is defined only in quadrants I and IV
and in these quadrants, the cosine function is positive. Since sin y = x , it follows that
dy 1
=+ . The rest of the formulas are proved in the same manner.
dx 1- x2

dy
Example 39. Find if y = sin -1 (e 2 x ) .
dx
d 1 2e 2 x
Solution: [sin -1 (e 2 x )]  e 2 x (2)  (answer).
dx 1 - (e 2 x ) 2 1 - e 4x

dy
Example 40. Find if y  tan -1 [sec(e x )] .
dx
d 1
Solution: tan -1 [sec(e x )]   sec(e x )  tan( e x )  e x
dx 1  (sec e x ) 2
e x sec(e x ) tan( e x )
 (answer).
1  sec 2 (e x )

dy
Example 41. Find if y = csc-1 x .
dx

d 1 1 1
Solution: [csc-1 x ]  -  - (answer).
dx x  ( x)2 -1 2 x 2 x x-1

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

82 Derivative of Functions

dy
Example 42. Find if y  x 2 sin -1 x .
dx

d 2
Solution. [ x sin -1 x]  x 2  Dx (sin -1 x)  sin -1 x  Dx ( x 2 )
dx
1
= x2   sin -1 x  (2 x)
2
1- x
x2
=  2 x sin -1 x (answer).
2
1- x

dy 1  tan -1 x
Example 43. Find if y  .
dx 2  3 tan -1 x

d  1  tan -1 x  (2  3 tan -1 x) D x (1  tan -1 x)  (1  tan -1 x) D x (2  3 tan -1 x)

Solution:  
dx  2  3 tan -1 x  (2  3 tan -1 x) 2

 1   -3 
(2  3 tan -1 x) 2 
 (1  tan -1 x)   2 
1  x  1  x 
=
(2  3 tan -1 x) 2

(2  3 tan -1 x)  (1  tan -1 x)(-3)

 1  x2
(2  3 tan -1 x) 2

2  3 tan -1 x  3  3 tan -1 x
 1 x2
(2  3 tan -1 x) 2

5
 1 x2
(2  3 tan -1 x) 2

5
 (answer).
(1  x )(2  3 tan -1 x) 2
2

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.

83 Derivative of Functions

Exercise 2.8 Find the derivative of the following functions

1. y  sin -1 [ln( 2 x  1)]

2. y = cos-1 (tan x )
3. y  tan -1 (e sec x )
1  x 
4. y  cot -1  
1  x 
5. y = sec -1 (log 2 cos x)
6. y = csc-1 (2 sin x )

Gabino P. Petilos , Ph.D.