MTH201: Calculus III

Chapter 0: Review some material from high school

Lecture #2: Derivatives

Lebanese American University

Table of contents

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

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 Derivatives Definition of Derivatives

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

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 Derivatives Definition of Derivatives

The fundamental definition of the Derivative

Given a function f (x), find the slope of the tangent line to f at the point x0 .

To find the slope we need two points on the straight line:

1 The point
(x0 , f (x0 )) is on the curve and on the line
2 Choose
a second point i.e choose h, very near
to (x0 , f (x0 )), belonging both to the curve
Then
f (x0 + h) − f (x0 )
f ′ (x0 ) = lim
h→0 h
Equation of the tangent line:

y = f ′ (x0 ) x − x0 + f (x0 )

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 Derivatives Definition of Derivatives

When h gets smaller i.e, f (x + h) ≈ f (x)

3 y

2 y

f(x0 + h)
1 f(x0 )

1 f(x0 )

−1 x0x0 + h 1

−1 x0 1 2
−1

−1

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 Derivatives Definition of Derivatives

Second form of the definition

The derivative of a function f at a point x0 , denoted f ′ (x0 ), is

f (x) − f (x0 )
f ′ (x0 ) = lim
x→x0 x − x0

provided this limit exists.

Notation
The derivative of a function f at a point a is sometimes denoted by:

df
f ′ (x0 ) = (x) .
dx x=x0

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 Derivatives Formulas of Differentiation

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

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 Derivatives Formulas of Differentiation

Formulas for Derivatives of Sum, Product and Quotient functions

1 If f (x) = u (x) + v (x), then f ′ (x) = u ′ (x) + v ′ (x).

2 If f (x) = u (x)v (x), then f ′ (x) = u ′ (x)v (x) + v ′ (x)u (x).

u (x)
3 If f (x) = with v (x) ̸= 0, then
v (x)

u ′ (x)v (x) − v ′ (x)u (x)

f ′ (x) = .
v 2 (x)

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 Derivatives Formulas of Differentiation

Table of Derivatives

df
f (x) f ′ (x) = dx

c 0

ax + b a

xn nx n−1

ex ex
1
ln(x) x

sin(x) cos(x)

cos(x) −sin(x)

tan(x) sec 2 (x) = 1 + tan2 (x)

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 Derivatives Formulas of Differentiation

Example
Find the derivative of the following function:
√
3
f (x) = x7
Solution:
√ 7 √
3 7 37 −1 7 43 7 3 4
f (x) = x 7 = x 3 , hence f ′ (x) = 3
x = 3
x = 3
x . (x n )′ = nx n−1

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 Derivatives Formulas of Differentiation

Example
Find the derivative of the following functions:
√
x x+1
1) x 2 sin(x) 2) xex + sin(x)
3) x 2 −2

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 Derivatives Formulas of Differentiation

Example
Solution:

1) f (x) = x 2 sin(x) = u.v , where u = x 2 and v = sin(x). (uv )′ = u ′ v + uv ′

u = x2 ⇒ u ′ = 2x and v = sin(x) ⇒ v ′ = cos(x),

then,
f ′ (x) = 2xsin(x) + x 2 cos(x).

x x
2) f (x) = xex + sin(x)
=u+v where u = xex and v = sin(x)
. (u + v )′ = u ′ + v ′

u = xex ⇒ u ′ = ex + xex
x m sin(x) − x cos(x)  m ′ m′ n − mn′
v= = ⇒ v′ = . =
sin(x) n (sin(x))2 n n2

then,
sin(x) − x cos(x)
f ′ (x) = ex + xex + .
(sin(x))2

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 Derivatives Formulas of Differentiation

Example
Solution: √
x+1 u √ u ′ u ′ v −uv ′
v = x 2 − 2.


3) f (x) = x 2 −2
= v
where u = x + 1 and v
= v2

1
u′ = √ +0 and v ′ = 2x
2 x

then, √
1
√
2 x
(x 2 − 2) − 2x( x + 1)
f ′ (x) = .
(x 2 − 2)2

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 Derivatives Formulas of Differentiation

Example

Find the derivative of sec(x).

Solution:
1
f (x) = sec(x) = cos(x)
= u −1 where u = cos(x). (u n )′ = nu n−1 u ′

u = cos(x) ⇒ u ′ = − sin(x)

then,
sin(x) 1
f ′ (x) = sin(x)(cos(x))−2 = × = tan(x)sec(x).
cos(x) cos(x)

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 Derivatives Chain Rule

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

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 Derivatives Chain Rule

Definition (Composite functions)

The composition of function f with function g is defined by (f ◦ g)(x) = f (g(x)). The domain
of the composite function f ◦ g is the set of all such that:
1 x is in the domain of g and
2 g(x) is in the domain of f.

f ◦g

x y=g(x) f(y)=f(g(x))

g f
Range of g

Domain of g Range of f

Domain of f

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 Derivatives Chain Rule

Example
√ 2
p
2
1 If f (x) = x + 3 and g(x) = √x + x + 1, then (f ◦ g)(x) = f (g(x)) = x + x + 4 and
(g ◦ f )(x) = g(f (x)) = x + x + 3 + 4.
2 If f (x) = sin(x) and g(x) = ex , then (f ◦ g)(x) = f (g(x)) = sin(ex ) and
(g ◦ f )(x) = g(f (x)) = esin(x) .

