Differentiation

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Simple differentiation
Differentiate:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 + 12
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 −2 + 13𝑥 3 + 24 + 𝑥
3
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥12 + 𝑥 2
𝑥
6. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 + 𝑥 6 + 12𝑥 3
3𝑥 2
7. 𝑓(𝑥) = + 4𝑥 7 + 𝑥 0
5
13𝑥 5
8. 𝑓(𝑥) = 12𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + + 12
5

Common differentiation rules

Differentiate:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥 + 3)
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥 4 + 𝑥)
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥)
6. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 )

The chain rule

Differentiate:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥 2 )
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 2 + 3)2
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = (2𝑥 + 𝑥 2 )3
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(3𝑥)
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥 + 1)

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The product rule

Differentiate:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑥)
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1)(2𝑥 + 3)
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝑥)
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥𝑒 𝑥
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 2 + 4)(3𝑥 + 1)2

The quotient rule

Differentiate:
𝑥
1. ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
1
2. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
𝑥
3. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥+1
𝑥2 +2𝑥
4. ℎ(𝑥) =
3𝑥3 +𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
5. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥2
𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥)
6. ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥
7. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑥)

Equation of a tangent
Find the tangent of the function 𝑓(𝑥) at the point 𝑃 when:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 and 𝑃 = (1,5)
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥) and 𝑃 = (0,1)
π
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(2𝑥) and 𝑃 = ( 2 , 0)

4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥) and 𝑃 = (𝑒 3 , 3)

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Turning points
Find (and define) the turning points of the functions:
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 + 1
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥
2𝑥
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (𝑥 2 +1) where 𝑥 > 0.

4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥

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Answers
Simple differentiation
1. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥
2. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 6𝑥 + 2
3. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 5
4. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = −2𝑥 −3 + 39𝑥 2 + 1
1
3
5. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 12𝑥11 + 2 𝑥 2
1
6. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2 + 6𝑥 5 + 36𝑥 2
3𝑥 2
7. 𝑓(𝑥) = + 4𝑥 7 + 1
5

6𝑥
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = + 28𝑥 6
5
8. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 24𝑥 + 5 + 13𝑥 4

Common differentiation rules

1. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
2. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑥
1
3. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑥+3

4𝑥3 +1
4. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) =
𝑥4 +𝑥
1
5. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 +
𝑥
3𝑥2 +6𝑥
6. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) =
𝑥3 +3𝑥2
𝑥(3𝑥+6)
=
𝑥(𝑥 2 +3𝑥)
3𝑥+6
=
𝑥 2 +3𝑥

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The chain rule

1. f(𝑢) = sin(𝑢) with 𝑢 = 𝑥 2 .
d𝑓(𝑢) d𝑢
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑢), and d𝑥 = 2𝑥.
d𝑢
d𝑓(𝑥)
Therefore, = 2𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑢) = 2𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥 2 ).
d𝑥

2. 𝑓(𝑢) = 𝑢2 with 𝑢 = 𝑥 2 + 3.
d𝑓(𝑢) d𝑢
= 2𝑢, and d𝑥 = 2𝑥.
d𝑢
d𝑓(𝑥)
Therefore, = 2𝑢 × 2𝑥 = 4𝑥𝑢 = 4𝑥(𝑥 2 + 3).
d𝑥

3. 𝑓(𝑢) = 𝑢3 with 𝑢 = 2𝑥 + 𝑥 2 .
d𝑓(𝑢) d𝑢
= 3𝑢2 , and d𝑥 = 2 + 2𝑥.
d𝑢

Therefore,
d𝑓(𝑥)
= (2 + 2𝑥)(3𝑢2 ) = 3(2 + 2𝑥)(2𝑥 + 𝑥 2 )2 = 6𝑥 2 (1 + 𝑥)(2 + 𝑥)2 .
d𝑥

4. 𝑓(𝑢) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑢) with 𝑢 = 3𝑥.

d𝑓(𝑢) d𝑢
= 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 (𝑢), and d𝑥 = 3.
d𝑢
d𝑓(𝑥)
Therefore, = 3 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2(𝑢) = 3 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 (3𝑥).
d𝑥

5. 𝑓(𝑢) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑢) with 𝑢 = 𝑥 + 1.

d𝑓(𝑢) d𝑢
= − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑢), and d𝑥 = 1.
d𝑢
d𝑓(𝑥)
Therefore, = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑢) × 1 = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥 + 1).
d𝑥

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The product rule

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑥).
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2(𝑥).
Therefore, ℎ′ (𝑥) = (1 × 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑥)) + (𝑥 × 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 (𝑥)) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝑥) + 𝑥 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 (𝑥).
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3.
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 2.
Therefore, ℎ′ (𝑥) = (1 × (2𝑥 + 3)) + (2 × (𝑥 + 1)) = 2𝑥 + 3 + 2𝑥 + 2 = 4𝑥 + 5.

