GCE A Level Maths 9709

SMIYL
April 2023

1.7 Differentiation
In this topic we will learn how to:
• use the notations
dy d2 y
f ′ (x), f ′′ (x), and
dx dx2
• use the derivative of xn (for any rational n), together with constant mul-
tiples, sums and differences of functions, and of composite functions using
the chain rule
Basic Differentiation

Differentiation is a form of calculus in which we determine the deriva-

tive of any function. The derivative of any function is its gradient, it
is denoted by,
dy
dx
dy
If the function is denoted by f (x) then dx is written as,

f ′ (x)

Once you find the first derivative of a function, you have also found
the gradient function.

The Second Derivative

If you differentiate the first derivative, you get the second derivative.
This is denoted by,
d2 y
dx2

For the function f (x), it would be written as,

f ′′ (x)

1
The second derivative is used to determine the nature of station-
ary points i.e whether a stationary point is a maximum or minimum
turning point.
Differentiation of axn

To differentiate y = axn , where a is a non-zero constant we use the

general formula,
dy
= anxn−1
dx

Note: If you differentiate a constant, you get zero.

Differentiation of (ax + b)n

To differentiate y = (ax + b)n we use the general formula,

dy
= an(ax + b)n−1
dx

This is the formula we get from the chain rule, however, for more
complex functions it may be wiser to use the chain rule.

The Chain Rule

The chain rule gives us a way to calculate the derivative of a compo-

sition of functions. For example, if we want to find the derivative of
y = (2x + 1)3 ,
y = (2x + 1)3

First identify the inner function i.e whatever is inside the bracket,
and equate it to u,
u = 2x + 1

Substitute u into the original equation,

y = (2x + 1)3

y = u3

This is the outer function.

We now have two separate equations, which we can differentiate eas-

ily,
y = u3 asdf asdf u = 2x + 1

2
Before we differentiate, we can define a chain rule. A chain rule, is an
equation that allows to find our required differential, by considering
the derivatives of the inner and outer functions separately. To define
a chain rule, start by writing out the derivative you want to find,
dy
dx

Equate it to the product of the derivatives of the inner and outer

functions,
dy dy du
= ×
dx du dx
dy
Note: If you were to simplify the right-hand side, you would get dx .

dy du
Now let’s differentiate the two equations to evaluate du and dx ,

y = u3 asdf asdf u = 2x + 1
dy du
= 3u2 asdf asdf =2
du dx

Now we can use the chain rule, we defined earlier,

dy dy du
= ×
dx du dx

Substitute into the chain rule,

dy
= 3u2 × 2
dx

Which simplifies to give,

dy
= 6u2
dx

Replace u,
dy
= 6(2x + 1)2
dx

Your final differential would be,

dy
= 6(2x + 1)2
dx

Let’s walk through some examples to cement the concepts we have

learnt above.
1. Differentiate y = 5x4 + 2x3 + 3x2 + x + 7.
y = 5x4 + 2x3 + 3x2 + x + 7

3
 Let’s start by differentiating the first term,

4(5)x4−1

20x3

Let’s move on to the second term,

y = 5x4 + 2x3 + 3x2 + x + 7

Let’s differentiate the second term,

3(2)x3−1

6x2

Let’s move on to the third term,

y = 5x4 + 2x3 + 3x2 + x + 7

Let’s differentiate the third term,

2(3)x2−1

6x

Let’s move on to the fourth term,

y = 5x4 + 2x3 + 3x2 + x + 7

Let’s differentiate the fourth term,

(1)x1−1

The fifth term, 7, gives a 0 when it is differentiated. Therefore,

putting everything together, the final answer would be,
dy
= 20x3 + 6x2 + 6x + 1
dx

2. It is given that the function f is defined by f (x) = 4

1 − 2
3 . Find f ′ (x).
x2 3x 2

4 2
f (x) = 1 − 3
x 2 3x 2

4
The first step, is to use the laws of indices to bring up the parts
containing x,
1 2 3
f (x) = 4x− 2 − x− 2
3

Note: We cannot differentiate if any part containing x is in the

denominator.

Now we can differentiate,

1 2 3
f (x) = 4x− 2 − x− 2
3

Let’s start with the first term,

1 1
− (4)x− 2 −1
2
3
−2x− 2

Let’s move on to the second term,

1 2 −3
f (x) = 4x− 2 − x 2
3

Note: The negative sign is part of the second term.

Let’s differentiate the second term,

  
3 2 3
− − x− 2 −1
2 3
5
x− 2

Putting everything together,

3 5
f ′ (x) = −2x− 2 + 3x− 2

Note: It is adviseable to make the powers in x positive, however,

it is not mandatory.

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 Therefore, the final answer would be,
2 1
f ′ (x) = − 3 + 5
x2 x2
√ dy
3. It is given that y = 2x3 + 5. Find dx .
p
y = 2x3 + 5

Let’s use laws of indices to rewrite the square root sign as the
power 21 ,
1
y = (2x3 + 5) 2

To differentiate this function we need to use the chain rule. Let’s

identify the inner function and equate it to u,
u = 2x3 + 5

Let’s write the outer function in terms of u,

1
y = (2x3 + 5) 2
1
y = u2

We now have two functions that are easy to differentiate,

1
y = u 2 asdf asdf u = 2x3 + 5

Let’s use the derivatives of the two functions to define a chain

dy
rule for dx ,
dy dy du
= ×
dx du dx

dy du
Let’s differentiate our two functions to evaluate du and dx ,
1
y = u 2 asdf asdf u = 2x3 + 5
dy 1 1 du
= u 2 −1 asf dasdf = 3(2)x3−1
du 2 dx
dy 1 1 du
= u− 2 asf dasdf = 6x2
du 2 dx

Let’s go back to the chain rule we defined earlier,

dy dy du
= ×
dx du dx

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 dy du
Substitute in the expressions of du and dx ,

dy 1 1
= u− 2 × 6x2
dx 2

Simplify,
dy 1
= 3x2 u− 2
dx

Substitute u,
dy 1
= 3x2 (2x3 + 5)− 2
dx

Therefore, the final answer is,

dy 1
= 3x2 (2x3 + 5)− 2
dx