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 Derivatives Chain Rule

Motivation
 3
What is the derivative of 3x 2 + 2x + 1 ← Outer ?
| {z }
Inner

We know the derivative of 3x 2 + 2x + 1 and the derivative of x 3 , but their combination is not a
formula.
In fact, here we have a composite function of x, where
f (x) = x 3 and g(x) = 3x 2 + 2x + 1
g f
x 3x 2 + 2x + 1 (3x 2 + 2x + 1)3 = f ◦ g(x)

f ◦g

Answer: Derivative=(derivative of the outer)×(derivative of the inner)

 ′
(3x 2 + 2x + 1)3 = 3(3x 2 + 2x + 1)2 (6x + 2)

In other words :
d(f ◦ g) df dg
(x) = (g) × (x).
dx dg dx

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 Derivatives Chain Rule

Chain Rule

d(f ◦ g) df dg
(x) = (g) × (x)
dx dg dx
dg
= f ′ (g) ×
dx

Derivatives with Chain Rule

d
(u(x))n = nu n−1 × du d
eu(x) = eu × du



1. dx dx
2. dx dx

d

1 du d

′ du
3. dx
ln(u(x)) = u
× dx
4. dx
sin(u(x)) = cos(u) × dx

′ du
5. cos(u(x)) = −sin(u) × dx

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 Derivatives Chain Rule

Example
Find the derivative of the following function
p
x 3 − 2 + sin(x 5 − x 2 ) + 105

Solution:
First, we need to rewrite our function as
v
u 3 1
ux − 2 + sin(x 5 − x 2 ) + 105 = (u(x)) 2 + sin(h(x)) + 105
t| {z } | {z }
u(x) h(x)

Then, we differentiate with respect to x

1 1 du dh
(u(x)) 2 −1 × + cos(h(x)) × +0
2 dx dx
Finally

d p 3  3x 2
x − 2 + sin(x 5 − x 2 ) + 105 = p + (5x 4 − 2x)cos(x 5 − x 2 )
dx 2 x3 − 2

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 Derivatives Chain Rule

Example
Find the derivative of the following functions:
p  100
1) 3 sin(x) + 1 2) tan(x) + cot(x) + 1 3) sin(x 5 − x 2 + 1)

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 Derivatives Chain Rule

Example
Solution:
p3
√
3
1
1) f (x) = sin(x) + 1 = u = u3 and u = sin(x) + 1. Then:

u = sin(x) + 1 ⇒ u ′ = cos(x)
1 1 ′ 1 −1
f (x) = u 3 ⇒ u u3f ′ (x) =
3
1  − 2
f ′ (x) = cos(x) sin(x) + 1
3
.
3
 100
2) f (x) = tan(x) + cot(x) + 1 = u 100 and u = tan(x) + cot(x) + 1.

u = tan(x) + cot(x) + 1 ⇒ u ′ = sec 2 (x) − csc 2 (x)

f (x) = u 100 ⇒ f ′ (x) = 100u ′ u 99
  99
f ′ (x) = 100 sec 2 (x) − csc 2 (x) tan(x) + cot(x) + 1 .

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 Derivatives Chain Rule

Example
Solution:
3) f (x) = sin(x 5 − x 2 + 1) = sin(u) and u = x 5 − x 2 + 1.
Then:

u = x5 − x2 + 1 ⇒ u ′ = 5x 4 − 2x
f (x) = sin(u) ⇒ f ′ (x) = u ′ cos(u)
f ′ (x) = 5x 4 − 2xcos(x 5 − x 2 + 1).

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 Derivatives Exercises

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

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 Derivatives Exercises

Exercise
Find the derivative of the following functions:
1 f (x) = 3x 4 − 12x 3 + x 2 − 5x + 1.
2 f (x) = −4x 6 + 3x 3 + 7x + 9.
f (x) = 3x 2 + 7x − 3 5x 3 − 2x .



3

f (x) = 6x 4 −5x 3 + 19x 2 − 2x .

4

x7 + x3 − 8
5 f (x) = .
x3
3 2
3x − x + 1
6 f (x) = .
2x 4 + x
p
7 f (x) = 4x 2 − 5.
p
8 f (x) = −5x 3 − 7x + 1.
s
7x 3 − 2x
9 f (x) = .
6x 2 − 4
p
2x 3 − 4x + 5
10 f (x) = .
6x 2 − 3

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 Derivatives Exercises

Solution
1 f ′ (x) = 12x 3 − 36x 2 + 2x − 5.
2 f ′ (x) = −24x 5 + 9x 2 + 7.
  
3 f (x) = 3x 2 + 7x − 3 5x 3 − 2x . Then
| {z }| {z }
=u(x) =v (x)
    
f ′ (x) = u ′ (x) v (x)+v ′ (x) u (x) = (6x + 7) 5x 3 − 2x + 15x 2 − 2 3x 2 + 7x − 3 .
 
