Higher Derivatives 11.3

Introduction
dy
The derivative, dx , is more expressly called the rst derivative of y. By dierentiating the
rst derivative, we obtain the second derivative; by dierentiating the second derivative we
obtain the third derivative and so on. These second and subsequent derivatives are known as
higher derivatives.

Prerequisites be able to dierentiate standard functions

Before starting this Block you should . . .

Learning Outcomes Learning Style

After completing this Block you should be able To achieve what is expected of you . . .
to . . .
allocate sucient study time
calculate second and other higher
derivatives
briey revise the prerequisite material

attempt every guided exercise and most

of the other exercises
1. The derivative of a derivative
You have already learnt how to calculate the derivative of a function using a table of derivatives.
dy
By dierentiating the function, y(x), we obtain the derivative, dx . By repeating the process we
can obtain higher derivatives.

Example Calculate the rst, second and third derivatives of y = x4 + 6x2 .

Solution
dy
The rst derivative is dx
.
dy
rst derivative = 4x3 + 12x
dx
To obtain the second derivative we dierentiate the rst derivative.

second derivative = 12x2 + 12

The third derivative is found by dierentiating the second derivative.

third derivative = 24x + 0 = 24x

2. Notation
Just as there is a notation for the rst derivative so there is a similar notation for higher
dy d
derivatives. Consider the function, y(x). We know that the rst derivative is dx or dx (y) which
is the instruction to dierentiate the function y(x). The second derivative is calculated by
dierentiating the rst derivative, that is
 
d dy
second derivative =
dx dx
So, using a fairly obvious adaptation of our derivative notation, the second derivative is denoted
d2 y


by dx 2 and is read as dee two y by dee x squared. This is often written more concisely as y .

d3 y
In similar manner, the third derivative is denoted by dx3
or y


and so on. So, referring to the
Example above we could have written

dy
rst derivative = = 4x3 + 12x
dx
d2 y
second derivative = 2 = 12x2 + 12
dx
d3 y
third derivative = 3 = 24x
dx
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11.3: Dierentiation
 Key Point
If y = y(x) then its rst, second and third derivatives are, denoted respectively by:

dy d2 y d3 y
dx dx2 dx3

In most examples we use x to denote the independent variable and y the dependent variable.
However, in many applications, the time t is the independent variable. In this case a special
notation is used for derivatives. Derivatives with respect to t are often indicated using a dot
notation, so dy
dt
can be written as y, pronounced y dot. Similarly, a second derivative with
respect to t can be written as y, pronounced y double dot.

Key Point
dy d2 y
y stands for , y stands for etc
dt dt2

Try each part of this exercise

2 3
Calculate ddt2y and ddt3y given y = e2t + cos t.

dy
Part (a) Since = 2e2t sin t, you can now obtain the second derivative:
dt
Answer

Part (b) Now obtain the third derivative.

 
d3 y d d2 y
= Answer
dt3 dt dt2

We could have used the dot notation and written y = 2e2t sin t, and y = 4e2t cos t.
We may need to evaluate higher derivatives at specic points. We use an obvious notation. The
d2 y


second derivative of y(x), evaluated at say, x = 2, is written as dx 2 (2), or more simply as y (2).
3




The third derivative evaluated at x = 1 is written as dxd y
3 (1) or y (1).

Try each part of this exercise

Given y(x) = 2 sin x + 3x2 nd (a) y
(1) (b) y

(1) (c) y


(0)

Part (a) We have y
= 2 cos x + 6x so obtain an expression for y

and y

Answer

Part (b) Obtain y
(1)

Answer

Part (c) Now obtain y

(1)

Answer

3 Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1

11.3: Dierentiation
Part (d) Finally obtain y


(0)
Answer

More exercises for you to try

d2 y
1. Find dx2
where y(x) is dened by:

(a) 3x2 e2x (b) sin 3x + cos x (c) x (d) ex + ex (e) 1 + x + x2 + ln x
d3 y
2. Find dx3
where y is given in Q1.

3. Calculate y(1) where y(t) is given by:

(a) t(t2 + 1) (b) sin(2t) (c) 2et + e2t (d) 1t (e) cos 2t
...
4. Calculate y (1) of the functions given in Q3.
Answer

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11.3: Dierentiation
 End of Block 11.3

5 Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1

11.3: Dierentiation
4e2t cos t

Back to the theory

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11.3: Dierentiation
8e2t + sin t

Back to the theory

7 Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1

11.3: Dierentiation
y

= 2 sin x + 6 y


= 2 cos x

Back to the theory

Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1 8

11.3: Dierentiation
(a) y
(1) = 2 cos 1 + 6(1) = 7.0806. Remember, in cos 1 the 1 is 1 radian

Back to the theory

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11.3: Dierentiation
2 sin(1) + 6 = 7.6829

Back to the theory

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11.3: Dierentiation
y


(0) = 2 cos 0 = 2.

Back to the theory

11 Engineering Mathematics: Open Learning Unit Level 1

11.3: Dierentiation
 1. (a) 6 4e2x (b) 9 sin 3x cos x (c) 14 x3/2 (d) ex + ex (e) 2 1
x2

2. (a) 8e2x (b) 27 cos 3x + sin x (c) 38 x5/2 (d) ex ex (e) 2

x3

3. (a) 6 (b) 3.6372 (c) 34.9927 (d) 2 (e) 0.2194

4. (a) 6 (b) 3.3292 (c) 1.8184 (d) 6 (e) 0.0599

Back to the theory

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11.3: Dierentiation