Calculus

Derivatives of Polynomials
d n
x =
dx

1. Recall the derivative of a power function,

Now, let f ( x )=x n and g ( x)=x m be power functions for some natural numbers n and m.
2. Assume C R . Use the difference quotient to show that

3. Use the difference quotient to show that

d
d
C f ( x)=C
f (x ).
dx
dx

d
d
d
[ f (x )+g ( x)]=
f ( x)+ g ( x ) .
dx
dx
dx

4. Use parts 1, 2 and 3 to write an expression for the derivative of the general polynomial:
d
n
n1
[a x +b x +...+c x+d ] =
dx

5. Use your knowledge to take the derivative:

d 3
[ x +2 x 2 x+2] =
dx

Derivatives of polynomial functions: Practice

1. Find the derivative of each of the following polynomial functions:
(a) 3 x 2
(b) 3 x 2+4 x
x3 6 x

(c)

(d) 6 x 2 2 x+3
(e) 3 x 2 x+2
(f)

x 5+4 x 3 7 x

(g) 4 x 5+6 x 3
(h)

x 7+4 x 5

2. Evaluate each function's derivative at the indicated point.

(a) If

f (x)=2 x 3 4 x , find

f ' (3) .

(b) If

f (x)=7 x 2 2 , find

f ' ( 4) .

(c) If

f (x)=5 3 x 2 , find

f ' (1) .

(d) If

f (x)=6 x+7 , find

f ' (12) .

(e) If

f (x)=4 x 3 2 x 2+4 x , find

f ' (5) .