SECTION 2.

2 THE DERIVATIVE AS A
FUNCTION: OBJECTIVES
Define the derivative function
Graph the derivative function
Identify where a function has no derivative
 DEFINE THE DERIVATIVE FUNCTION
The derivative of 𝑓 at a real number 𝑐 has been defined as the real
number
′
𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑓 𝑐 = lim
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥 − 𝑐
provided the limit exists.
Letting 𝑥 = 𝑐 + ℎ, ℎ ≠ 0 we notice that as 𝑥 approaches 𝑐, then ℎ
approaches 0
𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑐) 𝑓 𝑐 + ℎ − 𝑓(𝑐) 𝑓 𝑐 + ℎ − 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑓 ′ 𝑐 = lim = lim = lim
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥 − 𝑐 ℎ→0 𝑐+ℎ − 𝑐 ℎ→0 ℎ
So an alternate form of the derivative is
′
𝑓 𝑐 + ℎ − 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑓 𝑐 = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
 FINDING THE DERIVATIVE OF A
FUNCTION AT A NUMBER
Example: Find the derivative of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 at any
real number 𝑐 using the alternate definition.
𝑐 + ℎ 2 − 4 𝑐 + ℎ − (𝑐 2 − 4𝑐)
𝑓 𝑐 + ℎ − 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑓′ 𝑐 = lim = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ

(𝑐 2 + 2𝑐ℎ + ℎ2 − 4𝑐 − 4ℎ] − 𝑐 2 + 4𝑐 2𝑐ℎ + ℎ2 − 4ℎ

= lim = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ

ℎ(2𝑐 + ℎ − 4)
= lim = lim (2𝑐 + ℎ − 4) = 2c − 4
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0

So, if 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥, then 𝑓 ′ 𝑐 = 2𝑐 − 4 for any choice of 𝑐. That is,

the derivative 𝑓′ is a function and using 𝑥 as the independent variable
we can write 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 4.
 THE DERIVATIVE FUNCTION

DEFINITION The Derivative Function 𝑓′

The derivative function 𝑓′ of a function 𝑓 is
𝑓 𝑥 + ℎ − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓′(𝑥) = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ
provided the limit exists. If 𝑓 has a derivative, then 𝑓 is
said to be differentiable.
 FINDING THE DERIVATIVE FUNCTION
Example: Differentiate 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 and determine the domain of 𝑓′.

Solution: The domain of 𝑓 is {𝑥|𝑥 ≥ 0}.

′
𝑓 𝑥 + ℎ − 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 + ℎ − 𝑥
𝑓 𝑥 = lim = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
𝑥 + ℎ − 𝑥 𝑥 + ℎ + 𝑥 𝑥 + ℎ − 𝑥
= lim ⋅ = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ 𝑥 + ℎ + 𝑥 ℎ→0 ℎ( 𝑥 + ℎ + 𝑥)
ℎ 1 1
= lim = lim =
ℎ→0 ℎ( 𝑥 + ℎ + 𝑥) ℎ→0 𝑥 + ℎ + 𝑥 2 𝑥

The limit does not exist when 𝑥 = 0. But for all other 𝑥 in the domain of
𝑓, the limit does exist. So, the domain of the derivative function
1
𝑓′ 𝑥 = is {𝑥|𝑥 > 0}.
2 𝑥
INTERPRETING THE DERIVATIVE AS A
RATE OF CHANGE EXAMPLE
Example: The surface area 𝑆 (in square meters) of a balloon is
expanding as a function of time 𝑡 (in seconds) according to 𝑆 =
𝑆 𝑡 = 3𝑡 2 . Find the rate of change of the surface area of the balloon
with respect to time. What are the units of 𝑆′(𝑡)?
′ 𝑆 𝑡 + ℎ − 𝑆(𝑡) 3(𝑡 + ℎ)2 − 3𝑡 2
Solution: 𝑆 𝑡 = lim = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ

3 𝑡 2 + 2𝑡ℎ + ℎ2 − 3𝑡 2 3𝑡 2 + 6𝑡ℎ + 3ℎ2 − 3𝑡 2

= lim = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ
6𝑡ℎ + 3ℎ2 ℎ(6𝑡 + 3ℎ)
= lim = lim = lim (6𝑡 + 3ℎ) = 6𝑡
ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0 ℎ ℎ→0

