HIGHER MATHS

Differentiation

Notes with Examples

Mr Miscandlon
[email protected]
What is Differentiation?
You can find the gradient of a line joining two points on a curve using the gradient formula.

If B is then moved closer to A (making h smaller and smaller), the line AB will become nearer to
the tangent at A. As h tends to 0, the gradient of AB tends to a limit. This limit is the gradient
of the tangent at A.
This can be written as:

𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ

This is the formal definition of 𝑓’(𝑥) the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥). The derived function represents the
rate of change of the function and can be used to find the instantaneous gradient at any point
on the curve.
The process of deriving 𝑓′(𝑥) from 𝑓(𝑥) is called differentiation. The method above is called
differentiating from first principles.

Notation

There are three types of notation for differentiation.

We can use function notation. 𝑓(𝑥) for our original function and 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) for the derivative.
𝑑𝑦
In Leibniz notation given 𝑦 = ⋯ , the derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥 is written 𝑑𝑥

𝑑
When starting with an expression we can also use to indicate the derivative.
𝑑𝑥
Rules for Differentiating

Basic Differentiation

The basic rule allows you to differentiate powers of 𝑥.

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑛 then 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1

Examples

D-01 For each of the following, find the derivative

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 5 2. 𝑦 = 𝑥 −3 3. 𝑥10

4. 𝑦 = 𝑥 3⁄2 5. 𝑥 6. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5

Notice that the derivative of a constant term will always be zero.

Differentiating Terms with Coefficients

This rule can be extended to multiples of powers of 𝑥.

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 then 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1

Examples

D-02 Find the derivative of each of the following:

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 7𝑥 5
Differentiating Multiple Terms

This rule can be extended to multiples and sums or differences of powers of 𝑥.

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑏𝑥 𝑚 then 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑏𝑚𝑥 𝑚−1

Examples

D-03 Find the derivative of each of the following:

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 4 2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 5𝑥

Preparing to Differentiate

It is often necessary to use the index rules to prepare a function for differentiation. The
differentiation rules will only work with powers of 𝑥. In order to differentiate, you must be able
to convert a function involving roots, fractions, brackets etc. into a sum or difference of powers
of 𝑥.
If necessary, use the index rules to give the derivative using positive indices. There are
normally no marks awarded for changing the form of a derivative once you have obtained it.
However, you often have to go further and evaluate the derivative at a point and will find this
easier using positive indices.

Examples

D-04 Differentiate:

1
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2√𝑥
𝑥5

3 𝑥 6
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4. 𝑓(𝑥) = + 3
4𝑥 −3 4 √𝑥
Derivatives of products and quotients

We can also find the derivatives of more complicated expressions. Products can be prepared for
differentiation by removing brackets. Quotients must be split into a sum or difference of
powers of 𝑥 before differentiating.

Examples

D-05 Differentiate:

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 5) 2. 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥(𝑥 3 + √𝑥)

𝑥 2 +2𝑥+1 𝑥+1
3.𝑓(𝑥) = 4.𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥 √𝑥
Differentiating with Respect to Other Variables
All the examples so far have asked us to differentiate with respect to 𝑥, but the rules still apply
when differentiating with respect to another variable. This is usually when modelling real-life
problems.

Examples

D-06 Differentiate 3𝑢4 − 5𝑢 with respect to 𝑢.

D-07 Differentiate 𝑞𝑥 4 with respect to 𝑞.

D-08 Given 𝐴(𝑟) = 𝜋𝑟 2 , find 𝐴′ (𝑟).

Rate of Change
Evaluating the derived function for a given value of 𝑥 gives the rate of change of the function
at that point.
Key point to note is that velocity is the rate of change of displacement and acceleration is the
rate of change of velocity.

Examples

D-09 The value of an investment is calculated using 𝑉(𝑡) = √𝑡 3 , where V is the value and t is
the time in years. Calculate the growth rate (rate of change) of the investment after 9
years.

D-10 A ball is thrown so that its displacement 𝑠 after 𝑡 seconds is given by 𝑠(𝑡) = 12𝑡 − 5𝑡 2 .
Find its velocity after 1 second.
Equation of Tangents
We can find the gradient of a curve, which is also the gradient of the tangent to the curve at a
given point by evaluating the derivative.

𝑑𝑦
For 𝑦 = … the value of when 𝑥 = 𝑎 is the gradient of the tangent at 𝑎
𝑑𝑥

For 𝑓(𝑥) = … the gradient of the tangent at 𝑥 = 𝑎 is given by 𝑓 ′(𝑎)

To find the equation of a tangent to the curve at the point 𝑥 = 𝑎:

 Use the derivative to find the gradient

 Substitute 𝑥 = 𝑎 into 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) to find the coordinates of the point on the
curve.
 Substitute these values into the straight line equation 𝑦 − 𝑏 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑎)
Examples

D-11 Find the equation of the tangent to the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 3 when 𝑥 = 2.

