Lecture 10: Derivatives

10.1 Introduction
We hope you are very much familiar with such terms as velocity, acceleration, the slope or gradient
of a curve and power as are applicable in Mathematics as well as Physics. Equally true, we always
talk of the sensitivity of length of an iron bar (example a railway track) to temperature, the change
of temperature as one moves through the earth’s atmosphere. The steepness of a road as a change
in altitude (h ) to change in horizontal distance (l ) . These are just a few of the many examples
experienced in practical life that cannot the concept of a derivative. From the above examples we
can extract one central idea- a function as given by: y = f ( x), a  x  b, a, bER and our interest is
in the ratio y / x , where x is a very small change in x and y is the corresponding small
change in y. Normally the ratio y / x will have approximately the same value for all sufficiently
small values of x This then forms the basis of our definition of a derivative as will be shown
below.

Lecture Objectives
At the end of this lecture you should be able to do the following:

(i) Show that the derivative of a function at the point , as the limit of the ratio as approaches
zero if this limit exists;
(ii) Determine the differentiations of commonly accruing functions by the applications of
fundamental rules of differentiations;
(iii) Extract the derivatives of exponential and logarithmic functions;
(iv) Use of the basic principles in determining derivatives to the determination of higher order
derivates;
(v) Describe the maxima, minima and points of inflexion of a function and the method of
obtaining them;
(vi) Explain what the Newton–Raphson method is all about and the use of it in bettering the
root of a function
10.2 Derivative as a limit
Suppose we are to find the slope of the curve y = f (x) at the point P(x,y) on the curve. We consider
a second point Q on the curve with co-ordinates (x+δx, y+δy) as shown in the figure below; where
δx and δy are small increments in x and y from the point P.
Consider moving the point Q nearer to P to points Q1,Q2 then the slope of the chords PQ1, PQ2…
will approach the slope of the curve at point P. Thus the slope of the curve y =f(x) at the point
P(x, y) on the curve is given by:
 f ( x + x) − f ( x)   y + y − y 
Limδx→0   = Limδx→o 
 x   x + x − x 
y dy
=Limδx→0 ( ) = if this limit exist we denote it by
x dx

𝑑𝑦
is also denoted by𝑓 ′(𝑥).
𝑑𝑥

TAKE NOTE

The slope of the cord PQ is given by

QN f ( x + x) − f ( x)
=
PN x + x − x
f ( x + x) − f ( x)
=
x

dy y
Thus = Limδx→0 ( )
dx x
 f ( x + x) − f ( x) 
= Limδx→0  
 x
Differentiation ofxn
dy
Suppose that y = xn we wish to find of this curve.
dx
Letting f(x) = xn by definition
dy f ( x + x) − f ( x)
= Limδx→0 [ ]
dx x
( x + x) n − x n
= Limδx→0 [ ]. Which when simplified reduces to
x
( x + x) n − x n
= Limδx→0[ ]
x
n(n −1) n−2
[x n + nx n−1x + x (x) 2 + ... + (x) n ]− x n
2
=
x

TAKE NOTE

dy
= n xn-1
dx

Thus the differential coefficient of xn is n xn-1.

10.3 Derivative of Algebraic, Exponential and Logarithmic

Functions

Exponential Functions
d x
Exponential functions are of the form f(x) = ax .When we are to find (a ), we use the basic
dx
definition of determining a derivative thus;
d f ( x + x) − f ( x)
f(x)= limδx→o[ ]
dx x
d x a x +x −a x
Thus (a ) = limδx→o[ ]
dx x
 a x (ax −1)
= limδx→o[ ]
x
a x −1
=ax limδx→o ( )
x
ax −1
Thus for chosen values of a and small increments of δx the term limδx→o ( ) = ln a
x
d x
Thus (a ) =ax ln a
dx
x
If we let y = u e
y + y = e x +x

y = e x +x − y
y = e x +x − e x
x
= e (e − 1)
x

 dy (e dx −1)
lim dx →0 = lim dx →0 e x
dx dx
(ex − 1)
Where limx→0 = ln e = 1
x
dy y
 = limx →0 = ex
dx x

Take Note
d
(ex ) = ex
dx
In this case f(x) = ex is an exponential function:
dy
If y = e f(x) , then =f΄(x)ef(x)
dx

Logarithmic Function
If y = logex also written as y = ln x
 x = ey
 dx
= ey
dy

dy 1 dy 1 1
Note that = dx in which = x =
dx dx e x
dy

Take Note
dy 1 dy 1 1
Note that = dx in which = x =
dx dx e x
dy

Example
y = ln (x2+ 1).
Let u = x2+1 then y = ln u
du dy 1
 = 2x =
dx du u

dy dy du
But = . is a chain rule obtained from substitution
dx du dx
dy dy df
i.e = •
dx df dx
dy 1 1
= . 2x = 2 . 2x
dx u ( x +1)
In general if y= ln (f(x))
Letting u =  y = ln u
dy 1 du
 = and = f΄(x)
du u dx
dy dy du
Thus = •
dx du dx
1
= . f΄(x)
u
 dy f ' ( x) f ' ( x)
 = =
dx u f ( x)
Thus if y = ln (f(x)) then

Take Note
dy f ' ( x)
=
dx f ( x)

10.4 The Chain rule (Function of a Function)

Consider y = x2 +4
If y = (x2 +4)5 then y is a function (the fifth power) of a function of x.
Let u = x2 +4  y= u5 . The variable u now links together the variable y and x.
If y = f(u) and u = g(x), then it can be shown that
y y u
= . as δx→0 so δu→0 and δy →0 and taking limits as
x u x
δx →0 we have

