BASIC

MATHEMATICS
DIFFERENTIATION
1.0 Gradient of a Curve, Idea of
Limit
O We shall first discuss the method used to
find the gradient of a curve at any point.

O We first note that for a curve, its gradient

changes from point to point on the curve.
1.1 Gradient of a curve at a point
and gradient of the tangent
O The gradient of a curve at a point on the
curve is defined as the gradient of the
tangent to the curve at that point.

O From the curve, we wish to

find the gradient of the curve
at the point 𝑃.
1.1 Gradient of a curve at a point
and gradient of the tangent (2)
O 𝐴𝑃𝐵 is the tangent to the curve at the point 𝑃.
Thus, the gradient of the curve at the point 𝑃 is the
same as the gradient of the tangent 𝐴𝑃𝐵 or 𝑚𝐴𝐵 .
O The straight line 𝑃𝑄 is the chord 𝑷𝑸.
O Gradient of chord 𝑃𝑄,
𝑄𝑅 9 − 4
𝑚𝑃𝑄 = = =5
𝑃𝑅 3 − 2
O When 𝑄 moves towards 𝑃, the chord 𝑃𝑄
moves towards the tangent at 𝑃.
value of 𝑚𝑃𝑄 approaches the value of 𝑚𝐴𝐵
 1.1 Gradient of a curve at a point
and gradient of the tangent (3)
O Table which shows the values of 𝑚𝑃𝑄 as 𝑄 moves towards 𝑃.
X- Y-
𝑄𝑅
coordinate coordinate 𝑄𝑅 𝑃𝑅 𝑚𝑃𝑄 =
of point Q of point Q 𝑃𝑅

3 9 5 1 5 As 𝑄 moves
towards 𝑃,
2.5 6.25 2.25 0.5 4.5
𝒎𝑷𝑸
2.1 4.41 0.41 0.1 4.1 approaches
2.01 4.0401 0.0401 0.01 4.01 the value of 4
2.001 4.004001 0.004001 0.001 4.001
1.1 Gradient of a curve at a point
and gradient of the tangent (4)
O We cannot let 𝑄 coincide with 𝑃 as this would
mean that 𝑃𝑅 = 0, and then, to find 𝑚𝑃𝑄 we
need to divide by 0.
Dividing by 0 is not defined.
O We can only visualise what will happen when 𝑄
approaches 𝑃 and this situation is called the
𝑄𝑅
limit for as 𝑃𝑅 → 0.
𝑃𝑅
O That is,
𝑄𝑅
𝑚𝐴𝐵 = lim =4
𝑃𝑅→0 𝑃𝑅
2.0 Gradient of a Curve and
Differentiation
O Differentiation is a process of finding the
limit.
𝑑𝑦
O Represent by or 𝑓′(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥

First derivative
 3.0 Techniques of
Differentiation
Formula for the derivative of a function 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛

O Given 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 , where 𝑎 is a constant and 𝑛

is an integer, the first derivative:
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑎𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1
𝑑𝑥
 Example
Find the first derivative of each of the following
functions:
a) 𝑦 = 5𝑥
b) 𝑦 = −3𝑥 2
1 3
c) 𝑦 = 𝑥
6
4
d) 𝑦 =
𝑥2
 Example - Solution
Find the first derivative of each of the following
functions:
a) 𝑦 = 5𝑥
𝑑𝑦
= 5 1 𝑥 1−1
𝑑𝑥
= 5𝑥 0
=5
 Example - Solution
Find the first derivative of each of the following
functions:
𝑑𝑦
a) =5
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
b) = −6𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 1
c) = 𝑥2
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑𝑦 8
d) = − 3
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
 Example
2 3
Differentiate 𝑥 + 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 with respect to 𝑥.
3
Solution:
2 3
Let 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥
3
𝑑𝑦 2
= 3𝑥 2 + 6 2𝑥 1 − 7 𝑥 0
𝑑𝑥 3
= 2𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 7
 Self Assess 2
1. Find the first derivative of each of the
following functions:
a) 𝑦 = −4𝑥
b) 𝑦 = 5𝑥 2
2
c) 𝑦 = − 𝑥3
3
5
d) 𝑦 =
𝑥
3
e) 𝑦 =
2𝑥
 Self Assess 2
2. Differentiate each of the following
expressions with respect 𝑥:
a) 𝑥 2 + 4
b) 7 − 5𝑥
c) 2𝑥 − 3𝑥 2
1 3
d) 𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥
4