4 f (x) = 6x 4 −5x 3 + 19x 2 − 2x . Then
|{z}
=u(x)
| {z }
v (x)
   
f ′ (x) = u ′ (x) v (x)+v ′ (x) u (x) = 24x 3 −5x 3 + 19x 2 − 2x +6x 4 −15x 2 + 38x − 2 .

x7 + x3 − 8 u (x)
5 f (x) = = . Then
x3 v (x)

u ′ (x) v (x) − v ′ (x) u (x) x 3 7x 6 + 3x 2 − 3x 2 x 7 + x 3 − 8

f ′ (x) = = .
(v (x))2 x6

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 Derivatives Exercises

Solution
3x 3 − x 2 + 1 u (x)
6 f (x) = = . Then
2x 4 + x v (x)

u ′ (x) v (x) − v ′ (x) u (x) 9x 2 − 2x 2x 4 + x − 8x 3 + 1 3x 3 − x 2 + 1

f ′ (x) = = .
(v (x))2

2
2x 4 + x
p p
7 f (x) = 4x 2 − 5 = u (x). Then

u ′ (x) 8x
f ′ (x) = p = p .
2 u (x) 2 4x 2 − 5
p p
8 f (x) = −5x 3 − 7x + 1 = u (x). Then

u ′ (x) −15x 2 − 7
f ′ (x) = p = p .
2 u (x) 2 −5x 3 − 7x + 1
s
7x 3 − 2x
9 f (x) = . Let
6x 2 − 4

u (x)
u (x) = 7x 3 − 2x, v (x) = 6x 2 − 4, and g (x) = ,
v (x)
p
so f (x) = g (x). Then 27 / 90
 Derivatives Exercises

Solution
p
2x 3 − 4x + 5
10 f (x) = . Let
6x 2 − 3

g (x) = 2x 3 − 4x + 5, u (x) =
p
g (x) and v (x) = 6x 2 − 3,

u (x)
so f (x) = . Then
v (x)
′
g (x)
v (x) − v ′ (x)
p
√ g (x)
′ u ′ (x) v (x) − v ′ (x) u (x) 2 g(x)
f (x) = =
(v (x))2 (v (x))2

6x 2 − 4 p
6x 2 − 3 − 12x 2x 3 − 4x + 5


p
2 2x 3 − 4x + 5
=
2 .
6x 2 − 3

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 Derivatives Exercises

Exercise
x 2 − 2x
Evaluate the following limit lim .
x→2 8 − 6x + x 2

Solution
x 2 − 2x 0
lim = indeterminate form, L’Hôpital’s rule
x→2 8 − 6x + x 2 0

x 2 − 2x LH 2x − 2 4−2 2
lim = lim = = = −1.
x→2 8 − 6x + x 2 x→2 −6 + 2x −6 + 4 −2

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 Derivatives Exercises

Exercise
y2 + y − 6
Evaluate the following limit lim p .
y →2 8 − y2 − y

Solution
y2 + y − 6 0
lim p = indeterminate form, L’Hôpital’s rule
y→2 8 − y2 − y 0

y 2 + y − 6 LH 2y + 1 5 5
lim p = lim −2y
= −2
=− .
y →2 8 − y2 − y y →2 √ −1 √ −1 2
2
2 8−y 4

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 Applications of the Derivative

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

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 Applications of the Derivative Monotony of a Function

Definition (Decreasing function)

A function f is said to be Decreasing on a domain Df if

f ′ (x) ≤ 0, ∀x ∈ Df .

Definition (Strictly Decreasing function)

A function f is said to be Strictly Decreasing on a domain Df if

f ′ (x) < 0, ∀x ∈ Df .

Remark
A function is strictly decreasing when the y-value decreases as the x-value increases, see
figure below.

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 Applications of the Derivative Monotony of a Function

Definition (Increasing function)

A function f is said to be Increasing on a domain Df if

f ′ (x) ≥ 0, ∀x ∈ Df .

Definition (Strictly Increasing function)

A function f is said to be Strictly Increasing on a domain Df if

f ′ (x) > 0, ∀x ∈ Df .

Remark
A function is strictly increasing when the y-value increases as the x-value increases, see
figure below.

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 Applications of the Derivative Monotony of a Function

Definition (Constant function)

A function f is said to be constant on a domain Df if

f ′ (x) = 0, ∀x ∈ Df .

Remark
A function is constant when the y-value is constant as the x-value increases, see figure below.

Example
Show that f (x) = x 3 + 2x is strictly increasing function.

Df = R =] − ∞, +∞[, and f ′ (x) = 3x 2 + 2 > 0 for all x ∈ R, so f is strictly increasing

function.

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 Applications of the Derivative Local maxima and minima

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

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 Applications of the Derivative Local maxima and minima

Local maxima and minima

1 If f ′ changes sign from positive to negative as x increases through c, then f has a local
maximum at c.

x c

f ′ (x) + 0 −

2 If f ′ changes sign from negative to positive as x increases through c, then f has a local
minimum at c.

x c

f ′ (x) − 0 +

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 Applications of the Derivative Local maxima and minima

Example
Find the local maximum/minimum values of f (x) = x 2 − 2x.

Df = R =] − ∞, +∞[ and f ′ (x) = 2x − 2, f ′ (x) = 0 =⇒ 2x − 2 = 0 =⇒ x = 1.

x −∞ 1 +∞

f ′ (x) − 0 +

So, x = 1 is local minimum.

