Differentiation

Use BW Differentiation slides 1 to 3 to introduce the concept of rate of change, and tangents to
a curve. In slide 3 notice that a line may be a tangent to the curve at one point but intersect the
curve at another point. Show how the tangent has the same direction as the curve at its point of
contact.
The tangent to a curve at a point is a straight line that just touches the curve but does not
intersect it at this point. The tangent has the same direction as the curve at this point.
Examples:

The gradient of the tangent increases as the curve becomes steeper:

The gradient of the tangent measures the rate of change of the function.
Note: Rate of change of distance travelled = speed
Rate of change of speed = acceleration
Show BW Differentiation slide 4 issue cm graph paper for pupil to draw graph and plot
y x 2 , then get tangent lines to find rule.
Use the rule to get the gradient to the curve at the point (3, 9), and at points such as x = ,
x = 07, etc.
Discuss: Is there a way we can find the rule without drawing the pictures?
Using Graph, display the graph of y x 2 and its tangents at x = 1, 2, 3 and 4. Pupils should
complete row 2 of the table below, then be given time to work out rows 3 and 4. Discuss, then
repeat for y x 3 and y x 4 .
y x2
page 1 of 16

equation of tangent

y = 2x 1

y = 4x 4

y = 6x 9

y = 8x 16

gradient of tangent

(pattern)

21

22

23

24

For the graph of y x 2 , gradient = 2x

y x3
x

equation of tangent

y = 3x 2

y = 12x 16

y = 27x 54

y = 48x 128

gradient of tangent

12

27

48

(pattern)

31

34

39

3 16

For the graph of y x 3 , gradient = 3x2

y x4
x

equation of tangent

y = 4x 3

y = 32x 48

y = 108x 243

y = 256x 768

gradient of tangent

32

108

256

(pattern)

41

48

4 27

4 64

For the graph of y x 4 , gradient = 4x3

It would appear that the gradient of the tangent to the curve y x n is equal to nx n 1 .
The gradient rule is called the derivative or the derived function and is written as f ' x .
The process of obtaining f ' x is called differentiation.
Important: The derivative describes the gradient of the tangent to the curve,
i.e. the rate of change of the function.

A function is differentiable over an interval if a derivative exists at every point within the
interval. This means that the curve must be defined, continuous and smooth within the
interval.
PowerPoint: Differentiable functions

page 2 of 16

Differentiating from First Principles

Mostly we will differentiate using rules that we will discover through observation, as above.
However, we must also be able to differentiate simple functions using a completely theoretical
approach. This is called differentiating from first principles.
Show Boardworks slide 5 to 8 to explore how the chord AB approaches the tangent at A as B
approaches A. (Slide 7 evaluates the gradient for the previous example at (3, 9)). Point out:
f ( x h) f ( x )
Gradient of AB =
h
f ( x h) f ( x)
Gradient of f x = lim
h
h 0
h can never equal zero!

y f x

f x h

f x

A
h

f x h f x

x+h

The gradient of chord AB =

f x h f x
.
h
As point B moves closer to A, h 0 and the
gradient of the chord the gradient of the
tangent at A.

So the gradient of the tangent at A is f ' x lim

f x h f x

h 0

Example:

f x x2
f ' x lim

f x h f x
h

h 0

x h
lim

x2

h
x 2 xh h 2 x 2
lim
h 0
h
2
2 xh h
lim
h 0
h
h 2x h
lim
h 0
h
lim 2 x h
h 0

Note: Until the new arrangements come into

effect, this can be omitted or glossed over
for lower ability classes it is not
examinable, although is very good
background for progression to Advanced
Higher.

h 0

2x
page 3 of 16

Note:
We cannot let h become 0
while it would mean we were
dividing by 0. At this stage,
however, it is valid to let h
become 0.

Optional (Compulsory after new arrangements!):

Show BW Differentiation slides 8 (and 9 to 12?): Slide 8 is an exercise, giving 3 functions to
be differentiated from first principles; Slides 9 to 12 give worked solutions if required.

Differentiating xn
In general:

Examples: 1.

n
n 1
If f x x , then f ' x nx , where n is a rational number.

f x x11

2.

f ' x 11x10
4.

f x 3 x7

f x x 3
f ' x 3x 4

5.

f x

x3
f ' x 73 x 3
7 3
3

f ' x 72 x 2
5

f x x

14

x4

6.

x1

f ' x 14 x

1
x

f x x2

3.

