CJC MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

2012 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS

TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATION

Page | 31

Summary Differentiation

The First Principle
The differentiation of a function f(x) with respect to x is defined as

Increasing and Decreasing Functions
Let y = f(x) be a function that can be differentiated in the range a < x < b.
(i) If f (x) > 0, then y = f(x) is an increasing function in the given range.
(ii) If f (x) < 0, then y = f(x) is a decreasing function in the given range.
(iii) If f (x) > 0, the curve is concave upwards.
(iv) If f (x) < 0, the curve is concave downwards.

Rules of Differentiation

Product Rule
x d
d
(uv) = u
x
v
d
d
+ v
x
u
d
d

Quotient Rule
|

\
|
v
u
x d
d
=
2
d
d
d
d
v
x
v
u
x
u
v

Chain Rule
x
y
d
d
=
u
y
d
d

v
u
d
d

x
v
d
d

Logarithmic
Differentiation
This method is used for differentiating
expression of the form u
v
, where u, v are functions of x, e.g. x
sinx

complicated products and quotients
Steps involve taking logarithm of the expression, simplifying the logarithm and
then differentiating w.r.t. x.
Implicit
Differentiation
x d
d
g(y) =
(

) ( g
d
d
y
y
x
y
d
d

Parametric
Differentiation
x
t
t
y
x
y
d
d
d
d
d
d
=


Formulae
Basic General
Powers of x
( )
1
d
d

=
n n
nx x
x

x
x
x n x
x
n n
d
) df(
)] [f( ) f(
d
d
1
=


Trigonometric
Functions
x x
x
cos sin
d
d
=

x x
x
sin cos
d
d
=

x x
x
2
sec tan
d
d
=

x x x
x
tan sec sec
d
d
=
x x x
x
cot ec cos cosec
d
d
=

x x
x
2
ec cos cot
d
d
=

x
x
x x
x d
) df(
) f( cos ) f( sin
d
d
=
x
x
x x
x d
) df(
) f( sin ) f( cos
d
d
=
x
x
x x
x d
) df(
) f( sec ) f( tan
d
d
2
=
x
x
x x x
x d
) df(
) f( tan ) f( sec ) f( sec
d
d
=
x
x
x x x
x d
) df(
) f( cot ) f( cosec ) f( cosec
d
d
=
x
x
x x
x d
) df(
) f( ec cos ) f( cot
d
d
2
=

x
x x x
x
x

) ( f ) ( f
lim ) ( ' f
+
=


CJC MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
2012 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS
TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATION

Page | 32

Inverse
Trigonometric
Functions
2
1
1
1
sin
d
d
x
x
x

,
2
1
1
1
cos
d
d
x
x
x

,
2
1
1
1
tan
d
d
x
x
x
+
=

x
x
x
x
x d
) df(
) f( 1
1
) f( sin
d
d
2
1

x
x
x
x
x d
) df(
) f( 1
1
) f( cos
d
d
2
1

x
x
x
x
x d
) df(
) f( 1
1
) f( tan
d
d
2
1

+
=

Logarithmic
Functions
x
x
x
1
ln
d
d
=

a x
x
a
ln
1
log
dx
d
=

x
x
x
x
x d
) df(
) f(
1
) lnf(
d
d
=
x
x
a x
x
x
a
d
) df(
ln ) f(
1
) f( log
d
d
=
Exponential
Functions
x x
x
e e
d
d
=
a a a
x
x x
ln
d
d
=
x
x
x
x x
d
) df(
e e
d
d
) f( ) f(
=

x
x
a a a
x
x x
d
) df(
ln
d
d
) f( ) f(
=


Differentiation

The First Principle

Example 1: Let f: x x
2
. Using the first principle of differentiation, show that f '(x) = 2x.
Solution:
2 2
) ( ) ( f and ) ( f x x x x x x + = + =
From first principles,
x
x x x

+ ) ( f ) ( f
=
(x + x)
2
x
2

x

=
x
2
+ 2x(x) + (x)
2
x
2

x

= 2x + x
f '(x) =
lim
x0
(2x + x) = 2x (shown)

Strictly Increasing and Decreasing Functions

Example 2: For the graph ) 6 )( 6 ( 1 . 0 + = x x x y shown, state the set of values of x for which the
function is
(a) strictly increasing
(b) strictly decreasing
(c) concave upwards
(d) concave downwards

Solution:


(a) For strictly increasing, } 46 . 3 46 . 3 : { > < x x x
(b) For strictly decreasing, } 46 . 3 46 . 3 : { < < x x
(c) For concave upwards, } 0 : { > x x
(d) For concave downwards, } 0 : { < x x

You need to expand
and simplify it.

x
y
0 6 6
(3.46, 8.31)
(3.46, 8.31)
[In MF15]
Caution!
Recall the conditions for a function to be strictly
increasing (f(x) > 0), strictly decreasing (f(x)<0),
concave upwards (f(x)>0) and concave downwards
(f(x)<0).
Note!
CJC MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
2012 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS
TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATION

Page | 33

Sketching of Derivative Graph i.e. y = f (x)

Example 3: [2006/HCI/Promo/1]
Sketch the graph of the derivative function for the graph below.











