CIE IGCSE Additional Maths Your notes
Differentiation
Contents
Introduction to Differentiation
Differentiating Special Functions
Chain Rule
Product Rule
Quotient Rule
Applications of Differentiation
Second Order Derivatives
Modelling with Differentiation
Connected Rates of Change
Introduction to Differentiation
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Definition of Gradient
What is the gradient of a curve?
At a given point the gradient of a curve is de ned as the gradient of the tangent to the curve at that
point
A tangent to a curve is a line that just touches the curve at one point but doesn't cut the curve at that
point
A tangent may cut the curve somewhere else on the curve
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It is only possible to draw one tangent to a curve at any given point
Note that unlike the gradient of a straight line, the gradient of a curve is constantly changing
Worked example
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The diagram shows the curve with equation y = x3 − 2x2 − x + 3. The tangent, T , to the curve at
the point A (2, 1) is also shown.
Using the diagram, calculate the gradient of the curve at A.
The gradient of the curve at the point A is the same as the gradient of the tangent T.
Calculate the gradient of the line.
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The gradient is 3
Definition of Derivatives
What is a derivative? Your notes
Calculus is about rates of change
the way a car’s position on a road changes is its speed (velocity)
the way the car’s speed changes is its acceleration
The gradient (rate of change) of a (non-linear) function varies with x
The derivative of a function is a function that relates the gradient to the value of x
For example, the derivative ofy = x2 is 2x
This means that when x = 1, the gradient of y = x2 is 2(1) = 2
And when x = 5 , the gradient of y = x2 is 2(5) = 10
The derivative is also called the gradient function
Worked example
gradient = 3
Differentiating Powers of x
What is differentiation? Your notes
Dif f erentiation is the process of finding an expression for the derivative (gradient function) from the
equation of a curve
dy
The equation of the curve is written y = . . . and the gradient function is written = ...
dx
How do I differentiate powers of x?
Powers of x are differentiated according to the following formula:
dy
If y = axn then = anx n −1
dx
dy
e.g. If y = 4x3 then = 4 × 3 × x3 −1 = 12x2
dx
you "bring down the power" then "subtract one from the power"
Don't forget these two special cases:
dy
If y = ax then =a
dx
dy
y = 6x then
e.g. If =6
dx
dy
If y = a then =0
dx
dy
e.g. If y = 5 then =0
dx
x and constants
These allow you to di erentiate linear terms in
Functions involving fractions with denominators in terms of x will need to be rewritten as negative
powers of x first
4
e.g. If y = then rewrite as y = 4x−1 and differentiate
x
How do I differentiate sums and differences of powers of x?
The formulae for Differentiating powers of x work for a sum or Difference of powers of x
e.g. If y = 5x4 + 3x−2 + 4 then
dy
= 5 × 4x4 −1 + 3 × (−2)x−2 −1 + 0 Your notes
dx
dy
= 20x3 − 6x−3
dx
This is sometimes referred to Differentiating 'term-by-term'
Products and quotients (divisions) cannot be differentiated in this way so they need
expanding/simplifying rst
y = (2x − 3) (x2 − 4) then expand to y = 2x3 − 3x2 − 8x + 12 which is a
e.g. If
sum/dif f erence of powers of x and can then be differentiated
What can I do with derivatives (gradient functions)?
The derivative c a n be used to nd the gradient of a function at any point
The gradient of a function at a point is equal to the gradient of the tangent to the curve at that
point
A question may refer to the gradient of the tangent
Worked example
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Find the derivative of
!
(a) y = 5x3 + 2x +" ! + 8
(b) y = (2x + 3)2
(c).
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Worked example
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a) Find f'( x ) for the functions
i. f (x ) = sin x
ii. f (x ) = cos 2 x
ii. f (x ) = 3sin 4 x − cos(2 x − 3)
⎜
Differentiating 𝑒 ! & lnx
, NOT
, NOT
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Chain Rule
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Chain Rule
What is the chain rule?
In function notation this could be written
How do I know when to use the chain rule?
The chain rule is used when we are trying to di erentiate composite functions
“function of a function”
these can be identi ed as the variable (usually x ) does not ‘appear alone’
sin x – not a composite function, x ‘appears alone’
sin(3x + 2) is a composite function; x is tripled and has 2 added to it before the sine
function is applied
How do I use the chain rule?
STEP 1
Identify the two functions
STEP 2
STEP 3
In trickier problems chain rule may have to be applied more than once
How do I differentiate (ax + b)n?
For n = 2 you will most likely expand the brackets and Differentiate each term separately
If n > 2 this becomes time-consuming and if n is not a positive integer we need a dif f erent
method completely
The chain rule allows us to use substitution to Differentiate any function in the form y = (ax + b)n
Let u = ax + b, then y = un
Differentiate both parts separately
du dy
=a and = nu n −1
dx du
Put both parts into the chain rule
dy dy du
× n −1 = anun −1
dx
=
du dx = a × nu
Substitute u = ax + b back into your answer
dy
= an (ax + b ) n −1
dx
How do I differentiate √(ax+b)?
