CHAPTER 2

DERIVARIVES
2-1. Definitions of derivatives
)−f ( a )
lim f ( xx−a
Let f be a function defined in an interval containing a. If x → a
exists, then this limit is the derivative of f at a, and we denote this by f ’(a) so

f ' ( a )= lim f ( xx)−f

−a
( a)
.
that x→a

Example

1
f ( x )= x 2 +1 . Find f ' (−1 )
Let 4 .

Ans.

12 5 121 1 2
x +1− x− (x −1)
f'(−1)=lim f(x)−f (−1) 4 4
= lim = lim lim
4 4
=
4
x→−1 x−(−1) x→−1
x+1 x→−1
x+1 x→−1 x+1 ¿
1
x+1¿ = lim 14 (x−1)¿
= lim 4
(x+1)(x−1)¿ x→−1

x→−1
¿
2-2 Tangent and normal lines
Definition

Let f be a function define in an interval containing a

lim f ( xx−a
)−f ( a )
lim f ( xx−a
)−f ( a )
1. If x→a exists so that f ‘ (a) = x→a , then f ‘ ( a) is the slope
of the tangent line to the graph of f at ( a , f ( a ) )

1
 2. The line y=f '( a) ( x−a )+f ( a) is the tangent line to the graph of f at ( a , f ( a ) )

−1
y= ( x−a ) +f ( a)
3. The line f ' (a ) is the normal line to the graph of f at ( a , f ( a ) )

Example.
3
Find the tangent line and normal line equation to the graph of f ( x )=x −1 at (1,0)
3 2
Ans. f ( x )=x −1 ⇒ f ' ( x )=3 x ⇒ f ' ( 1)=3

Hence tangent line to the graph of f at (1,0) is

y=f '( a) ( x−a )+f ( a)⇒ y =3 ( x −1 )+0 ⇒ y = 3 x−3

The normal line to the graph of f at (1,0) is

−1 −1 −1 1
y= ( x−a ) +f ( a)⇒ y = ( x−1)+0 ⇒ y = x+
f ' (a ) 3 3 3

Definitions

Let f be continuous function at x =a

lim f ( xx−a
)−f ( a )
=±∞
1. If x→a , then the tangent line to the graph of at ( a , f ( a ) ) is vertical
line given by x=a and the normal line to the graph of f at ( a , f ( a ) ) is horizontal line given
by y = f(a).

lim f ( xx−a
)−f ( a )
=0
2. If x→a , then the tangent line to the graph of f at ( a , f ( a ) ) is horizontal
line given by y = f(a) and the normal line to the graph of f at ( a , f ( a ) ) vertical line given
by

x = a.

Example
1
3
Let f ( x )=x . Find the tangent and normal line to the graph of f at (0, 0).

2
 1 1

lim f ( xx−0 = lim = lim = lim

3 3
)−f (0 ) x −0 x 1
=∞
x→ 0
x −0x →0
x x →0 x→0
2
( 3√ x )
Ans.

Therefore the tangent line is vertical line given by x = 0 and the normal line is horizontal line
given by y = 0.

Most of the time many functions have derivatives at many pints in their domain. The
function f ’ that are found by finding the derivative of a function at many points in its
domain is called the derivative of f. This derivative is denoted by f ‘ (x) and defined as

f ' ( x )= lim f ( tt)−f

−x
(x)
.
t→ x

If this happen i.e. if f has derivative at its domain, then we say f is differentiable function.

Example1.
2
Let f ( x )=x . Find f ' ( x ) .

Ans.

f '(x)= lim f (t)−f ( x1 )

t−x
lim lim
=
t 2−x2
t−x
=
(t−x)(t+x)
t−x
= lim t+x= 2x = lim ¿1¿
t→x x→−1 t→x t→x x→−1 (x+1)(x−1)¿
4
Example2.
1
2
Let f ( x )=x for x ∈(0 , ∞ ). Find f ' ( x ) .

3
Ans.

1 1

lim ft−( tx)− f ( x 1 ) = lim tt −−x x lim √t −t−x √ x =lim (( √t

2 2
f ' ( x )= =
t→ x x →−1 t→ x t →x

= lim t(− x
t − x )( √ t + √ x )
t→ x

= lim 1√ t + √ x
t→ x
1
=
2√x

Some properties of derivative

I. Definition . If a function f is differentiable for all of its domain, then f is
differentiable function

Examples.

