Derivatives and Differentiation

Quinn Pear

Content Overview
Chapter 5 was an introduction to derivatives. Derivatives are the slope of a function at a
particular point. The formula

f (x 1 +h)f ( x 1)
h

is the Difference Quotient. The difference

quotient is the slope formula rewritten with new notations. The slope formula is
The x-coordinates are rewritten as

x 1 and

m=

y 2 y 1
.
x 2x 1

x 1+ h and the y-coordinates are rewritten as

x
f ( x1 ) and f ( 1+ h) . In the coordinates h represents the change in the coordinates.

Derivatives are used to find the slopes of a curve. If you take the approximate slope of a curved
line between two points you find the secant line. In secant lines, the farther away the two points
are on a function, the less the slope of the line formed and the function correspond. When the
two points are closer together, the slope of the function is more accurate. When the line touches
the curve at exactly one point, it is the most accurate. this is called the tangent line. Because
there is still two points the distance between them has been infinitely shrunk to get them as
close together as possible. To do this a limit is set up and because h represent the change, it is
set to

lim
h0

. The

lim f ( x1 +h)f ( x 1 )

definition of the derivative is

h 0

or

f ' ( x)

There are

four different rules that are able to simplify taking the derivatives. The power rule, chain rule,
quotient rule, and product rule.

Power Rule

If

y=x n ,then

dy
=n x n1
dx

This is a basic technique for taking the derivative. It simplifies the definition of
derivative.
Chain Rule

If

y=f ( g(x )) , then y '=(

df (g( x )) dg
)( )
dg
dx

This rule is helpful when solving composite functions.

Also
If

y= y ( v)v =v ( x ), then

dy dy dv
=
dx dv dx

Quotient Rule

du
dv
v u
u
dx
dx
If
f ( x)= ,then f '( x)=
2
v
v
This rule is useful for solving functions with variables on top of each other.

Product Rule

If

f ( x)=uv , then f ' ( x)=u

dv
du
+v
dx
dx

This technique makes it easier to find the derivative of polynomials. You multiply the
first function by the derivative of the second added to the derivative of the second
function multiplied by the derivative of the first.

Compare/Contrast
These chapter went over topics we have been working on in class. In class we have
been working on solving derivatives. Similarly to the book we first learned about the definition of
derivatives and then moved onto the power rule. Differently though, the power rule was taught
very early on in class and in the book it appears in the chapter following the introduction to
derivatives. Although I see the importance of fully understanding the definition of the derivative,
knowing the power ule makes working on many of the problems infinitely easier and much less
time consuming. When working through the book the addition rule seemed foreign to me at first.
Shortly after looking at it I was able to recall learning it in class. Again this was something
worked on fairly early in the process of learning derivatives. Higher order derivatives were also
something I found both in class and the book, where you find the derivative of a function more
than once. Using my previous understanding, I was able to breeze through many problems. A
majority of topics surrounding derivatives were covered in class, but there were a few topics left
out. The product rule, chain rule, and quotient rule were not thoroughly discussed in class.

Solution Set
See Attached

Self-Assessment and Reflection

While working through these sections, many problems came very easily for me because
of my past experience with the topic. In problem set for you were asked to find the derivative of
11 x7 . Using the power rule, I was able to solve this almost instantly giving me an answer of

77 x 6 . Although many problems came easy for me, I struggled on a few. I had difficulty
working on some problems that employed multiple rules in them. For example, in question set 5

[ ]

the problem: Find f '(x )if f (x)=

x
3 . I sat for a while stuck, not understanding how to
x =1

begin the problem. To solve this problem, I looked back through the section to find the example
given on solving a similar problem. Seeing how to set this problem up allowed me to start
working through it and allowed me to take it on step by step. Eventually I was able to find the
2

solution,

x +1

.
3 x 23 x 4

While working on these problems there were a few strategies I used. One of the most
helpful strategies I used was using prior knowledge and notes to solve the problems. This
strategy allowed me to deepen my understanding of the topics being presented. Another
strategy I used was using the resources around me to solve the problems. To solve the
problems, I used both the book and online resources. By using multiple resources I was able to
get a more vivid understanding of the topic. And lastly, one of the most important strategies I
used was making sure I was engaged in what I was learning, so I didnt waste time. I think all of
these strategies will be beneficial in both college and my future.