The chain rule allows us to use substitution to Differentiate any function in the form y=
1
Rewrite = (ax + b) 2
Let u = ax + b, then y = u½
Differentiate both parts separately
du dy 1 −1
= a and = u 2
dx du 2
Put both parts into the chain rule
d =
dy x dy
× du 1 −
du
= a
dx − 1 1
a×
u 2 = 2
2
u
2
Substitute u = ax + b back into your answer
1
dy a − a
= (ax + b) 2 =
dx 2 2 ax + b
Worked example 2. Find
the
1. Find the derivative of y = (x2 − 5x + 7)7. deri
vati
ve
of
y=
sin
(e2
x)
.
Product Rule
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Product Rule
What is the product rule?
The product rule is a formula that allows you to Differentiate a product of two functions
If y = u × v where u and v are functions of x then the product rule is:
dy dv du
=u +v
dx dx dx
In function notation, if = × h( x ) then the product rule can be written as:
f'( x ) = g( x )h'( x ) + h( x )g'( x )
The easiest way to remember the product rule is, for y = u × v where u and v are functions of x:
y ' = uv' + vu'
How do I know when to use the product rule?
The product rule is used when we are trying to di erentiate the product of two functions
These can easily be confused with composite functions (see chain rule)
sin(cos x) is a composite function, “sin of cos of x ”
sin xcos x is a product, “sin x times cos x ”
How do I use the product rule?
Make it clear what u, v, u' and v' are
arranging them in a square can help
opposite diagonals match up
STEP 1
u and v
Identify the two functions,
Differentiate both u and v with respect to x to nd u' and v'
STEP 2
dy dy dv du
Obtain by applying the product rule formula =u +v
dx dx dx dx
Simplify the answer if straightforward to do so or if the question requires a particular form
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Worked example
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Quotient Rule
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Quotient Rule
What is the quotient rule?
The quotient rule is a formula that allows you to Diff erentiate a quotient of two functions
i.e. one function divided by another
u
If y= where u and v are functions of x then the quotient rule is:
v
du dv
dy v dx −u
dx
=
dx v2
In function notation, if = then the quotient rule can be written as:
h( x )g'( x ) − g( x )h'( x )
f'( x ) =
(h ( x )) 2
As with the product rule, ‘dash notation’ may be used to make remembering it easier
u
y=
v
vu ' − uv'
y'=
v2
Final answers should match the notation used throughout the question
How do I know when to use the quotient rule?
The quotient rule is used when trying to differentiate a fraction where both the numerator and
denominator are functions of x
if the numerator is a constant, negative powers can be used
if the denominator is a constant, treat it as a factor of the expression\
How do I use the quotient rule?
Make it clear what u, v, u' and v' are Your notes
arranging them in a square can help
opposite diagonals match up (like they do for product rule)
STEP 1
Identify the two functions,u and v
Di erentiate both u and v with respect to x to nd u' and v'
STEP 2
du dv
v −u
dy dy dx dx
Obtain by applying the quotient rule formula =
dx dx v2
Be careful using the formula – because of the minus sign in the numerator, the order of the
functions is important
Simplify the answer if straightforward or if the question requires a particular form
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Worked example
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Page 36 of 70
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Applications of Differentiation
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Finding Gradients
How do I use the derivative to nd the gradient of a curve?
The gradient of a curve at a point is the gradient of the tangent to the curve at that point
To nd the gradient of a curve, at any point on the curve
dy dy
Differentiate to nd (unless is already known)
dx dx
dy
substitute the x ‑coordinate of the point into the derivative and evaluate
dx
How do I nd the approximate change in y as x increases?
change in y
gradient= so, for small changes you can write
change in x
change in y =gradient × change in x
1 5
For example, if the gradient of y =x − at x = 2 is
x 4
y as x increases from 2 to 2 + h , where h is small?
what is the approximate change in
5
change in y =gradient × change in x = h Your notes
4
Worked example
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#
A curve has the equation y= !
x 3 + 3x − 8.
(a) Find the gradient of the curve when x = 2.
(b) Work out the possible values of x for which the rate of change of y with respect to x is 4.
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Increasing & Decreasing Functions
What are increasing and decreasing functions? Your notes
!"
A function is increasing when (the gradient is positive)
!#
This means graph of a function goes up as. increases
A function is decreasing when
!"
!#
< 0 (the gradient is negative)
This means graph of a function goes down as increases
How do I find where functions are increasing or decreasing?
To identify the intervals on which a function is increasing or decreasing
STEP 1
Find the derivative f'(x) Your notes
STEP 2
Solve the inequalities
(for increasing intervals) and/or
(for decreasing intervals)
Most functions are a combination of increasing, decreasing and stationary
a range of values of x (interval) is given where a function satisfices each
condition
f (x) = x2 has derivative f ' (x) = 2x so
e.g. The function
f (x) is decreasing for x < 0
f (x) is stationary at x = 0
f (x) is increasing for x > 0
To identify the intervals (the range of x values) for which a curve is increasing or decreasing you need
to:
dy
. Find the derivative
dx
dy dy
. Solve the inequalities > 0 (for increasing intervals) or < 0 (for decreasing intervals)
dx dx
Worked example
For what values of x is y = 2x3 − 3x2 + 5 a decreasing function?
