COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE

2.3
POWER RULE

For any constant c,

(The tangent line to a

horizontal line is the same
horizontal line.)
line )

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE

(The tangent line to the line

y = x is a line of slope one,
which is not surprising.)
surprising )

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
The Power Rule
The table presents a short list of
derivatives calculated previously
either as examples or in the
exercises using the limit definition.

Note that the power of x in the derivative is always one less

than the power of x in the original function. Further, the
coefficient of x in the derivative is the same as the power
of x in the original function.

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
THEOREM 3.1 (Power Rule)

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
PROOF

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
PROOF

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.1 Using the Power Rule

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.1 Using the Power Rule

Solution

( )
(a)

(b)

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
The General Power Rule
We have already seen these derivatives:

Note that each derivative can be rewritten:

suggesting that the power rule may be extended to all real

exponents (except zero).

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
THEOREM 3.2 (General Power Rule)

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.2 Using the General Power Rule

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.2 Using the General Power Rule

Solution

(a)

(b)

(c)

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
CAUTION
Be careful here to avoid a common error:

The power rule says to subtract 1 from the exponent

(even if the exponent is negative).

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
THEOREM 3.3

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.3 Finding the Derivative of a Sum

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.3 Finding the Derivative of a Sum

Solution

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.4 Rewriting a Function before Computing
th D
the Derivative
i ti

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.4 Rewriting a Function before Computing
th D
the Derivative
i ti
Solution

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.5 Finding an Equation of the Tangent Line

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.5 Finding an Equation of the Tangent Line

Solution

The line with slope −6 through the point (1, 2) has

equation

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.5 Finding an Equation of the Tangent Line

Solution

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
Higher Order Derivatives
We can compute the derivative of a derivative.

It turns out that such higher order derivatives have

important applications.
We can compute the derivative of f’, called the second
d i ti off f and
derivative d written
itt f’’.
f’’ We
W can then
th compute t
the derivative of f’’, called the third derivative of f,
written
itt f’’’.
f’’’

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
Higher Order Derivatives

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.6 Computing Higher Order Derivatives

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
2.3
POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.6 Computing Higher Order Derivatives

Solution

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
Acceleration
You are probably familiar with the term acceleration,
which is the instantaneous rate of change of velocity.

Consequently, if the velocity of an object at time t is given

by v(t), then the acceleration is

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.7 Computing the Acceleration of a
Sk di
Skydiver
Suppose that the height of a skydiver t seconds after
jumping from an airplane is given by

f (t) = 640 − 20t − 16t2 feet.

Find the person’s acceleration at time t.

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 COMPUTATION OF DERIVATIVES: THE
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POWER RULE
EXAMPLE 3.7 Computing the Acceleration of a
Sk di
Skydiver
Solution

The velocityy changes

g byy −32 ft/s everyy second and the
speed in the downward (negative) direction increases by
32 ft/s everyy second due to ggravity.
y

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