LESSON 6: Rules of Differentiation

TIME FRAME: 3 hours

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the lesson, the learner shall be able to:

1. Determine the relationship between differentiability and continuity;

2. Derive the differentiation rules; and
3. Apply the differentiation rules in computing the derivatives of algebraic, exponential, and
trigonometric functions.

LESSON OUTLINE:

1. Definitions on continuity and differentiability

2. Relationship between differentiability and continuity
3. Sample exercises on the relationship between differentiability and continuity
4. Derivation of the different differentiation rules
5. Examples on the different differentiation rules
6. Applications

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TOPIC 6.1: Differentiability Implies Continuity

DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON

(A) INTRODUCTION

The difference between continuity and differentiability is a critical issue. Most, but not all,
of the functions we encounter in calculus will be differentiable over their entire domain.
Before we can confidently apply the rules regarding derivatives, we need to be able to
recognize the exceptions to the rule.

Recall the following definitions:

Definition 1 (Continuity at a Number). A function f is continuous at a number c if

all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(i) f (c) is defined;

(ii) lim f (x) exists; and
x!c
(iii) lim f (x) = f (c).
x!c

If at least one of the these conditions is not satisfied, the function is said to be discontin-
uous at c.

Definition 2 (Continuity on R). A function f is said to be continuous everywhere if f

is continuous at every real number.

Definition 3. A function f is differentiable at the number c if

f (c + h) f (c)
f 0 (c) = lim
h!0 h
exists.

(B) LESSON PROPER

We now present several examples of determining whether a function is continuous or dif-
ferentiable at a number.

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 EXAMPLE 1:
1. The piecewise function defined by
8
2
< x + 2x 3
>
if x 6= 1,
f (x) = x 1
:4 if x = 1,
>

is continuous at c = 1. This is because f (1) = 4,

(x 1)(x + 3)
lim f (x) = lim = 4,
x!1 x!1 x 1

and f (1) = lim f (x).

x!1
2. The function defined by 8
< x2 if x < 2,
f (x) =
:3 x if x 2.

is not continuous at c = 2 since lim f (x) = 4 6= 1 = lim f (x), hence the lim f (x)
x!2− x!2+ x!2
does not exist.
p
3. Consider the function f (x) = 3
x. By definition, its derivative is

f (x + h) f (x)
f 0 (x) = lim
h!0 h
p p p p p
3
3
x + h 3 x 3 (x + h)2 + 3 (x + h)(x) + x2
= lim ·p p
h 3
p
h!0 3
(x + h)2 + 3 (x + h)(x) + x2
(x + h) x
= lim p
h!0 h( (x + h) + 3 (x + h)(x) + 3 x2 )
p p
3 2

1
= lim p p
h!0 3 (x + h)2 + 3 (x + h)(x) + 3 x2
p

1
= p 3
.
3 x2
1 1
Since f 0 (1) = p = , then f is differentiable at x = 1. On the other hand, f 0 (0)
3 2
3 1 3
does not exist. Hence f is not differentiable at x = 0.
4. The function defined by (
5x if x < 1
f (x) =
2x + 3 if x 1

is continuous at x = 1 but is not differentiable at x = 1. Indeed, f (1) = 2(1) + 3 = 5.

Now,
• If x < 1, then f (x) = 5x and so lim 5x = 5.
x!1−
• If x > 1, then f (x) = 2x + 3 and so lim (2x + 3) = 5.
x!1+

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 Since the one-sided limits exist and are equal to each other, the limit exists and equals
5. So,
lim f (x) = 5 = f (1).
x!1
This shows that f is continuous at x = 1. On the other hand, computing for the
derivative,
5(x + h) (5x)
• For x < 1, f (x) = 5x and lim = 5.
h!0− h
(2(x + h) + 3) (2x + 3)
• For x > 1, f (x) = 2x + 3 and lim = 2.
h!0+ h
Since the one-sided limits at x = 1 do not coincide, the limit at x = 1 does not exist.
Since this limit is the definition of the derivative at x = 1, we conclude that f is not
differentiable at x = 1.
5. Another classic example of a function that is continuous at a point but not differentiable
at that point is the absolute value function f (x) = |x| at x = 0. Clearly, f (0) = 0 =
lim |x|. However, if we look at the limit definition of the derivative,
x!0

f (0 + h) f (0) |0 + h| |0| |h|

lim = lim = lim .
h!0 h h!0 h h!0 h

Note that the absolute value function is defined differently to the left and right of 0 so
we need to compute one-sided limits. Note that if h approaches 0 from the left, then it
approaches 0 through negative values. Since h < 0 =) |h| = h, it follows that
|h| h
lim = lim = lim 1 = 1.
h!0− h h!0− h h!0−

