The Delta Method

The symbol ∆

Any change in a variable quantity is called an increment. The symbol ∆ (read “delta”) is customary used
to denote this change or increment. If we regard x as the variable, then the symbol ∆x (read as “delta x”)
denotes the increment of x. Note that while ∆ is not a number or a variable, the symbol ∆x is a variable.
Note also that ∆x may either be positive or negative, but not zero.

Suppose y = f(x). A change ∆x in x produces a corresponding change ∆y in y. That is,

y + ∆y = f(x + ∆x)

Then, ∆y = f(x + ∆x) – y

But since y = f(x)

Therefore we have the relation ∆y = f(x + ∆x) – f(x)

Graphical representation:

Derivative of a function

The derivative of a function f given by y = f(x) with respect to x at any x in its domain is the number

dy ∆y f ( x +∆ x )−f (x )
= lim = lim
dx ∆ x→ 0 ∆ x ∆ x→ 0 ∆x

dy
Note: The derivative can also be written as f ‘(x) or y’
dx
(Ex. 1) Find the derivative of y = x²

dy ∆y f ( x +∆ x )−f (x )
= lim = lim
dx ∆ x→ 0 ∆ x ∆ x→ 0 ∆x

Remember that y = f(x)= x²

f( x +∆ x ) = (x +∆ x ¿ ²

dy ∆y (x + ∆ x )²−x ²
= lim = lim
dx ∆ x→ 0 ∆ x ∆ x→ 0 ∆x

expanding (x +∆ x )² = x² + 2x∆ x + ( ∆ x )2

2 2
dy ∆y x +2 x ∆ x+ ( ∆ x ) −x ²
= lim = lim
dx ∆ x→ 0 ∆ x ∆ x→ 0 ∆x
2 2
dy ∆y x +2 x ∆ x+ ( ∆ x ) −x ²
= lim = lim
dx ∆ x→ 0 ∆ x ∆ x→ 0 ∆x

Imagine this ( ∆ x )2 , a very small number ∆ x multiplied by a very small number ∆ x , so…

2 2
dy ∆y x +2 x ∆ x+ ( ∆ x ) −x ²
= lim = lim
dx ∆ x→ 0 ∆ x ∆ x→ 0 ∆x

dy ∆y 2x ∆ x
= lim = lim
dx ∆ x→ 0 ∆ x ∆ x→ 0 ∆ x

dy ∆ y lim 2 x
what remain is = lim = = f’(x) = y’ = 2x
dx ∆ x →0 ∆ x ∆ x→ 0

dy dy
Remember, when we say derivative, it means . So, we say, the derivative of y = x² is =2 x .
dx dx
Rules of Differentiation

The Delta Method process is obviously time-consuming and tedious. Fortunately, there are standard
formulas called DIFFERENTIATION FORMULAS or DIFFERENTIATION RULES which enable us to
find the derivative of even complicated functions as rapidly as we can write. In the formulas below, u and
v are differentiable functions of x, n is any real number and c is constant.

dy
(Ex. 2) Find if y = x³ - 4x² + 5
dx

dy d
Solution: = ¿x³ - 4x² + 5)
dx dx

Using Rule no. 4 (Sum Rule),

dy d d d
= ¿x³) - ¿4x²) + ¿5)
dx dx dx dx

d
Considering ¿x³): using Rule no. 3 (Power Rule)
dx

d
¿x³) = 3x²
dx

d
Considering ¿4x²): using Rule no. 5 and 3
dx

d d
¿4x²) = 4 ¿x²)= 4 ¿) = 8x
dx dx
 d
Considering ¿5): using Rule no. 1
dx

d
¿5) = 0
dx

dy
Therefore, = 3x² + 8x (ans.)
dx

Let us solve (Ex.1) using the Differentiation Rules

Find the derivative of y = x²

Solution: using Rule no. 3

dy d
= ¿x²)…… now using Rule no. 3
dx dx

dy
=¿2x (ans.)…… (This is much simpler than using The Delta Method!!!)
dx
The Differential

dy
So far, we have regarded the notation as a single symbol to denote the limit of the quotient
dx
∆y
as ∆x → 0 or to represent the derivative of the function y = f(x). Now we shall introduce an
∆x
extremely simple but useful concept called the differential. This new concept will give meaning to the
dy
symbols dy and dx separately and in effect will permit us to consider the symbol as the quotient of
dx
two differentials. Consider a function defined by y =f(x) where x is the independent variable. Previously,
we introduced the symbol ∆x to denote the increment of x. Now, we introduced the symbol dx which
we call the differential of x. similarly, we shall call the symbol dy as the differential of y. to give the
separate meanings to dx and dy, we shall adopt the following definitions of a function defined by the
equation y = f(x). dx = ∆x simply means “The differential of the independent variable is equal to the
increment of the variable”. dy = f’(x) dx simply means “The differential of a function is equal its
dy
derivative multiplied by the differential of its independent variable”. Then we get =f ' (x).
dx
dy
Remember, =f ' (x) = y’.
dx

Differential Formulas:

1. d(c) = 0
2. d(x) = dx
3. d(cu) = cdu
4. d(u+v) = du+dv
5. d(uv) = udv+vdu
u vdu−udv
6. d( ¿=
v v²
n n−1
7. d(u ¿=n u du
du
8. d(√ u ¿=
2 √u
1 −n
9. d( n ¿= n+1 du
u u

Solving (Ex. 1) using the differential….

Find the derivative of y = x².

d(y) = d(x²)
 dy =2xdx (using no. 2 &7 formula)

dy '
=f ( x )=2 x(ans .)
dx

Solving (Ex. 2) using the differential….

dy
Find if y = x³ - 4x² + 5.
dx

d(y) = d(x³ - 4x² + 5)

dy = d(x³) – d(4x²) +d(5)

dy = d(x³) – 4d(x²) +d(5)

dy = 3x²dx – 4(2xdx) + 0

dy = (3x² – 8x)dx

dy
= 3x² – 8x (ans.)
dx

dy '
In summary, the methods on solving derivatives ( ∨f ( x )∨ y ' ¿are as follows:
dx

1. The Delta Method

Note: For me, the most convenient to use is the differential formulas. But still, it’s up to you…

Exercises No. 3

Find the derivative using the delta method, differentiation rules and the differential formulas. (Means 3
methods in every item)

1. y = 4x² - 5x
2. y = 4√ x
3. y=√ 3
x
4. y = √ 4 x +3
3
5. y =
√2 x +1

2 1 −2 /3 2 −3
ans. 1.8x-5 2. 3. x 4. 5.
√x 3 √ 4 x +3 (2 x+ 1)3 /2

prepared by: Engr. Erwin B. Miano