Remark: Sign of ax + b
The sign of ax + b:

x − ba

ax + b opposite sign as a 0 same sign as a

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 Applications of the Derivative Local maxima and minima

Remark: Solutions of Quadratic expression

The quadratic expression: Q(x) = ax 2 + bx + c, where a, b, c are real numbers and a ̸= 0.
To solve Q(x) = 0. Calculate the discriminant

△ = b2 − 4ac.

We have three cases:

1 △ > 0. The equation has two real solutions
√ √
−b − △ −b + △
x1 = , x2 = .
2a 2a
2 △ = 0. The equation has one double solutions

−b
x1 = x2 = .
2a
3 △ < 0. No real solutions.

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 Applications of the Derivative Local maxima and minima

Remark: Sign of the Quadratic expression

The quadratic expression: Q(x) = ax 2 + bx + c, where a, b, c are real numbers and a ̸= 0.
We have three cases:
1 △ > 0. The sign of Q(x) = ax 2 + bx + c:

x x1 x2

Q(x) same sign as a 0 opposite sign as a 0 same sign as a

2 △ = 0. The sign of Q(x) = ax 2 + bx + c:

x x1

Q(x) same sign as a 0 same sign as a

3 △ < 0. Same sign as a.

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 Applications of the Derivative Concavity and Inflection Point

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

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 Applications of the Derivative Concavity and Inflection Point

Definition (Second derivative)

The Second derivative of f is given by

′
f ′′ (x) = f ′ (x) .

Example
f (x) = x 3 =⇒ f ′ (x) = 3x 2 =⇒ f ′′ (x) = 6x.

Concavity and Inflection Point

1 If f ′′ > 0 on I, then f is concave up on I.
2 If f ′′ < 0 on I, then f is concave down on I.
3 If c is a point of I at which f ′′ changes sign at c (from positive to negative, or vice versa),
then f has an inflection point at c.

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 Applications of the Derivative Concavity and Inflection Point

Example
y

Concave down Concave up

Inflection point:
Concavity changes at c

x
c

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 Applications of the Derivative Concavity and Inflection Point

Example
Find the inflection point of f (x) = −x 3 + 6x 2 − 3x − 7.

f ′ (x) = −3x 2 + 12x − 3 and f ′′ (x) = −6x + 12,

f ′′ (x) = 0 =⇒ −6x + 12 = 0 =⇒ 6x = 12 =⇒ x = 2.

x −∞ 2 +∞

f ′′ (x) + 0 −

So, inflection point at x = 2, f (2) = −8 + 24 − 6 − 7 = 3. So inflection point (2, 3).

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 Applications of the Derivative Exercises

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

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 Applications of the Derivative Exercises

Exercise
Use the graph of f in the figure below to find:
1 Domain and range.
2 The intervals on which f is strictly increasing and strictly decreasing.
3 The local maximum and minimum values of f .
4 The inflection points of f .
f (x)
3

−1 1 2 3

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 Applications of the Derivative Exercises

Solution
1 Df = [−1, 3] and Range=[0, 2].
2 f is strictly increasing on ]0, 2[ and strictly decreasing on ] − 1, 0[∪]2, 3[.
3 f has a local maximum at x = 2. Local minimum at x = 0.
4 The concavity changes at x = 1, so inflection point (1, 1).

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 Applications of the Derivative Exercises

Exercise
Use the graph of f in the figure below to find:
1 Domain and range.
2 The intervals on which f is strictly increasing and strictly decreasing.
10
f (x)
9

1
x

−10 −9 −8 −7 −6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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 Applications of the Derivative Exercises

Solution
1 Df =] − ∞, 0[∪]0, +∞[ and Range=]0, +∞[.
2 f is strictly increasing on ] − ∞, 0[ and strictly decreasing on ]0, +∞[.

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 Graphing Functions

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

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 Graphing Functions

Graphing for Function y = f (x)

1 Identify the domain or interval of interest. On what interval(s) should the function be
graphed? It may be the domain of the function or some subset of the domain.
2 Locate all asymptotes and determine end behavior. Vertical asymptotes often occur
at zeros of denominators. Horizontal asymptotes require examining limits as x → ±∞;
these limits determine end behavior.
3 Find the first derivative. Which is needed to determine extreme values, and intervals of
increase and decrease.
4 Find intervals on which the function is increasing/decreasing, and determine extreme
values.
5 Find the second derivative. Which is needed to determine concavity and inflection
point. Determine concavity and inflection point.
6 Find the intercepts. The y−intercept of the graph is found by setting x = 0. The
x−intercepts are found. by setting y = 0; they are the real zeros (or roots) of f (those
values of x that satisfy f (x) = 0).
7 Choose an appropriate graphing window and plot a graph.

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 Graphing Functions

Exercise
Consider the function f (x) = 2x 3 − 3x 2 .
1 Find Df , the domain of definition of f .
2 Evaluate lim f (x) and lim f (x).
x→−∞ x→+∞

3 Find the expression of f′ the derivative of f . Study the sign of f ′ . Give the table of
variation of f .
4 Find the expression of f ′′ the second derivative of f . Determine the inflection point of f .
5 Find the intercepts of f .
6 Plot Cf the curve of the function f .
7 Let I =]1, +∞[.
1 Show that f admits an inverse function on I.
2 Calculate f (2) and f ′ (2). Deduce the equation of tangent line to the curve of f −1 at x = 4.
3 From interval I, starting from Cf plot Cf −1 .

