basic calculus (i)

Basic Calculus (I) Recap

(for MSc & PhD Business, Management & Finance Students)

First Draft: Autumn 2013Revised: Autumn 2014

Lecturer: Farzad Javidanrad

One-Variable Functions

Exponents (Powers)

• Given 𝒏 a positive integer and 𝒂 a real number, 𝒂𝒏 indicates that 𝒂 is multiplied by itself 𝒏 times:

𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂 × 𝒂 × ⋯ × 𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔

• According to definition:

𝒂𝟎 = 𝟏 and 𝒂𝟏= 𝒂

Exponents Rules If 𝒎 and 𝒏 are positive integers and 𝒂 is a real

number, then:

𝒂𝒎 × 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝒎+𝒏

With this rule we can define the concept of negative exponent (power):

𝑎0 = 1𝑎𝑚−𝑚 = 1

𝑎𝑚+(−𝑚) = 1

𝑎𝑚 × 𝑎−𝑚 = 1

𝒂−𝒎 =𝟏

𝒂𝒎

Exponents Rules• We can also define rational power as:

𝒂𝒎𝒏 =

𝒏𝒂𝒎

Some other rules are: (𝒂 and 𝒃 are real numbers)

𝒂𝒎

𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝒎−𝒏 e.g.(311

38 = 311−8 = 33 = 27)

𝒂𝒎 𝒏 = 𝒂𝒏 𝒎 = 𝒂𝒎.𝒏 ( 23 2 = 22 3 = 26 = 64)

𝒂. 𝒃 𝒎 = 𝒂𝒎. 𝒃𝒎 ( 3. 𝑥 2 = 32. 𝑥2 = 9𝑥2)

𝒂

𝒃

𝒎=

𝒂𝒎

𝒃𝒎 (3

5

3=

33

53 =27

125)

𝒂−𝒎

𝒏 =𝟏

𝒂𝒎𝒏

=𝟏

𝒏𝒂𝒎 =

𝟏𝒏 𝒂

𝒎 (𝑥−2

3 =1

𝑥23

=1

3𝑥2

)

Algebraic Expressions, Equations and Identities

• An algebraic expression is a combination of real numbers and variables, such as:

Monomials :

5𝑥3 , −1.75 𝑦 ,3𝑥

4𝑧2=

3

4𝑥𝑧−2

Binomials:

4𝑥3 + 3𝑥2 ,3𝑥 + 1

4𝑧2=

3

4𝑥𝑧−2 +

1

4𝑧−2

Polynomials:𝑥2 − 3𝑥 − 6 , 𝑥3 + 𝑥𝑦2 + 6𝑥𝑦𝑧


• Equations can be made when two expressions are equal to one another or an expression is equal to a number:

3𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥4𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 2

5𝑥2 − 2𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥 − 6𝑦2

𝑥2 − 3𝑥 − 6 = 0

The first and second equations are linear with one and two variables respectively and the third equation is a quadratic in terms of 𝒙 and 𝒚 and the forth equation is a quadratic equation in terms of 𝒙 .

Note: Not all equations are solvable and many of them have no unique solutions.


• If two expressions are equal for all values of their variable(s), the equation is called an identity.

• For example;𝑥 + 3 2 = 𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + 9

Some important identities are:

• 𝒂 ± 𝒃 𝟐 = 𝒂𝟐 ± 𝟐𝒂𝒃 + 𝒃𝟐

• 𝒂 ± 𝒃 𝟑 = 𝒂𝟑 ± 𝟑𝒂𝟐𝒃 + 𝟑𝒂𝒃𝟐 ± 𝒃𝟑

• 𝒂 − 𝒃 𝒂 + 𝒃 = 𝒂𝟐 − 𝒃𝟐

• 𝒂 ± 𝒃 𝒂𝟐 ∓ 𝒂𝒃 + 𝒃𝟐 = 𝒂𝟑 ± 𝒃𝟑

• 𝒙 ± 𝒂 𝒙 ± 𝒃 = 𝒙𝟐 ± 𝒂 + 𝒃 𝒙 + 𝒂𝒃

Some Other Identities• 𝒙 − 𝒚 = 𝒙 − 𝒚 𝒙 + 𝒚

= 𝟑 𝒙 − 𝟑 𝒚𝟑

𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝒙𝒚 +𝟑

𝒚𝟐

⋮

= 𝒏 𝒙 − 𝒏 𝒚𝒏

𝒙𝒏−𝟏 +𝒏

𝒙𝒏−𝟐𝒚 +𝒏

𝒙𝒏−𝟑𝒚𝟐 + ⋯ +𝒏

𝒚𝒏−𝟏

• 𝒙 + 𝒚 + 𝒛 𝟐 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙𝒚 + 𝟐𝒙𝒛 + 𝟐𝒚𝒛