Similarly, if h approaches 0 from the right, then h approaches 0 through positive values.
Since h > 0 =) |h| = h, we obtain
|h| h
lim = lim = lim 1 = 1.
h!0+ h h!0+ h h!0+

Hence, the derivative does not exist at x = 0 since the one-sided limits do not coincide.

The previous two examples prove that continuity does not necessarily imply differentiability.
That is, there are functions which are continuous at a point, but is not differentiable at
that point. The next theorem however says that the converse is always TRUE.

Theorem 6. If a function f is differentiable at a, then f is continuous at a.

Proof. That function f is differentiable at a implies that f 0 (a) exists. To prove that f is
continuous at a, we must show that

lim f (x) = f (a),

x!a

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 or equivalently,
lim f (a + h) = f (a).
h!0
If h 6= 0, then

f (a + h) = f (a) + f (a + h) f (a)
f (a + h) f (a)
= f (a) + · h.
h
Taking the limit as h ! 0, we get

f (a + h) f (a)
lim f (a + h) = lim f (a) + lim ·h
h!0 h!0 h!0 h
= f (a) + f 0 (a) · 0
= f (a).

Remark 1:
(a) If f is continuous at x = a, it does not mean that f is differentiable at x = a.
(b) If f is not continuous at x = a, then f is not differentiable at x = a.
(c) If f is not differentiable at x = a, it does not mean that f is not continuous at x = a.
(d) A function f is not differentiable at x = a if one of the following is true:
i. f is not continuous at x = a.
ii. the graph of f has a vertical tangent line at x = a.
iii. the graph of f has a corner or cusp at x = a.

Teaching Tip
A lot of students erroneously deduce that the verb for “getting the derivative” is
“to derive”. Please correct this. The right verb is “to differentiate”. Moreover, the
process of getting the derivative is “differentiation” — not “derivation”.

(C) EXERCISES:

1. Suppose f is a function such that f 0 (5) is undefined. Which of the following statements
is always true?
a. f must be continuous at x = 5.
b. f is definitely not continuous at x = 5.

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 c. There is not enough information to determine whether or not f is continuous at
x = 5. Answer: (a) False. Counterexample: any function that is not continuous at
5; (b) False. Counterexample f (x) = |x 5|; (c) True.
2. Which of the following statements is/are always true?
I. A function that is continuous at x = a is differentiable at x = a.
II. A function that is differentiable at x = a is continuous at x = a.
III. A function that is NOT continuous at x = a is NOT differentiable at x = a.
IV. A function that is NOT differentiable at x = a is NOT continuous at x = a.

a. none of them c. I and IV e. II and III

b. I and III d. II and IV f. all of them

Answer: only (e) is always true

3. Suppose that f is a function that is continuous at x = 3. Which of the following
statements are true?
a. f must be differentiable at x = 3. Answer: False, e.g. f (x) = |x + 3|.
b. f is definitely not differentiable at x = 3. Answer: False, e.g. f (x) = x.
4. Consider the function defined by
(
x2 if x < 3,
f (x) =
6x 9 if x 3.

For each statement below, write True if the statement is correct and False, otherwise.
At x = 3, the function is
a. undefined. Answer: False
b. differentiable but not continuous. Answer: False
c. continuous but not differentiable. Answer: False
d. both continuous and differentiable. Answer: True
e. neither continuous nor differentiable. Answer: False
5. Determine the values of x for which the function is continuous.

x+5 3x + 1 p
a. f (x) = c. f (x) = e. f (x) = x 3
x2 5x + 4 2x2 8x r
x 4x x 2
b. f (x) = d. f (x) = 2 f. f (x) =
4 x2 x 9 x+3
p
6. Determine the largest subset of R where f (x) = 25 x2 is continuous.
7. Is the function defined by g(x) = x2 sin x + 5 continuous at x = ⇡?
8. Is the function defined by f (x) = |x 1| differentiable at x = 1?

