Basic Concepts of

Derivatives and their

Application
Lesson Objectives:

The learner will be able to:

 Determine a specified form of an equation of the tangent

line to a curve.
 Find the derivative of a function using its limit definition
 Evaluate the specific derivative of a function at a number
included in its domain
 Apply appropriate differentiation formulas in finding
derivatives of the following: constant functions, power
functions, polynomial functions, product and quotient
functions, trigonometric functions, exponential functions
and logarithmic function
In calculus, differentiation is one of the two important concepts apart from integration.
Differentiation is a method of finding the derivative of a function (The derivative of a function
in calculus of variable standards the sensitivity to change the output value with respect to a
change in its input value.)

Differentiation is a process, in Math, where we find the instantaneous rate of change in

function based on one of its variables. The most common example is the rate change of
displacement with respect to time, called velocity. The opposite of finding a derivative is anti-
differentiation.
If x is a variable and y is another variable, then the rate of change of x with respect to y is
given by dy/dx.

This is the general expression of derivative of a function and is represented as f'(x) = dy/dx,
where y = f(x) is any function.

Notations

When a function is denoted as y = f(x), the derivative is indicated by the following notations.
1. D(y) or D[f(x)] is called Euler’s notation.
2. dy/dx is called Leibniz’s notation.
3. F’(x) is called Lagrange’s notation.
 Intuitive Notion of the
Derivative – the Slope of a
Tangent Line to a Curve
Derivative in calculus refers to the slope of a line that is tangent to a specific
function’s curve. It also represents the limit of the difference quotient’s expression
as the input approaches zero.

Limit Definition of the Slope of a Tangent Line to a Given Curve

Given a point P( a, f(a)) on the graph of the function with equation y = f(x), the
slope of the line tangent to the graph of f at point P is given by

𝑓 𝑥+∆𝑥 −𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓 𝑥 −𝑓(𝑎)

m = lim or m(a) = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 𝑥→𝑎 𝑥−𝑎

The given definition is that the equation of the tangent line can be determined using
the point-slope form of an equation of a line; that is y – f(a) = m(a)· (𝑥 − 𝑎). It is a
must that you know how to transform the previous equation to its slope-intercept or
general form.

Remember: Point-slope is the general form y-y₁=m (x-x₁) for linear equations.
Example: Consider the function y = f(x) = x3 + 1whose graph is shown on figure 2.1.2
Determine the general equation of the tangent line to graph of f at the point P(1, 2).

Solution: Find the slope of the graph using the Limit Definition of the Slope of a
Tangent Line to a Given Curve

𝑓 𝑥+∆𝑥 −𝑓(𝑥)
m(x) = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
𝑓 𝑥+∆𝑥 −𝑓(𝑥) (𝑥+∆𝑥)3 +1 −(𝑥 3 +1)
= lim = lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
3 3
(1+∆𝑥) +1 −((1) +1)
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
1+3∆𝑥+3∆𝑥 2 +∆𝑥 3 +1 −(2)
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
3∆𝑥+3∆𝑥 2 +∆𝑥 3
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
∆𝑥 3+3∆𝑥+∆𝑥 2
= lim
∆𝑥→0 ∆𝑥
= lim (3 + 3∆𝑥 +∆𝑥 2 ) = 3
∆𝑥→0

Thus, the equation of the tangent line to the graph of f at (1, 2) in point-slope form is
given by y-2 = 3(x-1). Transforming this to its general form, we get 3x – y – 1= 0
Activity:
A. Determine the slope of the tangent line to the graph of each function at the given
specified point. Then give the equation of each tangent line in slope intercept form.
1. f(x) = x2 – 2x at P (2, 0)
2. f(x) = x2 – 9 at (2, -5)
3. f(x) = 2x2 – x – 3 at P (1, -2)
4. f(x) = x2 – 2x – 5 at P (-1, -6)
2𝑥
5. f(x) = 3𝑥−1 at P(1, 1)
2𝑥−1
6. f(x) = = at P(2, 1)
𝑥+1