Solution:

From y = f(x), we observe that:








The graph of y = f(x)




















y = 1
y
x
2
0
y = f(x)
y = f(x)
y
x
0
Always mark and identify critical points
such as the turning point(s) of y = f(x).
The turning point(s) of y =f(x) will be the
x-intercept(s) in y=f(x).

Caution!
For x < 0, as x increases, the gradient increases
from a very small positive value until it reaches a
point where the gradient

is the most positive. Then
the gradient decreases to zero at x = 0.


For x > 0, as x increases, the gradient decreases from
a very small negative value until it reaches a point
where the gradient

is the most negative. Then the
gradient increases and tends to zero for very large x.


y = 1
y
x
2
0
y = f(x) Gradient is approaching zero.
Gradient is approaching zero.
Gradient is positive. Gradient is negative.
Gradient is zero.
CJC MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
2012 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS
TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATION

Page | 34

Techniques of Differentiation

(A) Basic Differentiation
Example 4: Differentiate with respect to x (a) x
13
+ x
7
x
2
(b)
1
x
3 x
5
+ x
3

Solution:
(a) ( ) x x x x x x
x
2 7 13
d
d
6 12 2 7 13
+ = +


(b)
|
|

\
|
+ = |

\
|
+

2
3
5 3 3 5
3
d
d 1
d
d
x x x
x
x x
x x


2
1
4 4
2
3
5 3 x x x + =



(B) Product Rule
Example 5: Differentiate with respect to x (a) (3x
2
+ 1)(2x + 7) (b) x
2
(5x + 2)
Solution:
(a) ( )( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 1 3
d
d
7 2 7 2
d
d
1 3 7 2 1 3
d
d
2 2 2
+ + + + + = + + x
x
x x
x
x x x
x


( ) ( )
( ) 1 21 9 2
6 7 2 2 1 3
2
2
+ + =
+ + + =
x x
x x x


(b) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2
d
d
2 5 2 5
d
d
2 5
d
d
x
x
x x
x
x x x
x
+ + + = +


( )
( ) 4 15
2 2 5 5
2
+ =
+ + =
x x
x x x


(C) Quotient Rule
Example 6: Differentiate
2x
3
+ 3
x
4
+ 2
with respect to x.
Solution:
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( )
2
4
4 3 3 4
4
3
2
2
d
d
3 2 3 2
d
d
2
2
3 2
d
d
+
+ + + +
=
|
|

\
|
+
+
x
x
x
x x
x
x
x
x
x


( )( ) ( )( )
( )
2
4
3 3 2 4
2
4 3 2 6 2
+
+ +
=
x
x x x x


( )
( )
2
4
4 4 2
2
6 4 6 3 2
+
+
=
x
x x x x


( )
( )
2
4
4 2
2
6 6 2
+
+
=
x
x x x


Always express in terms of powers of x
and then apply the formula carefully.

Caution!
Always simplify your answer whenever
possible.
Note!
CJC MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
2012 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS
TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATION

Page | 35

(D) The Chain Rule
Example 7: Differentiate
2
1
) 2 3 ( x with respect to x.
Solution:
( ) ( ) ( ) 2 3
d
d
2 3
2
1
2 3
d
d
2
1
2
1
=

x
x
x x
x


( ) ) 3 ( 2 3
2
1
2
1

= x


( ) 2
1
2 3
2
3

= x




(E) Differentiation of Trigonometric Functions
Example 8: Differentiate with respect to x
(a) x
2
sin x (b) cos x (c) tan
3
(x
8
)
Solution:
(a)
( ) ( )
2 2 2
d
d
sin sin
d
d
sin
d
d
x
x
x x
x
x x x
x
+ =

( ) x x x x 2 sin cos
2
+ =


( ) x x x x sin 2 cos + =


(b)
( ) ( )2
1
cos
d
d
cos
d
d
x
x
x
x
=
( ) ( ) x
x
x cos
d
d
cos
2
1
2
1

=
( ) ( ) x x sin cos
2
1
2
1
=



x
x
cos 2
sin
=

(c)
( ) ( )
3
8 8 3
tan
d
d
tan
d
d
x
x
x
x
=
( ) ( )
8
2
8
tan
d
d
tan 3 x
x
x =
( ) ( )
8 8 2
2
8
d
d
sec tan 3 x
x
x x =
( ) ( )
7 8 2
2
8
8 sec tan 3 x x x =
( )( )
8 2 8 2 7
sec tan 24 x x x =