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 9. Is the function defined by
(
x3 3 if x  2,
f (x) =
x2 + 1 if x > 2.

continuous at x = 2? differentiable at x = 2?
p
10. Consider the function defined by f (x) = x. Is f differentiable at x = 1? at x = 0? at
x = 1?

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TOPIC 6.2: The Differentiation Rules and Examples Involving
Algebraic, Exponential, and Trigonometric Functions

DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON

(A) INTRODUCTION

How do we find derivatives?

The procedure for finding the exact derivative directly from a formula of the function
without having to use graphical methods is called differential calculus. In practice, we use
some rules that tell us how to find the derivative of almost any function. In this lesson, we
will introduce these rules.

You may start by asking the students to compute the derivatives of the following functions
using the limit definition (formal definition):

(a) f (x) = 3x2 + 4 4x2 + 3

(b) g(x) =
x 1

Give them a few minutes to solve.

After a few minutes, (using their answers) tell the students that computing the derivative
of a given function from the definition is usually time consuming. Thus, this lesson will
help them compute the derivative of a given function more easily.

(B) LESSON PROPER

We first recall the definition of the derivative of a function.

The derivative of the function f the function f 0 whose value at a number x in the domain
of f is given by
f (x + h) f (x)
f 0 (x) = lim (2.3)
h!0 h
if the limit exists.

For example, let us compute the derivative of the first function of the seatwork above:
f (x) = 3x2 + 4. Let us first compute the numerator of the quotient in (2.3):

f (x + h) f (x) = (3(x + h)2 + 4) (3x2 + 4)

= (3x2 + 6xh + 3h2 + 4) (3x2 + 4)
= 6xh + 3h2
= h(6x + 3h).

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 Therefore,
f (x + h) f (x)
f 0 (x) = lim
h!0 h
3(x + h)2 + 4 (3x2 + 4)
= lim
h!0 h
h(6x + 3h)
= lim
h!0 h
= lim (6x + 3h)
h!0
= 6x.

We see that computing the derivative using the definition of even a simple polynomial is a
lengthy process. What follows next are rules that will enable us to find derivatives easily.
We call them DIFFERENTIATION RULES.

Teaching Tip
You may prove some of the rules and let the class derive the other rules.

DIFFERENTIATING CONSTANT FUNCTIONS

The graph of a constant function is a horizontal line and a horizontal line has zero slope.
The derivative measures the slope of the tangent, and so the derivative is zero.

RULE 1: The Constant Rule

If f (x) = c where c is a constant, then f 0 (x) = 0. The derivative of a constant is equal to

zero.

Proof:

f (x + h) f (x) c c
f 0 (x) = lim = lim = lim 0 = 0.
h!0 h h!0 h h!0

EXAMPLE 1:
(a) If f (x) = 10, then f 0 (x) = 0.
p
(b) If h(x) = 3, then h0 (x) = 0.
(c) If g(x) = 5⇡, then g 0 (x) = 0.

DIFFERENTIATING POWER FUNCTIONS

A function of the form f (x) = xk , where k is a real number, is called a power function.
Below are some examples of power functions.

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 p
(a) f (x) = x (d) p(x) = 4
x
(b) g(x) = x2 (e) `(x) = x 5

p
(c) h(x) = x (f) s(x) = 1/x8

The definition of the derivative discussed in the previous lesson can be used to find the
derivatives of many power functions. For example, it can be shown that

If f (x) = x2 , then f 0 (x) = 2x.

If f (x) = x3 , then f 0 (x) = 3x2 .
If f (x) = x4 , then f 0 (x) = 4x3 .
If f (x) = x5 , then f 0 (x) = 5x4 .
If f (x) = x6 , then f 0 (x) = 6x5 .

