Theorems on

Differentiation of
Algebraic Functions
Rey Jerico P. Dagohoy
Chim Jeffrey R. Diaz

BSAeE- 1B
Theorem 1. The Constant Rule
If c is a constant and if f(x) = c for all x, then f’(x) = 0

Example
f(x) = 7
f’(x) =0

f(x) = -3
f’(x) =0
Theorem 2. The Power Rule ( for positive integer power)
If n is a positive integer and if f(x) = , then f’(x) = n

Example
f(x) = f(x)=
=5 =3
f’(x) = 5 f’(x) = 3
Theorem 3. The Constant Multiple Rule
If f is a function, c is it constant, and g is the function defined by g(x) =
cf(x)

Then if f’(x) exists

g’(x) = cf(x)

Example Example
f(x) = 4 f(x) = 2
=54 =3
f’(x) = 20 f’(x) = 6
Theorem 4. The Sum Rule
If f and g are functions and if h is the function defined by

h(x) = f(x) + g(x)

Then if f’(x) and g’(x) exist,

h’(x) = f’(x) + g’(x)

Example
f(x) = 4 + 2 f(x) = 3 + 8 + 23

f’(x) = 20 + 6 f’(x) = 15 + 24
Theorem 5.

The derivative of the sum of a finite number of functions is

equal to the sum of their derivatives if these derivatives exist

Example
f(x) = 3 + 2 f(x) = 3 + 2

=9+6 =5

f’(x) = 15 f’(x) = 15
Theorem 6. The Product Rule
If f and g are function and if h is the function defined by
h(x) = f(x)g(x)

Then if f’(x) and g’(x) exists ,

h’(x) = f(x) g’(x) + f’(x) g(x)

Example
h(x) = (2x3 – 4x2)(3x5 + x2)

= (2x3 – 4x2)(15x4 + 2x) + (6x2 – 8x)(3x5 + x2)

= (30x7 – 60x6 + 4x4 – 8x3) + (18x7 – 24x6 + 6x4 – 8x3)

h’(x) = 48x7 – 84x6 + 10x4 – 16x3

Theorem 7. The Quotient Rule
If f and g are functions and if h is the function defined by
h(x) = , where g(x) ≠ 0

Then if f’(x) and g’(x) exist,

Example
h’(x) =
h(x) = 2x3 + 4
x2 + 1 = (6x2)(x2 + 1) – (2x3 + 4)(2x)
(x2 + 1)2

= 6x4 + 6x2 – 4x4 – 8x

(x2 + 1) 2

h’(x) = 2x4 + 6x2 + 8x

(x2 +1 ) 2
Theorem 8. The Power Rule ( for negative integer power)

If f(x) = x-n , when –n is a negative integer and x ≠ 0,

Then f’(x) = - nx-n – 1

Example
f(x) = f(x)= 2
= -5 = 2 (-3 )
=-5 = -6
f’(x) = - f’(x) = -