Calculus 1

Section 2.3

Derivatives of Inverse Functions and Higher Order Derivatives

Derivatives of Inverse Functions

The chain rule from section 2.2 allows us to analyze the derivative of an inverse function. Notice
that not every inverse function has a derivative at every point the original function is defined, or at all.
However, if the inverse of some function is differentiable, we can find its derivative using the chain rule.

Recall that the notation for the inverse of f (x) is f 1 (x). Also, recall that the inverse of a
function is defined such that f (f 1 (x)) = f 1 (f (x)) = x. For simplicity, let g(x) be the inverse of the
function f (x). Then, f (g(x)) = x.

To differentiate the left hand side, f (g(x)), we can use the chain rule:

d
[f (g(x))] = f 0 (g(x)) g 0 (x)
dx
d
Then, this will be equal to the derivative of the right side, x. dx (x) = 1. Thus, f 0 (g(x))g 0 (x) = 1.
Remember that we are trying to find the derivative of the inverse function, or g 0 (x). This can be done
by dividing both sides of the equation by f 0 (g(x)) IF f 0 (g(x)) 6= 0. If that is true, then we have:
1
g 0 (x) =
f 0 (g(x))

This is useful for evaluating the derivative of the inverse of a function at some point when we
know something about the function and its inverse. For example, if j(x) is the inverse of the function
k(x), and we know k(3) = 5 and k 0 (3) = 6, then we can find j 0 (5). Just realize that if k(3) = 5, then
j(5) = 3 since k(x) and j(x) are inverse functions. From the formula, we have:
1 1 1
j 0 (5) = = =
k 0 (j(5)) k 0 (3) 6

1
Higher Order Derivatives

Say that f (x) is a function and the derivative of that function is a different function g(x). That is,
f 0 (x) = g(x). Then, does the function g(x) have a derivative? If so how is its derivative related to f (x)?

We say that g(x) is the first order derivative of f (x), or the first derivative for short. Simply
saying the derivative of f (x) means the first order derivative of f (x). Then, if g(x) is differentiable
and g 0 (x) = h(x), we say h(x) is the first order derivative of g(x), and the second order derivative
of f (x). Notationally, we can write this as f 00 (x) = h(x). The two tic marks indicate that h(x) is the
second order derivative of f (x). The first order derivative of h(x) would be the second order derivative
of g(x) and the third order derivative of f (x). This would be indicated with three tic marks. This can
be continued on as far as one would like, but notationally after three derivatives we use a numerical
superscript in parentheses rather than tic marks. The fourth order derivative of f (x) is f (4) (x) and
the nth order derivative of f (x) is f (n) (x).

d
This can also be done with dx notation, or Leibniz-notation. The second order derivative of f (x)
d2 d2 y
is dx2
(f (x)),
or if y is a function of x the second derivative of y with respect to x is dx2 . Generally,
dn
the nth derivative of f (x) is dx n (f (x)) or if y is a function of x the nth derivative of y with respect
dn y
to x is dxn .

To calculate a higher order derivative, simply find the first order derivative, differentiate that
function, and repeat until the order of derivatives is high enough. For example, if:

f (x) = 4x3 + 3x2 5x + 1

And we wish to find f 000 (x), we first find f 0 (x). Remembering the power rules, the sum and difference
rules, and the constant coefficient rules, we have f 0 (x) = 12x2 + 6x 5. Then, using the same rules,
we have f 00 (x) = 24x + 6. Finally, f 000 (x) = 24. Notice that with each differentiation of a polynomial,
a term is lost, and understand that the derivative of a polynomial is a polynomial of one less power
(an nth degree polynomial becomes an n 1th degree polynomial). Also, after differentiating any
polynomial enough times one will get a constant function.

Interestingly, since dxd

(aex ) = aex for some real constant a, if f (x) = aex , then f (x) = f 0 (x) =
f 00 (x) = ... = f (n) (x) = aex .

2
Units and Motion Problems with Derivatives

In applications of math, different operations have different effects on the units of the result. For
example, adding two quantities given in centimeters will result in an answer in centimeters. Dividing
a quantity in miles by a quantity in hours will result in an answer in miles per hour. These arithmetic
operations are straightforward, but what about a derivative?

An important part about determining the units of a derivative is to notice that f (x) and x both
have units. For example, if f (x) determined how far a car traveled after x minutes, the units of f (x)
would be in distance and the units of x would be in time. Then, what would be the units of f 0 (x) or
f 00 (x)?

Recall the limit definition of a derivative:

f (x + x) f (x)
f 0 (x) = lim
x0 x
Notice that the numerator has the units of f (x), since the difference of two quantities in a unit
will result in a quantity also in that unit. Then, recall that x is a very small quantity of x. Thus,
the denominator has the units of x. Therefore, the quotient and consequently the derivative has the
units of the units of f (x) divided by the units of x. For example, if the unit for f (x) is meters and the
unit for x is second, then the unit of f 0 (x) is meters per second, and the unit of f 00 (x) is meters per
second per second.

Now that we know how to find the units of derivatives, we can begin to solve motion problems
in one dimension. You may have studied the kinematic equations in physics for motion with constant
acceleration. You may also have learned that the average velocity over a time t and distance d is given
by v = dt . However, what if acceleration is not constant? What if one wants to find the instantaneous
velocity rather than the average velocity? These questions prompted Newton and Leibniz to invent
calculus, and so calculus can be used to solve such problems.