Notice the pattern in these derivatives. In each case, the new power of f becomes the
coefficient in f 0 and the power of f 0 is one less than the original power of f . In general, we
have the following rule:

RULE 2: The Power Rule

If f (x) = xn where n 2 N, then f 0 (x) = nxn 1.

Teaching Tip
At the least, prove the case when n = 1 and n = 2.
Proof. (The cases n = 1 and n = 2) Using the limit definition,

f (x + h) f (x) (x + h) x
f (x) = x =) f 0 (x) = lim = lim = lim 1 = 1 = 1x1 1
.
h!0 h h!0 h h!0

On the other hand, if f (x) = x2 , then

f (x + h) f (x)
f 0 (x) = lim
h!0 h
(x + h) 2 x2
= lim
h!0 h
h(2x + h)
= lim = 2x = 2x2 1
.
h!0 h

If you wish to demonstrate the general case, the proof is stated below.

For the function f (x) = xn , in computing f (x + h) = (x + h)n , we need to invoke the

Binomial Theorem:
n(n 1) n 2 2 n!
(x + h)n = xn + nxn 1 h + x h +··· + xn r hr + · · · + nxhn 1 + hn .
2! r!(n r)!

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 Note that in the binomial expansion,
(i) there are n + 1 terms;
✓ ◆
n n!
(ii) the coefficient of the rth term is the binomial coefficient = ; and
r r!(n r)!
(iii) the sum of the exponent of x and the exponent of h is always equal to n.

Proof. (The general case)

f (x + h) f (x)
f 0 (x) = lim
h!0 h
(x + h)n xn
= lim
h!0
⇣ h ⌘
n!
xn + nxn 1h + +··· + r!(n r)! x
n r hr + · · · + nxhn 1 + hn xn
= lim
h!0
 h
n(n 1) n n!
= lim nxn 1
+ x 2
h + ··· + xn r r 1
h + · · · + hn 1
h!0 2! r!(n r)!
= nxn 1

Remark 1: Observe that the statement of the power rule restricts the exponent to be a
natural number (since the Binomial Theorem is invoked). However, this formula holds true
even for exponents r 2 R:

f (x) = xr =) f 0 (x) = rxr 1

for all r 2 R.

For example, if f (x) = x ⇡, then f 0 (x) = ( ⇡)x( ⇡ 1) .

EXAMPLE 2:

1. If f (x) = x3 , then f 0 (x) = 3x3 1 = 3x2 .

1
2. Find g 0 (x) where g(x) = 2 .
x

Solution. In some cases, the laws of exponents must be used to rewrite an expression
1
before applying the power rule. Thus, we first write g(x) = 2 = x 2 before we apply
x
the Power Rule. We have:

2 1 3 2
g 0 (x) = ( 2)x = 2x or .
x3
.

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 p 1
3. If h(x) = x, then we can write h(x) = x 2 . So we have,
1 1 1
h0 (x) = x2
2
1 1 1
= x 2 or p
2 2 x

Teaching Tip
This rule is very basic and should be mastered. You can give some more examples
until the students are confidently able to apply the power rule.

DIFFERENTIATING A CONSTANT TIMES A FUNCTION

RULE 3: The Constant Multiple Rule

If f (x) = k h(x) where k is a constant, then f 0 (x) = k h0 (x).

Teaching Tip
Rule 3 states that the derivative of a constant times a differentiable function is the
constant times the derivative of the function. Its proof is a direct consequence of
the constant multiple theorem for limits.

EXAMPLE 3:
Find the derivatives of the following functions.
3 1p
p
(a) f (x) = 5x 4 (b) g(x) = 3 x
3
(c) h(x) = 3x

Solution. We use Rule 3 in conjunction with Rule 2.

3 3 15 1
(a) f 0 (x) = 5 · x 4 1 = x 4 .
4 4
1 1 1 1 1 1 2
(b) g(x) = x 3 =) g 0 (x) = · x 3 1 = x 3 .
3 p p 3 3 9
(c) h0 (x) = 3x1 1 = 3.
.

DIFFERENTIATING SUMS AND DIFFERENCES OF FUNCTIONS

RULE 4: The Sum Rule

If f (x) = g(x) + h(x) where g and h are differentiable functions, then f 0 (x) = g 0 (x) + h0 (x).

