Dierentiation Techniques

Derivatives
Introduction:
Let f be a function
y = f (x)
Let x represents a small change in x from x0 to x0 + x, and the corresponding small
change in y is
y = f (x0 + x) f (x0 )
then the average rate of change is
change in y
f (x0 + x) f (x0 )
y
=
=
x
change in x
x
is the average rate of change of f between x0 and x0 + x.
y
f (x)

f (x0 + x)
y
f (x0 )

x
x0

x0 + x

If we consider the average rate of change of f over smaller and smaller intervals by
letting x approach 0,
dy
y
f (x0 + x) f (x0 )
= lim
= lim
x0 x
x0
dx
x
the limit of this average rate of change is called the instantaneous rate of change of y
with respect to x at x0 .

Sometimes we denote the derivative as y or f (x). Let x0 = a and h = x, then

f (a) = lim

h0

f (a + h) f (a)
h

(1)

This is to say that the slope of the tangent line touching the point on the curve represented by f (x) at x = a is f (a). This tangent line (red) is shown in the diagram
below:
slope = f (a)

f (x)

f (a + h)
f (a + h) f (a)
f (a)

h
a

a+h

The slope of the blue line can be interpreted as the average rate of change of f (x)
between a and a + h:
f (a + h) f (a)
average =
h
Some examples of the instantaneous rate of change such as
tangent on the curve - change of y with respect to the change of x,
velocity - rate of change of distance with respect to time,
acceleration - rate of change of velocity with respect to time,
etc.
Example:
Given that f (x) = x3 + 1
(a) Find the average rate of change of f with respect to x over the interval [2, 6].
(b) Find the instantaneous rate of change of f with respect to x when x = 2.
2

Solution:
(a)
(6)3 + 1 (2)3 + 1
f (6) f (2)
average =
=
= 52
62
4
(b)
f (2 + h) f (2)
h0
h
3
(2 + h) + 1 (2)3 + 1
lim
h0
h
3
2
h 6h + 12h 8 + 1 + 7
lim
h0
h
h3 6h2 + 12h
lim
h0
h
lim (h2 6h + 12)

f (2) = lim
=
=
=
=

h0

= 12

Denition:
We write x = a + h and thus h = x a. As h approaches 0, this is equivalent to x
approaches a. By this setting, there is an equivalent way of stating the derivative of a
function f at x = a:
f (x) f (a)
f (a) = lim
(2)
xa
xa
Example:
Find the derivative of the function f (x) = 2x2 4x + 1 at x = 2.

Solution:
By (1):

f (2 + h) f (2)
h0
h
2(2 + h)2 4(2 + h) + 1 2(2)2 4(2) + 1
lim
h0
h
2
2(4 + 4h + h ) 8 4h + 1 (8 8 + 1)
lim
h0
h
4h + 2h2
lim
h0
h
lim (4 + 2h)

f (2) = lim
=
=
=
=

h0

= 4
3

By (2):
f (x) f (2)
x2
x2
2
2x 4x + 1 2(2)2 4(2) + 1
lim
x2
x2
2
2x 4x
lim
x2 x 2
2x(x 2)
lim
x2
x2
lim (2x)

f (2) = lim
=
=
=
=

x2

= 4

 Derivative of f as a function
In the previous section we introduce the derivative of f at a x point at x = a. Now,
if we let the number a vary by replacing a in Eq. (1) by a variable x:
f (x + h) f (x)
h0
h

f (x) = lim

(3)

This is called the derivative of f over any number x in the domain of f for which this
limit exists. The f (x) is interpreted as the slope of the tangent line on the curve f (x)
at every point along the curve, as shown in the diagram below:
y

slope = f (x)
f (x)

Example:
Given f (x) = x3 x, nd f (x).
Solution:

f (x + h) f (x)
h0
h
(x + h)3 (x + h) x3 x
lim
h0
h
x3 + 3x2 h + 3xh2 + h3 x h x3 + x
lim
h0
h
2
2
3
3x h + 3xh + h h
lim
h0
h
lim (3x2 + 3xh + h2 1)

f (x) = lim
=
=
=
=

h0
2

= 3x 1
5

Example:

If f (x) = x 1, nd f (x). Is there any dierence between the domain of f and f ?

