Chapter 2− The Derivatives Calculus−1

2.3. INTRODUCTION TO TECHNIQUES OF DIFFERENTIATION

DERIVATIVE OF A CONSTANT

Theorem: The derivative of a constant function is zero; that is, if 𝑐 is any real number, then

𝑑
[𝑐] = 0
𝑑𝑥

Example−1

𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
[1] = 0, [−3] = 0, [𝜋] = 0, [−√2] = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

DERIVATIVES OF POWER FUNCTIONS

Theorem (The Power Rule): If 𝑛 is a positive integer, then

𝑑 𝑛
[𝑥 ] = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1
𝑑𝑥

Example−2

𝑑 4 𝑑 5 𝑑 12 𝑑 1
[𝑥 ] = 4𝑥 3 , [𝑥 ] = 5𝑥 4 , [𝑡 ] = 12𝑡11 , [√𝑥] =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑥 2 √𝑥

Theorem: (Extended Power Rule): If 𝑟 is any real number, then

In words, to differentiate a power function, decrease the constant exponent by one and multiply
the resulting power function by the original exponent.

𝑑 1 𝑑 −1 1
[ ]= [𝑥 ] = −𝑥 −2 = − 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥

𝑑 1 𝑑 100
[ 100 ] = [𝑤 −100 ] = −100𝑤 −101 = − 101
𝑑𝑤 𝑤 𝑑𝑤 𝑤

𝑑 4/5 4 4 4
[𝑥 ] = 𝑥 (4/5)−1 = 𝑥 −1/5 = 1/5
𝑑𝑥 5 5 5𝑥

𝑑 3 𝑑 1/3 1 1
[ √𝑥 ] = [𝑥 ] = 𝑥 −2/3 = 3
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 3 3√𝑥 2

Eng. Mohamed Abdullahi Barre

Chapter 2− The Derivatives Calculus−1

DERIVATIVE OF A CONSTANT TIMES A FUNCTION

Theorem: (Constant Multiple Rule) If 𝑓 is differentiable at 𝑥 and 𝑐 is any real number, then
𝑐𝑓 is also differentiable at 𝑥 and

𝑑 𝑑
[𝑐𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝑐 [𝑓(𝑥)]
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

Example−3

𝑑 𝑑
[4𝑥 8 ] = 4 [𝑥 8 ] = 4[8𝑥 7 ] = 32𝑥 7
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑 𝑑
[−𝑥12 ] = (−1) [𝑥12 ] = (−1)(12𝑥11 ) = −12𝑥 11
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑 𝜋 𝑑 𝜋
[ ] = 𝜋 [𝑥 −1 ] = 𝜋(−𝑥 −2 ) = −𝜋𝑥 −2 = − 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥

DERIVATIVES OF SUMS AND DIFFERENCES

Theorem: (Sum and Difference Rules) If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are differentiable at 𝑥, then so are f + 𝑔 and
𝑓 − 𝑔 and

𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
[𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] = [𝑓(𝑥)] + [𝑔(𝑥)]
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
[𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)] = [𝑓(𝑥)] − [𝑔(𝑥)]
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

In words, the derivative of a sum equals the sum of the derivatives, and the derivative of a
difference equals the difference of the derivatives

Example−4

𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 −9
[2𝑥 6 + 𝑥 −9 ] = [2𝑥 6 ] + [𝑥 ] = 12𝑥 5 + (−9)𝑥 −10 = 12𝑥 5 − 9𝑥 −10
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑 √𝑥 − 2𝑥 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 1 1
[ ]= [1 − 2√𝑥] = [1] − 2 [√𝑥] = 0 − 2 ( )=−
𝑑𝑥 √𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2√𝑥 √𝑥

Eng. Mohamed Abdullahi Barre

Chapter 2− The Derivatives Calculus−1

HIGHER DERIVATIVES

If 𝑓 ′ is differentiable, then its derivative is denoted by 𝑓 ′′ and is called the Second Derivative
of 𝒇 . As long as we have differentiability, we can continue the process of differentiating to
obtain third, fourth, fifth, and even higher derivatives of 𝑓 . These successive derivatives are
denoted by 𝑓 ′ , 𝑓 ′′ = (𝑓 ′ )′ , 𝑓 ′′′ = (𝑓 ′′ )′ , 𝑓 (4) = (𝑓 ′′′ )′ , 𝑓 5 = (𝑓 4 )′