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 Graphing Functions

Solution
1 f is a polynomial function then Df = R =] − ∞, +∞[.
2 lim f (x) = lim 2x 3 = −∞ and lim f (x) = lim 2x 3 = +∞.
x→−∞ x→−∞ x→+∞ x→+∞

3 f ′ (x) = 6x 2 − 6x = 6x (x − 1). To find the sign of f ′ we start by finding the roots of

f ′ (x) = 0:

f ′ (x) = 0 =⇒ 6x (x − 1) = 0 =⇒ x = 0 or x = 1.

x −∞ 0 1 +∞
f′ (x) + 0 − 0 +

0 +∞
f (x)
−∞ −1

(0, 0) is local maximum point and (1, −1) is local minimum point.

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 Graphing Functions

Solution
4 f ′′ (x) = 12x − 6. To find the sign of f ′′ we start by finding the roots of f ′′ (x) = 0:

1
f ′′ (x) = 0 =⇒ 12x = 6 =⇒ x = .
2

1
x −∞ +∞
2
f ′′ (x) − 0 +
   
1 1 1 1
f = − . So inflection point ,− .
2 2 2 2
5 The y −intercept of the graph is found by setting x = 0. f (0) = 0, then y −intercept is the
point (0, 0).

The x−intercept of the graph is found by setting f (x) = 0.

3
f (x) = 0 =⇒ 2x 3 − 3x 2 = 0 =⇒ x 2 (2x − 3) = 0 =⇒ x = 0 or x = .
2
 
3
So x−intercept are the points (0, 0) and 2
,0 .

53 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Solution
6
y
5 f (x)
4

1
x

−5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5
−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

54 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Solution
7 1 f is strictly increasing on ]1, +∞[, then f admits f −1 on ]1, +∞[.
2 f (2) = 4 and f ′ (2) = 12. We have (2, 4) is a point on Cf , then (4, 2) is a point Cf −1 and

−1 ′
 1 1
f (4) = = .
f ′ (2) 12

The equation of tangent line to the curve of f −1 at x = 4 :

−1

−1 ′
 1 x
y − f (4) = f (4) (x − 4) =⇒ y − 2 = (x − 4) =⇒ y = − 1.
12 12
y
5 f (x)
x
4
f −1 (x)
3

1
x

−5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5
−1

−2

−3

−4

−5 55 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Exercise
Use the graph of f in the figure below to find:
1 Domain of f .
2 The intervals on which f is strictly increasing and strictly decreasing.
3 lim f (x), lim f (x), lim f (x), lim f (x), lim f (x), lim f (x), lim f (x),
x→−∞ x→+∞ x→−3− x→−3+ x→0− x→0+ x→5−
and lim f (x).
x→5+
4 Deduce the asymptotes of f .
10
y
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1 x

−10 −1
−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
−2
−3
−4
−5
−6
−7
−8
−9
−10
56 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Solution
1 Df =] − ∞, −3[∪] − 3, 0[∪]0, 5[∪]5, +∞[.
2 f increasing on ] − ∞, −3[∪] − 3, 0[ and decreasing on ]0, 5[∪]5, +∞[.
3 1 lim f (x) = 0+ = 0.
x→−∞
2 lim f (x) = 0+ = 0.
x→+∞
3 lim f (x) = +∞.
x→−3−
4 lim f (x) = −∞.
x→−3+
5 lim f (x) = −1.
x→0−
6 lim f (x) = −2.
x→0+
7 lim f (x) = −∞.
x→5−
8 lim f (x) = +∞.
x→5+

4 x = −3 and x = 5 are vertical asymptote. y = 0 is horizontal asymptote at ±∞.

57 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Exercise
16x + 16
Consider the function f (x) = .
(x + 2) (x + 10)
1 Find Df , the domain of definition of f .
2 Evaluate limit at the boundaries of the domain of definition Df . Deduce the asymptotes to
the curve of f .
3 Find the expression of f ′ the derivative of f . Give the table of variation of f .
4 Plot Cf the curve of the function f .

58 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Solution
1 f is a rational function which is defined if and only if

(x + 2) (x + 10) ̸= 0 =⇒ x ̸= −2 and x ̸= −10 =⇒ Df =]−∞, −10[∪]−10, −2[∪]−2, +∞

16x 16
2 1 lim f (x) = lim = lim = 0− .
x→−∞ x→−∞ x2 x→−∞ x
16x 16
2 lim f (x) = lim = lim = 0+ .
x→+∞ x→+∞ x 2 x→+∞ x
−16 −2
3 lim f (x) = − = − = +∞.
x→−2− 0 (8) 0
−16 −2
4 lim f (x) = + = + = −∞.
x→−2+ 0 (8) 0
−144 18
5 lim f (x) = − = − = −∞.
x→−10− 0 (−8) 0
−144 18
6 lim f (x) = + = + = +∞.
x→−10+ 0 (−8) 0
Then x = −2 and x = −10 are vertical asymptotes to Cf . And y = 0 is Horizontal
asymptote Cf .

