A-Level Maths:

Core 3
for Edexcel

C3.6 Differentiation

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1 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006
 The chain rule

The chain rule

dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy
Contents

Differentiating ex and related functions

Differentiating ln x and related functions
The product rule
The quotient rule
Differentiating trigonometric functions
Examination-style question

2 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Review of differentiation

So far, we have used differentiation to find the gradients of

functions made up of a sum of multiples of powers of x. We
found that:
dy
If y = x n then = nx n  1
dx

and when xn is preceded by a constant multiplier k we have:

dy
n
If y = kx then = knx n 1
dx
Also:
dy
If y = f ( x ) ± g( x ) then = f '( x) ± g '( x)
dx

3 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Review of differentiation

We will now look at how to differentiate exponential, logarithmic

and trigonometric functions.
We will also look at techniques that can be used to
differentiate:
Compound functions of the form f(g(x)). For example:
2
x 1 e 3 x 2 sin( x 3 )

Products of the form f(x) × g(x), such as:

x ln x xe  2 x 3 x 2 cos x
f ( x)
Quotients of the form , such as:
g( x )
3 x +1 e2 x x2
x2  1 sin x ln x
4 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006
The chain rule

The chain rule is used to differentiate composite functions.

For instance, suppose we want to differentiate y = (2x + 1)3 with
respect to x.
One way to do this is to expand (2x + 1)3 and differentiate it
term by term.
Using the binomial theorem:
(2 x +1)3 = 8 x 3 + 3(4 x 2 ) + 3(2 x ) +1
= 8 x 3 +12 x 2 + 6 x +1
Differentiating with respect to x:
dy
= 24 x 2 + 24 x + 6
dx
= 6(4 x 2 + 4 x +1)
= 6(2 x +1)2
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The chain rule

Another approach is to use the substitution u = 2x + 1 so that

we can write y = (2x + 1)3 as y = u3.
The chain rule states that:

If y is a function of u and u is a function of x, then

dy dy du
= ×
dx du dx

So if y = u3 where u = 2x + 1,
dy du
= 3u 2 =2
du dx
dy dy du
Using the chain rule: = × = 3u 2 × 2
dx du dx
= 6u 2
= 6(2 x +1)2
6 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006
The chain rule

Use the chain rule to differentiate

y = 3 x 2  5 with respect to x.
1
Let y =u 2
where u = 3x2 – 5
dy 1  21 du
= 2u = 6x
du dx
dy dy du 1  21
Using the chain rule, = × = 2 u × 6x
dx du dx
 1
= 3 xu 2

 1
2
= 3 x(3 x  5) 2

3x
=
3 x2  5
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The chain rule

dy 2
Find given that y = 3 4 .
dx (7  x )
2
Let y = 4 = 2u  4 where u = 7 – x3
u
dy du
=  8u  5 =  3 x2
du dx
dy dy du
Using the chain rule: = × =  8u  5 ×  3 x 2
dx du dx
= 24 x 2u  5
= 24 x 2 (7  x 3 ) 5
24 x 2
=
(7  x 3 )5
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The chain rule using function notation

With practice some of the steps in the chain rule can be done
mentally.
Suppose we have a composite function
y = g(f(x))
If we let y = g(u) where u = f(x)
dy du
then = g '(u ) and = f '( x )
du dx
dy dy du
Using the chain rule: = × = g '(u )× f '( x )
dx du dx
But u = f(x) so
dy
If y = g(f(x)) then = g '(f ( x ))× f '( x )
dx
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The chain rule

All of the composite functions we have looked at so far have

been of the form y = (f(x))n.
In general, using the chain rule,
dy n 1
If y = (f (x)) then
n = n( f ( x )) × f '( x )
dx

If we use to represent f (x) and to represent f ’(x) we can

write this rule more visually as:

n dy n 1
y=  =n
dy

Find the equation of the tangent to the

curve y = (x4 – 3)3 at the point (1, –8).
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The chain rule
dy d
y = (x – 3)
4 3
 = 3( x 4  3)2 × ( x 4  3)
dx dx
= 3( x 4  3)2 × 4 x 3
= 12 x 3 ( x 4  3)2
dy
When x = 1, = 12(1  3)2 = 48
dx
Using y – y1 = m(x – x1) the equation of the tangent at the point
(1, –8) is:
y + 8 = 48(x – 1)
y = 48x – 48 – 8
y = 48x – 56
y = 8(6x – 7)
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 dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy

The chain rule

dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy
Contents

Differentiating ex and related functions

Differentiating ln x and related functions
The product rule
The quotient rule
Differentiating trigonometric functions
Examination-style question