Always differentiate from Outermost to
innermost. For this e.g. differentiate the
function then the expression (3x 2).
Caution!
Write tan
3
(x
8
) as [tan(x
8
)]
3
and then apply the
chain rule carefully.
Caution!
CJC MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
2012 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS
TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATION

Page | 36

(F) Differentiation of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Example 9: Differentiate with respect to x
(a)
3
2
x
(b) ln (x + x
3
) (c) 4
) 1 (
2
e
+ x

(d) e
2x
sin 3x (e) log
3
(x
2
+4)
Solution:

(a)
( )
3
d
d
2 ln 2 2
d
d 3 3
x
x x
x x
=
( )
2
3 2 ln 2
3
x
x
=

( )
3
2 3 2 ln
2 x
x =

(b)
( ) ( )
3
3
3
d
d 1
) ln(
d
d
x x
x x x
x x
x
+
+
= +

3
2
3 1
x x
x
+
+
=
(c)
( )
( )
( )
( ) 1
d
d
e 4 e 4
d
d
2 1 1
2 2
+ =
+ +
x
x x
x x


( )
( ) x
x
2 e 4
1
2
+
=

( ) 1
2
e 8
+
=
x
x

(d)
( ) ( ) ( )
x x x
x
x x
x
x
x
2 2 2
e
d
d
3 sin 3 sin
d
d
e 3 sin e
d
d
+ =

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) 2x
d
d
e 3 sin 3
d
d
3 cos e
2 2
x
x x
x
x
x x
+ =

( ) ( )2 e 3 sin 3 3 cos e
2 2 x x
x x + =

[ ] x x
x
3 sin 2 3 cos 3 e
2
+ =

(e)
( ) ( ) ( ) 4
d
d
3 ln ) 4 (
1
4 log
d
d
2
2
2
3
+
+
= + x
x x
x
x


) 4 )( 3 (ln
2
2
+
=
x
x



(G) Implicit Differentiation
Example 10: Find
x
y
d
d
in terms of x and y if
(a) x
2
+ y
3
= xy
2
(b) x
3
y + xy
3
= 1
Solution :

(a)
( ) ( )
2 3 2
d
d
d
d
xy
x
y x
x
= +
Recall formula
( ) ( ) a a a
x
x x
ln
d
d
=
and
always remember to apply chain rule.
Caution!
Recall formula
a x
x
x
a
ln
1
log
d
d
=
and
always remember to apply chain rule.
Caution!
Always treat y
2
as another function of x,
apply product rule to xy
2
and use implicit
differentiation to differentiate y
2
.
Caution!
CJC MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
2012 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS
TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATION

Page | 37


( ) ( ) x
x
y
x
y
y
y
x
x
y
y
y
x
d
d
d
d
d
d
d
d
d
d
2
2 2 3
+ = +


2 2
d
d
2
d
d
3 2 y
x
y
y x
x
y
y x + = +

( ) x y xy y
x
y
2 2 3
d
d
2 2
=

( ) xy y
x y
x
y
2 3
2
d
d
2
2

=

(b)
( ) ( ) 1
d
d
d
d
3 3
x
xy y x
x
= +

( ) ( ) 0
d
d
d
d
d
d
d
d
d
d
d
d
3 3 3 3
=
(

+ +
(

+ x
x
y
x
y
y
y
x x
x
y
x
y
y
y
x


( ) 0
d
d
3 3
d
d
3 2 2 3
=
(

+ +
(

+ y
x
y
y x x y
x
y
x


( )
( )
2 2
2 2
3
3
d
d
y x x
x y y
x
y
+
+
=



(H) Logarithmic Differentiation
Example 11: Find
x
y
d
d
when (a) y = x
sin x
(b) x
y
= y
x

Solution:
(a)
x
x y
sin
=


x
x y
sin
ln ln =


( ) x x y ln sin ln =

( )( ) x x
x
y
x
ln sin
d
d
ln
d
d
=

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) x
x
x x
x
x
x
y
y
y
sin
d
d
ln ln
d
d
sin
d
d
ln
d
d
+ =