• 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝑥 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝑥 = 1

• 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 ± 𝑦 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑦 ± 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑦

• 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥 ± 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑦 ∓ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑦

• 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑥 ± 𝑦 =𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑥±𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑦

1∓𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑥.𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑦

• 𝒙 + 𝒚 𝒏 =𝟎𝒏

𝒙𝒏 +𝟏𝒏

𝒙𝒏−𝟏𝒚 + ⋯ +𝒓𝒏

𝒙𝒏−𝒓𝒚𝒓 + ⋯ +𝒏𝒏

𝒚𝒏

Where 𝒓𝒏

= 𝑪𝒓𝒏

= 𝒓𝑪𝒏 =𝒏!

𝒓! 𝒏 − 𝒓 !

And 𝒏! = 𝒏 × 𝒏 − 𝟏 × 𝒏 − 𝟐 × ⋯ × 𝟑 × 𝟐 × 𝟏

𝟎! = 𝟏! = 𝟏

So,

𝟎𝒏

= 𝐶0𝑛

= 0𝐶𝑛 =𝑛!

0! 𝑛 − 0 !=

𝑛!

𝑛!= 𝟏

𝟏𝒏

= 𝐶1𝑛

= 1𝐶𝑛 =𝑛!

1! 𝑛 − 1 !=

𝑛!

𝑛 − 1 !=

𝑛 × 𝑛 − 1 !

𝑛 − 1 != 𝒏

𝟐𝒏

= 𝐶2𝑛

= 2𝐶𝑛 =𝑛!

2! 𝑛 − 2 !=

𝑛!

𝑛 − 2 !=

𝑛 × 𝑛 − 1 × 𝑛 − 2 !

2! 𝑛 − 2 !=

𝒏(𝒏 − 𝟏)

𝟐

Some Other Identities

Functions• All equations represent a relationship between two or

more variables, e.g.:

𝑥𝑦 = 1 ,𝑥

2𝑦+ 𝑧 = 0

• Given two variables in relation, there is a functional relationship between them if for each value of one of them there is one and only one value of another.

• If the relationship between 𝒚 and 𝒙 can be shown by 𝒚 =𝒇 𝒙 and for each value of 𝒙 there is one and only one value of 𝒚 , then there is a functional relationship between them or alternatively it can be said that 𝒚 is a function of 𝒙 , which means 𝒚 as a dependent variable follows 𝒙 as an independent variable.

Functions

• The idea of function is close to a processing (matching) machine. It receives inputs (which are the values of 𝒙 and is called domain of the function, 𝑫𝒇) and after the processing

them the output will be values of 𝒚 in correspondence with 𝒙′𝒔 (which is called range of the function, 𝑹𝒇).

• There should be no element from 𝑫𝒇 without a match from

𝑹𝒇, but it might be found some free elements in 𝑹𝒇.

𝒇 = 𝒙𝟏, 𝒚𝟏 , 𝒙𝟐, 𝒚𝟐 , … , 𝒙𝒏, 𝒚𝒏

𝒇𝒙𝟏, 𝒙𝟐, … , 𝒙𝒏 𝒚𝟏, 𝒚𝟐, … , 𝒚𝒏

Functions

• Functions can be considered as correspondence (matching) rules, which corresponds all elements of 𝒙 to some elements of 𝒚.*

• For example, the correspondence rule (f), which corresponds 𝒙 to each value of 𝒙, can be written as:

Or 𝑦 = 𝑥

xxf : 124

15

1

𝟐2

𝟏𝟓20

x y

Functions

• The correspondence rule, which corresponds 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎 to each value of 𝒙 can be shown as:

Or 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎

10: 2 xxg

-3-2023

-1

-6

-10

x y

Functions

• Some correspondence rules indicate there is a relationship between 𝒙 and 𝒚 but not a functional relationship, i.e. the relationship cannot be considered as a function.

• For example, 𝒚 = ± 𝒙 (𝒚𝟐 = 𝒙) is

not a function (according to the

definition of function) because

for each value of 𝒙 there are

two symmetrical values of 𝒚 .

Adopted from http://www.education.com/study-help/article/trigonometry-help-inverses-circular/

Functions• Note that in the graphical representation of a

function, any parallel line with y-axis cross the graph of a function at one and only one point. Why?

