RAFFLES INSTITUTION

RAFFLES PROGRAMME 2024

YEAR 4 MATHEMATICS
TOPIC 3: DIFFERENTIATION (MATHS 1 & MATHS 2)

WORKSHEET 1 (MATHS 1)
Name: ( ) Class: 4 ( ) Date:

WORKSHEET 1: GRADIENT FUNCTION AND POWER RULE

(Think! Add Maths, 10th Edition, Book B, Chapter 11, P2)

Pre-requisites: The knowledge and skills of the following are required

• Factorisation of algebriac expression
• Simple algebraic expansion and manipulation
• Laws of Indices

Learner outcomes: At the end of the worksheet, students should be able to

• Understand the concept of gradient function
• Differentiate any finite sum of functions of the form axn with respect to x.
• Apply differentiation to solve problems involving gradient of a point on a curve.

(1) INTRODUCTION

This worksheet will introduce a new branch of Mathematics called CALCULUS which was
discovered independently in the 17th century by Isaax Newton (1643 – 1727) and Gottfried Leibniz
(1646 – 1716).

“Calculus” is a Latin word, meaning “a little pebble”. In ancient days, pebbles were often used for
working out sums; hence the adoption of the word.

Calculas has two main branches:

1. Differentiation – Topic 3 (to solve “tangent problem”)
2. Integration – Topic 6 (to solve “area problem”)

Calculus is a very important branch of mathematics and has been applied widely in the scientific,
industrial and commercial fields.

Find out more about Calculus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3GV9pumczQ
(recommended to stop at 6:24 mins)

Page 1 of 19
(2) GRADIENT OF A CURVE AT A POINT (REVISION)

We already know how to find the gradient of any straight line in Year 2.
y2 − y1
Given two points A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2), gradient of straight line AB = .
x2 − x1
Note that gradient of a straight line is a ________________. Any two points on the same straight
line will give the same gradient. Gradient gives an indication of the steepness or slope of a line.

We have also learnt how to find the gradient of a curve at a given point using grahical method in
Year 3.

Definition of Gradient of a Curve

Gradient of a curve at a given point is defined as

the gradient of the tangent to the curve at that point.

For example, to find the gradient of the curve y = x 2 at the point (2, 4), we draw the tangent of the
curve at the point (2, 4).

From the diagram, gradient of the curve at (2, 4) = gradient of the tangent at (2, 4)

Page 2 of 19
Since different point on the curve gives different gradient of tangent to the curve, the gradient of
the curve y = x 2 changes from point to point, i.e. gradient of a curve is not a constant.

You may access SLS lesson: 2024 Year 4 Mathematics / Resources / Introduction to
Differentiation to find out more about gradient of curve.

Question: Is it possible to find the gradient of a curve without drawing tangent?

This is known as the Tangent (or Gradient) Problem in Calculus.

In this worksheet, we will learn how to find gradient of a curve at any point analytically.

(3) FINDING GRADIENT OF A CURVE AT A POINT USING LIMITS

Objective: To find the gradient of the curve

y = x 2 at the point (2, 4).
Q1
.
Let P be the point (2, 4) on the curve y = x 2 in P .
the figure above.

Take another point Q1 on the curve where Q1 is

(2.5, 6.25).
6.25 − 4
Then the gradient of secant PQ1 = = 4.5
2.5 − 2

This is not the gradient of the tangent at P but it is a rough approximation. Q1

We can improve the approximation by taking a second point Q2 (2.2, 4.84) ,
closer to P than Q1 on the curve. Q2
4.84 − 4
Then the gradient of PQ2 = = 4.2
2.2 − 2
This is a better approximation to the gradient of the tangent at P. Q3

Q4
P
If we continue to bring Q nearer to P, the approximate value of the gradient of PQ will get better
and better as shown in the table below.

x - coordinates of Q 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.01 2.001 2.0001

y - coordinates of Q 6.25 4.84 4.41 4.0401 4.004001 4.00040001
Gradient of PQ 4.5 4.2 4.1 4.01 4.001 4.0001

Page 3 of 19
Similarly, we can take a point Q before point P, say Q is (1.5, 2.25) and then slowly move Q
closer to P. The gradients are calculated in the table below.

x - coordinates of Q 1.5 1.8 1.9 1.99 1.999 1.9999

y - coordinates of Q 2.25 3.24 3.61 3.9601 3.996001 3.99960001
Gradient of PQ 3.5 3.8 3.9 3.99 3.999 3.9999

You may scan and open the Geogebra site and observe how the value of the
gradient of the tangent to the curve y = x 2 changes as you move Q nearer to P.
https://www.geogebra.org/m/ttB5n7GZ

The results of the two tables show that as Q tends to P (Q → P ), the gradient of PQ → 4 from
the left and from the right, we say that the gradient of PQ tends to a limiting value of 4.