1. If f(x) = c, where c is real number, then f ’(x)= 0

Proof

lim f ( tt)−f
−x
(x)
= lim
c−c
t −x
= lim 0=0
F ‘ (x) = t→ x t→ x t→ x

n n−1
2. If f ( x )=x ,then f '( x )=nx for n ∈ N
Proof
(t−x ) ( t n−1 +t n−2 x +¿⋅¿+tx n−2 + x n−1 )
f ' ( x )= lim
t→ x
f (t )−f ( x )
t−x
= lim
t→ x
t n −x n
t−x
= lim
t→ x
t−x

= lim t n−1
+t n−2 x +¿⋅¿+tx n−2 + x n−1
t →x
= x + x n−1 +¿⋅¿+ t n−1 + x n−1
n−1

=nx n−1

r r−1
In general if f ( x )=x , then f ' ( x )=rx forr r ∈ ℜ
1 . f ( x )=x 17 then f '( x )=17 x16
2 . f ( x )=x √ 2 then f '( x )=√ 2 x √ 2 − 1
There is an alternative formula for finding derivative of a function

4
 f ' ( x )= lim f ( tt)−f
−x
(x)
= lim
f ( x+ h)−f ( x )
h
t→ x h→ 0

This can be seen by saying t – x = h, so that t = x + h as t →x , h →o

This notation enables us to find derivatives of f(x) = Sin(x) and g(x) = Cos (x)
i.e. derivative of the basic trigonometric functions.

3. If f(x)= Sin(x) ,then f’(x) = Cos(x)

Proof

f ' ( x )= lim fh( x +h )−f ( x ) = lim hSin( x +h )−Sin( x ) = lim hSin( x )Cos(h )+Cos( x )Sin(h )−Sin( x )
h→ 0 h→0 h→0

= lim Sin(
h
x ) ( Cosh−1 ) CosxSinh
+
h
h→0

=Sinx lim (Cosh−1

h )+Cosx lim ( Sinh
h )
h→0 h →0
=0+Cosx (1)
=Cosx

4. If f(x)= Cos(x) ,then f’(x) = -Sin(x)

Proof ( exercise)
Since lim f ( xx−0
)−f ( 0 )
= lim =1≠−1= lim
x
x
f ( x )−f ( 0 )
x−0
= lim
−x
x
x →0 + x →0 + x → 0− x →0−

f ‘ (x) doesn’t exist. And hence f is not differentiable at x= 0.

Other notations for derivatives

Let f be differentiable function in its domain.
¿

1. Newton was used to denote derivatives of f as u ( x ), where f ( x )=u( x )

dy d
or ( f ( x )) , where y =f ( x )
2. Leibniz was used dx dx . Moreover to say derivative
dy
|x =a
of f at x=a we write as dx

5
 Exercises

1. For the following find f ‘ (a) where:

1
2 f ( x )= and a=−2
a. f ( x )=2 x+ 3 and a=1 b. f ( x )=x −2 and a=−1 c. x

dy
|x=2
2. For the following find dx , where:

1
2 y=
a. y=x −3 b. x

3. For the following determine whether the given function has derivative at x =a.

a. f ( x)=|x|−x ; a=0 b.
f(x)=¿ {− x 2
+4x for x<0 ¿ ¿¿¿

2-3. Properties of derivatives

Under this section we will see properties of differentiable functions

Property I. Theorem

If f and g be differentiable function at x= a in their common domain, then f+g, f-g, cf, fg
f
and g are differentiable at x=a and:

i. (f +g ) ' (a)=f ' (a )+g ' (a )

ii. (f −g ) ' (a )=f ' (a )−g ' (a )

iii. (cf ) ' (a )=c ( f ' (a ) )

iv. (fg ) ' (a ) =f ' (a) g(a )+f (a )g ' (a )

v.
()
f ¿
g
(a)=
f ' ( a) g(a )−f (a )g ' (a )
2
g (a )
, where g (a ) ≠0

6
Proof

1, 2, and 3 are left for exercise

Let us see proof of 4 and 5

IV.

lim (x−a
( fg ) ' ( a )=
fg )( x )−( fg )( a )
= lim
f ( x ) g ) x )−f ( a ) g )a )
x−a
x→ a x →a