Adopted from http://mrhonner.com/archives/8599

Some Basic Functions

• Power Function : 𝒚 = 𝒙𝒏

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If n>0 they all pass

through the origin. If n<0 the

function is not defined

at x=0

𝑦 = 𝑥−1

𝑦 = 𝑥−1


• Exponential Function : 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙 (𝒂 > 𝟎, ≠ 𝟏)

Adopted from http://www.softmath.com/tutorials-3/relations/exponential-functions-2.html

All exponential functions passing through the point (0,1)


• Logarithmic Function : 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝒂 𝒙 (𝒂 > 𝟎, ≠ 𝟏)

Adopted fromhttp://mtc.tamu.edu/9-12/index_9-12.htm?9-12M2L2.htm

Adopted from http://www.cliffsnotes.com/math/calculus/precalculus/exponential-and-

logarithmic-functions/logarithmic-functions

All logarithmic Functions passing through the point (1,0)

Some Basic Functions• Trigonometric Functions:

𝒚 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒙 , 𝒚 = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒙 , 𝒚 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝒙 , 𝒚 = 𝐜𝐨𝐭 𝒙

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• All trigonometric functions are periodic, i.e. after adding or subtracting a constant, which is called principal periodic constant, they repeat themselves. This periodic constant is 𝟐𝝅 for 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒙and 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒙 but it is 𝝅 for 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒙 and 𝒄𝒐𝒕𝒙 , i.e. :

(k is a positive integer)

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 = sin 𝑥 ± 𝟐𝝅 = sin 𝑥 ± 4𝜋 = ⋯ = sin 𝑥 ± 2𝑘𝜋𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = cos 𝑥 ± 𝟐𝝅 = cos 𝑥 ± 4𝜋 = ⋯ = cos 𝑥 ± 2𝑘𝜋𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑥 = tan 𝑥 ± 𝝅 = tan 𝑥 ± 2𝜋 = ⋯ = tan(𝑥 ± 𝑘𝜋)𝑐𝑜𝑡𝑥 = cot 𝑥 ± 𝝅 = cot 𝑥 ± 2𝜋 = ⋯ = cot(𝑥 ± 𝑘𝜋)


Elementary Functions• Elementary functions can be made by combining

basic functions through adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing and also composing these basic functions.

• For example:𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 4𝑥 − 1

𝑦 = 𝑥. 𝑒−𝑥 =𝑥

𝑒𝑥

𝑦 = 𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥

𝑦 = ln 𝑥2 + 4

𝑦 = 𝑒𝑥(𝑠𝑖𝑛3𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠3𝑥)

Behaviour of a Function• After finding the relationship between two variables 𝒙

and 𝒚 in the functional form 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙) the first question is how this function behaves.

• Here we are interested in knowing about the magnitude and the direction of the change of 𝒚 (𝑖. 𝑒. ∆𝒚) when the change of 𝒙 (𝑖. 𝑒. ∆𝒙) is getting smaller and smaller around a point in its domain. The technical term for this locality around a point is neighbourhood. So, we are trying to find the magnitude and the direction of the change of 𝒚 in the neighbourhood of 𝒙.

• Slope of a function is the concept which helps us to have this information. The value of the slope shows the magnitude of the change and the sign of slope shows the direction of the change.

Slope of a Linear Function

• Let’s start with one of the most used functions in science , which is the linear function:

𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒉

Where 𝒎 shows the slope of the line (the average change

of 𝒚 in terms of a change in 𝒙). That is; 𝒎 =𝚫𝒚

𝚫𝒙= 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜶 .

The value of intercept is 𝒉 which is the distance between the intersection point of the graph and y-axis from the Origin.

The slope of a liner

function is constant in its

whole domain.

y

xh

𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒉

∆𝒙

∆𝒚

𝜶

𝜶

Slope of a Function in its General Form

• Imagine we want to find the slope of the function 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙)at a specific point (for e.g. at 𝒙𝟎) in its domain.

• Given a change of

𝒙 from 𝒙𝟎 to 𝒙𝟎 + ∆𝒙

the change of 𝒚

Would be from 𝒇 𝒙𝟎

to 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 + ∆𝒙) .

• This means a

movement along the

curve from A to B.Adopted from http://www.bymath.com/studyguide/ana/sec/ana3.htm


• The average change of 𝒚 in terms of a change in 𝒙

can be calculated by 𝚫𝒚

𝚫𝒙= 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜶 , which is the

slope of the line AB.