Of course, you could also do this by expanding the brackets to get 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 3 and
then differentiating that to get 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 5.
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝑥).
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠(2𝑥) (you can find this using the chain rule).
Therefore,
ℎ′(𝑥) = (2𝑥 × 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (2𝑥)) + (𝑥^2 × 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 (2𝑥)) = 2𝑥(𝑠𝑖𝑛 (2𝑥) + 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (2𝑥)).
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 .
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 .
Therefore, ℎ′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥𝑒 𝑥 + 2𝑒 𝑥 = 2𝑒 𝑥 (𝑥 + 1).
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 4 and 𝑔(𝑥) = (3𝑥 + 1)2 .
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 6(3𝑥 + 1) (you can find this using the chain rule).
Therefore, ℎ′ (𝑥) = 6(𝑥 2 + 4)(3𝑥 + 1) + 2𝑥(3𝑥 + 1)2 = (3𝑥 + 1)(6(𝑥 2 + 4) + 2𝑥(3𝑥 + 1)) =
2(3𝑥 + 1)(6𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 12).

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The quotient rule

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥).
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥).
𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥)−𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥)
Therefore, ℎ′ (𝑥) = .
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 (𝑥)
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥).
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 0 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥).
𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥)
Therefore, ℎ′ (𝑥) = .
𝑐𝑜𝑠2 (𝑥)
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1.
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 1.
𝑥+1−𝑥 1
Therefore, ℎ′ (𝑥) = 2 = .
(𝑥+1) (𝑥+1)2

4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 3 + 𝑥.

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 2 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 9𝑥 2 + 1.
(2𝑥+2)(3𝑥 3 +𝑥)−(𝑥 2 +2𝑥)(9𝑥 2 +1) −3𝑥 2 −12𝑥+1
Therefore, ℎ′ (𝑥) = = .
(3𝑥 3 +𝑥)2 (3𝑥 2 +1)2

5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 .

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥.
𝑥2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥−2𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥−2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
Therefore, ℎ′ (𝑥) = = .
𝑥4 𝑥3
6. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥.
1
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑥 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 1.
1−𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑥)
Therefore, we have that ℎ′ (𝑥) = .
𝑥2

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𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
7. ℎ(𝑥) = .
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥.
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 and 𝑔′ (𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥.

′ (𝑥)
𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥+𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 1
Therefore, we have that ℎ = = = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝑥.
𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝑥

Equation of a tangent
1. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 3.
So, the gradient at 𝑃 is equal to 𝑓 ′ (1) = 7, and we have the equation for the tangent as 𝑦 =
7𝑥 + 𝑐.
We find 𝑐:
5 = 7 + 𝑐, so 𝑐 = −2, and the equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 7𝑥 − 2.
2. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥).
So, the gradient at 𝑃 is equal to 𝑓 ′ (0) = 0, and we have the equation for the tangent as 𝑦 =
𝑐.
We find 𝑐:
1 = 𝑐, so, the equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 1.
3. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 (2𝑥) (you can find this by using the chain rule).
π
So, the gradient at 𝑃 is 𝑓 ′ (2 ) = 2, and we have the equation for the tangent as 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 𝑐.

We find 𝑐:
0 = 𝜋 + 𝑐, so 𝑐 = −𝜋, and the equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 𝜋.
1
4. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑥.
1
So, the gradient at 𝑃 is equal to 𝑓 ′ (𝑒 3 ) = 𝑒 3 = e−3 , and we have the equation for the tangent

as 𝑦 = 𝑒 −3 𝑥 + 𝑐.
We find 𝑐:
3 = 𝑒 −3 𝑒 3 + 𝑐 = 𝑒 0 + 𝑐 = 1 + 𝑐, so 𝑐 = 2, and the equation of the tangent is 𝑦 = 𝑒 −3 𝑥 + 2.

