Queen’s College, Barbados Topic 10 Differentiation

CXC CSEC ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS

SECTION 3: INTRODUCTORY CALCULUS
TOPIC A : DIFFERENTIATION
Candidates should be able to :
 Use the concept of the derivative at a point x = c as the gradient to the graph at x = c
 Define the derivative at a point as a limit
𝑑𝑦
 Use the 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) and 𝑑𝑥 notation for the first derivative of f(x)
𝑑
 Use 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1 where n is any real number
𝑑 𝑑
 Use 𝑑𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 = cos 𝑥 and 𝑑𝑥 cos 𝑥 = − sin 𝑥
 Use simple rules of derivatives to find derivatives of sums and multiples of functions
 Calculate derivatives of polynomials and trigonometric functions
 Apply the chain rule in the differentiation of composite functions
 Differentiate products and quotients of simple polynomials and trigonometric functions
 Use the concept of the derivative as rate of change
 Use the concept of stationary points
 Determine the nature of stationary points
 Locate stationary points, maxima and minima, by considering sign changes of the derivative
 Calculate the second derivative, 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥)
 Interpret the significance of the sign of the second derivative
 Use the sign of the second derivative to determine the nature of the stationary point
 Obtain equations of tangents and normal to curves.
Basic Definition
The gradient of a curve changes at each point along its length.
If we find the derivative of a function f(x) at a point, we are actually finding the gradient of the curve
y = f(x) at the point. The first derivative can also be called the gradient function. The process of finding
the derivative is called differentiation.
Notation
𝑑𝑦
The notation that we use for the first derivative of a function y = f(x) is either 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) or 𝑑𝑥 .
Examples
1. If f(x) = x3, then 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) =

𝑑𝑦
2. If y = x4, then =
𝑑𝑥

3. If g(x) = x7, then 𝑔′ (𝑥) =

If f(x) = xn, then 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) =

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
Special cases: If 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 , = If 𝑦 = 𝑥, = If 𝑦 = 6, =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
If y = f(x) ± g(x) then 𝑑𝑥 = If 𝑦 = 𝑐 × 𝑓(𝑥) then 𝑑𝑥 =
where c is a constant

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Queen’s College, Barbados Topic 10 Differentiation

More Examples
Differentiate the following to find the first derivative
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥11 + 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 2

5. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 5 + 2𝑥 7

6. ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥
1
7. 𝑦= 𝑥5

5 3
8. 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 − 𝑥2

Tangents and Normals to a Curve

When we differentiate we obtain an expression
for the gradient of the curve (which is equal to
the gradient of the tangent at the point of
tangency). The NORMAL line is perpendicular
to the tangent line and goes through the point of
tangency.
Examples (on file paper)
9. Find the gradient of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5 at the points (a) (0, 5) (b) (2, 13) (c) (–3 , 8)
10. Find the equation of the tangent to the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 at the point (3, −9).
11. Find the point on the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 at which the gradient is 3.
12. Find the gradient of the NORMAL to the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5 at the points (a) (0, 5)
(b) (2, 13) (c) (–3 , 8)
13. Find the equation of the NORMAL to the curve 𝑦 = 7𝑥 − 2𝑥 3 at the point where x = 1.
Stationary Points
There are two types of stationary point that we must consider:

and we may use differentiation to find them. Previously we used ……………………………..

At a stationary point, the tangent is ………………………..……. so the value of its gradient is

…………..

This means that at a stationary point ………………

Examples (on file paper)
14. Find the stationary point on the curve (𝑎) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 11 (𝑏) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 5
15. Find the location and nature of the stationary point on the curve whose equation is
(𝑎) 𝑓(𝑥) = 12 − 6𝑥 − 𝑥 2 (𝑏) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 3 (𝑐)𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 − 11

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Queen’s College, Barbados Topic 10 Differentiation

16. Find the location and nature of the stationary points on the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 − 11.

Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions

We can differentiate trig functions.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
If y = sin x then 𝑑𝑥 = cos 𝑥 and if 𝑦 = cos 𝑥 then 𝑑𝑥 = − sin 𝑥

Differentiation of a Product
If the equation for y is a product, then we think of it as 𝑢 × 𝑣.
For example if 𝑦 = 𝑥 sin 𝑥 then we see that u = x and v = sin x

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑣
If 𝑦 = 𝑢 × 𝑣 then = (𝑑𝑥 × 𝑣) + (𝑢 × ) = 𝑢′ 𝑣 + 𝑢 𝑣 ′
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

Examples (on file paper)

𝑑𝑦
17. If 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 sin 𝑥, find an expression for 𝑑𝑥
18. If 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 5 + 6) cos 𝑥, find 𝑓 ′ (𝑥).
𝑑𝑦
19. If 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 find 𝑑𝑥 .
Differentiation of a Quotient
𝑢
If the equation for y is a quotient, then we think of it as 𝑣 .
sin 𝑥
For example if 𝑦= then we see that u = sin x and v = x2
𝑥2
𝑢 𝑑𝑦 𝑢′ 𝑣−𝑢 𝑣 ′
If 𝑦 = then =
𝑣 𝑑𝑥 𝑣2
Examples (on file paper)
𝑥+2 𝑑𝑦
20. If y = 𝑥+5 find 𝑑𝑥 .