Since 𝑆′(𝑡) is the limit of the quotient of a change in area divided by a

change in time, the units of the rate of change are square meters per
second.
IDENTIFY WHERE A FUNCTION HAS NO
DERIVATIVE 1 (1 of 2)
Suppose a function 𝑓 is continuous on an open interval
containing the number 𝑐. The function 𝑓 has no derivative
𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑐)
at the number 𝑐 if lim does not exist.
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥−𝑐

Three ways this can happen are:

𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑐) 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(𝑐)
(1) lim+ exists and lim− exists, but they
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥−𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥−𝑐
are not equal.
When this happens, the graph of 𝑓 has a corner at
(𝑐, 𝑓 𝑐 ).
IDENTIFY WHERE A FUNCTION HAS NO
DERIVATIVE 1 (2 of 2)
IDENTIFY WHERE A FUNCTION HAS NO
DERIVATIVE 2
(2) The one-sided limits are both infinite and both equal ∞
or both equal −∞.
When this happens, the graph of 𝑓 has a vertical
asymptote.
IDENTIFY WHERE A FUNCTION HAS NO
DERIVATIVE 3
(3) Both one-sided limits are infinite, but one equals −∞ and
the other equals ∞.
When this happens, the graph of 𝑓 has a vertical tangent line
which is referred to as a cusp.
SHOWING THAT A FUNCTION HAS NO
DERIVATIVE (1 of 2)
Example: Show that 𝑓 𝑥 = (𝑥 − 3)4/7 has no derivative
at 3.
Solution: 𝑓 is continuous for all real numbers and
𝑓 3 = (3 − 3)4/7 = 0.
𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(3) (𝑥 − 3)4/7 1
lim− = lim− = lim− = −∞
𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝑥→3 (𝑥 − 3)3/7

𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(3) (𝑥 − 3)4/7 1
lim+ = lim+ = lim+ =∞
𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝑥→3 𝑥−3 𝑥→3 (𝑥 − 3)3/7
𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(3) 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(3)
Since lim = −∞ and lim+= ∞, we
𝑥→3− 𝑥−3 𝑥→3 𝑥−3
conclude that the derivative does not exist at 3.
SHOWING THAT A FUNCTION HAS NO
DERIVATIVE (2 of 2)
DIFFERENTIABILITY AND CONTINUITY
THEOREM
If a function 𝑓 has a derivative at a number 𝑐, then 𝑓 is
continuous at 𝑐. Continuity→Diffirentiability
Remark:
If a function 𝑓 is discontinuous at a number 𝑐, then 𝑓 has no
derivative at 𝑐.
 Example

• Show that 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 is continuous but not

differentiable at x = 0.
• Solution: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 is continuous at x = 0 since it is
defined at x = 0, The limit exists and equals to 0.
𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑓(0) 𝑥 −0 𝑥
• But 𝑓 ′ 0 = lim = lim = lim = DNE
𝑥→0 𝑥 −0 𝑥→0 𝑥 −0 𝑥→0 𝑥
• Since the limits are not the same when approaching 0
from right or left.
• So 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 is not differentiable at x = 0
 SECTION 2.3 THE DERIVATIVE OF A POLYNOMIAL
FUNCTION; THE DERIVATIVE OF 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 : OBJECTIVES

Differentiate a constant function

Differentiate a power function
Differentiate the sum and the difference of two functions
Differentiate the exponential function 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥
 DIFFERENTIATE A CONSTANT
FUNCTION
Derivative of a Constant Function
If 𝑓 is the constant function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐴, then
𝑓′ 𝑥 = 0
That is, if 𝐴 is a constant, then
𝑑
𝐴=0
𝑑𝑥
Example: If 𝑓 𝑥 = 5, then 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 0.
If 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝜋, then 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 0.
DIFFERENTIATE A POWER FUNCTION

Derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥
If 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥, then
𝑑
𝑓′ 𝑥 = 𝑥=1
𝑑𝑥
THEOREM Simple Power Rule
The derivative of the power function 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑛 , where 𝑛 ≥ 1
is an integer, is
𝑑 𝑛
𝑦′ = 𝑥 = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1 Power Rule of Differentiation
𝑑𝑥
 POWER RULE