D-12 Find the equation of the tangent to y = √𝑥 3 at 𝑥 = 9.

D-13 Find the points of contact on the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 for tangents with gradient 8.

Stationary Points

On the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), if 𝑓 ′ (𝑎) = 0 the curve has gradient 0 at 𝑥 = 𝑎 and so is horizontal at
that point. You say the graph has a stationary point at (𝑎, 𝑓(𝑎)).
There are different kinds of stationary point. The nature of a stationary point depends on the
gradient on either side of it. There are three kinds of stationary points.

A point of inflexion can be either rising or falling. A falling point of inflexion has a negative
gradient on either side of the stationary point, a rising point of inflexion has a positive gradient
on either side of the stationary point.

You can determine the nature of the stationary point by considering the value of 𝑓′(𝑥) on either
side of it. This is normally done using a nature table. The derivative is found for a value of 𝑥 on
either side of each solution to 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 0. The table records the sign (positive or negative) of
these derivatives not the actual value.
Examples

D-14 Find the stationary points on the curve 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 and determine their nature.

D-15 Find the stationary values of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 𝑥 4 and determine their nature.
Increasing and Decreasing Functions
A function 𝑓(𝑥) is increasing at a point 𝑥 = 𝑎 if 𝑓 ′ (𝑎) > 0.
A function 𝑓(𝑥) is decreasing at a point 𝑥 = 𝑎 if 𝑓 ′ (𝑎) < 0.

To check where a function is increasing and decreasing we differentiate then evaluate the
derivative using a nature table.

Examples

D-16 A function is given by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2

On what interval is 𝑓(𝑥) (a) increasing (b) decreasing?

1
D-17 Show that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 + 5x − 12 is always increasing.
Curve Sketching

To sketch a curve you must find all the significant points. That is where it cuts the axes and any
stationary points. It can be helpful to consider what the graph does as 𝑥 becomes large 𝑥 → ∞
and small 𝑥 → −∞ to confirm your findings.
To sketch a curve:
 Find the intersection with the 𝑥 and 𝑦 axes.
 Find the stationary points and determine their nature as above.
 Check the behaviour of the graph for large and small values of x.
 Annotate the graph clearly with all significant points.

Examples

D-18 Sketch the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2

Closed Intervals

In a closed interval the maximum and minimum values of a function are either at a stationary
point or at an end point of an interval.

To find the maximum or minimum value evaluate the function at each end point and at each
stationary value within the interval.

Examples

D-19 Find the maximum and minimum values of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(𝑥 − 3)2 on the interval −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5.
Graphs of Derived Functions

The derived function is sometimes called the gradient function as it gives the gradient value at
any point on the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).
To sketch the derived function:
 Identify any stationary points on 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). They will give the zeros of the gradient
function.
 Check where the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is increasing (decreasing). The derivative is positive
(negative) on those intervals, and so the gradient function will be above (below) the x-
axis on those intervals.
Examples

D-20 Sketch the graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑓′(𝑥) for each of the following.

Optimisation

We can use differentiation to easily identify the maximum and minimum values of a function.
When a real life problem is modelled with a function it is important to pay attention to the
context. The process of funding the ‘best’ value for a particular situation is called
optimisation.

These problems often involve functions with two variables. You cannot differentiate a function
with more than one variable. There will be an additional piece of information in the question
which allows you to give the function in terms of one variable.

 Identify the function to be maximised or minimised. Look for clues in the wording.
 Differentiate this function and find where the derivative is zero.
 Check the nature of any stationary value.
 Check on what interval the function is defined and whether any stationary value(s) are
inside that interval.
 Answer the question in context.

Examples

D-21 The glass front of a carriage clock has breadth 𝑥 cm.

The jeweller has used 16cm of gold leaf to edge the perimeter of the glass.
(a) Show that the area of glass on the front of the clock is given by 𝐴(𝑥) = 8𝑥 − 𝑥 2

(b) Find the dimensions of the rectangle that give the maximum area.

(c) Calculate the maximum area.

𝑥
D-22 An open cuboid measures internally 𝑥 units by 2𝑥 units by ℎ units and has an inner surface
area of 12 units2.

(a) Show that the volume 𝑉 units3 of the cuboid is

2
given by 𝑉 = 3 𝑥(6 − 𝑥 2 )

(b) Find the exact value of 𝑥 for which the volume

is a maximum.

D-23 A semi-circular window of radius 𝑟 cm is divided into sectors, each of area 125 cm2.
(a) Show that the perimeter of each sector
125
is 𝑃 = 2(𝑟 + 𝑟 ).

(b) Find the minimum value of P. 𝑟

Summary