As Q coincides with P, the line PQ touches the curve only at the point P and becomes the tangent
to the curve at P. But we cannot calculate the gradient of PQ when Q coincides with P as the
denominator is 0. Hence, the gradient of the curve at P is the limiting value of gradient of PQ
and we write:

Gradient of the curve at P = lim (Gradient of PQ) = 4

Q→P

Gradient Function (or Derivative) gives the value of the gradient of the curve at different point
by substituting different values of x.

For the curve y = x 2 , the gradient function = 2x which gives the values of the gradient of the curve
at different values of x.

Eg When x = 2, gradient of curve = 2(2) = 4

When x = 3, gradient of curve = 2(3) = 6
1 1
When x = − , gradient of curve = 2( − ) = −1
2 2

You may scan and open the Geogebra site that shows the gradient of the
quadratic function y = x2 − 2x − 3 at different points. Slide the tangent at
different points to obtain the different values of gradient. Observe that
all these values at different points (the red dots) lie on a straight line. Can
you guess the equation of the line? This straight line is known as the
Gradient Function.

https://www.geogebra.org/m/J9cVqugy

Page 4 of 19
(4) GRADIENT FUNCTION (DIFFERENTIATION FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES)

We shall now learn how to find the gradient

function of any point on the curve by using the
concept of limit.

Let P(x, y) be a point on the curve

y = x2 ------------- (1)
Consider a point Q on the curve very near to
point P where Q = (x + δx, y + δy).
y
δx is a single notation, not δ multiply by x; it
is read as “delta x’ and represents a small y = x2
increment in x.
Q (x + δx, y + δy)
Since Q (x + δx, y + δy) lies on the curve y = x 2 ,
y + δy = (x + δx)2 δy
y + δy = x2 + 2x(δx) + (δx)2 ----------- (2)
P (x, y)
O R
=
Then, equation (2) − (1): δ y 2 x (δ x) + (δ x) 2 x
δx
QR
Gradient of PQ =
PR
δy
=
δx
2 x(δ x) + (δ x) 2
=
δx
= 2x + δ x

As Q approaches P, δx becomes smaller and smaller, i.e δx → 0 and gradient of PQ tends to

gradient of tangent at P, i.e. gradient of the curve.
Hence, gradient of curve = lim (Gradient of PQ)
Q→P

= lim δy
δx → 0 δ x
= lim ( 2 x + δ x )
δ x →0

= 2x

Hence y = 2 x is the gradient function of the curve y = x 2 .

Hence, the gradient function of a curve y = f ( x) is given by lim δy

δx → 0 δ x

Differentiation is the process of the obtaining gradient function and the above method of finding
gradient function is known as Differentiation from First Principles.

Page 5 of 19
Notation:

If the equation of the curve is given as y = f ( x) , then the gradient function or derivative is
d dy
denoted by ( y ) or commonly written as (read as “dee y by dee x”) or f '( x ) .
dx dx
dy
Note that should be viewed as a single symbol which denotes the derivative of function y. It
dx
is NOT a fraction.

If y = x 2 , to find the gradient function or the derivative, we can say to differentiate x 2 with respect
dy d(x 2 ) d 2
to x. The derivative can be written as , or (x ) .
dx dx dx

Differentiation by First Principles

dy δy
Gradient Function or Derivative, = lim
dx δ x → 0 δx

You may access SLS lesson: 2024 Year 4 Mathematics / Resources / Introduction to
Differentiation to find out more about gradient of curve.

(5) DERIVATIVE OF POLYNOMIALS

We can find the derivatives of a linear function easily.
For non-linear function, finding the derivative using Differentiation from 1st Principles is too
tedious.
The table below gives the derivatives of functions of the form y = x n . Observe the pattern to
derive the Power Rule.

dy
y
dx
x2 2x

x3

x4

 

xn

n
RULE 1: DERIVATIVE OF y = x (POWER RULE)

If y = x n where n is a real number, then

dy d n
= (x ) =
dx dx

i.e. “bring power down and subtract power by 1”

Page 6 of 19
Questions:

1. What if n = 1 or 0?
(Recall what you have learnt in Coordinate Geometry on gradient of straight line)

d 1 d
( x ) = ( x) = 1
dx dx

d 0 d
( x ) = (1) = _________
dx dx

d
2. What is (k ) where k is a constant and why?
dx
(Recall gradient of horizontal line y = k)

d
Constant Rule: (k ) = ________
dx

dy
3. What is if =
y mx + c and why?
dx
(Recall the meaning of m)

dy
= ____________
dx

Recall: Laws of Indices

1 n
= , xm =
xn
xm × xn = , xm ÷ xn = , ( x m )n =

EG 1 Differentiate the following with respect to x.