B. Consider the function defined by y = g(x) = 3x2 – 4x + 2. Determine the a general

equation of the tangent line to the graph of g with each of the following conditions
1. it passes through the point ( 2, 6)
2. it passes through the (-1, 9)

C. y = f(x) = x2 + 3x – 1
a. pass through (1, 4)
b. pass through (0, -1)
c. pass through (-1, -3)
Limit Definition of the
Derivative
In the previous section, you have learned how to determine the slope of a tangent line using
its limit definition. Now it would be appropriate to relate the said formula to the formal
definition of the derivative based on the concepts of limits. Furthermore, you should still be
able to appreciate obtaining derivatives of functions using limits as it is in these rigorous
computations that your analytical and critical skills are truly enhanced in preparation for the
more technical problems you will be facing at the tertiary level.

Limit Definition of the Derivative

The derivative of a function is the function f’ defined by:

𝑓 𝑥+ℎ −𝑓(𝑥)
f’(x) = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ

1. If the derivative is computed for a specific value C in the domain of f, then the x’s in the formula will
𝑓 𝐶+ℎ −𝑓(𝐶)
simply be replaced by C,that is, f’(C) = lim gives the derivative of f at the number C.
ℎ→0 ℎ
𝑓 𝑥 −𝑓(𝐶)
Alternative way f’(C) = lim
𝑥→𝐶 𝑥−𝐶
𝑓 𝑥+ℎ −𝑓(𝑥)
2. Notice that the formula f’(x) = lim is precisely the formula for the slope of the tangent line to
ℎ→0 ℎ
a curve y = f(x) at the point (C, f(C)). Thus, the derivative of function can be viewed as a means of
getting the slope of the tangent line at any point (x, f(x))
3. Note that the process of getting the derivative of a function is sometimes referred to as differentiation.
To differentiate a function means to obtain its derivative with respect to the independent variable. Other
notations commonly used to denote derivatives of the function defined by y = f(x) are the following:
y’(dy/dx) (Leibniz’s notation), 𝐷𝑥 𝑦 or 𝐷𝑥 𝑓 𝑥 (Euler’s notation) and f’(C) (Lagrange’s notation)
1. Example: Consider the function y = f(x) = 5x – 2. Find its derivative.

Solution: The derivative of the function is

f(x) = 5x – 2
𝑓 𝑥+ℎ −𝑓(𝑥)
f’(x) = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
5 𝑥+ℎ −2 −(5𝑥−2)
f’(x) = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
5ℎ
f’(x) = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
f’(x) = lim 5
ℎ→0
f’(x) = 5

Example:
1. Given the function defined by y = f(x) = 4 – 3x2 , find f’(2).
2. Determine the derivative of each function using the limit definition
a. y’ if y = 2 - 7x
b. f’(x) if f(x) = 4 – 5 – 2x2
c. dy/dx if y = 2x3 – 3x
d. 𝐷𝑥 𝑦 if y = (4x – 3)/ (2x + 3)
3. Determine the derivative of the function defined by y = 2/x2. then find y’(2)
𝑑𝑦
4. 𝑑𝑥
𝑙𝑥=4 given that y = 3 5 − 𝑥
Example:
1. Given the function defined by y = 4x/(x+3) , find y’.
2. Find the indicated derivative of the following functions using the limit definition
a. g’(2) if g(x) = 5x2 - 2x – 3
b. 𝐷𝑥 𝑦 𝑙𝑥=−1 if y = 1 − 3𝑥
4𝑥
c. dy/dx if y =
𝑥+3
d. h’(𝜋) if h(x) = -4x+7
4
e. y’ (-1) if y =
3𝑥+5
Differentiation Formulas
As we observed in the previous sections, the process of finding derivatives using the limit
definition tends to be tedious at times. The good news is that we have an alternative method
in getting derivatives.

The use of shortcuts is sometimes a necessity in dealing with mathematical problem since it
facilitates reaching one’s desired result. In order to use such formulas, remember that they
can be established or proven using foundational definitions; in the case of the derivatives, by
using the limit definition.

