COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

HIGHER DERIVATIVES

If we refer to as the first derivative of y=f(x), then we shall refer to

(read as d squared y, dx squared) as the second derivative of y=f(x). It indicates
that y=f(x) is to be differentiated twice and

= f’’’(x) = y’’’ = D3 (x,y) as to the third derivative

= fn(x) = yn = Dn (x,y) as to the nth derivative

Example:
1. Find the second and third derivatives of
y = x5 + 3x-2 + 4x
Solution:
= (x5 + 3x-2 + 4x) sum rule
= 5x4 – 6x-3 + 4 (1st derivative)

= (5x4 – 6x-3 + 4) sum rule

= 20x3 + 18x-4 2nd derivative

= (20x3 + 18x-4)
= 60x2 – 72x-5 3rd derivative

Differential Calculus
 2. Find the second and third derivatives of
y = (x + 5)2
Solution:
= (x + 5)2 Quotient Rule
= 2(x + 5)

= {2(x + 5)} use D3

=2 (x + 5)
=2 2nd derivative

= (2)
=0 3rd derivatives

Differential Calculus
Implicit Differentiation

To find of an implicit function, we differentiate both sides of the

equation with respect to x and then solve for .

Example:

1. Find dy/dx if x3 +y3 – 6xy = 0

Solution:
(x3) + (y3) – 6 (xy) = (0)
(Product Rule)
3x2 (x) + 3y2 (y) – 6{x (y) + y (x)} = 0
(Distributive law)
3x2 + 3y2 – 6x – 6y = 0 (combine like terms)

3y2 – 6x = 6y – 3x2

(3y2 – 6x) = 6y – 3x2 (divide both sides by (3y2 – 6x)

–
= factor both numerator and denominator
–

– –
= =
– –

Differential Calculus
 2. Find dy/dx √ + xy = 21
Solution:
(√ +x (y) + y (x) = (21)

+x + y = 0 apply sum rule

√

+x + y = 0 multiply all the terms by √

√

1+ + 2x √ + 2y √ =0

(1 + 2x √ = - (1 + 2y √
divide by (1 + 2x √
√
=
√

3. Find (x – y)3 = (x + y)2

Solution:
(x – y)3 = (x + y)2

3(x – y)2 (x – y) = 2(x + y) (x + y)

3(x – y)2 { (x) - (y)} = 2(x + y){ (x) + (y)}

Differential Calculus
 3(x – y)2 { - } = 2(x + y){ + }
apply distributive law
3(x – y)2 - 3(x – y)2 = 2(x + y) + 2(x + y)

transposed and combine like terms

2(x + y) + 3(x – y)2 = 3(x – y)2 – 2(x + y)

{2(x + y) + 3(x – y)2 = 3(x – y)2 – 2(x + y)

Divide by 2(x + y) + 3(x – y)2

Differential Calculus