59 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Solution
3 We have

16 x 2 + 12x + 20 − (16x + 16) (2x + 12) 16 −x 2 − 2x + 8

f ′ (x) = = .
(x + 2)2 (x + 10)2 (x + 2)2 (x + 10)2

We use table of signs, so we start first by finding the roots of −x 2 − 2x + 8 = 0 using △,

to get
√ √
−b − △ −b + △
△ = b2 − 4ac = 62 , x1 = = 2, x1 = = −4.
2a 2a

x −∞ −10 −4 −2 2 +∞

f ′ (x) − − 0 + + 0 −

0− +∞ +∞ 1

f (x)

−∞ 4 −∞ 0+

60 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Solution
6
10 y

9
8
7
6
5

4
3
2
1
x

−20−19−18−17−16−15−14−13−12−11−10−9 −8 −7 −6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
−1
−2
−3
−4
−5

−6
−7

−8
−9
−10

61 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Exercise
p
x2 − 4
Consider the function f (x) = .
x +3
1 Find Df , the domain of definition of f .
2 Evaluate the limits at the boundaries of the domain of definition Df . Deduce the
asymptotes to the curve of f .
3 Find the expression of f ′ the derivative of f . Give the table of variation of f .
4 Plot Cf the curve of the function f .

62 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Solution
1 For f to be defined, we must have the numerator well defined as well as the denominator.
So
x 2 + 4 ≥ 0 and x + 3 ̸= 0.
p
⋆ x 2 − 4 is defined if and only if x 2 − 4 ≥ 0. Using table of signs: x must be in
] − ∞, −2] ∪ [2, +∞[.

⋆ x + 3 ̸= 0 =⇒ x ̸= −3. Hence the domain of definition of f is

Df =] − ∞, −3[∪] − 3, −2] ∪ [2, +∞[.

√
x2 |x| −x
2 1 lim f (x) = lim = lim = lim = −1.
√x
x→−∞ x→−∞ x→−∞ x x→−∞ x
x2 |x| x
2 lim f (x) = lim = lim = lim = 1.
x→+∞ x→+∞ x x→+∞ x x→+∞ x
√
5
3 lim f (x) = lim −
= −∞.
x→−3− x→−3− 0
√
5
4 lim f (x) = lim = +∞.
x→−3+ x→−3+ 0+
As lim f (x) = 1, then the straight line y = 1 is a horizontal asymptote to the curve of
x→+∞
f at +∞. As lim f (x) = −1, then the straight line y = −1 is a horizontal asymptote
x→−∞
to the curve of f at −∞. As lim f (x) and lim f (x) are ±∞ then the straight line
x→−3− x→−3+
x = −3 is a vertical asymptote to the curve of f .
63 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Solution
2x (x + 3) p 2
p − x −4
2 x2 − 4 3x − 4
4 f ′ (x) = 2
= p . To study the sign of f ′ we start
(x + 3) x − 4 (x + 3)2
2
by finding the roots of f ′ (x) = 0,

4
f ′ (x) = 0 =⇒ 3x − 4 = 0 =⇒ x = .
3

x −∞ −3 −2 2 +∞

f ′ (x) − − +

−1 +∞ 1

f (x)

−∞ 0 0

64 / 90
 Graphing Functions

Solution
5
10 y
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x

−10−9−8−7−6−5−4−3−2−1
−1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
−2
−3
−4
−5
−6
−7
−8
−9
−10

65 / 90
 Inverse Function

1 Derivatives
Definition of Derivatives
Formulas of Differentiation
Chain Rule
Exercises

2 Applications of the Derivative

Monotony of a Function
Local maxima and minima
Concavity and Inflection Point
Exercises

3 Graphing Functions

4 Inverse Function

66 / 90
 Inverse Function

For a given function y = f (x), can we express x in terms of y = f (x)?

Example

y = f (x) = x + 3.

y = x + 3 =⇒ x = y − 3 =⇒ Y = g (X ) = X − 3.

The function g is called the Inverse Function of f and is denoted by f −1 .

9 y
y =x +3
7 y =x −3
5

1 x

−9 −7 −5 −3−1
−1 1 3 5 7 9
−3

−5

−7

−9

67 / 90
 Inverse Function

Existence of the Inverse Function

A function f has an inverse function on an interval I of Df , if it is continuous and strictly
monotone function on I; strictly increasing (f ′ > 0) or strictly decreasing (f ′ < 0) .

Finding the Expression of f −1 from the Expression of f

Assume that f is a strictly monotone function on its domain of definition Df or a sub-interval I
of it. To find f −1 :
1 Solve the equation y = f (x) for x, that is, express x in terms of y to get x = g (y ).
2 Interchange x and y and setting f −1 = g. The final form is y = f −1 (x).

68 / 90
 Inverse Function

Domain and range of inverse function

Assume f has an inverse function on D, then

f : D → f (D) =⇒ f −1 : f (D) → D.

Properties of the Inverse Function

1 f −1 (f (x)) = x, ∀ x ∈ Df .
f f −1 (x) = x,


2 ∀ x ∈ Df −1 .
3 The curve Cf of f and the curve Cf −1 of f −1 are symmetric with respect to the straight
line y = x.
4 If (x, y) is a point on Cf , then (y, x) is a point on Cf −1 .

