Mathematics 1A: Calculus- Part 1

[Link]

July 13, 2020

1 The Derivative
The derivative is understood to be ’the slope of the tangent to a function at a point’ or the ’rate of change of
a function at some point’. It is also referred to as the ’Derivative Function’.
Definition of a derivative: Let f (x) be a function whose domain contains an open interval about some point x0 .
Then the function f (x) is said to be differentiable at x0 , and the derivative of f(x) at x0 is given by

f (x + δx) − f (x)
f 0 (x) = limδx→0 (1) (δx − a small increment)
δx

Finding the derivative using this formula is also known as First Principles. In many texts, h is used in place of
δx, i.e.

f (x + h) − f (x)
mt ≡ f 0 (x) = limh→0 (2)
h

The following notation is used to write the derivative of a function y = f (x)

Lagrange: f 0 (x), y 0 (x); f 1 (x); y 0 ; etc.
dy d
Leibniz : dx ; dx [f (x)]; Dx [f (x)]
(These are referred to as ’Differential operators’)
Note: Throughout the text, no specific notation is favoured.

1.1 Derivatives of Standard Functions

Using the definition from first principles, either formula (1) or (2), generates a number of standard derivatives.
The table below identifies the mathematical group, the function and corresponding derivative.

1
 dy
Group y ≡ f (x) derivative dx ≡ f 0 (x)
Polynomials xn nxn−1
c 0
Exponential and Logarithmic ex ex
bx x
b lnb
1
lnx x

1
loga x xlna
Trigonometric sinx cosx
cosx -sinx
tanx sec2 x
cotx −cosec2 x
secx [Link]
cosecx −[Link]
Hyperbolic sinhx coshx
coshx sinhx
tanhx sech2 x
cothx −cosech2 x
sechx −[Link]
cosechx −[Link]

Learn thoroughly. Note the differences of the signs between trig. derivatives and hyperbolic.

2 Differentiation
The process of finding the derivative is known as ’Differentiation’.
Definition: A function f (x) is DIFFERENTIABLE at a if f 0 (a) exists.

2.1 Differentiability and Continuity

It is preferable that a function should be both Differentiable and Continuous. A detailed explanation of the
theorems related to these concepts will not be discussed here. However, a brief review will be beneficial.
Consider a function f (x) at a point a. If f (x) is differentiable at a, then it is ’Continuous’ at a as well. Recall
that a function is continuous at a if the limx→a f (x) = f (a).
i.e. Differentiability implies Continuity
However, the converse is not true.
i.e. Continuity DOES NOT imply Differentiablity.
Suuitable graphs will emphasise the statements eg. consider the graph of y = |x|
For this function, if x > 0 thenf (x) = x and if x < 0 thenf (x) = −x
However, computing the left and right limits at 0, we find that
[Link]→0− f (x) = −1 and limx→0+ f (x) = 1
Thus, the function f (x) = |x| is not continuous at 0

2
2.2 Differentiating Standard Functions
2.2.1 Polyomials
dy
Find dx in the following:
Example 1:
dy
y = 5x3 then = 15x2
dx

Example 2:
−4
y=
3x2

simplify first
−4x−2
y=
3

now differentiate. Therefore

dy 8x−3 8
= = 3
dx 3 3x

Example 3:
3√
f (x) = x
4

Simplify all radical (root) signs first

3 1
f (x) = x 2
4

now differentiate
3 1 1
f 0 (x) = . x( 2 −1 )
4 2

3 1
= x− 2
8

3 3
= = √
1
8x 8 x
2

2.2.2 Exponential and Logarithmic

dy
Example 1: Find dx if y = ex
Solution:
dy
= ex
dx
(the derivative is itself - check the standard derivatives table)
Example 2: If f (x) = 7x , f ind f 0 (x)
Solution:
f 0 (x) = 7x .ln7

3
 d
Example 3: Find dx (lnx)
Solution:
d 1
(lnx) =
dx x
d
Example 4: Find dx [log3 x]
Answer:
1
x.ln3

2.2.3 Trigonometric and Hyperbolic

The derivatives are taken directly from the standard derivatives:
d d
Example - dx (cosx) = −sinx; dx (cosecx) = −[Link]
0
Iff (x) = cothx, then f (x) = −cosech2 x

Differentiating functions containing single terms, merely require knowledge of the derivatives of standard
functions. However, differentiating terms contaning more than a single function, follows particular rules.