(a) x7

1
(b)
x2

Note: There should not be negative powers in the final answer.

Page 7 of 19
 (c) x

Note: For fractional power, you may express the power as a positive fraction. It is optional to
convert to root or surd form.

RULE 2: SCALAR MULTIPLE RULE

d d
If f ( x) is a function and k is a constant, then [ kf ( x)] = k [f ( x)] .
dx dx

RULE 3: ADDITION/SUBTRACTION RULE

d d d
If f ( x) and g( x) are functions, then [f ( x) ± g( x=
)] [f ( x)] ± [g( x)] .
dx dx dx

With these 3 rules, we can now differentiate any finite sum of functions of the form axn with
respect to x.

EG 2 Find the derivative of each of the following.

(a) 3x3 − 2 x 2 + 5 x − 1

k 1
(b) 3
− + 5 x 3 where k is a constant
x 4x

Page 8 of 19
 7
(c) 8π r + 4 3 r 2 −
r

Note:
dy
The notation will change according to the dependent variable y and the independent variable
dx
x for y = f ( x) .
dy
For the notation , the dependent variable is always written as the numerator while the
dx
independent variable is always written as the denominator.
dv
For example, if v = t 2 , the derivative will be written as = 2t .
dt
EG 3 Find the derivative of each of the following.
 2 3
(a) x2  + 
 x x

Note: The function must be expanded and simplified into the form y = ax n before
differentiation.

Page 9 of 19
 2
 2 
(b)  t+ 
 t

5x4 − 6 + 7 x
(c)
x2

HOMEWORK 1

LEVEL 1
Think! Add Maths, Book B, Ex 11A Q1, 2 (P.9)

1 Find the derivative of each of the following, simplifying your answer.

2 1 3 x − 3x 2
(a) 3x − 4 x − 6 + − 2 (b)
2x 4x 2 x3
2
 2 1 
(c)  5x + 2 
 3x 
1 3 1 3
[Ans: (a) 6 x − 4 − 2
+ 3 (b) − 3 + 2 (c) 100 x3 − 4 5 ]
2x 2x x 2x 9x
Page 10 of 19
LEVEL 2
1 Find the derivative of each of the following.
(a) x3 (2 x 2 − 1)2

3x 2 + x − 1
(b)
x

(2 w2 + 1)( w − 3)
(c)
w2

9 x 1 1 1 6
[Ans: (a) 28 x 6 − 20 x 4 + 3 x 2 (b) + + (c) 2 − 2
+ 3]
2 2 x 2 x3 w w
Page 11 of 19
(6) CALCULATION OF GRADIENT OF A CURVE AT A POINT

EG 4 Calculate the gradient of the curve

(a) y= 3x( x − 4) + 3 at the point where x = 2,

dy
Note: We can use the notation = 0 to indicate value of derivative.
dx x=2

5− x
(b) y= at the point where y = 4 ,
2x

Page 12 of 19
 x −2
(c) Calculate the gradient of the curve y = at the point where it crosses the x-
3 x3
axis.

dP
EG 5 Given that PV = 3600 , find the value of when P = 40.
dV

Page 13 of 19
EG 6 Find the coordinates of the point on the curve y = 3 x 2 − 5 x + 7 at which the gradient is 7.

EG 7 Given that f ( x) = 4 x3 − 3 x 2 − 18 x + 5 , find f '( x) and find the range of values of x for
which the gradient of the curve is positive.

Page 14 of 19
EG 8 The curve y = ax 3 + bx 2 + cx , where a, b and c are constants, has gradient 5 at the point
( 0, 0 ) . If the curve touches the x-axis at (−1, 0), find the values of a, b and c.