= lim
f ( x ) g( x )− f ( a ) g ( x )+f ( a) g( x )− f ( a ) g ( a )
x −a
x→a

= lim
f ( x ) g ( x )− f ( a ) g ( x )+ f ( a) g ( x )− f ( a ) g ( a )
x− a
x→a

= lim ( )
f ( x ) g( x )−f ( a) g( x ) f ( a ) g ( x )− f ( a ) g( a)
+
x→a
x−a x− a

= lim + lim
f ( x ) g( x )−f ( a) g( x ) f ( a) g( x )− f ( a ) g ( a )
x−a
x →a x →a
x−a

= lim + lim
( f ( x )− f ( a ) ) g ( x ) ( g( x )− g ( a) ) f ( a )
x →a
x− a x →a
x−a

= lim ⋅lim g( x ) + f ( a) lim

( f ( x )−f ( a ) ) ( g( x )− g( a ) )
x−a
x →a x →a x →a
x− a
=f ' ( a ) g( a)+ f ( a ) g ' ( a )
V.

7
 ( a )= lim
( g)
f
( x )−( ) ( a )
f
= lim
f ( x)
−
f (a)

( )
¿
f g g( x) g( a)
g x→a
x− a x→a
x −a
f ( x ) g( a )− f ( a ) g ( x )
= lim g( x)g(a)
x−a
x →a

= lim (f x−a
( x ) g ( a )− f ( a ) g( x )
)( g ( x ) g ( a ))
x→a

= lim (f x−a
( x ) g ( a )− f ( a ) g( a)+ f ( a ) g( a)−f ( a) g( x )
)( g ( x ) g ( a ))
x→a

= lim ((f x−
( x ) g( a)−f ( a) g( a )
a)( g( x ) g( a ))
−
f ( a ) g ( x )− f ( a ) g( a)
( x−a )( g ( x ) g ( a )) )
x→a

= lim (f x−a
( x ) g( x )−f ( a) g( x )
)( g( x ) g( a ))
− lim (f x−a
( a ) g ( x )− f ( a ) g( a)
)( g ( x ) g ( a) )
x →a x→a

= lim x− a ( f ( x )− f ( a ) ) 1
g( a )
− lim (x−
g( x )− g( a ) ) f ( a)
a g ( a ) g( x )
x →a x →a

=
1
g ( a)
lim ( f ( x )−f ( a) )
x −a
− lim x −a ( g ( x )− g( a) )
⋅.
f (a)
g( a)
lim 1g( x )
x→a x→a x→a
f ' (a) g ' (a)f (a)
= − 2
g( a ) g (a)
f ' ( a ) g ( a)−f ( a) g ' ( a)
= 2
g ( a)
In general if f and g are differentiable function in their common domain

i. (f +g ) ' (x )=f ' ( x )+g ' ( x )

ii. (f −g ) ' ( x )=f ' ( x )−g ' ( x )

iii. (cf ) ' ( x )=c ( f ' ( x ) )

iv. (fg ) ' ( x ) =f ' ( x )g ( x )+f (x )g ' (x )

v.
()
f ¿
g
(x )=
f ' ( x)g (x )−f ( x)g ' ( x)
g2 ( x)
, where g ' ( x) ≠0

Examples

Find the derivative of the following

x2 +3 x−5
1. k(x)=x Sin(x) 2. r(x)=cos x

Ans. 1. Using (fg ) ' ( x ) =f ' ( x )g ( x )+f (x )g ' (x )

8
 k ' ( x )=( x ) ' Sin( x )+x (Sinx ) '=Sinx+x cos x

2. Using
f ¿
g
(x )=()
f ' ( x)g (x )−f ( x)g ' ( x)
g 2
( x)
, where g ' ( x) ≠0

( x 2 +3 x−5 ) ' Cos( x )−( x 2 +3 x −5 ) ( Cosx ) '

r ' ( x )=
cos 2 x
(2 x +3 )Cosx+ ( x 2 +3 x−5 ) sin x
=
Cos 2 (x )