Power Rule
The derivative of 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑛 , where 𝑛 is any integer, is
𝑑 𝑛
𝑦′ = 𝑥 = 𝑛𝑥 𝑛−1
𝑑𝑥
𝑑 −2
Examples: 1. 𝑥 = −2𝑥 −3
𝑑𝑥

𝑑 1 𝑑 −1
2. = 𝑢 = −1𝑢−2
𝑑𝑢 𝑢 𝑑𝑢

𝑑 3 𝑑 12
3. = 3𝑡 −4 =3⋅ −4𝑡 −5 = −12𝑡 −5 = − 5
𝑑𝑡 𝑡 4 𝑑𝑡 𝑡
 CONSTANT MULTIPLE RULE

Constant Multiple Rule

If a function 𝑓 is differentiable and 𝑘 is a constant, then

𝐹 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑓(𝑥) is a function that is differentiable and
𝐹 ′ 𝑥 = 𝑘𝑓′(𝑥)
Example: Find the derivative of each function.
𝑑 6
𝑓 𝑥 = 4𝑥 6 , so 𝑓′ 𝑥 =4 𝑥 = 4 ⋅ 6𝑥 5 = 24𝑥 5
𝑑𝑥
2 3 2 𝑑 3 2
𝑔 𝑡 = 𝑡 , so 𝑔′ 𝑡 = 𝑡 = ⋅ 3𝑡 2 = 2𝑡 2
3 3 𝑑𝑡 3
 DIFFERENTIATE THE SUM AND
DIFFERENCE OF TWO FUNCTIONS
Sum Rule
If two functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are differentiable and if 𝐹 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑔 𝑥 ,
then 𝐹 is differentiable and
𝐹 ′ 𝑥 = 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 + 𝑔′(𝑥
Difference Rule
If two functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are differentiable and

𝐹 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑔 𝑥 , then 𝐹 is differentiable, and 𝐹 ′ 𝑥 = 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 −

𝑔′(𝑥). That is,
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
 EXAMPLES
𝑑 6
1. 𝑥 = 6𝑥 5
𝑑𝑥

2. If 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 12 , then 𝑔′ 𝑥 = 12𝑥 11

𝑥+𝑥−3𝑥 2
3. If 𝑓(𝑥) = , find 𝑓 ′ 𝑥
𝑥
1
−2
𝑓 𝑥 =𝑥 + 1 − 3𝑥

3
−2
𝑓 ′ 𝑥 =(−1/2) 𝑥 −3
 EXAMPLES

Find the derivative of:

𝑑 5 𝑑
𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 5 + 8𝑥, so 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 2 𝑥 +8 𝑥 = 2 ⋅ 5𝑥 4 + 8 ⋅ 1 = 10𝑥 4 + 8
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

′ 𝑑 𝑑
𝑔 𝑡 = 𝑡 − 3, so 𝑔 𝑡 = 𝑡 − 1 =1−0=1
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
 DIFFERENTIATE POLYNOMIAL
FUNCTIONS
Combining the rules for the derivative of a constant, a
power function, and sum or difference allows us to
differentiate any polynomial function.
Example: Find the derivative of

𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 4 − 4𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 5.
Solution:
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
𝑓′ 𝑥 = 3 𝑥4 − 4 𝑥3 +2 𝑥2 − 3 𝑥 − 5
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= 3 ⋅ 4𝑥 3 − 4 ⋅ 3𝑥 2 − 2 ⋅ 2𝑥 − 3 ⋅ 1 − 0 = 12𝑥 3 − 12𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 3
 DIFFERENTIATE THE EXPONENTIAL
FUNCTION
Derivative of the Exponential Function 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥
The derivative of the exponential function 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 is
𝑑 𝑥
𝑦′ = 𝑒 = 𝑒𝑥
𝑑𝑥
Example:
Find the derivative of 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑥 4 .
′
𝑑 𝑥 𝑑
𝑓 𝑥 =3 𝑒 + 𝑥 4 = 3𝑒 𝑥 + 4𝑥 3
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