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Rules of Differentiation
Aim
Learning Outcomes
The basic rules of differentiation are presented here along with several examples.
Remember that if y = f (x) is a function then the derivative of y can be represented
dy 0 0 df
by or y or f or . The basic rules of differentiation, as well as several common
dx dx
results, are presented in the back of the log tables on pages 41 and 42.
Example 1
Differentiate y = x4 .
dy
If y = x4 then using the general power rule, = 4x3 .
dx
Rule 3: The Derivative of a Constant times a Function.
0
The derivative of kf (x), where k is a constant, is kf (x).
Example 2
Differentiate y = 3x2 .
Example 4
Differentiate f (x) = (6x2 + 2x)(x3 + 1).
Example 5
x2 + 7
Differentiate f (x) = .
3x − 1
du dv
Let u(x) = x2 + 7 and v(x) = 3x − 1. Differentiate these to get = 2x and = 3.
dx dx
Now using the formula for the quotient rule we get,
2
Calculus
Example 6
Differentiate y = (x2 − 5)4 .
Let u = x2 − 5, therefore y = u4 .
du dy
⇒ = 2x and ⇒ = 4u3 .
dx du
Using the chain rule we then get
dy dy du
= × ,
dx du dx
= 4u3 × 2x,
= 4(x2 − 5)3 × 2x,
= 8x(x2 − 5)3 .
Related Reading
Adams, R.A. 2003. Calculus: A Complete Course. 5th Edition. Pearson Education
Limited.
Morris, O.D., P. Cooke. 1992. Text & Tests 4. The Celtic Press.