Property II. Theorem

If f is differentiable at x = a, then f is continuous at x = a
Proof
Assume f is differentiable at x=a
lim f ( x )= f ( a )
WTS f is continuous at x = a. i.e. x→a

f ' ( a )= lim f ( xx−a

)−f ( a )
.. . ( 1 )
Since f ’ (a) exist x →a

f ( x )−f ( a)
f ( x )−f ( a )= ( x−a )⋅¿⋅( 2 )
x−a
Taking limit of both sides of (2)
lim ( f ( x )−f ( a)) = lim ( fx (−ax )−f ( a) ( x−a ))
x→a x →a

lim ( f ( x )) − lim f ( a )= lim (fx−a

x→a x →a
( x )−f ( a )
x →a
)⋅lim ( x−a ) x →a

lim ( f ( x )) −f ( a)=f ' ( a )( 0 ) ui sin g ( 1)

x→a

lim ( f ( x )) −f ( a)=0
x→a

lim ( f ( x )) =f ( a) ⇒ f is continuous at x =a
x→a

But the converse is not true all the time. i.e. If f is continuous function at x=a, then f is
differentiable function at x = a is not true all the time.

We can see this using counter example. Let f(x) = |x| and x = 0

f(x)=¿ {x , for x≥0¿¿¿¿

Exercises

9
 1. Find the derivative of the following functions.
4 2
a. f ( x )=4 x +3 x −x +2 c. g( x )=( 2 x +1 ) ( x+5 )
−11
b. h( z )=z +π tan (x ) d. r( y )=−4 ySin( y )Cos( y )

dy
2. For the following find dx

xSinx x 2+ √ x
y= y=
a. x2 +1 b. Sin( x )Cos( x )

3. If f ( x )=( 3 x−Sinx ) ( x +Cos( x )) , then find f ‘ (0)

2

4. For the following find equation of the tangent line and normal line to
the graph of f at (a, f(a)).
2
a. f ( x )=x −3 x+ 4 and ( a , f (a ) )=( 2 ,−4 )

x +1
f ( x )=
b. x−1 and ( a , f (a ) )=( 3 , 2 )
3 2
5. Let f ( x )=2 x −9 x +12 x +1 . Find the point on the graph of f at which
the tangent line is horizontal.

2.4. Derivative of Functions (trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic

and hyperbolic functions)
We can use chain rule and combination of function to find derivative of some
functions.

1. Derivatives Trigonometric function

Under this section we will see how to find derivatives of tanx, cotx, cscx and
secx.

Using (Sinx)’ = Cosx and (Cosx)’=-Sin x we can find the rest four derivaties of
trigonometric function.
2
i. Show that ( tan x ) ' =sec x

Ans.

10
 Cosx ( )
Sinx ' (Sinx ) ' Cosx−Sinx (Cosx ) '
( tan x ) '= = 2
Cos x
2 2
Cos x +Sin x
= 2
Cos x
1
= 2
Cos x
=Sec 2 x

2
ii. Show that (cot x ) ' =−csc x

Ans.

Sinx( )
Cosx ' (Cosx ) ' Sinx−Cosx( Sinx) '
( cot x ) '= = 2
Sin x
−Sin x+Cos 2 x
2
= 2
Sin x
2
Cos x
=−1+ 2
Sin x
2
=cot x−1
=−( 1−cot2 x )
=−csc 2 x

iii. Show that (sec x ) ' =sec x tan x

Ans.

11
 ( )
'
1 (1) ' Cosx−1(cos x ) '
( sec x ) '= = 2
Cosx Cos x
o(Cosx )+Sinx
= 2
Cos x
Sinx
= 2
Cos x
Sinx 1
= ⋅
Cosx Cosx
=tan x sec x
=sec x tan x

iv. Show that (csc x ) ' =−csc x cot x .

( )
'
1 (1) ' Sinx−1( Sinx) '
( Cscx ) '= = 2
Sinx Sin x
(0 )(Sinx )−Cosx
= 2
Sin x
−Cosx
= 2
Sin x
−Cosx 1
= ⋅
Sinx Sinx
=−cot x csc x
=−csc x cot x

2. Derivatives of exponential and logarithmic function

i. The natural logarithmic function is defined as f(x) = lnx =

log e x for x ∈(0 , ∞ ) . It is
defined as 1
(lnx )'=
x

x
ii. The natural exponential functdion is defined as f(x)=e for x ∈ ℜ .