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 Teaching Tip
Rule 4 states that the derivative of the sum of two differentiable functions is the
sum of the derivatives of the functions. Its proof relies on the Addition Theorem
for limits.

EXAMPLE 4: Refer to Example 3 above and ask the students to perform the following:
(a) Differentiate the following:

(i) f (x) + g(x) (ii) g(x) + h(x) (iii) f (x) + h(x)

(b) Use Rules 3 and 4 to differentiate the following: (Hint: f (x) g(x) = f (x)+( 1)g(x).)

(i) f (x) g(x) (ii) g(x) h(x) (iii) f (x) h(x)

Solution. .

(a) Copying the derivatives in the solution of Example (3), and substituting them into
the formula of the Sum Rule, we obtain

15 1 1 2 1 2 p 15 1 p
(i) x 4 + x 3 . (ii) x 3 +( 3). (iii) x 4 +( 3).
4 9 9 4

(b) Using Rules 3 and 4, we deduce that the derivative of f (x) g(x) is equal to the
difference of their derivatives: f 0 (x) g 0 (x). Therefore we obtain

15 1 1 2 1 2 p 15 1 p
(i) x 4 x 3 . (ii) x 3 ( 3). (iii) x 4 ( 3).
4 9 9 4

Remark 2:
(a) The Sum Rule can also be extended to a sum of a finite number of functions. If

f (x) = f1 (x) + f2 (x) + · · · + fn (x)

where f1 , f2 , . . . , fn are differentiable functions, then

f 0 (x) = f10 (x) + f20 (x) + · · · + fn0 (x).

(b) The same is true for the difference of a finite number of functions. That is,

f 0 (x) = f10 (x) f20 (x) ··· fn0 (x).

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 DIFFERENTIATING PRODUCTS OF FUNCTIONS

RULE 5: The Product Rule

If f and g are differentiable functions, then

Dx [f (x) g(x)] = f (x) g 0 (x) + g(x) f 0 (x).

Rule 5 states that the derivative of the product of two differentiable functions is the first
function times the derivative of the second function plus the second function times the
derivative of the first function.

The derivative of the product is NOT the product of their derivatives! Indeed, if f (x) = x
and g(x) = x2 , then
Dx [f (x) · g(x)] = Dx [x · x2 ] = Dx (x3 ) = 3x2 .
However,
Dx [f (x)] · Dx [g(x)] = Dx (x) · Dx (x2 ) = 1 · 2x = 2x.
Clearly, 3x2 6= 2x, and therefore
Dx [f (x) · g(x)] 6= Dx [f (x)] · Dx [g(x)].

Teaching Tip
Presentation of this proof is optional, but is encouraged to be given to advanced
classes.

Proof. Suppose f and g are both differentiable functions and let H(x) = f (x) g(x). Then
H(x + h) H(x) f (x + h)g(x + h) f (x)g(x)
H 0 (x) = lim = lim
h!0 h h!0 h
Adding and subtracting f (x + h)g(x) in the numerator (the mathematical trick of adding 0
in a useful manner ) will help simplify this limit. That is,

f (x + h)g(x + h) f (x + h)g(x) + f (x + h)g(x) f (x)g(x)

H 0 (x) = lim
h!0 h
f (x + h)[g(x + h) g(x)] + g(x)[f (x + h) f (x)]
= lim
h!0
 h
f (x + h)[g(x + h) g(x)] g(x)[f (x + h) f (x)]
= lim +
h!0 h h
 
f (x + h)[g(x + h) g(x)] g(x)[f (x + h) f (x)]
= lim + lim
h!0 h h!0 h
g(x + h) g(x) f (x + h) f (x)
= lim f (x + h) · lim + lim g(x) · lim
h!0 h!0 h h!0 h!0 h
= f (x)g 0 (x) + f 0 (x)g(x)

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 EXAMPLE 5:

(a) Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = (3x2 4)(x2 3x)

Solution.

f 0 (x) = (3x2 4)Dx (x2 3x) + (x2 3x)Dx (3x2 4)

= (3x2 4)(2x 3) + (x2 3x)(6x)
= 6x3 9x2 8x + 12 + 6x3 18x2
= 12x3 27x2 8x + 12.