If 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), then; the derivatives can also be denoted by 𝑦 ′ , 𝑦 ′′ , 𝑦 ′′′ , 𝑦 4 , 𝑦 5 … … … …

Example−5

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 2, then

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 12𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 4

𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 36𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 2

𝑓 ′′′ (𝑥) = 72𝑥 − 12

𝑓 4 (𝑥) = 72

𝑓 5 (𝑥) = 0

Eng. Mohamed Abdullahi Barre

Chapter 2− The Derivatives Calculus−1

2.4. THE PRODUCT AND QUOTIENT RULES

DERIVATIVE OF A PRODUCT

Theorem: (The Product Rule) If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are differentiable at 𝑥, then, the product 𝑓 · 𝑔, and

(𝑓. 𝑔)′ = 𝑓. 𝑔′ + 𝑔. 𝑓 ′

𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
[𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑓(𝑥) [𝑔(𝑥)] + 𝑔(𝑥) [𝑓(𝑥)]
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

In words, the derivative of a product of two functions is the first function times the derivative
of the second plus the second function times the derivative of the first.

Example−1

𝑑𝑦
Find 𝑑𝑥 if 𝑦 = (4𝑥 2 − 1)(7𝑥 3 + 𝑥)

𝑑𝑦
Solution. There are two methods that can be used to find 𝑑𝑥 . We can either use the product

rule or we can multiply out the factors in y and then differentiate. We will give both methods.

Method−1: (Using the Product Rule)

𝑦 ′ = (4𝑥 2 − 1)(21𝑥 2 + 1) + (7𝑥 3 + 𝑥)(8𝑥)

𝑦 ′ = 84𝑥 4 + 4𝑥 2 − 21𝑥 2 − 1 + 56𝑥 4 + 8𝑥 2

𝑦 ′′ = 140𝑥 4 − 9𝑥 2 − 1

Method−2: (Multiplying First)

𝑦 = (4𝑥 2 − 1)(7𝑥 3 + 𝑥)

𝑦 = 28𝑥 5 + 4𝑥 3 − 7𝑥 3 − 𝑥

𝑦 = 28𝑥 5 − 3𝑥 3 − 𝑥

Thus;

𝑦 ′ = 140𝑥 4 − 9𝑥 2 − 1

Eng. Mohamed Abdullahi Barre

Chapter 2− The Derivatives Calculus−1

Example−2: Find 𝑑𝑠/𝑑𝑡 if 𝑠 = (1 + 𝑡)√𝑡.

′
𝑠 ′ = (1 + 𝑡)(√𝑡) + (√𝑡)(1 + 𝑡)′

1+𝑡 1 + 3𝑡
𝑠′ = + √𝑡 =
2 √𝑡 2 √𝑡

DERIVATIVE OF A QUOTIENT

Theorem: (The Quotient Rule) If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are both differentiable at 𝑥 and if 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0, then 𝑓
/𝑔 is differentiable at 𝑥 and

𝑓 ′ 𝑔. 𝑓 ′ − 𝑓. 𝑔′
( ) =
𝑔 𝑔2

𝑑 𝑑
𝑑 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑥) [𝑓(𝑥)] − 𝑓(𝑥) [𝑔(𝑥)]
[ ]= 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑔(𝑥) [𝑔(𝑥)]2

In words, the derivative of a quotient of two functions is the denominator times the derivative
of the numerator minus the numerator times the derivative of the denominator, all divided by
the denominator squared.

𝑥 3 +2𝑥 2 −1
Example−3: Find the 𝑦 ′ if 𝑦 = .
𝑥+5

(𝑥 + 5)(3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥) − (𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 1)(1)

𝑦′ = =
(𝑥 + 5)2

′
(3𝑥 3 + 19𝑥 2 + 20𝑥) − (𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 1)
𝑦 = =
(𝑥 + 5)2

2𝑥 3 + 17𝑥 2 + 20𝑥 + 1
𝑦′ =
(𝑥 + 5)2

𝑥 2 −1
Example−4: Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 +1, Find 𝑓 ′ (𝑥).