Solution:

f (x + h) f (x)
h

x+h1 x1
lim
h0
h

x+h1 x1
x+h1+ x1

lim

h0
h
x+h1+ x1
x + h 1 (x 1)

lim
h0 h( x + h 1 +
x 1)
h

lim
h0 h( x + h 1 +
x 1)
1
1

=
x1+ x1
2 x1

f (x) = lim

h0

=
=
=
=
=

Domain of f (x) = [1, ), domain of f (x) = (1, ).

Example:
2t
If g(t) =
, nd g (t).
3+t
Solution:
g(t + h) g(t)
h0
h
2(t+h)
2t
3+t
3+(t+h)
lim
h0
h
(2 t h)(3 + t) (2 t)(3 + t + h)
lim
h0
h(3 + t + h)(3 + t)
5h
lim
h0 h(3 + t + h)(3 + t)
5
lim
h0 (3 + t + h)(3 + t)
5
(3 + t)2

g (t) = lim
=
=
=
=
=

Example:
1
If f (x) = + x, nd f (x).
x
6

Solution:
f (x + h) f (x)
h0
h

1
1
+ x + h ( x + x)
x+h
lim
h0
h

1
1
x
x+h x
x+h
lim
+
h0
h
h

x (x + h) ( x + h x)( x + h + x)

lim
+

h0
hx(x + h)
h( x + h + x)
x+hx
h
lim
+

h0 hx(x + h)
h( x + h + x)
1
1
2+
x
2 x

f (x) = lim
=
=
=
=
=

Denition:
A function f is dierentiable at a if f (a) exists.
Example:
Determine the domain where the function f (x) = |x| is dierentiable.
Solution:
The function f can be written as

f (x) = |x| =

x
x

if x 0
if x < 0

The graph of this function is shown below:

y

Case 1: If x > 0,
(x + h) x
=1
h0
h
f (x) is dierentiable for all x when x > 0.
f (x) = lim

Case 2: If x < 0,
(x + h) (x)
= 1
h0
h
f (x) is dierentiable for all x when x < 0.
f (x) = lim

Case 3: If x = 0,
|0 + h| |0|
|h|
= lim
h0
h0 h
h
Let us now compute the LHL and RHL separately:
f (x) = lim

f (x) = lim

h0

h
|h|
= lim
= 1
h0 h
h

and

|h|
h
= lim+ = 1
h0
h0 h
h
We have that LHL = RHL, therefore f (x) is not dierentiable at x = 0. The domain
where f (x) dierentiable is (, 0) (0, ). The f (x) is represented by the formula
f (x) = lim+

f (x) =

1 if x > 0
1 if x < 0

and its graph is shown below:

y
1
x

We see that f (0) does not exist due to the fact that the f (x) = |x| does not have a
tangent line at the origin.

Theorem:
If f is dierentiable at x = a, then f is continuous at x = a.
(Note: the opposite of the theorem is not always true, i.e., if f is continuous at x = a
then f is dierentiable at x = a. Weve already seen that the function f (x) = |x| is
continuous at 0 but not dierentiable at 0.)
The above theorem also implies that if f is not continuous at x = a, then f is not
dierentiable at x = a. It is not true if we say that if f is not dierentiable at x = a, then
f is not continuous at x = a, because there are functions not dierentiable at x = a but
is continuous at x = a. For instance, the function f (x) = |x| in the previous example.
Three possibilities of a function fails to be dierentiable:

1. If the curve of the function has a sharp corner in it, there is no tangent at this
point and the function is not dierentiable at that point.
y

2. If the curve of the function has jump discontinuity, then f fails to be dierentiable.
y

3. If the curve of the function f has vertical tangent at x = a that is f is continuous

at x = a however lim f (x) = .
xa

10

 Techniques of dierentiation
1. A constant function:
If f (x) = c, where c is a constant, then f (x) = 0
e.g. Given f (x) = 5, then f (x) = 0
2. Power Rule:
If f (x) = xn for n R, then f (x) = nxn1 .
e.g. Given f (x) = x3 , then f (x) = 3x2 .
3. Coecient Rule:
d
d
If c is a constant, then
cf (x) = c f (x)
dx
dx
d
d 4
e.g.
(3x4 ) = 3 x = 3(4x3 ) = 12x3
dx
dx
4. Sum and Dierence Rules:
d
d
d
f (x) g(x) =
f (x) g(x)
dx
dx
dx
e.g. If y = 3x5 x4 + 4x2 7, nd y .
Solution:
y = 3(5x51 ) 4x41 + 4(2x21 ) 0 = 15x4 4x3 + 8x
5. Product Rule:
Given f (x) and g(x) are both dierentiable, then
d
d
d
f (x)g(x) = f (x)
g(x) + g(x)
f (x)
dx
dx
dx
d
or
f g = f g + f g
dx
Proof:
d
f (x)g(x)
dx