2.3 The constant Rule

d
The derivative of a constant function is zero, i.e. if c is any real number then dx [c] = 0
d d d d 8.75
Example dx [−25] = 0, dx [0.25] = 0, dx [4π] = 0, dx [e ] = 0 etc
d d
Also, if c is any real number, then dx [c.f (x)] = c. dx [f (x)] i.e. the constant can be moved through the derivative
sign
d
Example: Find dx [8x6 ]
d d
Solution: dx [8x6 ] = 8 dx [x6 ] = 8(6x5 ) = 48x5

2.4 Sum and Difference rule

The proof of these rules using the definition of a derivative, is not required in this course.
Consider the differentiable functions f (x) and g(x).
If
y = f (x) ± g(x) then y 0 = f 0 (x) ± g 0 (x)

OR
d d d
[f (x) ± g(x)] = [f (x)] ± [g(x)]
dx dx dx

i.e. the derivative of the sum or difference of a function is equal to the sum or difference of the individual
derivatives.
Examples: Find f 0 (x) in the following:
1. f (x) = −10x4 − 10sinx
Solution: f 0 (x) = −40x3 − 10cosx
√
2. f (x) = 5 x + 23 lnx
1
Solution: Simplify first, i.e. f (x) = 5x 2 + 23 lnx
1
Therefore, f 0 (x) = 5( 21 x− 2 ) + 23 ( x1 ) = 2√5 x + 3x
2

4
2.5 Product Rule
Consider the differentiable functions f (x) and g(x). If y = f (x).g(x), then

y 0 = f 0 (x).g(x) + f (x).g 0 (x)

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

Example
1. y = 5x3 .cosx
dy d d
then dx = dx [5x3 ].cosx + 5x3 . dx [cosx]

= 15x2 .cosx + 5x3 .(−sinx) = 15x2 .cosx − 5x3 .sinx

= 5x2 (3cosx − [Link]) (remove common factors)

2. f (x) = [Link]
then f 0 (x) = sec2 [Link] + tanx
x

3. Find Dx [5x .cothx]

Solution: 5x .[Link] + 5x .(−cosech2 x)
= 5x .[Link] − 5x .cosech2 x
= 5x ([Link] − cosech2 x)

2.6 Quotient Rule

f (x)
Consider the differentiable functions f (x) and g(x). If y = g(x) , then

f 0 (x).g(x) − g 0 (x).f (x)

y0 =
[g(x)]2

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

Example 1: Find y 0 if y = sinx

5x3
0 0 (x).f (x)
Solution. Using the rule y 0 = f (x).g(x)−g
[g(x)]2
cosx.(5x3 )−sinx(15x2 )
= [5x3 ]2
5x3 cosx.−15x2 sinx
= 25x6
5x2 (xcosx.−3sinx)
= 25x6
Remove common factor and simplify
(xcosx.−3sinx)
= 5x4
3ex
Example 2. y = cosx
0 0 (x).f (x)
Using the rule y 0 = f (x).g(x)−g
[g(x)]2
x x .(−sinx)
= 3e .cosx−3e
[cosx]2
x
= 3e (cosx+sinx)
cos2 x
1−x2
Example 3: Find the slope of the tangent line to the curve y = 1+x2
at the point x = 2

5
 dy
Solution: Since slope of the tangent line is mt ≡ dx
dy (1+x2 )(−2x)−(1−x2 )(2x) −4x
mt = dx = (1+x2 )2
= (1+x 2 )2
−4(2) −8
Therefore mt = (1+(2)2 )2 = 25
dy sinx
Example 4: Find dx if y = 1+cosx
dy
Solution: dx = (1+cosx)(cosx)−(sinx)(−sinx)
(1+cosx)2
cosx+cos2 x+sin2 x
= (1+cosx)2
remove brackets
1+cosx
= (1+cosx)2 Use trigonometric identities
1
= 1+cosx

2.7 Higher Order Derivatives

Consider a function f (x). If it is differentiable then it has a derivative f 0 (x). Now f 0 (x) may also be differen-
tiable and have a derivative.
In other words, we could find the derivative of a derivative, also known as the second derivative. The process
can continue to third, fourth, etc. derivatives. These are referred to as ’Higher Order Derivatives’.
Notation: For a differentiable function f (x) = y ,f 0 (x) ≡ y 0 is the 1st , f 00 (x) ≡ y 00 second, f 000 (x) ≡ y 000 , third
derivatives,etc.
dy d2 y d3 y
Or alternate notation: dx -first derivative, dx 2 -second, dx3 - third derivative, etc.
d y 2
Examples: 1. Find dx 3
2 if y = 3x
dy
Solution: find the first derivative: dx = 9x2
d2 y
Now find the second derivative, thus dx 2 = 18x

Example 2: Show that f v x i.e the fifth derivative, of the function f (x) = 3x4 − 2x3 + x2 − 4x + 2 is zero.
Part solution: f 0 (x) = 12x3 − 6x2 + 2x − 4 - 1st derivative
f 00 (x) = 36x2 − 12x + 2 - 2nd derivative, etc.
3 2
Example 3: If s = sint, show that ddt3s + ddt2s + ds
dt + s = 0
d2 s 3
Solution: s = sint, then dt = cost, dt2 = −sint, ddt3s = −cost
ds

Substituting in the LHS of the question:

d3 s 2
dt3
+ ddt2s + ds
dt + s
= −cost − sint + cost + sint = 0 = RHS

Complete understanding and application of the Calculus topics discussed here is vital for progression to the
next part. Ensure that all concepts, rules and examples are thoroughly understood.