(𝑥 4 + 1)(2𝑥) − (𝑥 2 − 1)(4𝑥 3 )
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) =
(𝑥 4 + 1)2

′ (𝑥)
−2𝑥 5 + 4𝑥 3 + 2𝑥
𝑓 =
(𝑥 4 + 1)2

2𝑥(𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 2 − 1)
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = −
(𝑥 4 + 1)2

Eng. Mohamed Abdullahi Barre

Chapter 2− The Derivatives Calculus−1

2.5. DERIVATIVES OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

Differentiation of trigonometric functions is a mathematical process of determining the rate of

change of the trigonometric functions with respect to the variable angle. The differentiation of
trigonometric functions can be done using the derivatives of 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 and 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 by applying the
quotient rule. The differentiation formulas of the six trigonometric functions are listed below:

𝑑 𝑑
[sin 𝑥] = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 [𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥] = −𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

EXAMPLE−1: Find 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑥 if 𝑦 = 𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥?

𝑑
SOLUTION. Using Formula 𝑑𝑥 [𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥] = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 and the product rule we obtain

𝑑𝑦 𝑑
= [𝑥 sin 𝑥] = 𝑥(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥)′ + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥(𝑥)′ = 𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
EXAMPLE−2: Find 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑥 if 𝑦 = 1+𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥.

𝑑 𝑑
SOLUTION. Using the quotient rule together with Formulas 𝑑𝑥 [𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥] = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 and 𝑑𝑥 [𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥] =

−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 we obtain

𝑑𝑦 (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥)(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥) − (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥)(−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥)
= =
𝑑𝑥 (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥)2

𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + cos 2 𝑥 − sin2 𝑥

= =
(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥)2

𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + 1 1
= 2
=
(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥) 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥

The derivatives of the remaining trigonometric functions are:

𝑑 𝑑
[tan 𝑥] = sec 2 𝑥 [sec 𝑥] = sec 𝑥 tan 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑 𝑑
[cot 𝑥] = − csc 2 𝑥 [csc 𝑥] = − csc 𝑥 cot 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

Eng. Mohamed Abdullahi Barre

Chapter 2− The Derivatives Calculus−1

These can all be obtained using the definition of the derivative, but it is easier to use the
derivative of 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 and 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 and apply the quotient rule to the relationships

sin 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 1 1
tan 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝑥 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑥 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝑥 =
cos 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
FOR EXAMPLE:

𝑑 𝑑 sin 𝑥 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥)(sin 𝑥)′ − (𝑠𝑖𝑛)(cos 𝑥)′

[tan 𝑥] = [ ]= =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 cos 𝑥 (cos 𝑥)2

(cos 𝑥)(cos 𝑥) − (sin 𝑥)(− sin 𝑥)

=
(cos 𝑥)2

cos2 𝑥 + sin2 𝑥 1
2
= = sec 2 𝑥
(cos 𝑥) (cos 𝑥)2

EXAMPLE−3: Find 𝑓 ′′ (𝜋/4 ) if 𝑓(𝑥) = sec 𝑥

SOLUTION:

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = sec 𝑥 tan 𝑥

𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = (sec 𝑥)(tan 𝑥)′ + (tan 𝑥)(sec 𝑥)′

= sec 𝑥 sec 2 𝑥 + tan 𝑥 (sec 𝑥 tan 𝑥)

= sec 3 𝑥 + sec 𝑥 tan2 𝑥

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑓 ′′ ( ) = sec 3 ( ) + sec ( ) tan2 ( )
4 4 4 4
3
= (√2) + √2(1)2 2√2 + √2 = 3√2

EXAMPLE−3: Find 𝑓 ′ and 𝑓 ′ (𝜋/3 ) if 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥

SOLUTION:

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = − sin 𝑥 sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥 cos 𝑥

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = cos 2 𝑥 − sin2 𝑥
𝑓 ′ (𝜋/3) = cos 2 (𝜋/3) − sin2 (𝜋/3)
1
𝑓 ′ (𝜋/3) = −
2

Eng. Mohamed Abdullahi Barre

Chapter 2− The Derivatives Calculus−1

2.6. THE CHAIN RULE

DERIVATIVES OF COMPOSITIONS

Theorem: (The Chain Rule): If 𝑔 is differentiable at 𝑥 and 𝑓 is differentiable at 𝑔(𝑥), then the
composition 𝑓 𝑜 𝑔 is differentiable at 𝑥. Moreover, if

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) and 𝑢 = 𝑔(𝑥)

Then 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑢) and

𝑦 ′ = 𝑓(𝑢)′ ∗ 𝑢′

The derivative of 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) is the derivative of the outside function evaluated at the inside
function times the derivative of the inside function.