54

f ' x 1x 0

1
4 4 x5

[Note: The form given in the question indicates the form that should be used in the answer.]
Remember: The derivative represents the rate of change of the function.
Hence for a straight line, the derivative is the gradient of the line.
Discuss:
In question 6 we saw that if f x x then f ' x 1 . We also know this to be true as the
gradient of the line y = x is 1.
Also, for a horizontal line, e.g. y = k, the gradient is 0. We can verify this by using the rules
0
1
for differentiation: If f x k we can write this as f x kx . So f ' x k 0 x 0 .
Important: x differentiates to 1
any constant differentiates to 0
p91 Exercise 6D (odd numbered questions) even ones may be used for further practice if
needed.
Emphasis the layout of the questions it is not acceptable to write x2 = 2x etc. as clearly this
is seldom true!

page 4 of 16

Finding the gradient at a point

The derivative of a function gives us a formula for the gradient of a tangent to the curve at any
point. To find the gradient at a particular point we differentiate to get the derivative (i.e. the
gradient rule), then substitute the x-coordinate of our point.
Examples:

1.

2.

Find the gradient of the tangent to the curve y x 1 at x = 4.

1
f x x 1
f ' 4 2
4
1
f ' x x 2

16
1
2
x
(Emphasise the benefit of writing the derivative with the positive index for
evaluating.)
2
If f x x , find the value of f ' 2 .

f x x 2
f ' x 2 x 3

3.

2
x3

2
23
2

8
1

f ' 2

Find the rate of change of f (t) = t 3 at t = 5.

f t t3
f ' t 3t 2

f ' 5 3 52
75

p92 Exercise 6E (qu.2 6)

Differentiating kxn
Rule:

n
If f x kx ,

n 1
then f ' x knx ,
where k is a constant and n is a rational number.

page 5 of 16

Proof:

f x kx n
f ' x lim

f x h f x
h

h 0

k x h kx n
n

lim

h 0

lim

x h

x h
k lim
h 0

kf ' x

1.

Omit for lower ability classes!

h 0

Examples:

xn

f x 5x4

2.

f ' x 20 x3

g x 12 x 3
2

g ' x 12 32 x
13 x

13

If f x v x w x , then f ' x v ' x w ' x .

Rule:

Proof:

13

f x v x w x
f ' x lim
h 0

lim
h 0

lim

f x h f x

h
v x h w x h v x w x
h
v x h v x w x h w x

h 0

lim

v x h v x

h
v ' x w ' x
h 0

h
lim
h 0

Omit for lower ability classes!

w x h w x
h

Important: Before any expression can be differentiated it must be expressed in differentiable

form, i.e. re-written so that we can use the rules we have learned for differentiation. At this
stage this means it must be written as ax m bx n ...
this cannot be over-emphasised!!!

Examples:

1.

f x x2 5x

2.

f ' x 2x 5

g x 6 x 1 x 3

g ' x 6 x 2 3x 2

page 6 of 16

3.

f x 3 x 2 5x 7
3 x 2 5 x 1 7

f ' x 6 x 5 x 2

6x

x 2 x 3

h x

4.

x2
2x

1
2

5
x2

x
2x

1
2

2 x
x x6
2

2x 2

6
1

2x 2
3

12 x 2 12 x 2 3x
h ' x 12 23 x 2 12 12 x 2 3 12 x
1

p94 Exercise 6F (odd numbers only)

p95 Exercise 6G (odd numbered questions 111, 2127)
p97 Exercise 6H (qu 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 minimum)

23

Stress the importance of ensuring the whole

expression is in differentiable form before
applying any of the rules of differentiation.

12

34 x 2 14 x 2 32 x

3
4

x 41x

23

3
2 x3

In all three exercises pupils

should be advised to do more if
they can find the time.

Leibniz notation
A common alternative notation for f ' x was invented by the 17th century mathematician,
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.
He represented h by x ( = the greek letter, delta) meaning a very small change in x, and
f x h f x by y , meaning a very small change in y.
h

y
dy
. This is usually abbreviated to
, i.e. the derivative of y with respect to x.
0 x
dx

So f ' x lim
Example:

2
If y r 1 r 2 , find

dy
when r 32 .
dr

y r 3 2r 2 r 2
dy
3r 2 4r 1
dr
2
dy
At r 32 ,
3 32 4 32 1
dr
1 34

page 7 of 16

Exercise:

dy
.
dx

1.

If y 3x 2 , find

3.

2
If s ut 12 at , find

ds
.
dt

2.

If C r 2 r , find

4.

If Q

dC
.
dr

dQ
q2 5
, find
.
dq
2q

Equations of Tangents
Example:

Find the equation of the tangent to y x 4 at x = 2.

A tangent is a straight line so we will be using y b m x a .
We need a point on the line, and the gradient at that point.
Point:

y x 4 24 16 (2, 16)

When x = 2,

Gradient:

y x4

When x = 2,
Equation:

dy
3
4 2 32 , so m = 32
dx

y b m x a

2,16

m 32

y 16 32 x 2
y 16 32 x 64
32 x y 48 0

Example:

dy
4 x3
dx

mtangent =

Find the equation of the tangent to y 2 x 1 at x 3 .