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Turning points
Find (and define) the turning points of the functions:
1. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 9𝑥 2 − 4.
4 2 −2
0 = 9𝑥 2 − 4 gives us 𝑥 2 = 9, and so we have 𝑥1 = 3 and 𝑥2 = .
3

We find the corresponding 𝑦 values:

2 3 2 −7 −2 3 −2 25
f(𝑥1 ) = 3 (3) − 4 (3) + 1 = = y1 and 𝑓(𝑥2 ) = 3 ( 3 ) − 4 ( 3 ) + 1 = = 𝑦2 .
9 9
2 −7 −2 25
So, the two turning points of 𝑓(𝑥) are (3 , ) and ( 3 , 9 ).
9

To define the turning points, we differentiate 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) to get 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 18x.

2 2 −7
We now find 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥1 ) = 18 (3) = 12. Since this is greater than zero, we know that (3 , ) is a
9
−2 −2 25
minima. We find 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥2 ) = 18 ( 3 ) = −12. Since this is less than zero, we know that ( 3 , 9 )

is a maxima.
2. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 5.
−5 −5 −25
0 = 4𝑥 + 5 gives us 𝑥 = . We find the corresponding 𝑦 value: 𝑓 ( 4 ) = . So, the turning
4 8
−5 −25
point of 𝑓(𝑥) is ( 4 , ).
8

To define the turning point, we differentiate 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) to get 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 4. Since this is greater than
zero at every point, we know that the turning point is a minima.

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2𝑥
3. Call = ℎ(𝑥). We find ℎ′ (𝑥) using the quotient rule:
𝑥 2 +1
𝑝(𝑥) = 2𝑥 and 𝑞(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1, therefore 𝑝′ (𝑥) = 2 and 𝑞 ′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥. So, we have that ℎ′ (𝑥) =
2(1−𝑥 2 )
.
(𝑥 2 +1)2

d 𝑙𝑜𝑔(ℎ(𝑥)) ℎ′ (𝑥) ′ (𝑥)

2(1−𝑥 2 )(𝑥 2 +1) 1−𝑥 2
Since = , we have that 𝑓 = = .
d𝑥 ℎ(𝑥) 2𝑥(𝑥 2 +1)2 𝑥(𝑥 2 +1)

1−𝑥 2
0 = gives us that 𝑥 2 = 1, so 𝑥1 = 1 and 𝑥2 = −1. Since it is stated that 𝑥 > 0, we
𝑥(𝑥 2 +1)
discard 𝑥2 . We find the corresponding 𝑦 value:
𝑓(𝑥1 ) = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(1) = 0, so, we have that the turning point of the function exists at (1,0).

′ (𝑥) ′′ (𝑥)
𝑥 4 −4𝑥 2 −1
To define the turning point, we differentiate 𝑓 to get 𝑓 = 2 2 (using the
𝑥 (𝑥 +1)2
quotient rule).
We find 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥1 ) = −2, so we have that the turning point is a maxima.

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4. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥.
𝜋 π 3π
0 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 gives us that 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 −1(0) = 2 . We also have that 𝑥 could be equal to − 2 , and
2
π
so on. In fact, 𝑥 is equal to 2 + 𝑛π for any integer 𝑛.

We find the corresponding 𝑦 values:

π π
𝑓 ( 2 ) = 1, and in fact, 𝑓 ( 2 + 𝑛π) = 1 for all even 𝑛.
π π
𝑓 (− 2 ) = −1, and 𝑓 ( 2 + 𝑛π) = −1 for all odd 𝑛.
π π
So, the turning points of 𝑓(𝑥) exist at ( 2 + 2𝑚π, 1) and ( 2 + (2𝑚 + 1)π, −1) for all integer

values of 𝑚.
To define these turning points, we differentiate 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) to give 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = − 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥).
π π
𝑓 ′′ (2 + 2𝑚π) = −1 and 𝑓 ′′ (2 + (2𝑚 + 1)π) = 1 for all integer values of 𝑚.
π
Therefore, we know that the turning points of the form (2 + 2𝑚π, 1) are maxima and all
π
turning points of the form ( 2 + (2𝑚 + 1)π, −1) are minima.

Note: If you found the last two questions (or indeed any of the questions in this worksheet)
to be difficult, don’t worry! Differentiation takes a lot of practice, and this worksheet contains
some quite tricky differentiation questions. If you are less confident with the later questions,
try to focus on the simple differentiation section until you feel happy with that.

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success.’

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Study Development
Email: [email protected]