• If the change in 𝒙 gradually disappear (∆𝒙 → 𝟎)*, point B moves toward point A and the slope line (secant line) AB reaches to a limiting (marginal) situation AC, which is a tangent line on the curve of 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙) at point 𝑨(𝒙𝟎, 𝒇(𝒙𝟎)).


• The slope of this tangent line AC is what is called derivative of 𝒚 in terms of 𝒙 at point 𝑥0 and it is shown by different

symbols such as 𝑑𝑦

𝑑𝑥 𝑥=𝑥0

, 𝑓′ 𝑥0 , 𝑑𝑓

𝑑𝑥 𝑥=𝑥0

, 𝑦′(𝑥0) , .

• The slope of the tangent line at any point of the domain of the function is denoted by:

𝑑𝑦

𝑑𝑥, 𝑓′ 𝑥 ,

𝑑𝑓

𝑑𝑥, 𝑦′, 𝑓𝑥

′

• Definition: The process of finding a derivative of a function is called differentiation .

'

0xf


• Therefore, the derivative of 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙)at any point in its domain is:

𝒚′ =𝒅𝒚

𝒅𝒙= 𝒍𝒊𝒎

∆𝒙→𝟎

∆𝒚

∆𝒙= 𝒍𝒊𝒎

∆𝒙→𝟎

𝒇 𝒙+∆𝒙 −𝒇(𝒙)

∆𝒙

And the derivative of 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙) at the specific point 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟎is:

𝒇′ 𝒙𝟎 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦∆𝒙→𝟎

𝒇 𝒙𝟎 + ∆𝒙 − 𝒇(𝒙𝟎)

∆𝒙

Where 𝐥𝐢𝐦 stands for “limit”, showing limiting (marginal)

situation of the ratio 𝚫𝒚

𝚫𝒙.


• Note: For non-linear functions, slope of the function at any point depends on the value of that point and it is not constant in the whole domain of the function. This means that the derivative of a function is a function of the same variable itself.

Adopted from http://www.columbia.edu/itc/sipa/math/slope_nonlinear.html

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Derivative of Fundamental Basic Functions

• Find the derivative of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 1 at any point in its domain.

𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 1𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 = 2 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 1 = 2𝑥 + 2∆𝑥 − 1∆𝒚 = 𝒇 𝒙 + ∆𝒙 − 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟐∆𝒙

According to definition:

𝑦′ =𝑑𝑦

𝑑𝑥= lim

∆𝑥→0

𝑓 𝑥 + ∆𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑥)

∆𝑥

= lim∆𝑥→0

2∆𝑥

∆𝑥= 2

Derivative of the Fundamental Basic Functions

• Applying the same method, the derivative of the fundamental basic functions can be obtained as following:

𝒚 = 𝒙𝒏 → 𝒚′ = 𝒏𝒙𝒏−𝟏

e.g. : 𝑦 = 3 → 𝑦′ = 0

𝑦 = 𝑥3 → 𝑦′ = 3𝑥2

𝑦 = 𝑥−1 → 𝑦′ = −𝑥−2

𝑦 = 5 𝑥 → 𝑦′ =1

5𝑥

15−1 =

1

55

𝑥4


𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙 → 𝒚′ = 𝒂𝒙. 𝒍𝒏𝒂 𝑎 > 0, ≠ 1e.g. :

𝑦 = 2𝑥 → 𝑦′ = 2𝑥. 𝑙𝑛2𝑦 = 𝑒𝑥 → 𝑦′ = 𝑒𝑥

𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝒂 𝒙 → 𝒚′ =𝟏

𝒙.𝒍𝒏𝒂e.g. :

𝑦 = log 𝑥 → 𝑦′ =1

𝑥. 𝑙𝑛10

𝑦 = ln 𝑥 → 𝑦′ =1

𝑥


𝒚 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒙 → 𝒚′ = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒙

𝒚 = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒙 → 𝒚′ = − 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝒙

𝒚 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝒙 → 𝒚′ = 𝟏 + 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟐𝐱 =𝟏

𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐𝐱

𝒚 = 𝐜𝐨𝐭 𝒙 → 𝒚′ = − 𝟏 + 𝐜𝐨𝐭𝟐𝐱 =−𝟏

𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐𝐱

Differentiability of a Function

A function is differentiable at a point if despite any side approach to the point in its domain (from left or right) the derivative is the same and a finite number. Sharp corner points and points of discontinuity* are not differentiable.

