Constant Rule

Theorem 2
If f(x) = c, then f’(x) = 0.

Proof
– Use the definition of the derivative.

Examples
f(x) = 3 f(x) = -½ f(x) = π

Power Rule
Theorem 3
If f(x) = xn, where n is a rational number, then f’(x) = nxn-1, if it exists.

Proof
– Use the definition of the derivative for the positive integers.
– The proofs for the negative integers and the rational numbers will be done later.
• We will use easier methods later.

Examples
f(x) = x5 f(x) = x8 f(x) = x-3

f(x) = x-4 f(x) = x2/3 f(x) = x-6/5

Make sure it is in the correct form first!

1 1
f ( x) f ( x) f ( x) x
x6 x8

1
f ( x) 5
x3 f ( x) f(x) = (x3)5
23 2
x x

Constant Multiple Rule

Theorem 4
Let f(x) be differentiable and c be a constant. If k(x) = c∙f(x), then k’(x) = c∙f’(x).

Proof
– Use the definition of the derivative.
Examples
4
f(x) = 3x4 f(x) = -2x7 f ( x)
x3

3 37 x4
f ( x) f ( x) 2x f ( x)
7 x5 4

2
f ( x) f(x) = (2x3)5
35 2
5x x

Sum and Difference Rule

Theorem 5
Let f(x) and g(x) be differentiable.
If k(x) = f(x) + g(x), then k’(x) = f’(x) + g’(x).
If k(x) = f(x) – g(x), then k’(x) = f’(x) – g’(x)

Proof
– Use the definition of the derivative.
Example
3 4
f ( x) 5 x 3 7 x 2 8 x x x 5
23 x x2

Sine and Cosine

Theorem 6
If f(x) = sinx, then f’(x) = cosx.
If f(x) = cosx, then f’(x) = -sinx.

Proof
– Use definition of the derivative and the following trig. identities.
• sin(a + b) = sina∙cosb + sinb∙cosa
• cos(a + b) = cosa∙cosb – sina∙sinb

– The derivatives for the other trig functions will be defined later.
Examples
f(x) = 3sinx + 2x f ( x) 2 cos x 3 x

Another Application of the Derivative - Velocity

The position function, s(t), gives the position of an object as a function of time.

The average velocity is the change in position over the change in time and is denoted vave.
s(t f ) s(ti )
– vave where ti is the starting time and tf is the ending time.
t f ti
s(t h) s(t )
– vave where t is the starting time and t + h is the ending time and h is the
h
elapsed time.

The instantaneous velocity is the velocity at time t and is denoted v(t).

– Again, the problem is we have only one point. So we will use the limit.
s(t h) s(t )
– v(t ) lim s' (t )
h 0 h

The position of a free falling object is given s(t) = ½gt2 + v0t + s0 where g is the acceleration due
to gravity, v0 is the initial velocity and s0 is the initial position.
– g = -32 ft/s2 in US units and g = -9.8 m/s2 in metric units.

Examples
The position of a molecule is given by s(t) = 2t3 – 5t2 + 4t + 7.

a. Find the average velocity on the interval [0, 4].

b. Find the average velocity on the interval [2, 4].

c. Find the velocity at t = 0, 2, and 4.

An arrow is shot upward with an initial velocity of 88 ft/s from a height of 150 ft.

a. Find the equation that gives the arrow’s position. What is the implied domain?

b. When is the velocity 0? What does it signify?