Remark 3: In the above example, we could have also multiplied the two factors and
get
f (x) = 3x4 9x3 4x2 + 12x.

Then, by the Rules 2,3 and 4, the derivative of f is

f 0 (x) = 12x2 27x2 8x + 12

which is consistent with the one derived from using the product rule.
p
(b) Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = x (6x3 + 2x 4).

Solution. Using product rule,

f 0 (x) = x1/2 Dx (6x3 + 2x 4) + Dx (x1/2 ) (6x3 + 2x 4)

1
= x1/2 (18x2 + 2) + x 1/2 (6x3 + 2x 4)
2
= 18x5/2 + 2x1/2 + 3x5/2 + x1/2 2x 1/2

= 21x5/2 + 3x1/2 2x 1/2

.

DIFFERENTIATING QUOTIENTS OF TWO FUNCTIONS

x2 + 2
What is the derivative of ? More generally, we would like to have a formula to
x 3
f (x)
compute the derivative of if we already know f 0 (x) and g 0 (x).
g(x)

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 Teaching Tip
The derivation/proof below is optional but is encouraged to be presented to ad-
vanced classes.

We derive the Quotient Rule using the Product Rule.

f (x) 1
Notice that can be written as a product of two functions: f (x) · . Hence, we can
g(x) g(x)
1 0

compute the derivative if we know f 0 (x) and . Now,
g(x)
 1 1
1 g(x+h) g(x)
Dx = lim
g(x) h!0 h

g(x) g(x + h) 1
= lim ·
h!0 g(x + h)g(x) h

g(x + h) g(x) 1
= lim ·
h!0 h g(x + h)g(x)
1
= g 0 (x) ·
[g(x)]2
Thus, using the product rule

 
f (x) 1
Dx = Dx f (x) ·
g(x) g(x)
1 0
 
1
= f (x) + f 0 (x)
g(x) g(x)
 0
g 0 (x) f (x)
= f (x) · 2
+
[g(x)] g(x)
0 0
g (x)f (x) + f (x)g(x)
= .
[g(x)]2
Putting everything together, we have the following rule:

RULE 6: The Quotient Rule

Let f (x) and g(x) be two differentiable functions with g(x) 6= 0. Then

f (x) g(x)f 0 (x) f (x)g 0 (x)
Dx = .
g(x) [g(x)]2

The rule above states that the derivative of the quotient of two functions is the fraction
having as its denominator the square of the original denominator, and as its numerator
the denominator times the derivative of the numerator minus the numerator times the
derivative of the denominator.

134
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 Teaching Tip
• Remind again the students that the derivative of a quotient is NOT equal to
the quotient of their derivatives, that is,

f (x) Dx [f (x)]
Dx 6= .
g(x) Dx [g(x)]

• Since subtraction is not commutative, it matters which function you first copy
and which one you first differentiate. A very common mnemonic for the quo-
tient rule is 
high low D(high) high D(low)
Dx = .
low low squared

EXAMPLE 6:
3x + 5
(a) Let h(x) = . Compute h0 (x).
x2 + 4
3x + 5
Solution. If h(x) = , then f (x) = 3x + 5 and g(x) = x2 + 4 and therefore
x2 + 4
f 0 (x) = 3 and g 0 (x) = 2x. Thus,

g(x)f 0 (x) f (x)g 0 (x)

h(x) =
[g(x)]2
(x2 + 4)(3) (3x + 5)(2x)
=
(x2 + 4)2
3x2 + 12 6x2 10x
=
(x2 + 4)2
12 10x 3x2
= .
(x2 + 4)2
.
2x4 + 7x2 4
(b) Find g 0 (x) if g(x) = .
3x5 + x4 x + 1
Solution.
(3x5 + x4 x + 1) Dx (2x4 + 7x2 4) (2x4 + 7x2 4) Dx (3x5 + x4 x + 1)
g 0 (x) =
(3x5 + x4 x + 1)2
(3x5 + x4 x + 1)(8x3 + 14x) (2x4 + 7x2 4)(15x4 + 4x3 1)
= .
(3x5 + x4 x + 1)2
.