Adopted from Ahttp://www-math.mit.edu/~djk/calculus_beginners/chapter09/section02.html

Rules of Differentiation• If 𝒇(𝒙) and 𝒈 𝒙 are two differentiable functions in their

common domain, then:

𝒇(𝒙) ± 𝒈(𝒙) ′ = 𝒇′(𝒙) ± 𝒈′(𝒙)

𝒇 𝒙 . 𝒈(𝒙) ′ = 𝒇′ 𝒙 . 𝒈 𝒙 + 𝒈′ 𝒙 . 𝒇(𝒙)

𝒇(𝒙)

𝒈(𝒙)

′=

𝒇′ 𝒙 .𝒈 𝒙 −𝒈′ 𝒙 .𝒇(𝒙)

𝒈(𝒙) 𝟐 (Quotient Rule)

𝒇(𝒈 𝒙 ) ′ = 𝒈′ 𝒙 . 𝒇′(𝒈 𝒙 ) (Chain Rule)

(Summation & Sub. Rules. They can be extended to n functions)

(Multiplication Rule and can be extended

to n functions)

Find the derivative of the following functions:

o 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑙𝑛𝑥 ∶ 𝒚′ = 𝟏 +𝟏

𝒙

o 𝑦 = 𝑒𝑥 . 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 ∶ 𝒚′ = 𝒆𝒙. 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒙 + 𝒆𝒙. 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒙

= 𝒆𝒙 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒙 + 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒙

o 𝑦 =2𝑥

𝑥2+1∶ 𝒚′ =

𝟐 𝒙𝟐+𝟏 −𝟐𝒙.𝟐𝒙

𝒙𝟐+𝟏𝟐 =

𝟏−𝟐𝒙𝟐

𝒙𝟐+𝟏𝟐

o 𝑦 =3

𝑥2 + 1 ∶ 𝒚′ = 𝟐𝒙.𝟏

𝟑. 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏

𝟏

𝟑−𝟏

=𝟐𝒙

𝟑𝟑

𝒙𝟐+𝟏𝟐

Rules of Differentiation

o 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑛2𝑥 ∶ 𝒚′ =𝟏

𝒙. 𝟐. 𝒍𝒏𝒙 =

𝟐𝒍𝒏𝒙

𝒙

o 𝑦 = 5𝑥2+ tan 3𝑥 ∶ 𝒚′ = 𝟓𝒙𝟐

. 𝐥𝐧𝟓. (𝟐𝒙) + 𝟑(𝟏 + 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝟐𝟑𝒙)

• The last rule(page 32) is called the chain rule which should be applied for composite functions such as the above functions, but it can be extended to include more functions.

• If 𝒚 = 𝒇 𝒖 and 𝒖 = 𝒈 𝒛 and 𝒛 = 𝒉 𝒍 and 𝒍 = 𝒌(𝒙)then 𝒚 depends on 𝒙 but through some other variables

𝒚 = 𝒇 𝒈 𝒉 𝒌 𝒙


• Under such circumstances we can extend the chain rule to cover all these functions, i.e.

𝒅𝒚

𝒅𝒙=

𝒅𝒚

𝒅𝒖.𝒅𝒖

𝒅𝒛.𝒅𝒛

𝒅𝒍.𝒅𝒍

𝒅𝒙

o 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠3 2𝑥 + 1 ∶ 𝑦 = 𝑢3

𝑢 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑧𝑧 = 2𝑥 + 1

𝒚′ =𝒅𝒚

𝒅𝒙=

𝒅𝒚

𝒅𝒖.𝒅𝒖

𝒅𝒛.𝒅𝒛

𝒅𝒙= 𝟑𝒖𝟐. −𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒛 . 𝟐

= −𝟔𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏 . 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏)


Implicit Differentiation• 𝒚 = 𝒇 𝒙 is an explicit function because the dependent

variable 𝒚 is at one side and explicitly expressed by independent variable 𝒙. Implicit form of this function can be shown by 𝑭 𝒙, 𝒚 = 𝟎 where both variables are in one side:

o Explicit Functions: 𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 3𝑥 , 𝑦 = 𝑒𝑥 . 𝑙𝑛𝑥 , 𝑦 =𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥

𝑥

o Implicit Functions: 2𝑥 − 7𝑦 + 3 = 0 , 2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦2 = 0

• Many implicit functions can be easily transformed to an explicit function but it cannot be done for all. In this case, differentiation with respect to 𝒙 can be done part by part and 𝒚 should be treated as a function of 𝒙.

o Find the derivative of 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟕𝒚 + 𝟑 = 𝟎.