2

Point:

y 2 x 1 2 3 1 5 25 (3, 25)

Gradient:

y 2 x 1

When x 3 ,
2

mtangent =

dy
8x 4
dx

4 x2 4 x 1
When x 3 ,
Equation:

dy
8 3 4 20 , so m = 20
dx

y b m x a

m 20

y 25 20 x 3
y 16 20 x 60
20 x y 76 0
p101 Exercise 6J (qu. 1, 6, 7, 2)

page 8 of 16

3, 25
a

Increasing and Decreasing Functions

Show BW Differentiation slides 13 and 14, and discuss how the shape of the curve relates to
the value of the gradient of the tangent. In slide 13 introduce the terms stationary point,
increasing and decreasing. In slide 14 extend this to discuss strictly increasing and strictly
decreasing functions.
At any given point a function f is increasing, decreasing or stationary:

increasing if f (x) > 0

(Shape:

decreasing if f (x) < 0

(Shape:

stationary if f (x) = 0

(Shape:

A function is said to be strictly increasing in an interval if it is increasing at every point in the

interval. Note this means that f ' x 0 , but f ' x 0 in this interval. Similarly, the
function is strictly decreasing if it is decreasing at every point in the interval.
Example:

Find the range of values of x for which the function f (x) = 4x2 5x + 3 is
strictly increasing.
Function is strictly increasing if f (x) > 0 (but not equal to zero!)
f (x)
f (x)

Example:

= 4x2 5x + 3
= 8x 5 > 0
8x > 5
x > 85

Find the range of values of x for which the function f (x) = x3 6x2 + 2 is
decreasing.
Function is decreasing if f ' x 0 .

(Not strictly decreasing so might be 0)

f x x3 6 x 2 2
f ' x 3x 2 12 x 0
3x x 4 0

To solve this we need to consider the graph of y = x2 4x and decide when this
graph is below the x-axis.
3x x 4 0
The graph crosses the x-axis when
3x 0
x4 0
x0
x4
2
Positive x term so the parabola is concave up (i.e. )
page 9 of 16

f ' x 0 so y 0 .
0

Graph is below the x-axis when 0 x 4 .

So the original function is decreasing when 0 x 4 .
[The function is strictly decreasing when 0 x 4 .]
WS Increasing and Decreasing Functions
Note: The textbook does not deal with the term strictly, and incorrectly uses increasing to
mean strictly increasing! The worksheet was taken from questions in Ex 6L, reworded to
address this.
Stationary Points
Show BW Differentiation slide 15 and discuss the nature of stationary points, introducing the
terms maximum stationary point, minimum stationary point, and rising/falling point of
inflexion.
Discuss how we can use the derivative to determine the nature of the stationary point, but try to
get the pupils to come up with the idea of evaluating the derivative in the neighbourhood of the
point.
Note: For a top section the latter could be referred to as rising/falling horizontal points of
inflexion. (A point of inflexion occurs at a change of concavity, and is only a stationary point if
f ' x 0 at this point, hence the term horizontal. This is further developed at Advanced
Higher.)
A stationary point occurs when the tangent is horizontal, i.e. the gradient of the curve (
(x)) is 0.

dy
dx

or f

The nature of a stationary point describes the shape of the curve at this point:

maximum
stationary point

minimum
stationary point

rising point of
inflexion

falling point of
inflexion

To determine the nature of a stationary point we look at the sign (+ or ) of the gradient on
either side of it. This is done using a nature table.

page 10 of 16

e.g.

f x 2 x 3 9 x 2 12 x 7 has stationary points at x = 1 and x = 2.

Choose x values on either side of the stationary points.
x
09
1
15
2
f ' x 6 x 18 x 12
+
0

Shape

2
0

21
+

OR Factorise f ' x , and consider the sign on either side of the stationary point for each
factor.
x

6(x 2)
(x 1)

f ' x 6 x 2 x 1

0
0

2
0
+
0

+
+
+

Shape
We
can see that at x = 1 the shape of the curve is , so the function has a maximum
stationary point at x = 1. At x = 2 the shape of the curve is
, so the function has a
minimum stationary point at x = 2.
Note: All the detail in the nature table must be shown for full credit to be given in the
exam.
The minimum requirements are that x and f ' x must appear in the left column, and that
the signs (or values) and shape are shown for all sections, i.e. at the stationary points and on
either side. Many pupils omit the entries at the stationary point, or do not include the labels x
and f ' x , losing marks in the exam. (The formula for f ' x need not be included in the

table, but including it often prevents pupils evaluating f x instead by mistake.) A top
section should work with a factorised derivative (one line per factor in the table) and use the
sign for each factor the approach of using a calculator to investigate values is preferable for a
lower section. (See examples below.)
Example:

Find the stationary point on the curve y 3x 3 4 and determine its nature.
Stationary points when

Nature:

dy
0
dx
9 x2 0
x0

dy
9x2
dx

dy
9x2
dx

slope

slope

page 11 of 16

When x 0 , y 3x 3 4 3 0 4 4 , so rising point of inflexion at (0, 4)

3

Example:

4
3
If f x 2 x 4 x , find the stationary points on the curve y f x and
determine their nature.