135
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 DIFFERENTIATING TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

This time we will look at the derivatives of the trigonometric functions:

sin x, cos x, tan x, sec x, csc x, cot x.

You may start this topic by recalling/reviewing the trigonometric functions involving some
identities, that is,
sin x cos x 1 1
tan x = , cot x = , sec x = , csc x =
cos x sin x cos x sin x
and some important limits previously discussed such as,
sin t cos t 1
lim =1 and lim = 0.
t!0 t t!0 t

RULE 7: Derivatives of trigonometric functions

(a) Dx (sin x) = cos x (d) Dx (cot x) = csc2 x

(b) Dx (cos x) = sin x (e) Dx (sec x) = sec x tan x
(c) Dx (tan x) = sec2 x (f) Dx (csc x) = csc x cot x

The proof of (a) will be presented below. Statement (b) can be proven similarly.

Proof. Expanding sin(x + h) using the trigonometric sum identity, we obtain

sin(x + h) sin x
Dx (sin x) = lim
h!0 h
(sin x cos h + cos x sin h) sin x
= lim
h!0
 h
sin h 1 cos h
= lim cos x · + ( sin x) ·
h!0 h h
✓ ◆ ✓ ◆
sin h 1 cos h
= cos x · lim sin x · lim
h!0 h h!0 h
= (cos x)(1) (sin x)(0)
= cos x.

136
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 Statements (c) - (f) can be proved using Statements (a) and (b) and the Quotient Rule.
We only present the proof of (c) below.

Proof. Using Quotient Rule and Statements (a) and (b) above, we have

sin x cos x Dx (sin x) sin x Dx (cos x)
Dx (tan x) = Dx =
cos x (cos x)2
cos x(cos x) (sin x)( sin x)
=
cos2 x
2 2
cos x + sin x
= .
cos2 x
1
Using the identity cos2 x + sin2 x = 1, we get Dx (tan x) = = sec2 x.
cos2 x

EXAMPLE 7: Differentiate the following functions:

(a) f (x) = sec x + 3 csc x (b) g(x) = x2 sin x 3x cos x + 5 sin x

Solution. Applying the formulas above, we get

(a) If f (x) = sec x + 3 csc x, then

f 0 (x) = sec x tan x + 3( csc x cot x) = sec x tan x 3 csc x cot x.

(b) If g(x) = x2 sin x 3x cos x + 5 sin x, then

g 0 (x) = [(x2 )(cos x) + (sin x)(2x)] 3[(x)( sin x) + (cos x(1)] + 5(cos)x)]
= x2 cos x + 2x sin x + 3x sin x 3 cos x + 5 cos x
= x2 cos x + 5x sin x + 2 cos x.

Remark 4:
(a) Whenever Rule 7 is applied to problems where the trigonometric functions are viewed
as functions of angles, the unit measure must be in radians.
(b) Every trigonometric function is differentiable on its domain. In particular, the sine
and cosine functions are everywhere differentiable.

DIFFERENTIATING AN EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION

RULE 8: Derivative of an exponential function

If f (x) = ex , then f 0 (x) = ex .

137
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 Proof. (Optional ) Using the definition of the derivative,

f (x + h) f (x) ex+h ex
f 0 (x) = lim = lim .
h!0 h h!0 h

eh 1
Using a law of exponent, ex+h = ex · eh . Therefore, since lim = 1,
h!0 h

ex (eh 1) eh 1
f 0 (x) = lim = ex · lim = ex .
h!0 h h!0 h

EXAMPLE 8:

(a) Find f 0 (x) if f (x) = 3ex .

Solution. Applying Rules 3 and 7, we have

f 0 (x) = 3Dx [ex ] = 3ex .

(b) Find g 0 (x) if g(x) = 4x2 ex + 5xex 10ex .

Solution. Applying Rule 5 to the first two terms and Rule 3 to the third term, we
have

g 0 (x) = [( 4x2 )(ex ) + (ex )( 8x)] + [(5x)(ex ) + (ex )(5) 10 · ex ]

= 4x2 ex 3xex 5ex .

(c) Find h0 (x) if h(x) = ex sin x 3ex cos x.