f (x + h)g(x + h) f (x)g(x)
h0
h
f (x + h)g(x + h) f (x + h)g(x) + f (x + h)g(x) f (x)g(x)
lim
h0
h
g(x + h) g(x)
f (x + h) f (x)
lim f (x + h)
+ g(x)
h0
h
h
g(x + h) g(x)
f (x + h) f (x)
lim f (x + h) lim
+ lim g(x) lim
h0
h0
h0
h0
h
h
d
d
f (x)
g(x) + g(x)
f (x)
dx
dx

= lim
=
=
=
=

Example:
If f (x) = (2x3 5)(x4 3x2 ), nd f (x).
11

Solution:
f (x) = (2x3 5)(4x3 + 6x3 ) + (6x2 + 0)(x4 3x2 )
= 8x6 + 12 20x3 30x3 + 24x6 18
= 32x6 20x3 30x3 6
6. Quotient Rule:
If f and g are both dierentiable, then
d f (x)
1
d
d
=
g(x)
f (x) f (x)
g(x)
2
dx g(x)
[g(x)]
dx
dx
f g f g
d f
or
=
dx g
g2
Proof:
d f (x)
dx g(x)

= lim

h0

f (x + h) f (x)

g(x + h)
g(x)
h

f (x + h)g(x) f (x)g(x + h)
h0
hg(x + h)g(x)
f (x + h)g(x) f (x)g(x) + f (x)g(x) f (x)g(x + h)
= lim
h0
hg(x + h)g(x)

f (x + h) f (x)
g(x + h) g(x)
g(x)
f (x)

h
h
= lim

h0
g(x + h)g(x)
= lim

f (x + h) f (x)
g(x + h) g(x)
lim f (x) lim
h0
h0
h0
h
h
lim g(x + h) lim g(x)

lim g(x) lim

h0

h0

h0

1
d
d
g(x)
f (x) f (x)
g(x)
2
[g(x)]
dx
dx

Example:
x3 + 2x2 1
If y =
, nd y .
x5
Solution:
(x 5)(3x2 + 4x) (x3 + 2x2 1)(1)
(x 5)2
3x3 + 4x2 15x2 20x x3 2x2 + 1
=
(x 5)2
2x3 13x2 20x + 1
=
(x 5)2

y =

12

Exercise:
Find y if
6
t3

(ii) y = 7 x
(i) y =

(iii) y = x
1
(iv) y =
3
x2

x
(v) y =
(1 + x2 )
(vi) y = (x2 + 5)(x7 3)

13

 Derivatives of Trigonometric functions

If f is a function dened for all real numbers x by
f (x) = sin x
Here, sin x means the sine of the angle x whose measure in radian. There are other
trigonometric functions with similar convention such as cos, csc, sec, tan and cot. All the
trigonometric functions are continuous at every number in their domain.
As we know that f (x) is the slope of the tangent to the sine curve. From the
denition of the derivative,
f (x + h) f (x)
h0
h
sin(x + h) sin x
lim
h0
h
sin x cos h + cos x sin h sin x
lim
h0
h
sin h
cos h 1
lim sin x
+ cos x
h0
h
h
cos h 1
sin h
lim sin x lim
+ lim cos x lim
h0
h0
h0
h0 h
h

f (x) = lim
=
=
=
=

Since x is regarded as a constant when evaluating the limit as h 0, we have

lim sin x = sin x

h0

and
lim cos x = cos x

h0

Here, the limit of limh0 sin h can be evaluated by drawing the table:
h
h
1
0.1
0.01
0.001
We see that

sin h
h

sin h
h

0.8414709848
0.9983341665
0.9999833334
0.9999998333

1 as h 0. Thus,
sin h
=1
h0 h
lim

14

And also that

cos h 1 cos h + 1
cos h 1
= lim

h0
h0
h
h
cos h + 1
2
cos h 1
= lim
h0 h(cos h + 1)
sin2 h
= lim
h0 h(cos h + 1)
sin h
sin h
= lim

h0
h
cos h + 1
sin h
sin h
= lim
lim
h0 h
h0 cos h + 1
0
= (1)
=0
1+1
lim

Therefore,
f (x) =

d
(sin x) = cos x
dx
y

y = f (x) = sin x

3
2

3
2

3
2

-1
y
1

3
2

2
-1

y = f (x) = cos x

15

Example:
Dierentiate y = x2 sin x.
Solution:
dy
d 2
=
x sin x
dx
dx
d
d
= x2 (sin x) + sin x (x2 )
dx
dx
= x2 cos x + 2x sin x

