Simple differentiation
Differentiate:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 + 2𝑥
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥3 + 5𝑥 + 12
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−2 + 13𝑥3 + 24 + 𝑥
3
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥12 + 𝑥2
𝑥
6. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 + 𝑥6 + 12𝑥3
3𝑥2
7. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5
+ 4𝑥7 + 𝑥0
13𝑥5
8. 𝑓(𝑥) = 12𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + + 12
5
Common differentiation rules
Differentiate:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥 + 3)
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥4 + 𝑥)
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥)
6. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥3 + 3𝑥2)
The chain rule
Differentiate:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥2)
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥2 + 3)2
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = (2𝑥 + 𝑥2)3
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(3𝑥)
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥 + 1)
The product rule
Differentiate:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑥)
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1)(2𝑥 + 3)
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝑥)
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥𝑒𝑥
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥2 + 4)(3𝑥 + 1)2
The quotient rule
Differentiate:
𝑥
1. ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
1
2. ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
𝑥
3. ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥+1
𝑥2+2𝑥
4. ℎ(𝑥) =
3𝑥3+𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
5. ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥2
𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥)
6. ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥
7. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑥)
Equation of a tangent
Find the tangent of the function 𝑓(𝑥) at the point 𝑃 when:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥2 + 3𝑥 and 𝑃 = (1,5)
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥) and 𝑃 = (0,1)
π
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(2𝑥) and 𝑃 = ( , 0)
2
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥) and 𝑃 = (𝑒3, 3)
Turning points
Find (and define) the turning points of the functions:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥3 − 4𝑥 + 1
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥2 + 5𝑥
2𝑥
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 ( ) where 𝑥 > 0.
𝑥2+1
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
Answers
Simple differentiation
1. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 2𝑥
2. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 6𝑥 + 2
3. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 + 5
4. 𝑓′(𝑥) = −2𝑥−3 + 39𝑥2 + 1
3 1
5. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 12𝑥11 + 𝑥2
2
1
6. 𝑓 ′(𝑥) = + 6𝑥5 + 36𝑥2
2
3𝑥2
7. 𝑓(𝑥) = + 4𝑥7 + 1
5
6𝑥
𝑓′(𝑥) = + 28𝑥6
5
8. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 24𝑥 + 5 + 13𝑥4
Common differentiation rules
1. 𝑓′(𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
2. 𝑓′(𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑠𝑒𝑐2 𝑥
1
3. 𝑓′(𝑥) =
𝑥+3
4𝑥3+1
4. 𝑓′(𝑥) =
𝑥4+𝑥
1
5. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 +
𝑥
2
3𝑥 +6𝑥
6. 𝑓′(𝑥) =
𝑥3+3𝑥2
𝑥(3𝑥+6)
=
𝑥(𝑥2+3𝑥)
3𝑥+6
=
𝑥2+3𝑥
The chain rule
1. f(𝑢) = sin(𝑢) with 𝑢 = 𝑥2.
d𝑓(𝑢) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑢), and d𝑢 = 2𝑥.
d𝑢 d𝑥
(𝑥)
Therefore, d𝑓d𝑥 = 2𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑢) = 2𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥2).
2. 𝑓(𝑢) = 𝑢2 with 𝑢 = 𝑥2 + 3.
d𝑓(𝑢) = 2𝑢, and d𝑢 = 2𝑥.
d𝑢 d𝑥
( )
Therefore, d𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑢 × 2𝑥 = 4𝑥𝑢 = 4𝑥(𝑥2 + 3).
d𝑥
3. 𝑓(𝑢) = 𝑢3 with 𝑢 = 2𝑥 + 𝑥2.
d𝑓(𝑢) = 3𝑢2, and d𝑢 = 2 + 2𝑥.
d𝑢 d𝑥
Therefore,
d𝑓(𝑥) = (2 + 2𝑥)(3𝑢2) = 3(2 + 2𝑥)(2𝑥 + 𝑥2)2 = 6𝑥2(1 + 𝑥)(2 + 𝑥)2.
d𝑥
4. 𝑓(𝑢) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑢) with 𝑢 = 3𝑥.
d𝑓(𝑢) = 𝑠𝑒𝑐2(𝑢), and d𝑢 = 3.
d𝑢 d𝑥
( )
Therefore, d𝑓 𝑥 = 3 𝑠𝑒𝑐2(𝑢) = 3 𝑠𝑒𝑐2(3𝑥).
d𝑥
5. 𝑓(𝑢) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑢) with 𝑢 = 𝑥 + 1.
d𝑓(𝑢) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑢), and d𝑢 = 1.
d𝑢 d𝑥
( )
Therefore, d𝑓 𝑥 = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑢) × 1 = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥 + 1).
d𝑥
The product rule
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑥).