2𝑥 + 5 𝑑𝑦
21. If y = 4𝑥 − 3 find .
𝑑𝑥

sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑦
22. If 𝑦= find
𝑥2 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦
23. If y = tan x find .
𝑑𝑥
Differentiation of a Composite Function
To differentiate a composite function, we use the Chain Rule which states that
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑎
= ×
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑎 𝑑𝑥
Examples (on file paper)
𝑑𝑦
24. Find 𝑑𝑥 if 𝑦 = (𝑥 3 + 8)6
𝑑𝑦
25. Find 𝑑𝑥 if 𝑦 = (3𝑥 2 − 7)11
𝑑𝑦
26. Find 𝑑𝑥 if 𝑦 = (sin 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 )15

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Queen’s College, Barbados Topic 10 Differentiation

𝑑𝑦
27. Find if 𝑦 = sin 5𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
28. Find 𝑑𝑥 if 𝑦 = cos(4𝑥 5 )

𝑑𝑦
29. Find 𝑑𝑥 if 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝑥

Finding Second Derivatives

𝑑𝑦
If we differentiate y with respect to x we get the first derivative (𝑑𝑥 ). If we then differentiate the first
𝑑2 𝑦
derivative with respect to x we get the second derivative (𝑑𝑥 2 ).
Examples (on file paper)
𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
30. If y = x4 + 6x2 + 11x, find 𝑑𝑥 and 𝑑𝑥 2 .
31. If 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥 + 5 cos 𝑥 − 𝑥 3 find 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) and 𝑓 ′ ′(𝑥)

Stationary Points (again)

To identify where a stationary point exists we solve the equation ………………………………
To determine whether it is a maximum or a minimum stationary point we may use the tables we used in
examples 13, 14 or 15 or we may use the second derivative.
Examples (on file paper)
𝑑2 𝑦
32. Find the stationary point on the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 11 and calculate the value of 𝑑𝑥 2 at the
stationary point.
33. Find the location of the stationary point on the curve whose equation is 𝑓(𝑥) = 12 − 6𝑥 − 𝑥 2
𝑑2 𝑦
and calculate the value of at the stationary point.
𝑑𝑥 2

From these two examples we see that …………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………..………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Examples
34. Find the location and nature of the stationary points on the curve y = x3 – 3x2 – 9x + 4

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Queen’s College, Barbados Topic 10 Differentiation

Rates of Change
𝑑𝑦
The derivative, 𝑑𝑥 , represents the instantaneous rate of change of y with respect to x rather than the
average rate of change.

The rates of change that we know already are:

(a) speed – change of distance with time
(b) velocity – change of displacement with time
(c) acceleration – change of velocity with time
But we can also talk about growth rate, change in size, etc

Examples (on file paper)

35. The radius, r cm, is related to time, t secs, by the equation r = 3t + 8. Find
a) the initial value of the radius
b) the rate of change of r with respect to t

3
36. The volume of water, V litres, in an aquarium after t seconds is given by V = 5 + 𝑡−1

Calculate
a) the initial volume
b) the rate at which the volume of water is increasing when t = 7

37. The volume, V m3, of a certain gas varies with the pressure according to the law pV = 180.
a) Find the rate of change of V with respect to p
b) What is the rate at which the volume of the gas is decreasing when p = 6?

38. The initial volume of the balloon is given by 𝑉 = 100 − 5𝑡 where 𝑡 is the time in seconds. Find
a) the initial volume.
b) the rate of change of volume with respect to time

39. The length of a cube of a side 𝑥 cm is increasing at a rate of 0.5 cm𝑠 −1 . Calculate the rate of
change of
a) the surface area b) the volume

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Queen’s College, Barbados Topic 10 Differentiation

CXC ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS

ASSIGNMENT 3A
1. Differentiate with respect to x
a) 5x b) 4x2 c) 7 d) 3x2 – 5
e) 3x2 – x – 1 f) 1 – 3x2 g) x –x –x–1
3 2

2. Differentiate
4 1
a) y = (x – 1)2 b) y=𝑥 c) y = 3𝑥 2 + d) y = (x – 2)3
𝑥
1 2
e) y = (𝑥 − 𝑥) ) hint: EXPAND
3. a) Find the gradient on the curve y = 4x3 – 10x + 1 at the point where x = – 1
b) The gradient on the curve y = ax2 – 3x + 4 at the point where x = – 2 has a value of 13.
Find the value of a.
c) Find the coordinates of the points on the curve y = 3x3 – 4x + 2 where the gradient is 0.