12 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

 dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy

Suppose we are given x as a function of y instead of y as a

function of x. For instance,
x = 4y2
dx
We can find dy by differentiating with respect to y:
dx
= 8y
dy
Using the chain rule we can write
dy dx dy 1
× = 1, from which we get: = dx
dx dy dx dy
dx
So by the above result, if = 8y then
dy
dy 1
=
dx 8 y
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 dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy

Find the gradient of the curve with equation

x = 2y3 – 3y – 7 at the point (3, 2).

x = 2y3 – 3y – 7
dx
= 6 y2  3
dy
At the point (3, 2), y = 2:
dx
= 6(2)2  3 = 21
dy
dy 1
We can now find the gradient using the fact that = dx
dx dy
dy 1
=
dx 21
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Differentiating inverse functions
dy 1
The result = dx is particularly useful for differentiating
dx dy
inverse functions. For example:
d 1
Find (sin x ), writing your answer in terms of x.
dy
Let y = sin–1 x so x = sin y
dx Using the identity
= cos y
dy cos2y = 1 – sin2y
dy 1 1
= =
dx cos y 1  sin2 y
But sin y = x so
d 1 1
(sin x ) =
dy 1 x2
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 Differentiating ex and related functions

The chain rule

dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy
Contents

Differentiating ex and related functions

Differentiating ln x and related functions
The product rule
The quotient rule
Differentiating trigonometric functions
Examination-style question

16 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

The derivative of ex

A special property of the exponential function ex is that

x dy
If y = e then = ex
dx

From this, it follows that

dy
If y = ke x then = ke x
dx

where k is a constant.
For example, if y = 4ex – x3
dy
= 4e x  3 x 2
dx
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Functions of the form ekx

Suppose we are asked to differentiate a function of the form ekx,

where k is a constant. For example,

Differentiate y = e5x with respect to x.

Let y = eu where u = 5x
dy du
= eu =5
du dx
dy dy du
Using the chain rule: = × = eu × 5
dx du dx
= 5e u
= 5e 5 x
In practice, we wouldn’t need to include this much working.

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Functions of the form ekx

We would just remember that in general,

dy
If y = e kx then = ke kx
dx
For example,
d 7x
( e ) = 7e 7 x
dx
d  2x
(e ) =  2e  2 x
dx
x
d x e 3
(e ) =
3

dx 3
We can use the chain rule to extend this to any function of the
form ef(x).

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Functions of the form ef(x)

If y = ef(x) then we can let

Let y = eu where u = f(x)
dy du
then = eu = f '( x )
du dx
dy dy du
Using the chain rule: = × = eu × f '( x )
dx du dx
= f '( x )ef ( x )

f ( x) dy
So in general, If y = e then = f '( x)ef ( x )
dx

In words, to differentiate an expression of the form y = ef(x) we

multiply it by the derivative of the exponent.

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Functions of the form ef(x)

Using to represent f(x) and to represent f ’(x):

dy
y=e  = e
dx

For example,
dy 5 x  4
(e ) = 5e 5 x  4
dx
dy 3  x 3 x
(e ) =  e
dx

dy x2  9 x2  9 x2  9
(5e ) = 5 × 2 xe = 10 xe
dx
21 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006
 Differentiating ln x and related functions

The chain rule

dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy
Contents

Differentiating ex and related functions

Differentiating ln x and related functions
The product rule
The quotient rule
Differentiating trigonometric functions
Examination-style question

22 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

The derivative of ln x

Remember, ln x is the inverse of ex.

So, if y = ln x
then x = ey
Differentiating with respect to y gives:
dx
= ey
dy
dy 1 1
= dx = y
dx dy e
dy 1
But e = x so,
y =
dx x
dy 1
If y = ln x then =
dx x
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Functions of the form ln kx

Suppose we want to differentiate a function of the form ln kx,

where k is a constant. For example:

Differentiate y = ln 3x with respect to x.

Let y = ln u where u = 3x
dy 1 du
= =3
du u dx
dy dy du 3
Using the chain rule: = × =
dx du dx u
3
=
3x
1
=
x
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Functions of the form ln kx

When functions of the form ln kx are differentiated, the k’s will

always cancel out, so in general,
dy 1
If y = ln kx then =
dx x
We can use the chain rule to extend to functions of the more
general form y = ln f(x).
Let y = ln u where u = f(x)
dy 1 du
then = = f '( x )
du u dx
dy dy du f '( x )
Using the chain rule: = × =
dx du dx u
f '( x )
=
f ( x)
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Functions of the form ln (f(x))

In general, using the chain rule

dy f '( x )
If y = ln f ( x ) then =
dx f ( x )