𝑓′(𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑒𝑐2(𝑥).
Therefore, ℎ′(𝑥) = (1 × 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑥)) + (𝑥 × 𝑠𝑒𝑐2(𝑥)) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑥) + 𝑥 𝑠𝑒𝑐2(𝑥).
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3.
𝑓′(𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = 2.
Therefore, ℎ′(𝑥) = (1 × (2𝑥 + 3)) + (2 × (𝑥 + 1)) = 2𝑥 + 3 + 2𝑥 + 2 = 4𝑥 + 5.
Of course, you could also do this by expanding the brackets to get 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 3 and
then differentiating that to get 𝑓′(𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 5.
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝑥).
𝑓′(𝑥) = 2𝑥 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠(2𝑥) (you can find this using the chain rule).
Therefore,
ℎ′(𝑥) = (2𝑥 × 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (2𝑥)) + (𝑥^2 × 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 (2𝑥)) = 2𝑥(𝑠𝑖𝑛 (2𝑥) + 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (2𝑥)).
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 .
𝑓′(𝑥) = 2 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 .
Therefore, ℎ′(𝑥) = 2𝑥𝑒𝑥 + 2𝑒𝑥 = 2𝑒𝑥(𝑥 + 1).
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 4 and 𝑔(𝑥) = (3𝑥 + 1)2.
𝑓′(𝑥) = 2𝑥 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = 6(3𝑥 + 1) (you can find this using the chain rule).
Therefore, ℎ′(𝑥) = 6(𝑥2 + 4)(3𝑥 + 1) + 2𝑥(3𝑥 + 1)2 = (3𝑥 + 1)(6(𝑥2 + 4) + 2𝑥(3𝑥 + 1)) =
2(3𝑥 + 1)(6𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 12).
The quotient rule
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥).
𝑓′(𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥).
𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥)−𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥)
Therefore, ℎ′(𝑥) =
𝑠𝑖𝑛 2(𝑥) .
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥).
𝑓′(𝑥) = 0 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥).
𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥)
Therefore, ℎ′(𝑥) = .
𝑐𝑜𝑠2(𝑥)
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1.
𝑓′(𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = 1.
𝑥+1−𝑥 1
Therefore, ℎ′(𝑥) = = .
(𝑥+1)2 (𝑥+1)2
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 2𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥3 + 𝑥.
𝑓′(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 2 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = 9𝑥2 + 1.
(2𝑥+2)(3𝑥3+𝑥)−(𝑥2+2𝑥)(9𝑥2+1) −3𝑥2−12𝑥+1
Therefore, ℎ′(𝑥) = = .
(3𝑥 3+𝑥)2 (3𝑥 2+1)2
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥2.
𝑓′(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = 2𝑥.
𝑥2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥−2𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥−2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
Therefore, ℎ′(𝑥) = = .
𝑥4 𝑥3
6. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥.
1
𝑓′(𝑥) = and 𝑔′(𝑥) = 1.
𝑥
1−𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥)
Therefore, we have that ℎ′(𝑥) = .
𝑥2
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
7. ℎ(𝑥) = .
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥.
𝑓′(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 and 𝑔′(𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥.
𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥+𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 1
Therefore, we have that ℎ ′(𝑥) = = = 𝑠𝑒𝑐2 𝑥.
𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥
Equation of a tangent
1. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 3.
So, the gradient at 𝑃 is equal to 𝑓′(1) = 7, and we have the equation for the tangent as 𝑦 =
7𝑥 + 𝑐.
We find 𝑐:
5 = 7 + 𝑐, so 𝑐 = −2, and the equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 7𝑥 − 2.
2. 𝑓′(𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥).
So, the gradient at 𝑃 is equal to 𝑓′(0) = 0, and we have the equation for the tangent as 𝑦 =
𝑐.
We find 𝑐:
1 = 𝑐, so, the equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 1.
3. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 2 𝑠𝑒𝑐2(2𝑥) (you can find this by using the chain rule).
So, the gradient at 𝑃 is 𝑓′ (π) = 2, and we have the equation for the tangent as 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 𝑐.
2
We find 𝑐:
0 = 𝜋 + 𝑐, so 𝑐 = −𝜋, and the equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 𝜋.
1
4. 𝑓 ′(𝑥) = .
𝑥
1
So, the gradient at 𝑃 is equal to 𝑓′(𝑒3) = = e−3, and we have the equation for the tangent
𝑒3
as 𝑦 = 𝑒−3𝑥 + 𝑐.
We find 𝑐:
3 = 𝑒−3𝑒3 + 𝑐 = 𝑒0 + 𝑐 = 1 + 𝑐, so 𝑐 = 2, and the equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 𝑒−3𝑥 + 2.
