Chapter 3.

1
The Derivative

3.1.1 The Tangent Question and the Derivatives

Average Rate of Change at a Point

The average rate of change of the function from ( ) ( ( )) to

( ) ( ( )) is the ratio

( ) ( )

where .

Slope of a Tangent to a Graph

The slope of a tangent to the graph of ( ) at the point ( ( )) is

( ) ( )

provided that this limit exists.

1
Derivative of a Function at a Number

If ( ) defines a function and if the point is in the domain of , then the derivative of
at , written as ( ), is defines as

( ) ( )
( )

provided that this limit exists.

Derivative of a Function

The derivative of a function is the function defined as

( ) ( )
( )

if the limit exists.

Note: The notation ( ) is not a unique notation for the derivative. Other notations include ,
, ( ), , ( ), , and ( ) . There are times when a meaning is clearer if one of
these notations is used instead of ( ). The symbols and are not fractions but are symbols
for a derivative. The symbol indicates that we are going to find a derivative.

Four-Step Method

We can calculate the derivative of a function at the point by using the following four steps.

Four Steps for Calculating ( )

Step 1: Find ( ).

Step 2: Subtract ( ) from ( ).

Step 3: Divide the result in Step 2 by to get the difference quotient.

Step 4: Find the limit, if it exists, of the difference quotient in Step 3, as approaches .

Example 1:

Find the slope of ( ) at the point ( ).

2
3.1.2 Derivatives of Polynomials

Constant Function

For the function ( ) , where is a constant, the derivative is ( ) .

Linear Function

For the linear function ( ) , the derivative is ( ) .

Polynomials of the Form ( )

The derivative of any function ( ) , if is a rational number, then ( ) .

Example 2

Find the derivative of ( ) at .

3
Example 3:

Find the derivative of ( ) .

Example 4:
⁄ ⁄
Find the derivative of (a) ( ) , (b) ( ) , (c) ( ) , (d) ( ) .

Example 5:

Find the derivatives of (a) √ and (b) ( ) ⁄ .

Three General Formulae

If ( ) ( ), is a constant and ( ) exists, then

( ) ( )

If ( ) ( ) ( ) and ( ) and ( ) exist, then

( ) ( ) ( )

If ( ) ( ) ( ) and ( ) and ( ) exist, then

( ) ( ) ( )

Example 6:
⁄
Find the derivative of (a) ( ) , (b) ( ) , and (c) ( ) .

Example 7:

Find the derivative of ( ) .

4
5
3.1.3 Derivatives of Product and Quotients

Product Rule for Derivatives

If ( ) ( ) ( ) and ( ) and ( ) exist, then

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Example 8:

Find the derivative of ( ) ( )( ).

Example 9:

Find ( ), if ( ) ( )( ).

6
Quotient Rule for Derivatives
( )
If ( ) , ( ) and both ( ) and ( ) exist, then
( )

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( )

Example 10:

If ( ) , find ( ).

7
3.1.4 Derivatives of Composite Functions

General Power Rule for Derivatives

If is a function and its derivative exists, then

( ) ( ) ( )

Example 11:

Find the derivatives of (a) ( ) , (b) ( ) , and (c) ( ) .

8
Chain Rule

If ( ) and ( ), and both ( ) and ( ) exist, then

( ) ( ) or ( ) ( )

Example 12:

Find , if (a) ( ) and (b) √

9
3.1.5 Implicit Differentiation

Four Steps for Implicit Differentiation

In the list below, we assume that is the independent variable and that we are trying to
determine .

1. Differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to the independent variable, .
2. Collect the terms with on one side of the equation and collect the remaining terms on
the other side of the equals sign.
3. Factor out .
4. Solve for .

Example 13:

Find of .

10
Example 14:

Use implicit differentiation to find the derivative of .

3.1.6 Higher Order Derivatives

The derivative of a function ( ), is also the function ( ), called the derivative function .
When we need to take the derivative of the derivative is called the second derivative and is
denoted by . The derivative of the second derivative is the third derivative, .

In general, if is a positive integer, then ( ) represents the th derivative of . The integer is

Example 15:

Find the first four derivatives of ( ) .

Example 16:

Find the first three derivatives of ( ) .

11