12
 The inverse of natural logarithmic function is natural exponential
function.
−1 x x −1
i.e. If f ( x )=log e x , then f (x )=e and if g( x )=e , then g ( x )=ln x

dy x
y=e x , then =e
Show that if dx

Proof. Note that if y=e x , then x=ln y

dy 1 1
= = = y=e x
dx dx 1 (e x ) ' =e x
Hence dy y . From this
x
iii. For a > 0 and x ∈ ℜ , exponential function is defined as f ( x )=a
x x ln a
Note that if y=a , then y=e . B/c

y =a x
⇒ log e y=loge (a x )
⇒ log e y=x log e a
⇒ log e y=x ln a
⇒ y=e x ln a

Using this relation we can find derivative of general exponential function.

i.e. (a x ) '=(ln a )a x
x x
Show that if f ( x )=a , for a >0 and x ∈ ℜ , then f ' (x )=( ln a)a

Proof. f ' ( x )=( a ) '=( e

x x ln a
) '=e x ln a⋅ln a=(ln a )a x

iv. For a>0 , a≠1 and x >0 , the general logarithmic function is defined as
f ( x )=log a x

Show that 1
(log a x ) ' =
x ln a

(log a x ) ' = ( )
ln x , 1
=
ln a ln a
(ln x ) '=
1
ln a ln x
13
Examples

Find the derivative of the following

2
x tan x
a. f(x) = ln(x2 +cscx) c. g( x )=e

b. p( x )=log 3 (cot x+cos x )

3 x sec x
d. r( x )=2

Ans.

1
f ' ( x )= 2
⋅(2 x +−csc x cot x )
a. x +csc x

1
p ' (x )= ⋅( −csc 2 x−Sinx )
b. ln 3⋅(cot x+cos x )
2
x tan x 2 2
c. g ' (x )=e ⋅(2 x tan x+x sec x )

3 x sec x
d. r ' ( x )=2 ⋅( ln(3 x sec x )⋅(3 sec x +3 x sec x tan x )

3. Derivatives of hyperbolic function.

e x −e−x e x + e−x
The basic hyperbolic functions are f(x)=sinhx = 2 and g(x)=coshx = 2 . We
read sinhx as “hyperbolic sine x” and coshx as “hyperbolic cosine x”.

We use the same trigonometric identity for hyperbolic function

sinh x 1 1 1
tanh x= , coth x= , csc hx= and sec hx=
cosh x tanh x sinh x cosh x
(sinhx)’=coshx
i. If f ( x )=sinh x , f ' ( x )=cosh x . i.e.

( )
' x −x
e x−e−x e −(e )⋅(−1 ) e x +e−x
f ' ( x )=( sinh x ) '= = = =cosh x
B/c 2 2 2
(coshx)’=sinhx
ii. If f ( x )=cosh x , f ' (x )=sin x . i.e

( )
' x −x
e x +e−x e +(e )⋅(−1 ) e x −e− x
f ' ( x )=( cosh x ) '= = = =sinh x
B/c 2 2 2

14
 Similarly we can find derivative of other hyperbolic functions.

(tanhx) ‘ =sech2x , (cothx) ‘ =-csch2x , (cschx)’=-cschxcothx and

(sechx)’ =-sechxtanhx

2.5. The Chain Rule

Theorem (The chain rule)

Under this section we will see derivatives of composite function.

If f be differentiable function at x =a and let g be differentiable function at f(a),

then the composite function f o g is differentiable at x=a and
( f o g ) ' (a)=f ' ( g (a ) )⋅ g ' (a)

In general f ' ( g( x ))=f ' ( g( x )⋅g ' ( x )

Proof

f (g (x ))−f ( g(a )) f (g ( x ))−f ( g( a)) g( x )−g (a )

= ⋅
Since x−a g ( x )−g(a ) x−a

Taking limit of both sides

(f o g) ' (a) )= lim f ( g( x ))−f

x−a
( g ( a))
= lim
f ( g ( x ))−f ( g(a )) g ( x )−g( a)
g( x )−g(a )
⋅
x−a
x→a x →a

Since as x →a , g ( x )→g (a )

(f o g) ' (a)= lim fx−a

( g( x ))−f (g (a ))
= lim
f (g ( x ))−f ( g( a))
g( x )−g (a)
⋅lim
g( x )−g (a )
x−a
x →a g( x )→g (a ) x →1
=f ' (g (a ))⋅g ' (a )

Examples

Find the derivatives of the following.