Derivatives of a Constant
If a function is defined by f(x) = C, where C is any constant, then the derivative is given by
f’(x) = 0.

Example:
1
1. f(x) = , then f’(x) = 0
5
𝑑𝑦
2. y = f(t) = 104, then =0
𝑑𝑡
3. 𝐷𝑥 ( 𝜋) = 0
Derivatives of a Power Function
If a function is defined by f(x) = xn, where n is any non zero constant and x≠ 0 for any given
n, then the derivative of f(x) is given by f’(x) = nxn-1
Example:
1. if f(x) = x12 then f’(x) = 12x11

a. y’ if y = 2 - 7x
b. f’(x) if f(x) = 4 – 5 – 2x2
c. dy/dx if y = 2x3 – 3x
d. f’(x) if f(x) = 5x – 2
e. f’(x) if f(x) = 1/x5

Derivative of a Constant Multiplied to a Function

𝒅 𝒅
If C is a constant, then [𝑪 · 𝒇(𝒙)] = 𝑪 [ 𝒇(𝒙)]
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

𝑥5 1 1 1
1. if f(x) = , then f’(x) = · 𝐷𝑥 (x5) = · (5x5-1) = · (5x4) = x4
5 5 5 5

3
a. If g(x) = 2 𝑥 2 find g’(x)
b. if f(x) = (4 4 𝑥) find f’(x)
c. y’ if y = -5x-6
Derivatives of a Sum and/or Difference of Functions
1. If h(x) = f(x) + g(x), then h’(x) = f’(x) + g’(x); that is, the derivative of a sum is the sum of
the derivatives.

2. If h(x) = f(x) - g(x), then h’(x) = f’(x) - g’(x); that is, the derivative of a difference is the
derivative of the first minus the derivative of the second.

3. If h(x) = 𝑓1 (𝑥) + 𝑓2 𝑥 + … + 𝑓𝑛 𝑥 , then 𝑓1 ′(𝑥) + 𝑓2 ′ 𝑥 + … + 𝑓𝑛 ′ 𝑥 , that is, the principle of

getting derivatives of a sum and/or difference of functions extend to apply to a finite sum
and/or difference.

Example:
Consider the function given by f(x) = 4x4 – 3x2. Then, its derivative is:
f’(x) = 𝐷𝑥 (4x4) - 𝐷𝑥 (3x2)
f’(x) = 4(4)x4-1 - 3(2)x2-1
= 16x3 – 6x
a. dy/dx if y = 2x3 – 3x
b. dy/dx if y = 3x3 - 5 𝑥 3
4𝑥 5 −2𝑥 3 +5𝑥−7 𝑥
c. given the function h(x) = , find h’(x)
2𝑥 3
Product Rule for Differentiation
Given the function h(x) = f(x) • g(x), its derivative is given by h’(x) = f(x) • g’(x) + g(x) • f’(x)

Example:
Find the derivative of the function defined by f(x) = (x2 + 2x) (3 – 2x – 5x3)
Solution:
f’(x) = (x2 + 2x) • 𝐷𝑥 (3 – 2x – 5x3) + (3 – 2x – 5x3) • 𝐷𝑥 (x2 + 2x)

= (x2+2x)(-2-15x2) + (3 – 2x – 5x3) (2x + 2)

= -25x4 – 40x3 - 6x2 – 2x + 6

a. Find the derivative of the function defined by f(x) = (4x2 - 2x + 3) (2x3 - 1)

b. Find the derivative of the function defined by q(x) = (x5 - 2x + 4) (3x3 – 4x - 6)
c. Find the derivative of the function defined by f(x) = (2x2 – x - 1) ( 𝑥)
Quotient Rule for Differentiation
𝑓(𝑥)
Consider the function given by h(x) = . The derivative of h(x) is given by
𝑔(𝑥)