Differentiating both sides with respect to 𝒙, we have:𝑑

𝑑𝑥2𝑥 − 7𝑦 + 3 =

𝑑

𝑑𝑥0

2 − 7𝑦′ + 0 = 0 → 𝒚′ =𝟐

𝟕

o Find the derivative of 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝟑 = 𝟎.

Using the same method, we have:

2𝑥 − 2𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦′ + 3𝑦2𝑦′ = 0 → 𝒚′ =𝟐𝒚 − 𝟐𝒙

𝟑𝒚𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙

Implicit Differentiation

o Find the derivative of 𝟐𝒙𝒚 − 𝒚𝟐 = 𝟎

𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦′ 2𝑥𝑦 − 2𝑦𝑦′ = 0 → 𝒚′ =𝒚. 𝟐𝒙𝒚

𝟐𝒚 − 𝒙. 𝟐𝒙𝒚

o Find the derivative of 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒙

𝒚− 𝐥𝐧 𝒙𝒚 = 𝟎

𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦′

𝑦2. 𝑐𝑜𝑠

𝑥

𝑦−

𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦′

𝑥𝑦= 0

Then

𝒚′ =

𝟏𝒚

. 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒙𝒚

−𝟏𝒙

𝒙𝒚𝟐 . 𝒄𝒐𝒔

𝒙𝒚

+𝟏𝒚

Implicit Differentiation

Higher Orders Derivatives

• As 𝒚′ = 𝒇′(𝒙) is itself a function of 𝒙 , in case it is differentiable, we can think of second, third or even n-th derivatives:

• Second Derivative:

𝒚′′ ,𝒅𝟐𝒚

𝒅𝒙𝟐,

𝒅(𝒅𝒚𝒅𝒙

)

𝒅𝒙,

𝒅

𝒅𝒙𝒇′ , 𝒇′′ 𝒙

• Third Derivative:

𝒚′′′ ,𝒅𝟑𝒚

𝒅𝒙𝟑,

𝒅(𝒅𝟐𝒚𝒅𝒙𝟐)

𝒅𝒙,

𝒅

𝒅𝒙𝒇′′ , 𝒇′′′ 𝒙

• N-th Derivative:

𝒚(𝒏) ,𝒅𝒏𝒚

𝒅𝒙𝒏,

𝒅(𝒅(𝒏−𝟏)𝒚𝒅𝒙(𝒏−𝟏))

𝒅𝒙,

𝒅

𝒅𝒙𝒇(𝒏−𝟏) , 𝒇(𝒏) 𝒙

o Find the second and third derivatives of 𝒚 = 𝒆−𝒙.𝑦′ = −𝑒−𝑥

𝑦′′ = 𝑒−𝑥

𝑦′′′ = −𝑒−𝑥

o If 𝒚 = 𝒆𝜽𝒙 show that the equation 𝒚′′′ − 𝒚′′ = 𝟎 has two roots.

𝑦′ = 𝜃𝑒𝜃𝑥

𝑦′′ = 𝜃2𝑒𝜃𝑥

𝑦′′′ = 𝜃3𝑒𝜃𝑥

𝑦′′′ − 𝑦′′ = 𝜃3𝑒𝜃𝑥 − 𝜃2𝑒𝜃𝑥 = 0

𝜃2𝑒𝜃𝑥 𝜃 − 1 = 0

𝑒𝜃𝑥 ≠ 0 → 𝜃 = 0, 𝜃 = 1

Higher Orders Derivatives

First & Second Order Differentials• If 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙) is differentiable on an interval then at any point of that

interval the derivative of 𝒇 can be defined as:

𝒚′ = 𝒇′ 𝒙 =𝒅𝒚

𝒅𝒙= 𝐥𝐢𝐦

∆𝒙→𝟎

𝚫𝒚

𝚫𝒙• This means when 𝚫𝒙 becomes “infinitesimal” (getting smaller

infinitely; ∆𝒙 → 𝟎), the ratio 𝚫𝒚

𝚫𝒙approaches to the derivative of the

function, i.e. the difference between 𝚫𝒚

𝚫𝒙and 𝒇′ 𝒙 is infinitesimal

itself and ignorable:𝚫𝒚

𝚫𝒙≈ 𝒇′ 𝒙 𝒐𝒓 ∆𝒚 ≈ 𝒇′ 𝒙 . ∆𝒙

• 𝒇′ 𝒙 . ∆𝒙 is called “ differential of 𝒚 ” and is shown by 𝒅𝒚, so:∆𝒚 ≈ 𝒇′ 𝒙 . ∆𝒙 = 𝒅𝒚

