In this Module, we are to continue learning about the derivative of a function.

And this time, we’ll have differentiation rules that allow us to find derivatives
without the direct use of the limit definition. Also, we’ll find out the answers to our
analyze activity in from the previous module.

1. The Constant Rule

𝑑
The derivative of a constant function is zero. That is, 𝑑𝑥 [𝑐] = 0. 𝒄 is a
constant.

Examples 1:
𝑑
1. 𝑑𝑥
(7)
2. 𝑦 = −2
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝜋
4. 𝑠(𝑡) = 320.5
2. The (Simple) Power Rule
𝑑
[𝑥 𝑛 ] = 𝑛𝑥 𝑥−1 , where 𝑛 is any real number.
𝑑𝑥

Examples 2:

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2

1 𝑑𝑦
2. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 = 1(𝑥 −2 ) = −2𝑥 −3
𝑑𝑥
3. 𝑔(𝑡) = 𝑡 𝑔′ (𝑡) = 1
𝑑𝑦
= 4(𝑥 −5 )
4 𝑑𝑥
4. 𝑦 = 𝑥 5
= 4(−5)𝑥 −6
= −𝟐𝟎𝒙−𝟔
1
𝑔′ (𝑥) = 𝑥 3
5. 𝑔(𝑥) = √𝑥
3
1 2
= 𝑥 −3
3
6. Find the slope of the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 when
a. 𝑥 = −1
b. 𝑥 = 0
c. 𝑥 = 1

Solution: If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 , its derivative is 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 .

a. 𝑓 ′ (−1) = 4(−1)3 = −𝟒
b. 𝑓 ′ (0) = 4(0)3 = 𝟎
c. 𝑓 ′ (1) = 4(1)3 = 𝟒
3. The Constant Multiple Rule
If 𝑓 is a differentiable function of 𝑥, and 𝑐 is a real number, then
𝑑
𝑑𝑥
[𝑐𝑓(𝑥)] = 𝑐𝑓 ′ (𝑥), where 𝑐 is a constant.

Examples 3:

Given Solution
𝑑𝑦 5𝑥 −3
=
𝑑𝑥 2
𝟓 5(−3)𝑥 −4
1. 𝒚= =
𝟐𝒙𝟑 2
−𝟏𝟓𝒙−𝟒
=
𝟐

5
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) =
23 (𝑥 3 )
5
=
8𝑥 3
𝟓
2. 𝒚 = (𝟐𝒙)𝟑 5(𝑥 −3 )
=
8
5(−3)𝑥 −4
=
8
−𝟏𝟓𝒙𝟒
=
𝟖
1
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 1
2(𝑥 5 )3
1
1
= ∙ (𝑥 5 )−3
2
5
1
𝟏 = ∙ 𝑥 −3
3. 𝒚= 2
𝟐∛𝒙𝟓 1 5 5
(− −1)
= ∙ (− ) 𝑥 3
2 3
8
1 5
= ∙ (− 𝑥 −3 )
2 3
𝟖
−
𝟓𝒙 𝟔
=−
𝟔
4(2)𝑡 1
𝟒𝒕𝟐 𝑓 ′ (𝑡) =
4. 𝒇(𝒕) = 5
𝟓 𝟖𝒕
=
𝟓
𝟑𝒙 𝑑𝑦 𝟑
5. 𝒚= =
𝟐 𝑑𝑥 𝟐
 4. The Sum and Difference Rules
The derivative of the sum or difference of two differentiable functions is
the sum or difference of their derivatives.
𝑑
• [𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) + 𝑔′ (𝑥) Sum Rule
𝑑𝑥
𝑑
• [𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) − 𝑔′ (𝑥) Difference Rule
𝑑𝑥

Examples 4:

a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 + 5
𝑥4
b. 𝑔(𝑥) = − + 3𝑥 3 − 2𝑥
2

Solution:

a. Given: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 + 5
𝒇′ (𝒙) = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒

𝑥4
b. Given: 𝑔(𝑥) = − + 3𝑥 3 − 2𝑥
2

4𝑥 3
𝑔′ (𝑥) = − + 3(3)𝑥 2 − 2
2

𝒈′ (𝒙) = −𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟗𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐

5. Product and Quotient Rules of Differentiation
Unlike the sum and difference rules, the derivative of the product or quotient of two functions is
not equal to the product or quotient of their derivatives. Thus, we use these definitions to get
the derivative of functions when we multiply or divide them.