𝑑 ′
[𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))] = 𝑓
⏟ (𝑔(𝑥)) ∗ 𝑔(𝑥)
⏟
𝑑𝑥

Derivative of the outside

function evaluated at the Derivative of the
inside function inside function

EXAMPLE−𝟏: Find 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑥 if 𝑦 = cos(𝑥 3 )

Let 𝑢 = 𝑥 3 and express as 𝑦 as 𝑦 = cos 𝑢

𝑦 ′ = cos′ 𝑢 ∗ 𝑢′ → 𝑦 ′ = cos′ 𝑢 ∗ (𝑥 3 )′

𝑦 ′ = (− sin 𝑢)(3𝑥 2 )

𝑦 ′ = −3𝑥 2 sin(𝑥 3 )

EXAMPLE−𝟐: Find 𝑑𝑤/𝑑𝑡 if 𝑤 = tan(4𝑡 3 + 𝑡)?

𝑤 = tan(𝑢) and 𝑢 = 4𝑡 3 + 𝑡

𝑑𝑤
= tan′ (𝑢) ∗ 𝑢′
𝑑𝑡

= (sec 2 𝑢) ∗ (12𝑡 2 + 1)

= (12𝑡 2 + 1) sec 2 (12𝑡 2 + 1)

Eng. Mohamed Abdullahi Barre

Chapter 2− The Derivatives Calculus−1

EXAMPLE−𝟑: Find

A. 𝑦 = sin(2𝑥) C. 𝑦 = √𝑥 3 + csc 𝑥 E. 𝑦 = (1 + 𝑥 5 cot 𝑥)−8

B. tan(𝑥 2 + 1) D. 𝑦 = (𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2)3/4 F. 𝑦 = tan2 𝑥

SOLUTION−𝐀:

Let 𝑢 = 2𝑥 and 𝑦 = sin 𝑢

𝑦 ′ = sin′ 𝑢 ∗ 𝑢′

𝑦 ′ = cos 𝑢 ∗ (2)

𝑦 ′ = 2 cos(2𝑥)

SOLUTION−𝐁:

Let 𝑢 = 𝑥 2 + 1 and 𝑦 = tan 𝑢

𝑦 ′ = tan′ 𝑢 ∗ 𝑢′

𝑦 ′ = sec 2 𝑢 ∗ (2𝑥)

𝑦 ′ = 2𝑥 sec 2 (𝑥 2 + 1)

SOLUTION−𝐂:

Let 𝑢 = 𝑥 3 + csc 𝑥 and 𝑦 = √𝑢

′
𝑦 ′ = (√𝑢) ∗ (𝑢)′

1
𝑦′ = ∗ (3𝑥 2 − csc 𝑥 cot 𝑥)
2√𝑢

3𝑥 2 − csc 𝑥 cot 𝑥
𝑦′ =
2√𝑥 3 + csc 𝑥

Eng. Mohamed Abdullahi Barre

Chapter 2− The Derivatives Calculus−1

SOLUTION−𝐃:

Let 𝑢 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2 and 𝑦 = 𝑢3/4

′
𝑦 ′ = (𝑢3/4 ) ∗ (𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2)′

3
𝑦 ′ = ( 𝑢−1/4 ) (2𝑥 − 1)
4

3 2
𝑦′ = (𝑥 − 𝑥 + 2)−1/4 (2𝑥 − 1)
4

SOLUTION−𝐄:

Let 𝑢 = 1 + 𝑥 5 cot 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑢−8

𝑦 ′ = (𝑢−8 )′ ∗ 𝑢′

𝑦 ′ = −8𝑢−9 ∗ [𝑥 5 (− csc 2 𝑥) + 5𝑥 4 cot 𝑥]

𝑦 ′ = −8(1 + 𝑥 5 cot 𝑥)−9 [𝑥 5 (− csc 2 𝑥) + 5𝑥 4 cot 𝑥]

𝑦 ′ = (−8)[𝑥 5 (− csc 2 𝑥) + 5𝑥 4 cot 𝑥](1 + 𝑥 5 cot 𝑥)−9

𝑦 ′ = (8𝑥 5 csc 2 𝑥 − 40𝑥 4 cot 𝑥)(1 + 𝑥 5 cot 𝑥)−9

SOLUTION−𝐅:

Let 𝑢 = tan 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑢2 𝑦 = (tan 𝑥)2

𝑦 ′ = (𝑢2 ) ∗ (𝑢)′

𝑦 ′ = (2𝑢) ∗ sec 2 𝑥

𝑦 ′ = 2 tan 𝑥 sec 2 𝑥

Eng. Mohamed Abdullahi Barre