Chapter 8: Differentiation

DIFFERENTIATION

The Gradient of a Curve The gradient of a straight line is constant (i.e. it doesnt change)

(x2 , y2 )
gradient

(x1 , y1 )

y2 y 1 x2 x1

i.e. a gradient between any two points of the line

The gradient on a curve changes from one point to another

tangent tangent tangent

The gradient at any point on a curve is the gradient of the tangent to the curve at that pt

tangent

The gradient function can be find using the process called differentiation. Notation:

dy dx

derivative or the differential coefficient of y with respect to x

dy dx

gives the gradient function for a curve and the value of

dy dx

at a given point is the

gradient of the curve and therefore gradient of the tangent there.

The Derivative of

axn
Derivative Can you see the pattern in these? The derivative of The derivative of The derivative of The derivative of

Function

x2 2x2 4x3
1 = x1 x

2x 4x 12x2
1 = x2 x2

x2

is

2x
is

2x2

4x = _________

4x3 is 12x2 = _________

x1 = _________

Cg. Hjh Rafidah

Chapter 8: Differentiation

DIFFERENTIATION

Hence we deduce the following rule:

To differentiate a single term, multiply by the index and then reduce the index by 1
For example, to find the derivative of

5x3
the new index is 3 - 1 = 2

the index 3 becomes the multiplier

3 5x2
Applying the rule above, we can have:

If y = xn , then
If y = axn , then

dy dx
dy dx

=
=

If y = ax, then
If y = a, then
More generally:

dy dx
dy dx

=
=

d (axm + bxn ) = amxm1 + bnxn1 dx

where a, b, m and n are constants

The process of obtaining The function If

dy dx

of given function is called differentiation.

dy dx

is also knowns as the derived function or differential coefficient of y wrt x

y = f (x)

, then the derivative

dy dx

may also be denoted by

f (x)

Note: wrt = with respect to

dy dx
Cg. Hjh Rafidah

Chapter 8: Differentiation

DIFFERENTIATION
y = 3x5 2x3 + 4x

Example 1 Find

dy dx

if

Example 2 Differentiate

3x4 4 x 2

with respect to x

Example 3 Differentiate the following with respect to x (a)

y=

x2 + 5x + 4 x

(b)

f(x) = (x 1)( x + 3)

Cg. Hjh Rafidah

Chapter 8: Differentiation

DIFFERENTIATION

Example 4 Find the gradient of the curve

y = 2x +

1 x2

at the point (1,3)

Example 5 Find the coordinates of the point on the curve at which the gradient is -1

y = 2x3 4x2 + x + 1

Example 6 Given that the curve of a and of b

y = ax2 +

b x

has gradient 4 at the points (1,5), calculate the value

Cg. Hjh Rafidah

Chapter 8: Differentiation

DIFFERENTIATION

Example 7 Differentiate

x2 + 1 x

with respect to x and find the coordinates of the points at which

the gradient of the curve

y=

x2 + 1 x

is zero

Cg. Hjh Rafidah