One also can prove that

1.

d
(cos x) = sin x
dx

2.

d
(tan x) = sec2 x
dx

3.

d
(cot x) = csc2 x
dx

4.

d
(csc x) = csc x cot x
dx

5.

d
(sec x) = sec x tan x
dx

Example:
Dierentiate
f () =

sin
1 + cos

Solution:
cos (1 + cos ) sin ( sin )
df
=
d
(1 + cos )2
cos + cos2 + sin2
=
(1 + cos )2
cos + 1
=
(1 + cos )2
1
=
1 + cos
Example:
Find the second order derivative of
g(t) = sec t
16

Solution:
g (t) = sec t tan t
g (t) = sec t(sec2 t) + tan t(sec t tan t)
= sec3 t + sec t tan2 t
Exercise:
1) f (x) = 4 cos x + 2 sin x
2) f (x) = 4x2 cos x
3) f (x) =

sec x
1 + tan x

17

 The Chain Rule

Suppose y = f (u) = u2 and u = g(x) = x + 1. Since y is a function of u, and u is

a function of x,

y = f (u) = f g(x) = f ( x + 1) = ( x + 1)2

it follows that y is ultimately a function of x. This procedure is called composition, i.e.,
the new function is composed of two given functions f and g. The composite function
is dened by
(f g)(x) = f g(x)
The domain of f g is the set of all x in the domain of g such that g is in the domain
of f . The gure below shows the picture of f g:

g(x)
g

f (g(x))
f g

Note: In general, f g = g f . It is possible to take the composition of more functions,

e.g. f g h = f {g[h(x)]}.

If g is dierentiable at x and f is dierentiable at g(x), then the composition function

f g is dierentiable at x by
d
f g(x)
dx

= (f g)(x) = f (g(x)) g (x)

Or if y = f (u) and u = g(x), then

dy
dy du
=

dx
du dx
This is the Chain Rule.
Note: For the composition of more functions, for example, f g h p = f (g{h[p(x)]}),
the derivative of f with respect to x is
df
df
dg dh dp
=

dx
dg dh dp dx
18

Example 1:
Dierentiate y = 2x3 + 3 by using the Chain Rule.
Solution:
Let u = 2x3 + 3 and thus y =

u = u1/2 , we have

du
= 6x2
dx

and

dy
1
= u1/2
du
2

By using the Chain Rule,

dy
dy du
=

dx
du dx
1 1/2
=
u
6x2
2
3x2
=
2x3 + 3
Example 2:
Dierentiate y = cos(x3 ) by using the Chain Rule.
Solution:
Let u = x3 and thus y = cos u, we have
du
= 3x2
dx

and

dy
= sin u
du

By using the Chain Rule,

dy du
dy
=

dx
du dx
= sin u 3x2
= 3x2 sin x3
Example 3:
Dierentiate y = cos3 x by using the Chain Rule.
Solution:
Let u = cos x and thus y = u3 , we have
du
= sin x
dx

and
19

dy
= 3u2
du

By using the Chain Rule,

dy
dy du
=

dx
du dx
= 3u2 ( sin x)
= 3 cos2 x sin x
Example 4:
Dierentiate F (t) = (t2 + 3)100 by using the Chain Rule.
Solution:
Let u = t2 + 3 and thus F (u) = u100 , we have
u = 2t