4. Differentiate with respect to x:

a) y = (4x – 5)10 b) y = (3 – x – 2x2)5 c) y = sin(3x – 5)

𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
5. Find 𝑑𝑥 and 𝑑𝑥 2 for
a) y = 4x3 – 5x2 + 8 b) y = (2x – 7)3 c) y = (1 – 4x)4
𝑑𝑦
6. a) If y = (ax + 2)2 and 𝑑𝑥 = 30 when 𝑥 = 1 find the values of a.
1 𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
b) For the function y = (ax + b)2, when 𝑥 = − 3 = −6 and 𝑑𝑥 2 = 18. Find the
𝑑𝑥

values of a and b.
7. Find the equation of the tangent and the normal to the following curves at the given point
a) y = x2 – 2 at x = – 3 b) y = 1 – x – 3x2 at x = – 1
4 3
c) y = 𝑥 at x = – 2 d) y = 𝑥+1 at y = 1
1
e) 𝑦= at y = – 1
1− 2𝑥

8. a) For the function y = 2x3 + 3x2 – 36x + 4, find the x-coordinates of the stationary points,
the nature of the stationary points and the value of the function at these points.
b) For the function y = x2 + 8x – 10, find the x-coordinates of the stationary points,
the nature of the stationary points and the value of the function at these points.

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Queen’s College, Barbados Topic 10 Differentiation

CXC ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS

SECTION 3 : TOPIC A : DIFFERENTIATION
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
𝑑𝑦
1. Given that y = (3x – 5)4, then 𝑑𝑥 =
−12 12
A (3𝑥−5)3
B (3𝑥−5)3
C 12(3𝑥 − 5)3 D −12(3𝑥 − 5)3

𝑑𝑦
2. Given that 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 sin 𝑥 then 𝑑𝑥 =
A 3𝑥 2 cos 𝑥 B 𝑥 2 (3 sin 𝑥 + 𝑥 cos 𝑥)
C −3𝑥 2 cos 𝑥 D 𝑥 2 (3 sin 𝑥 − 𝑥 cos 𝑥)

2𝑥−1 𝑑𝑦
3. Given that 𝑦 = then 𝑑𝑥 =
4𝑥+3
(4𝑥+3)(2)−(2𝑥−1)(4) (4𝑥+3)(2)+(2𝑥−1)(4)
A (4𝑥+3)2
B (4𝑥+3)2
(2𝑥−1)(4)−(4𝑥+3)(2) (2𝑥−1)(4)+(4𝑥+3)(2)
C (4𝑥+3)2
D (4𝑥+3)2

4𝑥 𝑑𝑦
4. Given that 𝑦 = then 𝑑𝑥 =
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥
4𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥+4𝑥 sin 𝑥 4𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥−4𝑥 sin 𝑥 4𝑥 sin 𝑥−4𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 −4
A B C D
𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥

𝑑𝑦 𝜋
5. The curve C has the equation 𝑦 = 3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 4. The value of 𝑑𝑥 at the point where 𝑥 = is
6
11 5 3√3 3√3
A B C D −
2 2 2 4

6. The curve C is given by the equation y = cos x + x2. The second derivative is given by
A cos x + 2 B –cos x + 2 C sin x + 2 D –sin x + 2

7. The curve y = x2 – ax + 11 has a stationary point when x = 5. The value of a is

5 2
A 5 B 10 C 2 D 5

8. The point A(2, 2) lies on the curve with equation 𝑦 = 𝑥(𝑥 − 3)2 . The equation of the
NORMAL to the curve at the point A is given by
A 𝑦 − 2 + 3(𝑥 − 2) B 𝑦 − 2 = −3(𝑥 − 2)
1 1
C 𝑦 − 2 = 3 (𝑥 − 2) D 𝑦 − 2 = − 3 (𝑥 − 2)

𝑑𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦
9. At the point P on the curve C, 𝑑𝑥 = 0 and = 5. We can say that P is
𝑑𝑥 2
A a point of inflection B a maximum stationary point
C a minimum stationary point D an intercept

10. The third derivative of 𝑥 5 is

A 3𝑥 5 B 𝑥3 C 12𝑥 3 D 60𝑥 3

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Queen’s College, Barbados Topic 10 Differentiation

CXC ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS

SECTION 1 : TOPIC A : ALGEBRA
PAST PAPER (TYPE) QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1
(a) Differentiate the following with respect to x, simplifying your result as far as possible
(6 − 7𝑥)(1 + 𝑥)5 [4]
3
(b) The point P lies on the curve y = 𝑥 . The value of x at P is −2. Find the equation of the tangent
to the curve at P. [4]
(c) Find the stationary points on the curve f(x) = 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 and distinguish their nature.
[6]

QUESTION 2
(a) Differentiate the following with respect to x, simplifying your answer
7𝑥−2
[4]
5𝑥+4
(b) The point P(3, 10) lies on the curve 𝑦 = 4𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 11. Find equations for
(i) the tangent to the curve at P
(ii) the normal to the curve at P
giving your answers in the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0 where a, b, c ∈ Z [5]
–1
(c) The length of the side of a square is increasing at a rate of 5cms . Find the rate of increase of
the area when the length of the side is 12 cm. [5]

QUESTION 3
(a) Given that y = 3𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3 − 2, find
(i) the coordinates of the stationary points of y [5]
(ii) the second derivative of y and hence determine the nature of EACH of the stationary
points. [5]
(b) Differentiate (7 − 3𝑥)4 cos 𝑥 with respect to x, simplifying your result as far as possible [4]

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