Take Note
dy dy du
= •
dx du dx

In general if y = [f(x)] n
Letting u = f(x)  y = un
du dy
Then = f΄(x) and = n u n-1
dx du
 Take Note
dy
y= [f (x) ] n , = n [ f(x) ] n-1 . f΄(x)
dx

Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions

Suppose y = sin x .................................................................................................. (1)
where x is measured in radians
Let x be a small change in x with a corresponding change y in y such that
y + y =
Sin (x + x ) ………………………………………………………………………. (2)

Subtracting equation (1) from (2) we have

y = Sin(x + x ) − Sinx
 1  1 
= 2Cos x + x  Sin x 
 2  2 

y Cos (x + 12 x )Sin( 12 x )
=
x ( 12 x )
dy y
By definition; = Lim
dx x →0 x

 Cos ( x + x) Sin( 12 x) 

Lim  
2 x
x →0
 
1
 

 Sin 
Since = Lim 
x →0   
 =1

dy
 = Cosx
dx

Similarly if y = Cosx …………………………………………………………….(1)
and if x and y are all changes in x and y
we have y + y = Cos (x + x ) ……………………………………………….......(2)

Subtracting equation (1) from (2) we have

y = Cos(x + x ) − Cosx
 1  1 
= − 2Sin x + x Sin x 
 2  2 
y − Sin(x + 2 x )Sin( 12 x )
1
=
x ( 12 x )

 − Sin( x + x) Sin( 12 x) 

= Lim  
2 x
x →0 1
 
dy
 = − Sinx
dx

Take Note
dy
y = Sinx ==> = Cosx
dx
and
dy
y = Cosx ==> = − Sinx
dx

We can obtain the differential coefficients of other trigonometric functions which are together
summarized as shown below.

y y/
Sinx Cosx
Cosx − Sinx
Tanx Sec 2 x
Co sec x − Co sec x cot x
Secx Secx tan x
Cotx − Co sec 2 x

Take Note
 That all the “ Co….” functions give a minus sign on differentiation

dy
if y = cos(x − 1)
3
Example 1: Find
dx

Solution: Let U = x − 1 then y = CosU

3

dU dy
= 3x 2 And = − SinU
dx dU

 dy dy dU
= •
dx dU dx
= − SinU • 3x 2 = −3x 2 Sin( x 3 − 1)

dy
if y = tan x
5
Example 2: Find
dx

Solution: Let U = tan x then y = U

5

dU dy
= Sec 2 x And = 5U 4
dx dU

 dy dy dU
= •
dx dU dx
= 5U 4 • Sec 2 x

dy
 = 5 tan 4 xSec 2 x
dx
dy
if y = (3x − 2)
2 4
Example 3: Find
dx

Solution: Let U = 3 x − 2 then y = U

2 4

dU dy
= 6x = 4U 3
dx dU
dy dy dU
= • = 4U 3 • 6 x
dx dU dx
= 4(3x 2 − 2) 3 • 6 x
dy
= 24 x(3x 2 − 2) 2
dx

dy
if y = (5 x − 2 x )
2
Example 4: Find
dx
 1

Or y = (5 x − 2 x ) 2
2

Solution: Let U = 5 x − 2 x then y = U 2

2

dU dy 1 − 12
= 5 − 4x = U
dx dU 2
dy dy dU 1 − 12
= • = U • (5 − 4 x)
dx dU dx 2
1
1
= (5 x − 2 x 2 ) − • (5 − 4 x)
2

2
dy (5 − 4 x)
= 1
dx
2(5 x − 2 x )
2 2

10.5 Higher order Derivatives

The differentiation process can be repeated in finding the differential coefficient of the differential
coefficient of y with respect to x. This is called the second derivative of y with respect to x denoted
d 2y
by .
dx 2
d 2y
is also written as f΄΄(x). The reader is very much familiar with the idea of distance, velocity
dx 2
and acceleration. The three variables are associated as follows:

If distance s is given as a function of time t , then the velocity v is the rate of change of distance s
ds
with respect to time t denoted by and acceleration a is the rate of change of velocity with
dt
dv
respect time denoted by .
dt
ds dv d ds
Since v = , then acceleration a = = ( )
dt dt dt dt
d 2s
=
dt 2
Thus acceleration is seen as a second derivative of s with respect to t.
dv dv ds
Note that since = • (Chain Rule).
dt ds dt

Take Note
dv d 2s dv
 a= = 2
= . v.
dt dt ds

dv
The term . vis applicable when velocity or acceleration is a function of s rather than t.
ds

References
Backhouse, J.K. and Houldsworth, S.P.T. (2005). Pure Mathematics (Vol. 1). Twenty
seventh Impression: Longman.
Goyal, N. M. and Watikins, C. (2007). Advanced Engineering Mathematics: Computer
approach (7thEdition). Bali: Firewall Media.
Khan, R.N. and Hill, D. (2017). Mathematics Fundamentals. Bookboon
Kreyszig, E. (2006). Advanced Engineering Mathematics (8th Edition). John Wiley & Sons
Inc.
Shah, S.K. and Garg, S.C. (2017). A Textbook of Algebra. S. Chand Publishing.
Stroud, K. A. (2003). Advanced Engineering Mathematics (4th Edition). Macmillan.
Tylor, C.K. (2013). An Introduction to Abstract Algebra.Ventus Publishing ApS.
Werner, F. (2016). A Refresher Course in Mathematics. Bookboon.