F (u) = 100u99

and

By using the Chain Rule,

dy
= F u
dt
= 100u99 2t
= 200t(t2 + 3)99

Example 5:
Dierentiate g() = (3 + 1)4 cos2 n by using the Product Rule and Chain Rule.
Solution:
The g() is a product of two functions, i.e., g = uv, if we let u = (3 + 1)4 and
v = cos2 n, then by using the Product Rule,
dg
dv
du
=u +v
d
d
d
Now, let p = 3 + 1 and u = p4 , we have
dp
= 32
d

and

du
= 4p3
dp

By using the Chain Rule we have

du
dp du
=

= 32 4p3 = 122 (3 + 1)3

d
d dp
And also, let q = cos n and v = q 2 , we have
dq
= n sin n
d

and
20

dv
= 2q
dq

By using the Chain Rule we have

dv
dv dq
=

= 2q (n sin n) = 2n cos n sin n

d
dq d
Combine these results we nd that
dg
dv
du
= u +v
d
d
d
= (3 + 1)4 (2n cos n sin n) + cos2 n 122 (3 + 1)3
= 2(3 + 1)3 cos n 62 cos n n(3 + 1) sin n
Exercise:
1. g(t) =

t1
2t + 1

2. y = tan(4x3 + 1)
3. f (t) =

6
t
t
3

21

 Implicit Dierentiation

Sometimes we encountered the implicit function, e.g.:

(i) y 3 + xy + sin y = x
(ii) x3 + y 3 = y x
(iii) ey + tan y + 2x = x1
in which y is not expressed explicitly in terms of x. The derivative of such an implicit
function can be done by using the method of implicit dierentiation. The implicit
dierentiation is the notion of a function dened implicitly and to determine derivatives
by means of implicit dierentiation.
The procedure to evaluate the derivative of the implicit function is as follows:
1. Dierentiate both sides of the equation with respect to x.
2. Collect the terms with
3. Factor out
4. Solve for

dy
dx

on one side of the equation.

dy
.
dx

dy
.
dx

Suppose y = f (x), to dierentiate the function F (y) with respect to x, i.e.,

use the Chain Rule as follow:
d
dy dF
F (y) =

dx
dx
dy
Example:
Find

dy
if
dx

1) 2y = x2 + sin y
Solution:
d
(2y)
dx
dy
d
(2y)
dx dy
dy
2
dx
dy
dy
2 cos y
dx
dx
dy
(2 cos y)
dx
dy
dx

d 2
(x + sin y)
dx
d 2
dy
d
=
(x ) +
(sin y)
dx
dx dy
dy
= 2x + cos y
dx
=

= 2x
= 2x
=

2x
2 cos y
22

dF
,
dx

we

2. x3 + y 3 = 6xy
Solution:
d 3
(x + y 3 )
dx
d
dy
3x2 +
(y 3 )
dx dy
dy
3x2 + 3y 2
dx
dy
dy
3y 2
6x
dx
dx
dy
(3y 2 6x)
dx
dy
dx

Exercise:
1.

x+

y=4

2. x2 y + xy 2 = 3x
3. 4 cos x sin y = 1
4.

xy = 1 + x2 y

5. sin x + cos y = sin x cos y

6. sin(x + y) = y 2 cos x

23

d
(6xy)
dx
dy
= 6x + 6y
dx
dy
= 6x + 6y
dx
=

= 6y 3x2
= 6y 3x2
=

2y x2
y 2 2x

 Derivatives of other functions

(I) Exponential function
A function of the form f (x) = bx , b > 0, is called an exponential function with base
b, e.g. f (x) = 2x , g(x) = ( 1 )x , h(t) = t . The graph of exponential functions for various
3
bases of b are shown below:
y
y = (0.1)

y = 10x

y = 3x
y = 2x

1
x

The properties of the exponential function f (x) = bx for b > 0 and b = 1:

It is dened for all real values of x, thus its domain is x (, ).
It is continuous on the interval x (, ) and its range is f (x) (0, ).
If b > 1, the curve is increasing.
If 0 < b < 1, the curve is decreasing.
Note: For b < 0, the exponential function is a complex variable.
Quick Review:
The natural exponential function, f (x) = ex , where e = 2.7183282.. is the natural
number. The constant e is dened as
e = lim

1
1+
x

or e = lim 1 + x

1
x

x0

Given y = bx , the derivatives of the exponential function is given by

dy
= bx ln b
dx
If b = e, then

dy
d x
=
(e ) = ex ln e = ex
dx
dx
24

Let u be a function of x, i.e., u = f (x). Then

du
d u
b = bu (ln b)
dx
dx
Example:
3
Compute the derivatives of f (x) = 4x .
Solution:
Let y = x3 , then y = 3x2 . Thus
d x3
4
dx
d
dy
=
(4y )
dx dy
= 3x2 4y ln 4
3
= 3x2 4x ln 4

f (x) =

Example:
Show that y = et + et/2 satises 2y y y = 0.
Solution:
y = et + et/2
1
y = et et/2
2
1 t/2
y = et + e
4
then,
2y y y
1
1
= 2et + et/2 et + et/2 et et/2
2
2
= 0

