(b.

) g(x) = √3
x

Derivative of a Sum or Difference of Functions. Given any two differentiable functions

d d d
f (x) and g(x), we have that dx [f (x) ± g(x)] = dx f (x) ± dx g(x).

Proof. Like usual, we will defer to the limit definition of the derivative. Because it is not very
enlightening, we leave the proof as an exercise for the reader.
Compute the derivatives of the following functions.

(a.) f (x) = 2x2 + 3x + 5

1
(b.) g(x) = x
+ 4x

Recall that the derivative of a function f (x) at a point (x, f (x)) gives the equation of the slope
of the line tangent to f (x) at the point (x, f (x)). For instance, we have seen that the slope of the
line tangent to f (x) = 7x + 1 is f � (x) = 7 for every real number x. We have justified this fact both
heuristically and with calculus. We now extend this notion to a more complicated function.

Equation of the Tangent Line. Compute the slope of the line tangent to the function f (x) =
2x + √1x at the point (1, 3). Use this slope to find the equation of the tangent line at (1, 3).

Solution. We must first compute the derivative of f (x) = 2x + √1 . We have that

x
� �
� d 1 d d 1 1
f (x) = 2x + √ = (2x) + (x−1/2 ) = 2 − x−3/2 = 2 − 3/2 .
dx x dx dx 2 2x

We note that f � (x) gives the slope of the line tangent to f (x) at any point (x, f (x)). We are con-
cerned with the point (1, 3), in particular, hence we wish to find the slope of the line tangent to
f (x) when x = 1. We have that f � (1) = 2 − 12 = 32 . Our problem is now reduced to a question of
algebra. Using the point-slope form y − y1 = m(x − x1 ) with (x1 , y1 ) = (1, 3) and m = 32 , we find
that the equation of the tangent line at (1, 3) is given by y − 3 = 32 (x − 1). Cleaning this up a bit,
we find that y = 32 x + 32 . Graphing both of these equations should corroborate our result. �

3.2 The Product and Quotient Rules

We have just discussed four basic rules of differentiation: (1.) the derivative of a constant func-
tion is always zero; (2.) the derivative of a power function is the product of the power and the
function raised to the power decreased by one; (3.) the derivative of a constant multiple of a
function is the constant multiple of the derivative of the function; and (4.) the derivative of a
sum (difference) of functions is the sum (difference) of the derivatives of the functions. We now
discuss two more very useful but less obvious differentiation rules.

3.2.1 The Product Rule

The Product Rule. Given any two differentiable functions f (x) and g(x), we have that
d
dx
[f (x) · g(x)] = f (x) · g � (x) + f � (x) · g(x).

Proof. We omit the proof here on the grounds that it is tricky and tedious, but we note that Tan
provides an excellent exposition on pages 176 and 177 in the textbook.

26
We note that the product rule looks very different from the rules for products of limits and the
rules for the derivative of the sum of functions. Of course, the temptation is to erroneously exe-
d
cute the product rule as dx [f (x) · g(x)] = f � (x) · g � (x). Certainly, we can find functions f (x) and
g(x) that satisfy this property; however, this is not true in general. Caution must therefore be
taken to ensure the product rule is properly implemented.
d
(a.) Give at least two examples of functions f (x) and g(x) such that dx
[f (x)·g(x)] = f � (x)·g � (x).
(b.) Find the derivative of f (x) = (2x2 − 1)(x3 + 3). (Do not simplify.)
√
(c.) Find the derivative of g(x) = x4 ( x + 1). (Do not simplify.)
We note that in the latter two examples above, the method of finding the derivative is not unique.
For instance, we could have just as easily expanded the products and used the power rule to find
the derivatives as we could have used the product rule; however, as we take the derivative of prod-
ucts of more and more terms, the usefulness of the product rule becomes evident.

3.2.2 The Quotient Rule

The Quotient Rule. Given any two differentiable functions f (x) and g(x), we have that
� �
d f (x) f � (x) · g(x) − f (x) · g � (x)
= wherever g(x) �= 0.
dx g(x) [g(x)]2

Proof. We defer the proof of the quotient rule until we have learned the chain rule.
Like in the case of the product rule, we note that the quotient rule looks very different than the
rules for quotients of limits and the rules for the derivative of the
� difference
� of functions. Of course,
d f (x) f � (x)
the temptation is to erroneously execute the quotient rule as dx g(x)
= g � (x)
. Unlike with the
product rule, we cannot find any functions f (x) and g(x) that satisfy this property. Caution must
therefore be taken to ensure the quotient rule is properly implemented.
x
(a.) Find the derivative of f (x) = 2x−4
. (Do not simplify.)
x2 +1
(b.) Find the derivative of g(x) = x2 −1
. (Do not simplify.)
Rate of Change of Record Streaming. Heidi Klum’s Bangs’ 2015 record A Place We Know
is projected to receive s(t) = t25t+1 million plays annually on Spotify t years from its release.
(a.) Give the rate at which the annual plays are changing at time t.
(b.) Compute how fast the annual plays are changing at the time of the record’s release. Com-
pute how fast the annual plays will be changing two years from its release.
Solution. (a.) We note that the rate of change of the annual plays at time t is given by s� (t). Us-
ing the Quotient Rule, we have that
� (5t)� · (t2 + 1) − (5t) · (t2 + 1)� 5(t2 + 1) − (5t)(2t) 5(1 − t2 )
s (t) = = = 2 . �
(t2 + 1)2 (t2 + 1)2 (t + 1)2
Solution. (b.) We note that the rate of change of the annual plays at the time of the record’s re-
lease is s� (0) = 5, hence the annual plays the record receives is increasing at a rate of five million
plays per year per year at the time of its release. We note that the rate of change of the annual
plays two years after its release is s� (2) = 5(1−4)
52
= −3
5
= −0.6, hence the annual plays the record
receives after two years is decreasing at a rate of 600 thousand plays per year per year. �

27