For one dimensional motion problems, the independent variable is usually time. Then, we can
say the unit of t is second, for example. A function s(t) could then measure position after t seconds
and have the unit meters. Position or distance, rather than displacement, is a vector. This means that
the sign of the quantity matters. 3 meters is not the same as 3 meters. To distinguish between the
two, we must designate which direction is positive and which one is negative. Usually for horizontal
motion, right is positive and left is negative. For vertical motion, up is traditionally positive with
down being negative. Then, 1 meter in the positive direction is a position of 1 meter while 1 meter in
the negative direction is a position of 1 meters.

3
 Position plotted on the horizontal axis

-3 meters 3 meters

0 meters

Now notice that velocity is the change in position with respect to time. To find average velocity,
we divide the change in position by the change in time. This sounds like finding a secant line. How-
ever, to find instantaneous velocity, we differentiate position with respect to time. For example, if v(t)
represents velocity, then v(t) = s0 (t), or v(x) = ds dt
. Then, the units of velocity are the units of s
divided by the units of t, or meters per second.

Realize that acceleration is the change in velocity with respect to time. To find average accelera-
tion, we divide the change in velocity by the change in time. Similarly to velocity, to find instantaneous
acceleration, we differentiate velocity with respect to time. Then, if a(t) represents acceleration, then
2
a(t) = v 0 (t) = s00 (t), or a(x) = dv
dt
= ddt2s . Then, the units of acceleration are the units of v divided
by the units of t, or meters per second per second ( sm2 ).

Recognize that velocity and acceleration are also vectors, so their sign matters. That is, if velocity
is negative, a particle is traveling in the negative direction. Negative acceleration means the velocity
is decreasing. The absolute value of velocity is speed, and the direction of speed doesnt matter. It is
impossible to have a speed of 3 mph.

Looking at motion from this perspective, we can solve problems with not constant acceleration.
For example, if the position of a particle in meters after t seconds is given by s(t) = 3t3 4t2 + 1, then
we can find the acceleration of the particle at t = 5. v(t) = s0 (t) = 9t2 8t and a(t) = v 0 (t) = 18t.
Notice that acceleration is not constant, but varies with time. We have the acceleration at t = 5 is
a(5) = 18 5 = 90 sm2 (it is good practice to include units in your answers when applicable).

We can also analyze the motion of a particle from graphs. If position is increasing, we know
velocity is positive. If position is nonlinear and the rate at which position is increasing is increasing,
we know acceleration is positive. Alternatively, a negative sloping position means a negative velocity
and a position whos slope is decreasing means a negative acceleration. For a visual representation,
see the graphs below.

4
 s(t)

Negative slope of the tangent line Positive slope of the tangent line
means v(t)<0, but increasing slope means v(t)>0, and increasing slope
as t increases means a(t)>0. as t increases means a(t)>0.
t

5
Examples

Here are a few examples to test the concepts provided in this section. Answers can be found on
the following pages.

1. Given the function f (x) = x2 sin(ex ), find f 0 (x) and f 00 (x). If f (x) represented position at time
x, what do f 0 (x) and f 00 (x) represent?

2. Suppose the function f2 (x) is differentiable and is the inverse function of f1 (x) = 2x . Without
finding f2 (x), find f20 (8).

3. Given that s(t) = 2sin(4t) represents the position of a particle in meters after t second, find the
acceleration of the particle at t = 3 .

4. Given the graph of s(t) on the next page which represents the position of a particle at time t,
what can we say about the velocity and acceleration of the particle at t = a?

6
 s(t)

t=a

7
Solutions

These are the solutions to the questions on the previous page

1. First, to find f 0 (x), use the product and chain rule. The first term is 2xsin(ex ), or the derivative
of x2 times sin(ex ) unchanged. Then the second term is x2 cos(ex )ex , or the derivative of sin(ex )
times x2 unchanged. So f 0 (x) = 2xsin(ex ) + x2 cos(ex )ex .

Next, to find f 00 (x), differentiate f 0 (x) term by term. The derivative of the first term is 2sin(ex )+
2xcos(ex )ex . The derivative of the second term is 2xcos(ex )ex x2 sin(ex )e2x +x2 cos(ex )ex . Notice
the second term of the prior expression has e2x because the derivative of the inside function is
ex and is being multiplied by the prior ex , yielding (ex )2 = e2x . Putting this together, we have
f 00 (x) = 2sin(ex ) + 4xcos(ex )ex x2 sin(ex )e2x + x2 cos(ex )ex .
If f (x) represents position at time x, then f 0 (x) is the derivative of position with respect to x,
or velocity at time x and f 00 (x) is the derivative of velocity with respect to x, or acceleration at
time x.

2. Recall that if f11 (x) = f2 (x):

1
f20 (8) =
f10 (f2 (8))
. Then, we need to find f2 (8). Notice that if f2 (8) = a, f1 (a) = 8. 23 = 8, so f1 (3) = 23 = 8.
Thus, f2 (8) = 3. Then we have:
1
f20 (8) = 0
f1 (3)
And dx d d
(f1 (x)) = dx (2x ) = ln(2) 2x . Then, f10 (3) = ln(2) 23 = ln(2) 8 5.545, so
0 1
f2 (8) = 5.545 0.180.

3. If v(t) is velocity and a(t) is acceleration, we have v(t) = s0 (t) = 8cos(4t) and a(t) = v 0 (t) =
32sin(4t). Then, a( 3 ) = 32sin( 4
3 ) 27.713

4. The slope is positive, so the velocity is positive at t = a. However, the slope is decreasing so the
acceleration is negative at t = a.