HOMEWORK 2

LEVEL 1
Think! Add Maths, Book B, Ex 11A (P9), Q5, 6, 7, 8
b
1 The gradient of the curve y = ax + 2 at (2, 5) is 2, calculate the values of a and b.
x
x2 + 1
2 Differentiate with respect to x and find the coordinates of the points at which the
x
x2 + 1
gradient of the curve y = is zero.
x
1 1
[Ans: Q1. a = 2 , b = 1 Q2.(1, 2), (−1, −2)]
3 3
Page 15 of 19
LEVEL 2
2x − 3
1 Calculate the gradient of the curve y = at the point where it crosses the line y = 5 .
x
[Ans: 3]

2 The equation of a curve is y = ( x + 2)( x 2 − 1) − 3 .

(i) Find the coordinates of the points on the curve at which the tangent is parallel to
2y − 6 x =1.
(ii) Determine the number of points on the curve that have a gradient of −4 .
(iii) What is the minimum value of the gradient of the curve.
2 13 1
[Ans: (i) ( , − 4 ) and ( − 2, − 3) (ii) 0 (iii) −2 ]
3 27 3

Page 16 of 19
 a b
3 The gradient of the curve =
y + at the point x = −1 is 4. Find a possible set of
x2 x
values for the constants a and b.
[Ans: 2a − b =4]

LEVEL 3
1 Find the derivative of x .

2 Find points P and Q on the parabola y = 1 − x 2 so

that the triangle ABC formed by the x-axis and
the tangent lines at P and Q is an equilateral
triangle.

 3 1  3 1
[Ans: P  − ,  , Q  ,  ]
 2 4  2 4

Page 17 of 19
 SUMMARY: RULES OF DIFFERENTIATION

Rule 1: Power Rule

d n
( x ) = nx n −1
dx

Rule 2: Scalar Multiple Rule

d d
[ kf ( x)] = k [f ( x)]
dx dx

Rule 3: Addition/Subtraction Rule

d d d
[f ( x) ± g( x=
)] [f ( x)] ± [g( x)]
dx dx dx

(7) FOR YOUR INTEREST

(A) HISTORY OF DIFFERENTIATION

The concept of a derivative in the sense of a tangent line is a very old one, familiar
to Greek geometers such as Euclid (c. 300 BC), Archimedes (c. 287–212 BC) and Apollonius of
Perga (c. 262–190 BC). Archimedes also introduced the use of infinitesimals, although these were
primarily used to study areas and volumes rather than derivatives and tangents; see Archimedes'
use of infinitesimals.
The use of infinitesimals to study rates of change can be found in Indian mathematics, perhaps as
early as 500 AD, when the astronomer and mathematician Aryabhata (476–550) used
infinitesimals to study the motion of the moon. The use of infinitesimals to compute rates of
change was developed significantly by Bhāskara II (1114–1185); indeed, it has been argued[3] that
many of the key notions of differential calculus can be found in his work, such as "Rolle's
theorem".
The modern development of calculus is mainly credited to Isaac Newton (1643–1727)
and Gottfried Leibniz (1646–1716), who provided independent and unified approaches to
differentiation and derivatives. The key insight, however, that earned them this credit, was
the fundamental theorem of calculus relating differentiation and integration: this rendered obsolete
most previous methods for computing areas and volumes, which had not been significantly
extended since the time of Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen). For their ideas on derivatives, both Newton
and Leibniz built on significant earlier work by mathematicians such as Pierre de Fermat (1607–
1665), Isaac Barrow (1630–1677), René Descartes (1596–1650), Christiaan Huygens (1629–
1695), Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) and John Wallis (1616–1703). Newton and Leibniz remain key
figures in the history of differentiation because Newton was the first to apply differentiation
to theoretical physics, while Leibniz systematically developed much of the notation still used
today.
Since the 17th century many mathematicians have contributed to the theory of differentiation. In
the 19th century, calculus was put on a much more rigorous footing by mathematicians such
as Augustin Louis Cauchy (1789–1857), Bernhard Riemann (1826–1866), and Karl
Weierstrass (1815–1897). It was also during this period that the differentiation was generalized
to Euclidean space and the complex plane.
Page 18 of 19
You may find out more interesting facts on the history of Calculus at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wb60tcilMQ

(B) SNELL’S LAW

Recall under the topic of Optics (Refraction) in Lower Secondary
Science, you have learnt how to use Snell’s Law to calculate the refractive
index of the medium and critical angle between the medium and air. Now
that you have learnt how to differentiate polynomials, are you able to
understand how Snell’s Law is derived?

http://www.physicslab.org/Document.aspx?doctype=3&filename=GeometricOptics_LeastTime.xml

Page 19 of 19