69 / 90
 Inverse Function

Remark
The inverse is not the reciprocal. That is,

1
f −1 ̸= .
f

Example
Let f (x) = x + 3. Show that f −1 (f (x)) = f f −1 (x) = x for all x ∈ R.

From Example 41, f −1 (x) = x − 3, f : ] − ∞, +∞[→] − ∞, +∞[ and

f −1 : ] − ∞, +∞[→] − ∞, +∞[. We have

f −1 (f (x)) = f −1 (x + 3) = (x + 3) − 3 = x

and  
f f −1 (x) = f (x − 3) = (x − 3) + 3 = x.

70 / 90
 Inverse Function

Derivative of an Inverse function

Let f be a function that is
1 Differentiable (has a derivative).
2 On a domain D ⊂ Df it has an inverse function f −1 .
3 For a point x0 ∈ D, f ′ (x0 ) ̸= 0.
Then f −1 is differentiable at y0 = f (x0 ) and
 ′ 1
f −1 (y0 ) = .
f ′ (x0 )

71 / 90
 Inverse Function

Exercise
√
Consider the function f (x) = x + 2x + 4.
1 Find Df the domain of definition of f .
2 Find the derivative of f (x) and show that f has an inverse function.
3 Show that (7, 1) is a point on the curve of the inverse function f −1 .
4 Find the slope of the tangent to the curve of the inverse function f −1 at the point (7, 1).
5 Deduce the equation of the tangent to the curve of f −1 at the point (7, 1).

72 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
√
1 The function f (x) = x + 2x + 4 is defined for x ≥ 0. Df = [0, +∞[.
1
2 f ′ (x) = √ + 2 > 0 for all x ∈]0, +∞[. Thus f is strictly increasing on ]0, +∞[.
2 x
Consequently, f has an inverse function f −1 .
3 (7, 1) is a point of f −1 if and only if (1, 7) is a point of f . f (1) = 1 + 2 + 4 = 7, then (1, 7)
is a point of f and (7, 1) is a point of f −1 .
4 (x0 , y0 ) = (1, 7). Then
1 5
f ′ (x0 ) = f ′ (1) = + 2 = ̸= 0.
2 2
So  ′ 1  ′ 1 1 2
f −1 (y0 ) = =⇒ f −1 (7) = = 5 = .
f ′ (x0 ) f ′ (1) 2
5

5. The equation of a tangent on the curve of a function f −1 at a point A(7, 1) is given by

2 2x 9
(d) : y − f −1 (xA ) = (f −1 )′ (xA ) (x − xA ) =⇒ y = (x − 7) + 1 = − .
5 5 5

73 / 90
 Inverse Function

Exercise
√
Consider the function f (x) = 5x − 5.
1 Find Df the domain of definition of f .
2 Find the derivative of f (x) and show that f is strictly increasing on Df .
3 Find the expression of f −1 the inverse of f .
4 From the curve Cf of f (below), find Df −1 . Starting from the curve Cf of f , plot the curve
Cf −1 of f −1 .
20
19
y √
f (x) = 5x − 5
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1 x

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 74 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
√
1 The function f (x) = 5x − 5 is defined for x ≥ 1. Then

Df = [1, +∞[.

2
5
f ′ (x) = √ > 0, ∀ x ∈ Df .
2 5x − 5
Thus f is strictly increasing on Df .
3 Express x in terms of y :

√ y2
y= 5x − 5 =⇒ y 2 = 5x − 5 =⇒ y 2 + 5 = 5x =⇒ x = + 1.
5
x2
Interchange x and y and setting f −1 = g. y = f −1 (x) = 5
+ 1.

75 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
20
y √
19 f (x) = 5x − 5
18 y =x
17
x2
16 g(x) = 5
+1
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
4
f : [1, +∞[→ 0, +∞[ and f −1 : [0, +∞[→ 1, +∞[.

76 / 90
 Inverse Function

Exercise
For the following function:
x
f (x) = + 1.
4

1 Find the domain of definition Df .

2 Find limits at the boundary. Deduce if f admits an asymptotes.
3 Find the expression of f ′ the derivative of f . Study the sign of f ′ . Give the table of
variation of f .
4 Find the expression of f ′′ the second derivative of f . Determine if f admits an inflection
point.
5 Find the intercepts of f .
6 Plot Cf the curve of the function f .
7 Show that f admits an inverse function. Deduce domain of Definition of f −1 .
8 Find f −1 the inverse function.
9 Sketch Cf −1 the curve of f −1 on the same graph.

77 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
1 f is a polynomial function, so Df = R =] − ∞, +∞[.
2 lim f (x) = +∞ and lim f (x) = −∞, thus no asymptotes.
x→+∞ x→+∞
1
3 f ′ (x) = 4
> 0. So f is strictly increasing function.

x −∞ +∞
f′ (x) +
+∞
f (x)
−∞

4 f ′′ (x) = 0, so f has no inflection point.

5 y−intercept: Let x = 0, then f (0) = 1. x−intercept: Let y = 0, then
x
4
+ 1 = 0 =⇒ x = −4.