If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are two differentiable functions of 𝑥, then the following rules should be followed:

𝑑
• 𝑑𝑥
[𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔′ (𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)𝑓′(𝑥) Product Rule
𝑑 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑔(𝑥)𝑓′𝑥)−𝑓(𝑥)𝑔′(𝑥)
• [ ]= [𝑔(𝑥)]2
Quotient Rule
𝑑𝑥 𝑔(𝑥)

Example 5.1: Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 (𝑥 2 − 4). Determine 𝑓′(𝑥).

Solution: Consider 𝑥 3 and 𝑥 2 − 4 as 𝑔(𝑥) and ℎ(𝑥) respectively. We compute the
derivatives of 𝑔 and ℎ as follows: 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 and ℎ′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥. Hence the
derivative 𝑓′(𝑥) can be obtained as follows:
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ′ (𝑥) + ℎ(𝑥)𝑔′(𝑥)
= 𝑥 3 (2𝑥) + (𝑥 2 − 4)(3𝑥 2 )
= 2𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 4 − 12𝑥 2
= 𝟓𝒙𝟒 − 𝟏𝟐𝒙
Example 5.2: Use the quotient rule to determine the derivative of the following
functions.
1
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
𝑥2
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 −1
7𝑥 2 −5𝑥
c. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥3

Solution:
a. Let 𝑔(𝑥) = 1 and ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥. The derivatives of the functions are 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 0
and ℎ′ (𝑥) = 1. Using the quotient rule, we get the derivative as follows:
ℎ(𝑥)𝑔′ (𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ′ (𝑥) 𝑥 ∙ 0 − 1 ∙ 1 𝟏
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2 = 2
=− 𝟐
(𝑔(𝑥)) 𝑥 𝒙
b. Using the same process as in item a, we have:
′ (𝑥)
(𝑥 3 − 1)(2𝑥) − 𝑥 2 (3𝑥 2 ) −𝒙𝟒 − 𝟐𝒙
𝑓 = = 𝟑
(𝑥 3 − 1)2 (𝒙 − 𝟏)𝟐
c. Using the same process in items a and b, we have:
′ (𝑥)
𝑥 3 (14𝑥 − 5) − (7𝑥 2 − 5𝑥)(3𝑥 2 ) −𝟕𝒙𝟒 + 𝟏𝟎𝒙𝟑
𝑓 = =
(𝑥 3 )2 𝒙𝟔

A. Use the rules of differentiation to find the derivative of the function.

1. 𝑦 = 12
2. 𝑦 = 𝑥7
3. 𝑦 = 𝑥16
4.
5
𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 11
6. 𝑓(𝑡) = −2𝑡 2 + 3𝑡 − 6
7. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 3

B. Use the product and quotient rule to determine 𝑓′(𝑥).

8. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2)
9. 𝑓(𝑥) = (3𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 4)(2𝑥 2 − 1)
𝑥 3 −6
10. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2
𝑥 3 −3𝑥 2 +4
11. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2
2𝑥 2 −3𝑥+1
12. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥

Note: You do not need to submit your answers to the teacher. This is for your own
personal practice. Most of these questions will be discussed during our Zoom class.
Reference:
(CHED, 2016) – Teaching Guide in Basic Calculus
(J. B. Bacani et. al, 2016) – Basic Calculus (For Senior High School)
(R. Larson et. al, 2010) – Calculus, 9th ed.