As ∆𝒙 is an independent increment of 𝒙 we can always assume that 𝒅𝒙 = ∆𝒙; so we can re-write the above as ∆𝒚 ≈ 𝒇′ 𝒙 . 𝒅𝒙 = 𝒅𝒚

• The geometric interpretation of 𝒅𝒚 and ∆𝒚 :

∆𝒚 represents the change in height of the curve and 𝒅𝒚 represents the

change in height of the tangent line when ∆𝒙 changes (see the graph)

Adopted fromhttp://www.cliffsnotes.com/math/calculus/calculus/applications-of-the-derivative/differentials

So: 𝒅𝒚 = 𝒚′. 𝒅𝒙

Some rules: If 𝒖 and 𝒗 are differentiable functions, then:

i. 𝒅 𝒄𝒖 = 𝒄. 𝒅𝒖 (c is constant)

ii. 𝒅 𝒖 ± 𝒗 = 𝒅𝒖 ± 𝒅𝒗 (can be extended to more than two functions)

iii. 𝒅 𝒖. 𝒗 = 𝒗. 𝒅𝒖 + 𝒖. 𝒅𝒗 (extendable)

iv. 𝒅𝒖

𝒗=

𝒗.𝒅𝒖−𝒖.𝒅𝒗

𝒗𝟐

First & Second Order Differentials

• Using the third rule of differentials, the second order differential of 𝒚 can be calculated, i.e. :

𝒅𝟐𝒚 = 𝒅 𝒅𝒚 = 𝒅 𝒚′. 𝒅𝒙

= 𝒅𝒚′. 𝒅𝒙 + 𝒚′. 𝒅 𝒅𝒙

= 𝒚′′. 𝒅𝒙. 𝒅𝒙 + 𝒚′. 𝒅𝟐𝒙

= 𝒚′′. 𝒅𝒙 𝟐 + 𝒚′. 𝒅𝟐𝒙

As 𝒙 is not dependent on another variable and 𝒅𝒙 is a constant :𝒅𝟐𝒙 = 𝒅 𝒅𝒙 = 𝟎

So, 𝒅𝟐𝒚 = 𝒚′′. 𝒅𝒙 𝟐 = 𝒚′′. 𝒅𝒙𝟐 (or in the familiar form 𝒚′′ =𝒅𝟐𝒚

𝒅𝒙𝟐 )

Where 𝒅𝒙 𝟐 = 𝒅𝒙𝟐 is always positive and the sign of 𝒅𝟐𝒚 depends on the sign of 𝒚′′.

• Applying the same method we have 𝒅𝒏𝒚 = 𝒚(𝒏). 𝒅𝒙𝒏 .

First & Second Order Differentials

Derivative and Optimisation of Functions

• Function 𝒚 = 𝒇 𝒙 is said to be an increasing function at 𝒙 = 𝒂 if at any small neighbourhood (∆𝒙) of that point:

𝑎 + ∆𝑥 > 𝑎 ↔ 𝑓 𝑎 + ∆𝑥 > 𝑓 𝑎

From the above inequality we can conclude that:

𝑓 𝑎+∆𝑥 −𝑓(𝑎)

∆𝑥≈ 𝑓′(𝑎) > 0

So, the function is increasing at 𝒙=𝒂 if 𝒇′(𝒂)>𝟎 , and decreasing if 𝒇′(𝒂)<𝟎 .

Adopted from http://portal.tpu.ru/SHARED/k/KONVAL/Sites/English_sites/calculus/3_Geometric_f.htm

a a

• More generally, the function 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙) is increasing(decreasing) in an interval if at any point in that interval 𝒇′ 𝒙 > 𝟎 ( 𝒇′ 𝒙 < 𝟎 ).


Adopted from http://www.webgraphing.com/polynomialdefs.jsp


• If the sign of 𝒇′(𝒙) is changing when passing a point such as 𝒙 =𝒂 (from negative to positive or vice versa) and 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙) is differentiable at that point, It is very logical to think that 𝒇′(𝒙)at that point should be zero, i.e. : 𝒇′ 𝒂 = 𝟎. (in this case the tangent line is horizontal)

• This point is called local (relative) maximum or local (relative) minimum. In some books it is called critical point or extremum point.

http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~jmahaffy/courses/s00a/math121/lectures/graph_deriv/diffgraph.html

Not an extremum or critical point

• If 𝒇′ 𝒂 = 𝟎 but the sign of 𝒇′(𝒙) does not change when passing the point 𝒙 = 𝒂, the point (𝒂, 𝒇 𝒂 ) is not a extremum or critical point (point C in the previous slide).