Turning points
Find (and define) the turning points of the functions:
1. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 9𝑥2 − 4.
4 2
0 = 9𝑥2 − 4 gives us 𝑥2 = , and so we have 𝑥 = and 𝑥 −2
=
9 1 3 2 3
.
We find the corresponding 𝑦 values:
f(𝑥 ) 2 3 2 −7 −2 3 −2 25
( )
1 = 3 (3 ) − 4 ( 3) + 1 = 9 = y1 and 𝑓 𝑥2 = 3 ( 3 ) − 4 ( 3 ) + 1 = 9 = 𝑦2.
2 −7 −2 25
So, the two turning points of 𝑓(𝑥) are ( , ) and ( , ).
3 9 3 9
To define the turning points, we differentiate 𝑓′(𝑥) to get 𝑓′′(𝑥) = 18x.
2 2 −7
We now find 𝑓′′(𝑥1) = 18 ( ) = 12. Since this is greater than zero, we know that ( , ) is a
3 3 9
−2
minima. We find 𝑓′′(𝑥 ) Since this is less than zero, we know that −2 25
2 = 18 ( ) = −12. 3
( , )
3 9
is a maxima.
2. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 5.
−5
0 = 4𝑥 + 5 gives us 𝑥 = . We find the corresponding 𝑦 value: 𝑓 (−5 ) = −25. So, the turning
4
4 8
−5 −25
point of 𝑓(𝑥) is ( , ).
4 8
To define the turning point, we differentiate 𝑓′(𝑥) to get 𝑓′′(𝑥) = 4. Since this is greater than
zero at every point, we know that the turning point is a minima.
2𝑥
3. Call 2 = ℎ(𝑥). We find ℎ′(𝑥) using the quotient rule:
𝑥 +1
𝑝(𝑥) = 2𝑥 and 𝑞(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 1, therefore 𝑝′(𝑥) = 2 and 𝑞′(𝑥) = 2𝑥. So, we have that ℎ′(𝑥) =
2(1−𝑥2)
.
(𝑥2+1)2
d 𝑙𝑜𝑔(ℎ(𝑥)) ℎ𝘍(𝑥) 2(1−𝑥2)(𝑥2+1) 1−𝑥2
Since = , we have that 𝑓′(𝑥) = = .
d𝑥 ℎ(𝑥) 2𝑥(𝑥 2+1)2 𝑥(𝑥 2+1)
1−𝑥2
0= gives us that 𝑥2 = 1, so 𝑥1 = 1 and 𝑥2 = −1. Since it is stated that 𝑥 > 0, we
𝑥(𝑥 2+1)
discard 𝑥2. We find the corresponding 𝑦 value:
𝑓(𝑥1) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(1) = 0, so, we have that the turning point of the function exists at (1,0).
𝑥4−4𝑥2−1
To define the turning point, we differentiate 𝑓′(𝑥) to get 𝑓′′(𝑥) = 2 2 (using the
𝑥 (𝑥 +1) 2
quotient rule).
We find 𝑓′′(𝑥1) = −2, so we have that the turning point is a maxima.
4. 𝑓′(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥.
𝜋 π 3π
0 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 gives us that 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠−1(0) = . We also have that 𝑥 could be equal to − , and
2 2 2
so on. In fact, 𝑥 is equal to π + 𝑛π for any integer 𝑛.
2
We find the corresponding 𝑦 values:
π
𝑓 ( ) = 1, and in fact, 𝑓 ( π + 𝑛π) = 1 for all even 𝑛.
2 2
π) π
𝑓 (− = −1, and 𝑓 ( + 𝑛π) = −1 for all odd 𝑛.
2 2
So, the turning points of 𝑓(𝑥) exist at (π + 2𝑚π, 1) and (π + (2𝑚 + 1)π, −1) for all integer
2 2
values of 𝑚.
To define these turning points, we differentiate 𝑓′(𝑥) to give 𝑓′′(𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥).
π π
𝑓′′ ( + 2𝑚π) = −1 and 𝑓′′ ( + (2𝑚 + 1)π) = 1 for all integer values of 𝑚.
2 2
Therefore, we know that the turning points of the form (π + 2𝑚π, 1) are maxima and all
2
turning points of the form (π + (2𝑚 + 1)π, −1) are minima.
2
Note: If you found the last two questions (or indeed any of the questions in this worksheet)
to be difficult, don’t worry! Differentiation takes a lot of practice, and this worksheet contains
some quite tricky differentiation questions. If you are less confident with the later questions,
try to focus on the simple differentiation section until you feel happy with that.