Solution. We apply the Product Rule to each term.

h0 (x) = [(ex )(cos x) + (sin x)(ex )] 3 · [(ex )( sin x) + (cos x)(ex )]

= ex cos x + ex sin x + 3ex sin x 3ex cos x
= ex (4 sin x 2 cos x).

138
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 dy 17
(d) Find where y = x e p .
dx e x + 2x 3 x

Solution. Using Quotient Rule (also Product Rule when differentiating xe ex ), we

obtain
p 3
dy (ex xe + 2x (17)([(ex )(exe 1 ) + (xe )(ex )] + 2
3 x)(0) p
2 x
)
= p
dx (ex xe + 2x 3 x)2
17ex+1 xe 1 17ex xe 34 + 251 p
x
= p .
(ex xe + 2x 3 x)2

Remark 5: Since the domain of the exponential function is the set of real numbers, and
d x
[e ] = ex , it follows that the exponential function is differentiable everywhere.
dx

(C) EXERCISES

1. Let f (x) = mx+b, the line with slope m and y-intercept b. Use the rules of differentiation
to show that f 0 (x) = m. This again proves that the derivative of a line is just the slope
of the line.

2. Find the derivatives of the following functions. Locate the derivative in the table below
and encircle the answer. Keep working until you have five encircled answers in a line
horizontally, vertically or diagonally. (BINGO!)

a. y = x2 x+1 i. f (x) = 5x3 3x5

1
b. f (x) = j. y = (2x + 3)2
2x + 1
c. y = (3x 1)(2x + 5) 1
k. f (x) = (x + )2
d. g(x) = x3 3x2 + 2 x
2x + 5 l. y = x2 (x3 1)
e. y =
3x 2 2x
m. f (x) = 2
f. y = (2x2 + 2)(x2 + 3) 3x + 1
x2 + 1 x
g. f (x) = 2 n. y = 2
x 1 x +1
h. y = x3 4x2 3x o. f (x) = (x 2)(x + 3)

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 1 19
2x 2x 3 2x + 2x 1 (2x3 + 2)
x2 3x 2
4x
2
12x 7 4x (x + 1) 2 3(x2 + 3x)2
(x 1)2
2 6x2
5x4 2x 6x3 8x + 12 8x3 + 16x
(3x2 + 1)2
2x 19
15(x2 x4 ) 3x2 6x 3x2 8x 3
(1 x2 )2 (3x 2)2◆
1 x2
✓
2 1
12x + 13 2x + 1 2 x+
(2x + 1)2 (x2 + 1)2 x
3. Use the Rules of Differentiation to differentiate the following functions:

a. f (x) = 2x3 + 6x d. h(x) = (3x + 4)2

b. g(x) = 7x4 3x2
2
c. y(x) = 4x3 18x2 + 6x e. h(x) = 9x2/3 + p
4
x

4. Find the derivative of each of the following functions:

a. f (u) = (4u + 5)(7u3 2u) 17 1

e. f (a) = 3
+ 2 11a
4 2a 8a
b. h(t) = 2 f. f (r) = (r2 + 2r 3)(3r + 4)
t3
1 3b 4
c. f (z) = 6z 3 g. g(b) = · (2b + 5)
2z b+5
3s s3 3v 2 4v + 1
d. g(s) = 2 h. h(v) =
s +1 (3v 2 2v + 1)(7v 3 v 2 + 3v 5)
dy
5. Find and simplify the result, if possible.
dx
p 1 1
a. y = x p e. y = x
x e +2
b. y = x2 + ⇡ 2 + x⇡ f. y = ex + xe + ee
c. y = x2 sec x g. y = x2 sin x cos x
sin x 1 8
d. y = h. y = tan x cot x
cos x x

6. Find the derivative of f (x) = x2 3x. Use the result to find the slope of the tangent
line to the curve f (x) = x2 3x at the point where x = 2.
1 1
7. If y = , find y 0 and use this result to find the points on the curve y = where the
x x
tangent line has the slope 4.
8. Find all points on the graph of y = (x + 3)2 at which the tangent line is parallel to the
line with equation y 4x + 2 = 0.

140
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