MODULE 3:

DERIVATIVES

Engr. John Philip Nadal III

Instructor 1
 DEFINITION
Consider a function 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 :
To obtain the derivative of a given function, follow the
step-by-step procedure below:
1. For the function 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 , add ∆𝑥 to 𝑥 and ∆𝑦 to 𝑦 (∆ or delta, also known
as increment)
𝑦=𝑓 𝑥 ①
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 ②

2. Substitute the value of 𝑦 in ① to the value of y in ②. Transpose the value

of 𝑦 to the other side obtaining a formula of ∆𝑦 in terms of 𝑥 and ∆𝑥

From ②,
𝑦 + ∆𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥
𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥
∆𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓 𝑥 ③
 DEFINITION
3. Perform the suitable algebraic transformation (combine fractions and
rationalize) and simplify.

∆𝑦
4. From equation ③, write the quotient ∆𝑥 by dividing both sides of the
equation by ∆𝑥
∆𝑦 𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓 𝑥
=
∆𝑥 ∆𝑥

5. Evaluate the limit as ∆𝑥 approaches zero.

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

𝒅𝒚 𝒅
The derivative is symbolized by 𝒅𝒙 , 𝒚′ , 𝒇′ 𝒙 , 𝑫𝒙 𝒚 and 𝒅𝒙 𝒇(𝒙)
∆𝑦
The derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥, is the limit of the ratio ,
∆𝑥
when ∆𝑥 approaches zero. 𝒅𝒚 ∆𝒙
= 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒅𝒙 ∆𝒙→𝟎 ∆𝒚
 THE DERIVATIVE
Example 1:
Differentiate the function 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥
1. For the function 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 , add
∆𝑥 to 𝑥 and ∆𝑦 to 𝑦 (∆ or
delta, also known as
increment)
2. Substitute the value of 𝑦 in ①
to the value of y in ②.
Transpose the value of 𝑦 to
the other side obtaining a
formula of ∆𝑦 in terms of 𝑥
and ∆𝑥.
3. Perform the suitable algebraic
transformation (combine
fractions and rationalize) and
simplify.
4. From equation ③, write the
∆𝑦
quotient ∆𝑥 by dividing both
sides of the equation by ∆𝑥
5. Evaluate the limit as ∆𝑥
approaches zero.
 THE DERIVATIVE
Example 2:
Differentiate the function 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 16𝑥 + 35
1. For the function 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 , add Test: Solve on your own
∆𝑥 to 𝑥 and ∆𝑦 to 𝑦 (∆ or
delta, also known as
increment)
2. Substitute the value of 𝑦 in ①
to the value of y in ②.
Transpose the value of 𝑦 to
the other side obtaining a
formula of ∆𝑦 in terms of 𝑥
and ∆𝑥.
3. Perform the suitable algebraic
transformation (combine
fractions and rationalize) and
simplify.
4. From equation ③, write the
∆𝑦
quotient ∆𝑥 by dividing both
sides of the equation by ∆𝑥
5. Evaluate the limit as ∆𝑥
approaches zero.
 THE DERIVATIVE
Example 3:
𝑥+3
Find the derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑥+5
1. For the function 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 , add
∆𝑥 to 𝑥 and ∆𝑦 to 𝑦 (∆ or
delta, also known as
increment)
2. Substitute the value of 𝑦 in ①
to the value of y in ②.
Transpose the value of 𝑦 to
the other side obtaining a
formula of ∆𝑦 in terms of 𝑥
and ∆𝑥.
3. Perform the suitable algebraic
transformation (combine
fractions and rationalize) and
simplify.
4. From equation ③, write the
∆𝑦
quotient ∆𝑥 by dividing both
sides of the equation by ∆𝑥
5. Evaluate the limit as ∆𝑥
approaches zero.
 THE DERIVATIVE
Example 4:
1
Find the derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑥
1. For the function 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 , add
∆𝑥 to 𝑥 and ∆𝑦 to 𝑦 (∆ or
delta, also known as
increment)
2. Substitute the value of 𝑦 in ①
to the value of y in ②.
Transpose the value of 𝑦 to
the other side obtaining a
formula of ∆𝑦 in terms of 𝑥
and ∆𝑥.
3. Perform the suitable algebraic
transformation (combine
fractions and rationalize) and
simplify.
4. From equation ③, write the
∆𝑦
quotient ∆𝑥 by dividing both
sides of the equation by ∆𝑥
5. Evaluate the limit as ∆𝑥
approaches zero.
 THE DERIVATIVE
Example 5:
Find the derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 5
1. For the function 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 , add
∆𝑥 to 𝑥 and ∆𝑦 to 𝑦 (∆ or
delta, also known as
increment)
2. Substitute the value of 𝑦 in ①
to the value of y in ②.
Transpose the value of 𝑦 to
the other side obtaining a
formula of ∆𝑦 in terms of 𝑥
and ∆𝑥.
3. Perform the suitable algebraic
transformation (combine
fractions and rationalize) and
simplify.
4. From equation ③, write the
∆𝑦
quotient ∆𝑥 by dividing both
sides of the equation by ∆𝑥
5. Evaluate the limit as ∆𝑥
approaches zero.
 THE DERIVATIVE
Example 6:
1
Find the derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑥+2 2
 THE DERIVATIVE
Example 7:
Find the derivative of 𝑦 = cos 𝑥
 THE DERIVATIVE
Example 7:
Find the derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