Differentiation
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Differentiation
Differentiation is to do with finding the rate of change. If we consider a general function
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) then differentiating that function is equivalent to finding its derivative. The
𝑑𝑦
derivative function is denoted 𝑑𝑥 or 𝑓 ′ (𝑥). Differentiation is the inverse of integration1
In order to illustrate differentiation, consider first the curved graph below of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).
At any point we can draw a tangent to the curved line and this tangent changes at every
point along the curve. In the graph below the tangent at 𝑥 = 3 is shown.
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑦
The gradient of the tangent at every point 𝑥 is equal to the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥).
A worksheet on differentiation from first principles is provided by Mathcentre2 and an
introduction to differentiation is provided by Pplato3.
1 Integration
2 Differentiation from First Principles (Mathcentre)
3 Introductory Differentiation (Pplato)
[Link]
Derivatives of Standard Functions4
𝒇(𝒙) 𝒇′ (𝒙)
𝑥 𝑛 (𝑛 ≠ 0) 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1
𝑒𝑥 𝑒𝑥
ln 𝑥 1/𝑥
sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
cos 𝑥 −sin 𝑥
tan 𝑥 sec 2 𝑥
cot 𝑥 −cosec 2 𝑥
sec 𝑥 sec 𝑥 tan 𝑥
cosec 𝑥 −cosec 𝑥 cot 𝑥
tan−1 𝑥 1
(1 + 𝑥 2 )
sin−1 𝑥 1
√1 − 𝑥 2
cos−1 𝑥 −1
√1 − 𝑥 2
sinh 𝑥 cosh 𝑥
cosh 𝑥 sinh 𝑥
tanh 𝑥 sech2 𝑥
coth 𝑥 −cosech2 𝑥
sech 𝑥 sech 𝑥 tanh 𝑥
cosech 𝑥 −cosech 𝑥 coth 𝑥
sinh−1 𝑥 1
√1 + 𝑥 2
cosh−1 𝑥 −1
√1 + 𝑥 2
tanh−1 𝑥 for |𝑥| < 1 1
(1 − 𝑥 2 )
coth−1 𝑥 for |𝑥| > 1 1
(1 − 𝑥 2 )
A worksheet on differentiation using a table is provided by Mathcentre5. A set of exercises on
differentiation using a table is also available6.
4 Functions
5 Differentiation Using a Table (Mathcentre)
6 Differentiation from a Table Exercises
[Link]
Rules for Differentiation
A number of rules have been devised to differentiate more complex functions. In this
section, an outline of the rules are given. Links are given to other on-line resources in
the footnotes.
Derivative of a function with a constant factor
𝑑 𝑑
{𝑐 𝑢(𝑥)} = 𝑐 𝑢(𝑥) = 𝑐 𝑢′ (𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
For example
𝑑 𝑑
{3 sin 𝑥} = 3 sin 𝑥 = 3 cos 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
Derivative of a sum
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
{ 𝑢(𝑥) + 𝑣(𝑥)} = 𝑢(𝑥) + 𝑣(𝑥) = 𝑢′ (𝑥) + 𝑣 ′ (𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
For example
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 1
{ln 𝑥 + cos 𝑥} = ln 𝑥 + cos 𝑥 = − sin 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
Derivative of a product (product rule)
𝑑
{ 𝑢(𝑥)𝑣(𝑥)} = 𝑢(𝑥)𝑣 ′ (𝑥) + 𝑢′ (𝑥)𝑣(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
For example
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 1
{ln 𝑥 sin 𝑥} = ln 𝑥 (sin 𝑥) + (ln 𝑥) sin 𝑥 = ln 𝑥 cos 𝑥 + sin 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
A worksheet on the product rule is provided by Mathcentre7. A set of exercises on the
product rule is also available8.
Derivative of a quotient (quotient rule)
𝑑 𝑢(𝑥) 𝑣(𝑥)𝑢′ (𝑥) − 𝑢(𝑥)𝑣 ′ (𝑥)
{ }=
𝑑𝑥 𝑣(𝑥) 𝑣 2 (𝑥)
For example
7 Product Rule (Mathcentre)
8 Product Rule Exercises
[Link]
𝑑 𝑑
𝑑 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 (sin 𝑥) − sin 𝑥 (cos 𝑥) cos 𝑥 cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥 (− sin 𝑥) 1
( )= 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = = = sec 2 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 cos 𝑥 2
cos 𝑥 2
cos 𝑥 cos2 𝑥
A worksheet on the quotient rule is provided by Mathcentre9. A worksheet on the
product and quotient rules is provided by Pplato10. A set of exercises on the quotient rule is
also available11.
Derivative of a function of a function (chain rule)
𝑑
𝑢(𝑣(𝑥)) = 𝑣 ′ (𝑥)𝑢′ (𝑣(𝑥))
𝑑𝑥
For example
𝑑 𝑑 1
(sin(ln 𝑥)) = (ln 𝑥) cos(ln 𝑥) = cos(ln 𝑥))
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
Worksheets on the chain rule are provided by Mathcentre12 and Pplato13. A set of
exercises on the chain rule is also available14.
Higher order derivatives
𝑑𝑓
Differentiating a function 𝑓(𝑥) gives the first order derivative, denoted 𝑑𝑥 . If we
differentiate again, we obtain the function that is the second order derivative, denoted
𝑑2 𝑓
. If we differentiate again we obtain the function that is the third order derivative,
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑3 𝑓
denoted 𝑑𝑥 3 . We can continue to define the derivative to any order.
𝑑𝑓 𝑑2 𝑓 𝑑3 𝑓
For example if 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 2𝑥 then 𝑑𝑥 = 2 cos 2𝑥, 𝑑𝑥 2 = −4 sin 2𝑥, 𝑑𝑥 3 = −8 cos 2𝑥 etc.
Maxima and Minima
𝑑𝑓 𝑑𝑓 𝑑2 𝑓
A maxima or minima occurs when 𝑑𝑥 = 0. If 𝑑𝑥 = 0 at a point (𝑥, 𝑦) then if 𝑑𝑥 2 |𝑥 > 0
𝑑2 𝑓
then it is a minimum point and if 𝑑𝑥 2 |𝑥 < 0 then it is a maximum point. Optima is a
collective term for maxima and minima and they are also called stationary points.
𝑑𝑓 𝑑𝑓
For example for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3, 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 2. 𝑑𝑥 = 0
9 Quotient Rule (Mathcentre)
10 The Product and Quotient Rules (Pplato)
11 Quotient Rule Exercises
12 The Chain Rule (Mathcentre)
13 The Chain Rule (Pplato)
14 Chain Rule Exercises
[Link]
𝑑2 𝑓
when 𝑥 = 1. As 𝑓(1) = 2, then the coordinates of the stationary point is (1,2). | =
𝑑𝑥 2 1
2 > 0, so it is a minimum point.
Worksheets on using differentiation to find maxima and minima are provided by
Mathcentre15 and Pplato16. A set of exercises on finding maxima and minima is also
available17.
15 Maxima and Minima of Functions (Mathcentre)
16 Maxima and Minima (Pplato)
17 Maxima and Minima Exercises