25

Example:
2
Find y of the implicit function ex y = x + y.
Solution:
d x2 y
d
(e ) =
(x + y)
dx
dx
2
ex y (x2 y + 2xy) = 1 + y
2

x2 ex y y + 2xyex y = 1 + y
2
2
x2 ex y y y = 1 2xyex y
2
2
(x2 ex y 1)y = 1 2xyex y
2
1 2xyex y

y =
x2 ex2 y 1
Exercise:
Find the derivatives of
2

7. xey + yex = 1

1. g(t) = e3t

2. f (x) = x2 ex

8. y = cos(ex )
9. y = etan

esin 2
3. f () =
cos

4. y = 1 + 2e3x

5. y = 1 + xe2x
6. y =

10. y = e2x cos x

11. y =

ex
x

12. y =

ex + ex
ex ex
e3x
1 + ex

(II) Logarithmic function

A function of the form f (x) = logb x, for b > 0, b = 1, x > 0 is called the logarithmic
function. If b = e, then loge x ln x, where we call ln the natural log.
Derivatives of log functions:
1.

d
1
(logb x) =
dx
x ln b

2.

d
1
du
logb u(x) =

dx
u(x) ln b dx

26

3.

1
d
(ln x) =
dx
x

4.

d
1 du
ln u(x) =
dx
u(x) dx

Example:
Find the derivatives of
1. y = ln(x2 1)

Solution:

y =

x2

d 2
2x
1
(x 1) = 2
1 dx
x 1

x
1 + x2

2. y = ln
Solution:

1
x/(1 + x2 )
1 + x2
=

x
1 + x2
=

x
1 x2
=
x(1 + x2 )

y =

d
x
dx 1 + x2
1 (1 + x2 ) x(2x)
(1 + x2 )2
1 x2
(1 + x2 )2

Exercise:
Find the derivatives of
6. y =

1. y = log2

3. y = ln(x + 10)
4. y = ln(cos )
5. log10

8. y =

2. y = x2 log2 (3 2x)

7. y =

t
3

1 + ln t
1 ln t

9. y =

x
x1

ln x

x ln x

ln u
1 + ln(2u)

10. y = ln(sec x + tan x)

27

(III) Hyperbolic functions

The standard algebraic expressions for the hyperbolic functions dened by:
1. sinh x =

ex ex
2

4. sechx =

2. cosh x =

ex + ex
2

5. cschx =

3. tanh x =

ex ex
ex + ex

6. coth x =

ex
ex

2
+ ex
2
ex

ex + ex
ex ex

Dierentiation of the hyperbolic functions above are given by

1.

d
sinh x = cosh x
dx
Proof:
d
d ex ex
sinh x =
dx
dx
2
x
x
e +e
=
2
= cosh x

Similarly, it can be proved that

1.

d
cosh x = sinh x
dx

2.

d
tanh x = sech2 x
dx

3.

d
sechx = tanh x sechx
dx

4.

d
cschx = coth x cschx
dx

5.

d
coth x = csch2 x
dx

28

(IV) Logarithmic Dierentiation technique

This technique is useful for dierentiating functions that are complicated, composed
of products, quotients and power.
Example:
x2 3 7x 14
dy
Given y =
, nd
.
2 )4
(1 + x
dx
Solution:
By taking the logarithmic on both sides of the equation,

x2 3 7x 14
ln y = ln
(1 + x2 )4

= ln x2 + ln( 3 7x 14) ln(1 + x2 )4

1
= 2 ln x + ln 7x 14 4 ln(1 + x2 )
3
Now, dierentiating both sides, we have
1 dy
1 1
7
2x
= 2 +
4
y dx
x 3 7x 14
1 + x2
dy
2
7
8x
=
+

y
dx
x 3(7x 14) 1 + x2

2
7
8x
x2 3 7x 14
=
+

x 3(7x 14) 1 + x2
(1 + x2 )4
Example:
sin x cos x tan3 x

Given y =
, nd y .
x
Solution:
By using the same technique,
ln y = ln sin x + ln cos x + 3 ln tan x