• For a function which is differentiable in its domain(or part of that), a sign change of 𝒇′ when passing a point is a sufficient evidence of the point being a extremum point. Therefore, at that point 𝒇′(𝒙)will be necessarily zero.

Necessary and Sufficient Conditions

𝒇′ 𝒙 > 𝟎

𝒇′ 𝒙 < 𝟎

𝑓′ 𝑎 = 0

Adopted and altered from http://homepage.tinet.ie/~phabfys/maxim.htm/

𝒇′(𝒙) > 𝟎

𝑓′ 𝑏 = 0

𝒇′ 𝒙 < 𝟎

ab

• If a function is not differentiable at a point (see the graph, point x=c) but the sign of 𝒇′ changes, it is sufficient to say the point is a extremum point despite non-existence of 𝒇′(𝒙) .

Necessary and Sufficient Conditions

Adopted from http://www.nabla.hr/Z_IntermediateAlgebraIntroductionToFunctCont_3.htm

𝒇′(𝒄) is not defined as it goes to infinity

These types of critical points cannot be obtained through

solving the equation𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟎 as they are not differentiable at

these points.

Second Derivative Test

• Apart from the sign change of 𝒇′(𝒙) there is another test to distinguish between extremums. This test is suitable for those functions which are differentiable at least twice at the critical points.

• Assume that 𝒇′ 𝒂 = 𝟎; so, the point (𝒂, 𝒇 𝒂 ) is suspicious to be a maximum or minimum. If 𝒇′′ 𝒂 > 𝟎, the point is a minimum point and if 𝒇′′ 𝒂 < 𝟎, the point is a maximum point.

Adopted and altered from http://www.webgraphing.com/polynomialdefs.jsp

Inflection point

Concave Down

Concave up

𝑓′ 𝑥 = 0

𝑓′ 𝑥 = 0

𝑓′′ 𝑥 = 0

Inflection Point & Concavity of Function

• If 𝒇′ 𝒂 = 𝟎 and at the same time 𝒇′′ 𝒂 = 𝟎, we need other tests to find out the nature of the point. It could be a extremum point [e.g. 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟒, which has minimum at 𝒙 = 𝟎]or just an inflection point (where the tangent line crosses the graph of the function and separate that to two parts; concave up and concave down)

Adopted and altered from http://www.ltcconline.net/greenl/courses/105/curvesketching/SECTST.HTM Adopted from http://www.sparkle.pro.br/tutorial/geometry

𝑓′′ 𝑥 = 0

𝑓′ 𝑥 > 0

Concave Down

Concave up

Some Examples

o Find extremums of 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐, if any.

To find the points which could be our extremums (critical points) we need to find the roots of this equation: 𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟎,

So, 𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 = 𝟎 → 𝟑𝒙 𝒙 − 𝟐 = 𝟎→ 𝒙 = 𝟎, 𝒙 = 𝟐

Two points 𝑨(𝟎, 𝟐) and 𝑩(𝟐, −𝟐) are possible extremums.

Sufficient condition(1st method): As the sign of 𝒚′ = 𝒇′(𝒙) changes while passing through the points there is a maximum and a minimum.

𝒙 −∞ +∞

𝑦′ + − +

𝑦

0 2

2 -2

Max Min

Some Examples• Sufficient condition (2nd method): we need to find the sign of 𝒇′′(𝒙)

at those critical points:𝒇′′ 𝒙 = 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟔

𝒇′′ 𝒙 = 𝟎 = −𝟔 → 𝑨 𝟎, 𝟐 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎𝒇′′ 𝒙 = 𝟐 = 𝟔 → 𝑩 𝟐, −𝟐 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎

o Find the extremum(s) of 𝒚 = 𝟏 −𝟑

𝒙𝟐, if any.

𝒚′ =−𝟐

𝟑𝟑 𝒙

Although 𝒚′ cannot be zero but its sign changes when passing through 𝒙 = 𝟎, so the function has a maximum at point 𝑨(𝟎, 𝟏). The second method of the sufficient condition cannot be used here. Why?

𝒙 −∞ +∞

𝑦′ +

𝑦

0

1Max

basic calculus (i)

Education