78 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
6 y x
y= 4
+1
5

1
x

−10 −9 −8 −7 −6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−6
6

79 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
7 f is strictly increasing and continuous function, thus f admits an inverse function. We
have Df − 1 =Range of f =] − ∞, +∞[ (from the table of variation).
8 To determine f −1 , we express x in terms of y :
x x
y= + 1 =⇒ y − 1 = =⇒ x = g (y ) = 4y − 4.
4 4

Thus Interchanging x and y and setting f −1 = g we get f −1 (x) = 4x − 4.

9 f and f −1 are symmetric w.r.t y = x, thus

y
6
y = x4 + 1
5 y =x
4 f −1 (x) = 4x − 4
3

1
x

−10 −9 −8 −7 −6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
−1

−2

−3

−4

−5 80 / 90
 Inverse Function

Exercise
For the following function:
2x
f (x) = .
x2 + 1

1 Find the domain of definition Df .

2 Find limits at the boundary. Deduce if f admits an asymptotes.
3 Find the expression of f ′ the derivative of f . Study the sign of f ′ . Give the table of
variation of f .
4 Find the local maximum and minimum points of f .
5 Find the intercepts of f .
6 Plot Cf the curve of the function f .
7 Show that f admits an inverse function on [−1, +1]. Deduce domain of Definition of f −1 .
8 Sketch Cf −1 the curve of f −1 on the same graph.

81 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
1 Since x 2 + 1 > 0 for all real number, so Df = R =] − ∞, +∞[.
2 We have
2x 2 2


 lim f (x) = lim
= lim = = 0+ ,
x→+∞ x2
x→+∞x→+∞ x ∞
2x 2 2
 lim f (x) = lim
 = lim = = 0− .
x→−∞ x→−∞ x 2 x→−∞ x −∞
Thus y = 0 is a Horizontal asymptote to f at ±∞.
3 We have

2 x 2 + 1 − 2x · 2x 2 1 − x2



′ 2 (1 − x) (1 + x)
f (x) =
2 =
2 =
2
x2 + 1 x2 + 1 x2 + 1

82 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution

x −∞ −1 1 +∞

f ′ (x) − 0 + 0 −

0− 1

f (x)

−1 0+

83 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
4 (−1, −1) local minimum point and (1, 1) local maximum point.
5 y −intercept: Let x = 0, then f (0) = 0. x−intercept: Let y = 0, then
2x
x 2 +1
= 0 =⇒ x = 0. So (0, 0) is x, y− intercepts.

6 y
f (x)
5

1
x

−10 −9 −8 −7 −6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
−1

−2

−3

−4

−5

−6
6

84 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
7 f is strictly increasing and continuous function on [−1, 1], thus f admits an inverse
function on [−1, 1]. We have Df − 1 =Range of f = [−1, +1] (from the table of variation).
8 f and f −1 are symmetric w.r.t y = x, thus
y
f (x)
y =x
1 f −1 (x)

0.5

−1 −0.5 0.5 1

−0.5

−1

85 / 90
 Inverse Function

Exercise
For the following function: √
32 x
f (x) = .
x 2 + 48

1 Find the domain of definition Df .

2 Find limits at the boundary. Deduce if f admits an asymptotes.
3 Find the expression of f ′ the derivative of f . Study the sign of f ′ . Give the table of
variation of f .
4 Find the local maximum and minimum points of f .
5 Find the intercepts of f .
6 Plot Cf the curve of the function f .
7 Show that f admits an inverse function on [0, 4]. Deduce domain of Definition of f −1 .
8 Sketch Cf −1 the curve of f −1 on the same graph.

86 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
1 Since x 2 + 48 > 0 for all real number, so f is defined if x ≥ 0, thus Df = R = [0, +∞[.
2 We have √
32 x 32 32
lim f (x) = lim = lim = = 0+ .
x→+∞ x→+∞ x2 x→+∞ x 3/2 ∞
Thus y = 0 is a Horizontal asymptote to f at +∞.
3 We have
32 √
x 2 + 48 − 2x · 32 x


√ 16 x 2 + 48 − 2x · 32x 16 48 − 3x 2



′ 2 x
f (x) =
2 = √
2 = √
2
x 2 + 48 x x 2 + 48 x x 2 + 48

48 16 − x 2


48 (4 − x) (4 + x)
= √
2 = √
2
x x 2 + 48 x x 2 + 48

87 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution

x 0 4 +∞

f ′ (x) + 0 −

f (x)

0 0+

88 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
4 (4, 1) local maximum point.
5 y −intercept:
√
Let x = 0, then f (0) = 0. x−intercept: Let y = 0, then
32 x
x 2 +48
= 0 =⇒ x = 0. So (0, 0) is x, y− intercepts.
6
y
1 f (x

0.75

0.5

0.25

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60

89 / 90
 Inverse Function

Solution
7 f is strictly increasing and continuous function on [0, 4], thus f admits an inverse function
on [0, 4]. We have Df − 1 =Range of f = [0, 1] (from the table of variation).
8 f and f −1 are symmetric w.r.t y = x, thus
4
y
f (x)
y =x
3 f −1 (x)

1 2 3 4

90 / 90