Constant Derivatives and the

Power Rule

Raja Almukahhal
Larame Spence
Mara Landers
Nick Fiori
Art Fortgang
Melissa Vigil

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Raja Almukahhal
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Larame Spence
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Mara Landers
Nick Fiori
Art Fortgang
Melissa Vigil
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Printed: December 5, 2016

www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Constant Derivatives and the Power Rule

C HAPTER
1 Constant Derivatives and
the Power Rule
Learning Objectives

Here you will learn how to quickly identify the derivatives of constant terms, and you will explore the use of the
power rule for finding the derivatives of higher-order functions.
The power rule is a fantastic "shortcut" for finding the derivatives of basic polynomials. Between the power rule and
the basic definition of the derivative of a constant, a great number of polynomial derivatives can be identified with
little effort - often in your head!

Constant Derivatives and the Power Rule

In this lesson, we will develop formulas and theorems that will calculate derivatives in more efficient and quick
ways. Look for these theorems in boxes throughout the lesson.

The Derivative of a Constant

TABLE 1.1:
Theorem: If f (x) = c where c is a constant, then f 0 (x) = 0.
Proof: f 0 (x) = limh→0 f (x+h)−
h
f (x)
= limh→0 c−c
h = 0.

TABLE 1.2:
d d
Theorem: If c is a constant and f is differentiable at all x, then dx [c f (x)] = c dx [ f (x)]. In simpler notation
(c f )0 = c( f )0 = c f 0

The Power Rule

TABLE 1.3:
Theorem: (The Power Rule) If n is a positive integer, then for all real values of x
d n
dx [x ] = nxn−1 .

MEDIA
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Examples

Example 1

Find f 0 (x) for f (x) = 16.

If f (x) = 16 for all x, then f 0 (x) = 0 for all x.
d
We can also write dx 16 = 0.

Example 2

Find the derivative of f (x) = 4x3 .

d
 3
dx 4x ..... Restate the function
d
 3
4 dx x ..... Apply the commutative law
 2
4 3x ..... Apply the power Rule
12x2 ..... Simplify

Example 3

Find the derivative of f (x) = −2

x4
.
d −2
 
dx x4 ..... Restate
d −4 ..... Rules of exponents
 
dx −2x
d
 −4 
−2 dx x ..... By the commutative law
−2 −4x−4−1 ..... Apply the power rule
 

−2 −4x−5 ..... Simplify

 

8x−5 ..... Simplify again

8
x5
..... Use rules of exponents

Example 4

Find the derivative of f (x) = x.

Special application of the power rule:
d
dx [x] = 1x1−1 = x0 = 1

Example 5
√
Find the derivative of f (x) = x.
d
√
Restate the function: dx [ x]
d 1/2
Using rules of exponents (from algebra): dx [x ]
Apply the power rule: 21 x1/2−1

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www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Constant Derivatives and the Power Rule

Simplify: 12 x−1/2
1
Rules of exponents: 2x1/2
1
Simplify: √
2 x

Example 6

1
Find the derivative of f (x) = x3
.
d 1
 
Restate the function: dx x3
d
 −3 
Rules of exponents: dx x
Power rule: −3x−3−1
Simplify: −3x−4
−3
Rules of exponents: x4

MEDIA
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Review

1. State the power rule.

Find the derivative:

2. y = 5x7
3. y = −3x
4. f (x) = 13 x + 43 √
5. y = x4 − 2x3 − 5 x + 10
6. y = (5x2 − 3)2
2
7. Given y(x) = x−4π , find the derivative when x = 1.
8. y(x) = 5
3
9. Given u(x) = x−5π , what is u0 (2)?
10. y = 51 when x = 4
11. Given d(x) = x−0.37 , what is d 0 (1)?
12. g(x) = x−3
13. u(x) = x0.096
14. k(x) = x − 0.49
3
15. y = x−5π

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Review (Answers)

To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 8.9.