1
ln x
2

and dierentiate both sides yield

1
cos x ( sin x) 3 sec2 x 1 1
y =
+
+

y
sin x
cos x
tan x
2 x
2
cos x (sin x) 3 sec x
1
y =

y
sin x
cos x
tan x
2x
3
1 sin x cos x tan3 x

=
cot x tan x +

sin cos x 2x
x
29

Example:
2
Given y = tt , nd y .
Solution:
Taking the log on both sides yield
ln y = t2 ln t
and dierentiate the equation above gives
1
1
y = t2
+ 2t ln t
y
t
y = (t + 2t ln t)y
2

= t(1 + 2 ln t)tt

(V) Inverse Trigonometric function

Let y = sin x be dened in the domain x and thus the range of y is
2
2
(1, 1). In this domain the function is one-to-one. The inverse of sine is denoted by
y = sin1 x or y = arcsin x. The curve represented by these functions are shown in the
diagram below:
y
y = arcsin x

y = sin x

2
30

In this diagram the blue line represents y = sin x and the red line represents y =
arcsin x. The domain and the range of these curves are
y = sin x ,
Domain: x ,
2
2
Range:
1 y 1 ,
Note:
arcsin x =

y = arcsin x
1 x 1
y
2
2

1
sin x

Let y = cos x be dened in the domain 0 x and thus has the range (1, 1),
the inverse of cosine is denoted by y = cos1 x or y = arccos x. The curves represented
by these functions are shown in the diagram below:
y

y = arccos x

x
1

y = cos x

1
The domain and the range of these curves are

Domain:
Range:

y = cos x ,
y = arccos x
0 x , 1 x 1
1 y 1 , 0 y

Let y = tan x be dened in the domain x , the inverse of the tangent

2
2
function is denoted by y = tan1 x or y = arctan x. The domain of the inverse tangent
31

y = arctan x
x

function is the entire real line (all real values of x) and the range is ( , ). The curve
2 2
of the inverse tangent is shown in the gure in next page.
One question arose from these inverse functions is that how to dierentiate the inverse
function? Let us address this question rst by considering the derivative of arcsin x.
Now, let y = arcsin x be dened in the domain 1 x 1, then
sin y = x
which has the domain y . The equation in above is an implicit function, and
2
2
we use the implicit dierentiation to dierentiate both sides with respect to x yields
d
sin y
dx
dy
d

sin y
dx dy
dy
cos y
dx
dy
dx

d
x
dx
d
=
x
dx
=

= 1
=
=

1
cos y
1

1 sin2 y
1

=
1 x2
Since y is dened in the domain x (1, 1), and we see that the curve has a positive
gradient, therefore we only take the positive sign of the square root in above. We have
d
1
arcsin x =
dx
1 x2
where 1 < x < 1.
32

Similarly, the derivative of other inverse functions are given by

d
1
1.
,
1 < x < 1
arccos x =
dx
1 x2
2.

1
d
arctan x =
,
dx
1 + x2

3.

d
1
,
arccscx =
dx
x x2 1

4.
5.

domain of x is all real numbers

x 1 or 1 x

d
1
,
arcsecx =
dx
x x2 1
1
d
arccotx =
,
dx
1 + x2

x 1 or 1 x
domain of x is all real numbers

Example:

Evaluate the dierentiation of y = arctan x.

Solution:
Since
y=

arctan x = (arctan x)1/2

then
dy
1
1
=
(arctan x)1/2
dx
2
1 + x2
1

=
2(1 + x2 ) arctan x

Example:
Find the derivative of y = arcsin(2x + 1).
Solution:
dy
1
=
2
dx
1 (2x + 1)2
2
=
2 + 4x + 1)
1 (4x
1
=
x2 x

33

Example:
Find y if y = arccos(e2x ).
Solution:
1
e2x 2
1 (e2x )2
2e2x
=
1 e4x

y =

Example:
Find y if y = arctan(cos x).
Solution:
1
( sin x)
1 + (cos x)2
sin x
=
1 + cos2 x

y =

Example:
dy
Find
if y = arctan
dx

x
a

+ ln

xa
.
x+a

Solution: The dierentiation is easier if we convert this function into

y = arctan
= arctan

x
a
x
a

+ ln
+

xa
x+a

1
1
ln(x a) ln(x + a)
2
2

Then,
dy
1
1
1
1
=
+
x 2
dx
1 + (a)
a
2 xa
a
1/2
1/2
= 2
+

x + a2 x a x + a
a
a
+ 2
= 2
2
x +a
x a2
2ax2
= 4
x a4

34

1
1
2 x+a