Stationary points when f ' x 0

8 x 3 12 x 2 0
4 x 2 2 x 3 0
2x 3 0
2x 3

4 x2 0
x0

3
2

Nature:
x

15

f ' x 8 x3 12 x 2

15

4x2

(2x 3)

f ' x 4 x 2 2 x 3

2
+

slope

slope
When x 0 , y 2 0 4 0
=0
4

When x 1 5 , y 2 15 4 1 5
= 3375

Falling point of inflexion at (0, 0)

Minimum turning point at (1.5, 3.375)

p106 Exercise 6M (qu. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9)

Curve Sketching
To sketch a curve we must find
the x- and y- intercepts (if any)
the stationary points and their nature
These points must always be indicated clearly on the sketch, whether or not this is specified in
the question!

page 12 of 16

y x 4 x3

Example:

Intercepts:

At x 0 , y 04 03 0 (0,0)
At y 0 ,
x 4 x3 0
x 3 x 1 0
x0

x 1 (0, 0), (1, 0)

dy
0
dx
4 x3 3x 2 0
x 2 4 x 3 0

Stationary points:

x0

4x 3 0
4x 3
x

Nature:
x
dy
4 x3 3x 2
dx
slope

3
4

OR
1

05

075

075

025

x2

(4x 3)

dy
dx

x 2 4 x 3
slope

When x 0 , y 04 03
=0

When x 0 75 , y 0 75
= 011

Falling point of inflexion at (0, 0)

Minimum turning point at (075, 011)

y

(075, 011)
p107 Exercise 6N (qu. 1, 4, 5, 6)

page 13 of 16

0 75

Closed Intervals
In a closed interval (e.g. 1 x 7), the maximum and minimum values of a function are
either at a stationary point or at an end point of the interval.
Example

The graph below is of the function f(x) = 2x3 3x2 36x.

f(x)
(-2, 44)
-3.6

(3, -81)

Find the maximum and minimum of f(x) within the closed interval
4 x 2.
From the graph, the maximum value in the closed interval is 44.
The minimum value within the closed interval is at one of the end points:
At x = 4,
y = 2x3 3x2 36x = 32 (-4, 32)
At x = 2,
y = 2x3 3x2 36x = 68 (2, -68)
So the minimum value in the closed interval is 68.
p109 Exercise 6O (qu. 1(a) (c))

page 14 of 16

Graph of the Derived Function

To sketch the graph of the derived function of f(x), i.e. f '(x), we must find where
f (x) is increasing, decreasing or stationary, i.e. where f '(x) is positive, negative or zero.
Show BW Differentiation slide 16 to 17, moving the slider very slowly.
Example

Sketch the graph of the derived function of this cubic function.

f(x)

(1, 4)

Cubic (ax3 + ) differentiates to a quadratic

gradient:
f '(x)

1
0

above

below

+
above x-axis

f '(x)

p109 Exercise 6P (qu. 1 7) (do qu 1 together)

page 15 of 16

Optimization: Maxima and Minima (differentiation in context)

Example: A farmer has 60 m of fencing with which to construct a rectangular enclosure
against an existing wall.
(a)

If the width of the enclosure is w metres, show that the area of the enclosure
is given by A = 60w w2

(b)

Find the dimensions of the rectangle to maximise the area, and state this
maximum area.

(a) (i)

Area: A = l b
We need to give the area in terms of w
only, so we must find an expression for the
length. Say length = l:

l + 2w = 60
l = 60 2w
A = lw
= w (60 2w)
= 60w 2w2
Show BW Differentiation slide 19
(b)

Now we need to differentiate to find the stationary point, then justify that it is a
maximum.
Stationary point when

Check nature:

=
60 4w =
4w =
w =

w
dA
dw

dA
dw

= 60 4w

0
0
60
15

14

15

16

slope
So maximum area is when the width = 15m and the length is 60 2w = 30m.
The area for these dimensions is 15 30 = 450 m2.
P112 Exercise 6Q (qu. 1, 6)
p114 Exercise 6R (qu.1, 3)
p115 Exercise 6S (qu15, 19, 23 minimum)
the remainder is very good extra practice, but miss out qu12, 13 and 18.

page 16 of 16