Using to represent f(x) and to represent f ’(x):

dy
y = ln  =
dy

d 7
For example, ln(7 x  4) =
dx 7x  4
2
d 9 x
ln(3 x 3 + 8) = 3
dx 3x + 8
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Functions of the form ln (f(x))

In some cases we can use the laws of logarithms to simplify a

logarithmic function before differentiating it.
Remember that,
a
ln (ab) = ln a + ln b ln = ln a  ln b ln an = n ln a
b

x
Differentiate y = ln with respect to x.
2
x
y = ln = ln x  ln2
2
1
= ln x  ln2
2

= 21 ln x  ln2
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Functions of the form ln (f(x))

dy 1 1 1
y = 21 ln x  ln2  = × =
dx 2 x 2x
ln 2 is a constant and so it disappears when we differentiate.
x
If we had tried to differentiate y = ln without simplifying it
first, we would have had: 2
1  21
1
1 dy 4 x
y = ln 2 x 2
 = 1
dx 1 x 2
2
1
= 1 1
2x x 2 2

1
=
2x
The derivative is the same, but the algebra is more difficult.

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 The product rule

The chain rule

dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy
Contents

Differentiating ex and related functions

Differentiating ln x and related functions
The product rule
The quotient rule
Differentiating trigonometric functions
Examination-style question

29 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

The product rule

The product rule allows us to differentiate the product of two

functions.
It states that if y = uv, where u and v are functions of x, then

dy dv du
=u +v
dx dx dx

dy
Find given that y = x 4 3  2 x .
dx
1
Let u=x 4
and v = (3  2 x ) 2

du dv 1  21
So = 4 x3 = (3  2 x ) ×  2
dx dx 2
 1
=  (3  2 x ) 2

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The product rule

Using the product rule:

dy 4  21 3
1
=  x (3  2 x ) + 4 x (3  2 x ) 2

dx 1 1
4 3
x 4 x (3  2 x ) (3  2 x )
2 2

= 1 + 1
(3  2 x ) 2
(3  2 x ) 2

 x 4 + 4 x 3 (3  2 x )
= 1
(3  2 x ) 2

 x 4 +12 x 3  8 x 4
= 1
(3  2 x ) 2

12 x 3  9 x 4
= 1
(3  2 x ) 2

3(4 x 3  3 x 4 )
=
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3  2x © Boardworks Ltd 2006
The product rule

Give the coordinates of any stationary

points on the curve y = x2e2x.

Let u = x2 and v = e2 x
du dv
So = 2x = 2e2 x
dx dx
Using the product rule:
dy
= 2 x 2e2 x + 2 xe2 x
dx
= 2 xe2 x ( x +1)
dy
= 0 when 2 xe2 x = 0 or x +1= 0
dx
2 xe2 x = 0  x = 0
x +1= 0  x =  1
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The product rule

When x = 0, y = (0)2e0
=0
The point (0,0) is a stationary point on the curve y = x2e2x.

When x = –1, y = (–1)2e–2

= e–2
The point (–1, e–2) is also a stationary point on the curve
y = x2e2x.

33 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

 The quotient rule

The chain rule

dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy
Contents

Differentiating ex and related functions

Differentiating ln x and related functions
The product rule
The quotient rule
Differentiating trigonometric functions
Examination-style question

34 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

The quotient rule

The quotient rule allows us to differentiate the quotient of two

functions.
u
It states that if y = v , where u and v are functions of x, then

dy v du  u dv
= dx 2 dx
dx v

dy 2 x +1
Find given that y = 2 .
dx 5x

Let u = 2x + 1 and v = 5x2

du dv
So =2 = 10 x
dx dx

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The quotient rule

dy (5 x 2 )(2)  (2 x +1)(10 x )
=
dx 25 x 4

10 x 2  20 x 2  10 x
=
25 x 4

2x  4x  2
=
5 x3

 2x  2
=
5 x3

2( x +1)
=
5 x3

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The quotient rule

Find the equation of the tangent to the

ln x 4
curve y = 2 at the point (1, 0).
x

Let u = ln x4 and v = x2
du 4 x 3 1 dv
So = 4 = 4x = 2x
dx x dx
Using the quotient rule:
dy x 2 × 4 x  1  ln x 4 × 2 x
=
dx x4
4 x  8 x ln x Using ln x4 = 4 ln x
=
x4
4(1  2ln x )
=
x3
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The quotient rule

When x = 1, dy = 4(1  2 ln 1)
Remember that ln 1 = 0
dx 1
=4

 The gradient of the tangent at the point (1, 0) is 4.

