Differential Calculus

MTH 62-140
Definitions/Laws/Theorems/Properties of Derivatives
1. Derivative:
(a) The derivative of a function f at a number a denoted by f 0 (a), is
f (a + h) f (a)
h0
h

f 0 (a) = lim
if this limit exists.

(b) The derivative of a function f denoted by f 0 (x), is

f (x + h) f (x)
h0
h

f 0 (x) = lim
.

2. (a) The derivative of a constant function: c0 = 0

(b) The power rule: (xn )0 = nxn1
(c) The derivative of the natural exponential function: (ex )0 = ex
1
(d) The derivative of the natural logarithmic function: (ln x)0 =
x
x 0
x
(e) The derivative of the exponential function of base a: (a ) = a ln a
(f) The derivative of the logarithmic function of base a:
(loga x)0 =

1
x ln a

(g) The derivative of trigonometric functions:

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

(sin x)0 = cos x

(cos x)0 = sin x
(tan x)0 = sec2 x
(csc x)0 = csc x cot x
(sec x)0 = sec x tan x
(cot x)0 = csc2 x

3. If f is differentiable at a, then f is continuous at a.

4. Suppose c is a constant and f (x) and g(x) are both differentiable. Then
(a) [cf (x)]0 = cf 0 (x)
(b) [f (x) + g(x)]0 = f 0 (x) + g 0 (x)
(c) [f (x) g(x)]0 = f 0 (x) g 0 (x)
(d) [f (x) g(x)]0 = f 0 (x) g(x) + f (x) g 0 (x)
0

g(x)f 0 (x) g 0 (x)f (x)
f (x)
=
(e)
g(x)
[g(x)]2
(f) [f (g(x))]0 = f 0 (g(x))g 0 (x)