Select Language ​ ▼ 21

Search

Home Algebra Data Geometry Measure Numbers Dictionary Games Puzzles Worksheets
Hide Ads
About Ads

Stericycle Waste Disposal

Regulated Medical Waste And Compliance Services You Need.

Introduction to Derivatives
It is all about slope!

Change in Y
Slope =
Change in X

We can find an average slope between two points.

open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
 But how do we find the slope at a point?

There is nothing to measure!

But with derivatives we use a small difference ...

... then have it shrink towards zero.

Let us Find a Derivative!

We will use the slope formula:

Change in Y Δy
Slope = =
Change in X Δx

to find the derivative of a function y = f(x)

x changes from x to x+Δx

y changes from f(x) to f(x+Δx)

Follow these steps:

Δy f(x+Δx) − f(x)
• Fill in this slope formula: =
Δx Δx

• Simplify it as best we can,

• Then make Δx shrink towards zero.

open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
 Here we go:

Example: the function f(x) = x2

We know f(x) = x2 , and can calculate f(x+Δx) :

Start with: f(x+Δx) = (x+Δx)2

Expand (x + Δx)2: f(x+Δx) = x2 + 2x Δx + (Δx)2

f(x+Δx) − f(x)
The slope formula is:
Δx

x2 + 2x Δx + (Δx)2 − x2
Put in f(x+Δx) and f(x):
Δx

2x Δx + (Δx)2
Simplify (x2 and −x2 cancel): =
Δx

Simplify more (divide through by Δx): = 2x + Δx

And then as Δx heads towards 0 we get: = 2x

Result: the derivative of x2 is 2x

We write dx instead of "Δx heads towards 0", so "the derivative of" is commonly written

x2 = 2x
"The derivative of x2 equals 2x"
or simply "d dx of x2 equals 2x"

open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
 What does x2 = 2x mean?

It means that, for the function x2, the slope or "rate of change" at any point
is 2x.

So when x=2 the slope is 2x = 4, as shown here:

Or when x=5 the slope is 2x = 10, and so on.

Note: sometimes f’(x) is also used for "the derivative of":

f’(x) = 2x
"The derivative of f(x) equals 2x"

Let's try another example.

Example: What is x3 ?

We know f(x) = x3 , and can calculate f(x+Δx) :

Start with: f(x+Δx) = (x+Δx)3

Expand (x + Δx)3: f(x+Δx) = x3 + 3x2 Δx + 3x (Δx)2 + (Δx)3

f(x+Δx) − f(x)
The slope formula:
Δx

x3 + 3x2 Δx + 3x (Δx)2 + (Δx)3 − x3

Put in f(x+Δx) and f(x):
Δx

3x2 Δx + 3x (Δx)2 + (Δx)3

Simplify (x3 and −x3 cancel): =
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
 Simplify (x and −x cancel): =
Δx

Simplify more (divide through by Δx): = 3x2 + 3x Δx + (Δx)2

And then as Δx heads towards 0 we get: x3 = 3x2

Have a play with it using the Derivative Plotter .

Derivatives of Other Functions

We can use the same method to work out derivatives of other functions (like sine, cosine,
logarithms, etc).

But in practice the usual way to find derivatives is to use:

Derivative Rules

Example: what is the derivative of sin(x) ?

On Derivative Rules it is listed as being cos(x)

Done.

Using the rules can be tricky!

Example: what is the derivative of cos(x)sin(x) ?

You can't just find the derivative of cos(x) and multiply it by the derivative of sin(x) ... you
must use the "Product Rule" as explained on the Derivative Rules page.

It actually works out to be cos2 (x) - sin2 (x)

open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
 So that is your next step: learn how to use the rules.

Notation
"Shrink towards zero" is actually written as a limit like this:

"The derivative of f equals the limit as Δx goes to zero of f(x+Δx) - f(x) over Δx"

Or sometimes the derivative is written like this (explained on Derivatives as dy/dx ):

The process of finding a derivative is called "differentiation".

You do differentiation ... to get a derivative.

Where to Next?
Go and learn how to find derivatives using Derivative Rules , and get plenty of practice.

Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5

Question 6 Question 7 Question 8 Question 9 Question 10

open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
 Calculus Index

Stericycle Waste Disposal

Regulated Medical Waste And Compliance Services You Need.

Search :: Index :: About :: Contact :: Contribute :: Cite This Page :: Privacy

C opyright © 2015 MathsIsFun.com

open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com