2. r ( x )=( Cos ( 3 x +2 x−5 ) )

2 2 7
1. k (x )=Sin( x +3 x−2 )

Ans.

15
 2
1. Let g( x )=x +3 x−2 and f ( y )=Sin( y ) , so that k (x )=( f o g ) ( x )

Hence k ' ( x )=( f o g ) ' ( x )=f ' ( g (x )⋅g '( x )

2
Since f ' ( y )=Cos( y ) and g ' ( x )=2 x +3⇒ k ' ( x )=Cos (x +3 x −2)⋅(2 x +3 )

This can easily be done by finding derivatives form the outer to the inner function.
6
r ' ( x )=7 ( Cos (3 x 2 +2 x−5 ) ) ⋅(−Sin(3 x 2 +2 x−5 ) )⋅( 6 x +2 )

2.6 Higher order derivatives

st nd rd th th
Let f(x) = Sinx. The 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ,⋅¿⋅,n derivatives of f are defined as

1st derivative of f = f ' ( x)=cos x

2nd derivative of f =f '' ( x)=(cos x) ' =−sin x
3rd derivative of f = f (3)( x )=(−sin x) ' =−cos x
(4)
4 th derivatives of f =f ( x)=(−cos x) '=sin x
¿
⋅
⋅
⋅
nth derivative of f =f (n)( x)=¿ {(−1)k cos x for n=2k+1 and k ∈N ¿ ¿¿
¿
( n)
( x )−f ( n) ( a )
f
(n+1)
( a )= lim f x−a
( n)
=( f ( x )) '
Note that x →a

nd rd th th
For a given function if 2 , 3 , 4 ,⋅¿⋅, n derivative exist we call these derivatives
higher order derivatives.

Example
5 4
Let f ( x )=x −3 x +2 x−1 . Find all derivatives of f.

Ans.

16
 f ' ( x )= 5 x 4 −12 x 3 +2
f ''(x )=20 x 3−36 x 2
f (3 )( x )=60 x 2 −72 x
(4 )
f ( x )=120 x−72
(5 )
f ( x )=120
(n )
f ( x )=0 for n≥6

3-8. Implicit differentiation

The differentiable function we have seen so far are can be expressed as y = f(x). i.e.
y is expressed in terms x and hence we say the function is expressed explicitly.
However there are cases in which functions are not expressed explicitly. Function
such as

x 3 + y 3 =2 xy are not explicitly defined. It is defined implicitly.

dy dy
Let us see how to find dx for implicitly defined function. Let us assume dx exist.

dy
3 3
Example1. find dx for x + y =2 xy

Ans.
3 3
Taking derivative of both sides of x + y =2 xy

d 3 3 d
( x + y )= ( 2 xy )
dx dx
dy dy
3 x 2 + 3 y 2 =2 y +2 x
dx dx
dy
(3 y 2 −2 x ) =2 y−3 x 2
dx
dy 2 y−3 x 2
=
dx 3 y 2 −2 x

This differentiating process is called implicit differentiation.

2 2
Example2. For x + y =1 .

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Find the slope of the tangent line to the graph of f at
( −12 ' √23 ) and equation of the

tangent line to the graph of f at

( −12 ' √23 )
2 2
Using implicit differentiation for x + y =1

d
( x 2 + y 2 )= d 91 )
dx dx
dy
2 x+2 y =0
dx
dy −x
=
dx y
−1
−( )
dy
Hence | −1 √ 3 =
2
=
√3
dx ( , ) √3 3
2 2
2

y= √ x + √
3 2 3
Equation of the tangent line is 3 3

Exercises.

1. Find the derivative of the following.

( x 2 +1)2
a.
f ( x )=
( x 4 +1) 4 c.
f ( x)=tan ( sec ( √ 4 x− √ x ) )

f ( x )=ln ( x +2 )
log 3 x 2 +4 x
b.

d2 y
2
2. For the following find ( dx )
1
2 x
b. y=x ln( x )
2
a. y=x c. y=e Sinx

Sin( y )
=3 x
4 4
d. x + y =2 cox ( xy ) e. y +1
2
e. √ xy+ √ x 2+2 y =4

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