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Tangents & Normals
What is a tangent? Your notes
At any point on the graph of a (non-linear) function, the tangent is the straight line that touches the
graph at a point without crossing through it
Its gradient is given by the derivative function
How do I find the equation of a tangent?
What is a normal?
At any point on the graph of a (non-linear) function, the normal is the straight line that passes through
that point and is perpendicular to the tangent
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How do I find the equation of a normal?
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Worked example
The function f (x) is defined by
a) Find an equation for the tangent to the curve y = f (x) at the point where x = 1, giving your
answer in the form y = mx + c .
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Second Order Derivatives
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Second Order Derivatives
What is the second order derivative of a function?
If you dif f erentiate the derivative of a function (i.e. dif f erentiate the function a second time) you
getthe second order derivative of the function
The second order derivative can be referred to simply as the second derivative
d2y
We can write the second derivative as
dx 2
Note the position of the powers of 2
dif f erentiating twice (so ) with respect to x twice (sox 2)
A first derivative is the rate of change of a function (the gradient)
a second order derivative is the rate of change of the rate of change of a function
i.e. the rate of change of the function’s gradient
A positive second derivative means the gradient is increasing
For instance in a u-shape, the gradient is changing from negative to positive
A negative second derivative means the gradient is decreasing
For instance in an n-shape, the gradient is changing from positive to negative
Second order derivatives can be used to test whether a point is a minimum or maximum
To f i nd a second derivative, you simply dif f erentiate twice!
It is important to write down your working with the correct notation, so you know what each
expression means
For example
y = 5x3 + 10x2
dy
= 15x2 + 20x
dx
d2y
= 30x + 20
dx 2
Worked example
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d2y
Work out when
dx 2
(a). y = x5 − 2x3 + 7x2 + 9x − 18
!"#$
(b). 𝑦 =
"!
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Stationary Points & Turning Points
What are stationary points? Your notes
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Stationary points on quadratics
The graph of a quadratic function only has a single stationary point
For a positive quadratic this is the minimum; for a negative quadratic it is the maximum
No need to talk about 'local' here, as it is the overall minimum/maximum for the whole curve
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The y value/coordinate of the stationary point is therefore the minimum or maximum value of the
quadratic function.
For quadratics especially, minimum and maximum points are often referred to as turning points.
Worked example
Find the stationary point of
y = x 2 − 2x
and explain why it will be a minimum point.
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Testing for Local Minimum & Maximum Points
How do I determine the nature of stationary points on a curve? Your notes
For a graph there are two ways to determine the nature of its stationary points
Method A
dy
Compare the signs of the f i rst derivative, , (positive or negative) a little bit to either side
dx
of the stationary point
e.g. if the stationary point is at x=2 then you could nd the gradient at x=1.9 and x=2.1
Compare the signs (positive or negative) of the derivatives on the left and right of the stationary
point
If the derivatives are negative on the left and positive on the right, the point is a local
minimum (a u-shape)
If the derivatives are positive on the left and negative on the right, the point is a local
maximum (an n-shape)
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Method B
Look at the sign of the second derivative (positive or negative) at the stationary point
Find the second derivative
dx2
For each stationary point nd the value of at the stationary point
dx2
i.e. substitute the x-coordinate of the stationary point into and evaluate
dx2
If is positive then the point is a local minimum
dx2
If is negative then the point is a local maximum
dx2 Your notes
If is zero then the point could be a local minimum, a local maximum OR a point of inflection
dx2
In this case you will need to use method A instead
Worked example
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Find the stationary points of
y = x2 (2x2 − 4)
and determine the nature of each.
Modelling with Differentiation
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Modelling with Differentiation
How is differentiation used in modelling questions?
Derivatives can be calculated for any variables – not just y and x The
derivative is a formula giving the rate of change of one variable with respect to the other variable
dA
For example if A = 4πr2 then = 8πr
dr
dA
is the rate of change of A with respect to r
dr
The phrase 'increasing at a rate of' means the rate of change of one variable with respect to time
d
dt
Differentiation can be used to find maximum and minimum points of a function
In modelling, this is called optimization
Second derivative tests help to determine is the point is a maximum or minimum
Worked example
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4
.
Optimisation
What is optimisation? Your notes
In general, optimisation is finding the best way to do something In mathematics,
optimisation is finding the maximum or minimum output of a function
For example, finding the maximum possible profit or minimum costs
Differentiation can be used to solve optimisation problems in modelling questions
For example you may want to
Maximise the volume of a container
Minimise the amount of fuel used
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Connected Rates of Change
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Connected Rates of Change
What are connected rates of change?
In situations involving more than two variables you can use the chain rule to connect multiple rates of
change into a single equation
Look out for the word "rate"
This implies a derivative is involved
dh
e.g. The height is increasing at a rate of 4 cm per second means =4
dt
If the variable is decreasing then the rate will be negative
dh
e.g. The height is decreasing at a rate of 4 cm per second means = −4
dt
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Worked example
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