𝑔 𝑥 • 𝐷𝑥 𝑓 𝑥 −𝑓(𝑥)• 𝐷𝑥 (𝑔 𝑥 ) 𝑔 𝑥 𝑓′ 𝑥 −𝑓 𝑥 𝑔′(𝑥)
h’(x) = or h’ =
(𝑔 𝑥 )2 𝑔2

Example:
4
Find the derivative of the function defined by f(x) = y =
3𝑥+5

Solution:
3𝑥+5 • 𝐷𝑥 4 − 4• 𝐷𝑥 3𝑥+5
f’(x) =
(3𝑥+5)2
4(3)
=
(3𝑥+5)2
12
=
(3𝑥+5)2

a. Find the derivative of the function defined by f(x) = 4x / (x+3)

b. Find the derivative of the function defined by q(x) = (4x – 3)/ (2x + 3)
c. Find the derivative of the function defined by f(x) = (4x2 - 2x + 3)/(2x3 - 1)
Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
a. 𝐷𝑥 (𝑒 𝑥 ) = 𝑒 𝑥
b. 𝐷𝑥 (𝑎 𝑥 ) = 𝑎 𝑥 𝑙𝑛𝑎, where a > 0
1
c. 𝐷𝑥 (lnx) =
𝑥
1 1 1
d. 𝐷𝑥 (𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎 𝑥) = • = , where a > 0
𝑥 𝑙𝑛𝑎 𝑥𝑙𝑛𝑎

Example:
Find the derivative of the function defined by y = 4lnx

Solution:
1 4
y’ = 4 • 𝐷𝑥 (lnx) = 4 • =
𝑥 𝑥

a. Find the derivative of the function defined by 𝐷𝑥 (𝑥𝑒 𝑥 )

b. Find the derivative of the function defined by 𝐷𝑥 (𝑥 2 𝑙𝑛𝑥)
𝑥4
c. Find the derivative of the function defined by 𝐷𝑥 ( 𝑥 )
𝑒
𝑙𝑛𝑥
d. f(x) = , then its derivative f’(x)
𝑥2
Derivatives of Trigonometric Function
a. 𝐷𝑥 (sinx) = cosx
b. 𝐷𝑥 (cosx) = - sinx
c. 𝐷𝑥 (tanx) = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 x
d. 𝐷𝑥 (cotx) = - 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 x
e. 𝐷𝑥 (secx) = secxtanx
f. 𝐷𝑥 (cscx) = - cscxcotx

Example:
Find the derivative of the function defined by 𝐷𝑥 (𝑥 3 cosx)

Solution:
𝐷𝑥 (𝑥 3 cosx) = x3 • 𝐷𝑥 (cosx) + cosx • 𝐷𝑥 (x3)
= x3(- sinx) + cosx (3x2)
= 3x2 cosx - x3 sinx

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥
a. Find the derivative of the function defined by 𝐷𝑥 ( )
𝑥
b. Find the derivative of the function defined by 𝐷𝑥 (ex −3sinx)
c. Prove that 𝐷𝑥 (tanx) = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 x
d. Prove that 𝐷𝑥 (cotx) = - 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 x
Activity

Find the derivative of the following functions using the previously discussed theorems.
1. f(x) = ¾
2. g(x) = 5x – 4
3. z(x) = 2x /(x2 + 1)
4. h(x) = 2x2 - 3x + 5
5. j(x) = 2 𝑥 − 3 3 𝑥 + 4 4 𝑥 - 32
6. k(x) = (2x2 – x – 1)( 𝑥)
7. p(x) = (x2 – 4x + 𝑥 - 3) / 𝑥
8. q(x) = (x5 – 2x + 4)(3x2 - 4x – 6)
9. r(x) = (4 – 2x – x3) / (3x – x4)
10. f(x) = sinx + 2cosx – 5
11. g(x) = 3𝑒 𝑥 − 7𝑙𝑜𝑔3 𝑥 – 2x
12. h(x) = 4secx + 5tanx – 3
13. f(x) = xsecx
14. t(x) = cscxcotx