( ) ( )( ) x x
x
x
x
y
y
cos ln
1
sin
d
d 1
+ =


( ) ( )( )
(

+ = x x
x
x y
x
y
cos ln
1
sin
d
d


( ) ( )( )
(

+ = x x
x
x x
x
y
x
cos ln
1
sin
d
d
sin


(b)
x y
y x =

x y
y x ln ln =

y x x y ln ln =

( ) ( ) y x
x
x y
x
ln
d
d
ln
d
d
=
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) x
x
y y
x
x y
x
x x
x
y
d
d
ln ln
d
d
d
d
ln ln
d
d
+ = +
Recall the procedure:
Step 1: Take logarithm of the expression.
Step 2: Simplifying the logarithm.
Step 3: Differentiating with respect to x.
Caution!
Apply implicit differentiation on the LHS
and apply product rule on the RHS.
CJC MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
2012 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS
TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATION

Page | 38


( ) ( ) y
x
y
y
y
x
x
y
y
y
x
x
y ln
d
d
ln
d
d
d
d
d
d
ln
1
+ = +


y
x
y
y
x
x
y
x
x
y
ln
d
d 1
d
d
ln + = +


x
y
y
y
x
x
x
y
=
|
|

\
|
ln ln
d
d


y
x
x
x
y
y
x
y

=
ln
ln
d
d


( )
( ) x x y x
y y x y
x
y

=
ln
ln
d
d



(I) Differentiation of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Example 12: Differentiate with respect to x
(a) cos
1
2x (b) tan
1
( ) 1
2
x
Solution:
(a)
( ) ( ) x
x
x
x
x
2
d
d
4 1
1
2 cos
d
d
2
1

2
4 1
2
x
=


(b)
( ) ( ) ( ) 1
d
d
) 1 ( 1
1
1 tan
d
d
2
2 2
2 1

+
=

x
x x
x
x


2 2
) 1 ( 1
2
+
=
x
x


(J) Parametric Differentiation
Example 13: A curve is given parametrically by the equations x = (1 + t)
2
and y = 2t.
Find
x
y
d
d
in terms of t, and hence find the point on the curve at which the gradient is 1.
Solution:
( )
) 1 ( 2
d
d
1
2
t
t
x
t x
+ =
+ =

2
d
d
2
=
=
t
y
t y


x
t
t
y
x
y
d
d
d
d
d
d
=
) 1 ( 2
1
2
t +
=


t +
=
1
1


Recall the formula
[ ]
) ( f
d
d
) ( f 1
1
) ( f cos
d
d
2
1
x
x
x
x
x

Caution!
CJC MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
2012 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS
TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATION

Page | 39

When , 1
d
d
=
x
y

1
1
1
=
+t

1 1 = + t

0 = t

When , 0 = t

2 , 1 = = y x

Point on curve is (1, 2).

__________________________________________________________________________________

QUESTIONS

The First Principle

1. [N00/I/4] By considering the derivative as a limit, show that the derivative of x
3
is 3x
2
.

2. [2007/MJC/I/9]
The diagram shows the graph of ) ( f x y = . It has a maximum point (4 , 3 ) a a and asymptotes

Sketch the graph of ) ( ' f x y = , where f is the gradient function of f, showing the relevant
features of the graph.


Differentiation of Basic Functions

3. Differentiate with respect to x: (a) x sin x (b) sec
3
(2x) (c) sin x
2
1 +


Differentiation of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

4. Find the derivatives of the following:
(a) log
10
5x (b) ln x cos 1+ (c) ln [(x
3
+2)(x
2
+3)]


Implicit Differentiation

5. Find
x
y
d
d
given that sin y + cos x = xy .

y





0 2a 3a
x

(4a, 3a)
a

x = 2a and y = a.
CJC MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
2012 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS
TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATION

Page | 40

Logarithmic Differentiation

6. Prove by logarithmic differentiation that
)
2
ln 2
(
d
d
x
x
x x
x
x x
+
=

Differentiation of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

7. [2010/CJC/Promo/1/5]
Find
x
y
d
d
if 1 tan
2 1
=

x y
.



Parametric Differentiation

8. [2008/TJC/Promo/5i]
A curve C is defined by the parametric equations
2
1
1
x
t
=
+
,
3
1 y t = + where 0 t .
Find
d
d
y
x
in terms of t.


Answers:
3. (a) x cos x + sin x (b) 6 sec
3
2x tan 2x (c)
1
1 cos
2
2
+
+
x
x x

4. (a)
x
e log
10
or
10 ln
1
x
(b)
) cos 1 ( 2
sin
x
x
+

(c)
) 3 )( 2 (
) 4 9 5 (
2 3
3
+ +
+ +
x x
x x x

5.
x y
x y

+
cos
sin

7.
1
1
d
d
2

=
x x
x
y


8.
( )
3
2
d
3 1
d
y
t t
x
= +