Use y – y1 = m(x – x1) to find the equation of the tangent at the

point (1, 0).
y – 0 = 4(x – 1)

y = 4x – 4

38 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

 Differentiating trigonometric functions

The chain rule

dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy
Contents

Differentiating ex and related functions

Differentiating ln x and related functions
The product rule
The quotient rule
Differentiating trigonometric functions
Examination-style question

39 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

The derivative of sin x

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The derivative of sin x

By plotting the gradient function of y = sin x, where x is

measured in radians, we can deduce that

dy
If y = sin x then = cos x
dx

Functions of the form k sin f(x) can be differentiated using the

chain rule.

Differentiate y = 2 sin 3x with respect to x.

So if y = 2 sin u where u = 3x
dy du
= 2cos u =3
du dx

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The derivative of sin f(x)

dy dy du
Using the chain rule: = × = 2cos u × 3
dx du dx
= 6cos3x

In general using the chain rule,

dy
If y = sin f ( x ) then = f '( x)cos f ( x)
dx

Using to represent f(x) and to represent f ’(x):

dy
y = sin  = cos
dy

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The derivative of cos x

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The derivative of cos x

By plotting the gradient function of y = cos x, where x is

measured in radians, we can deduce that
dy
If y = cos x then =  sin x
dx

dy
Find given that y = –x2 cos x.
dx

Let u = –x2 and v = cos x

du dv
So =  2x =  sin x
dx dx

44 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

The derivative of cos x

Using the product rule:

dy
=  x 2 (  sin x ) + cos x(  2 x )
dx
= x 2 sin x  2 x cos x

= x( x sin x  2cos x )
Functions of the form k cos f(x) can be differentiated using the
chain rule.

Differentiate y = 3 cos (x3 – 4) with respect to x.

So if y = 3 cos u where u = x3 – 4
dy du
=  3 sin u = 3 x2
du dx
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The derivative of cos x

dy dy du
Using the chain rule: = × =  3 sin u × 3 x 2
dx du dx
=  9 x 2 sin( x 3  4)

In general using the chain rule,

dy
If y = cos f ( x ) then =  f '( x )sin f ( x )
dx

Using to represent f(x) and to represent f ’(x):

dy
y = cos  = sin
dy

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The derivative of tan x

We can differentiate y = tan x (where x is in radians) by writing it

as sin x
y=
cos x
Then we apply the quotient rule with u = sin x and v = cos x :
dy cos x cos x  sin x(  sin x )
=
dx cos2 x
cos2 x + sin2 x
=
cos2 x
1
=
cos2 x
= sec 2 x
dy
If y = tan x then = sec 2 x
dx
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The derivative of sec x

We can differentiate y = sec x (where x is in radians) by writing

it as 1
y= = (cos x ) 1
cos x
Then using the chain rule we get:
dy
=  (cos x ) 2 (  sin x )
dx
sin x
=
cos2 x
1 sin x
= ×
cos x cos x
= sec x tan x
dy
If y = sec x then = sec x tan x
dx
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The derivative of cosec x

We can differentiate y = cosec x (where x is in radians) by

writing it as 1
y= = (sin x ) 1
sin x
Then using the chain rule we get:
dy
=  (sin x ) 2 (cos x )
dx
cos x
=
sin2 x
1 cos x
= ×
sin x sin x
=  cosec x cot x
dy
If y = cosec x then =  cosec x cot x
dx
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The derivative of cot x

We can differentiate y = cot x (where x is in radians) by writing it

as cos x
y=
sin x
Then we apply the quotient rule with u = cos x and v = sin x:
dy sin x(  sin x )  cos x cos x
=
dx sin2 x
 (sin2 x + cos2 x )
=
sin2 x
1
=
sin2 x
=  co sec 2 x
dy
If y = cot x then =  cosec 2 x
dx
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Derivatives of trigonometric functions

In summary, if x is measured in radians, then

dy dy
y = sin x  = cos x y = sec x  = sec x tan x
dx dx

dy dy
y = cos x  =  sin x y = cosec x  =  cosec x cot x
dx dx

dy dy
y = tan x  = sec 2 x y = cot x  =  cosec 2 x
dx dx

When learning these results, it is helpful to notice that all of the

trigonometric functions starting with ‘co’ have negative
derivatives.

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 Examination-style question

The chain rule

dy dx
The relationship between dx and dy
Contents

Differentiating ex and related functions

Differentiating ln x and related functions
The product rule
The quotient rule
Differentiating trigonometric functions
Examination-style question

52 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Examination-style question

2x
Given that f ( x ) = 2 ,
x +4
a) find f ’(x),
b) find the coordinates of any stationary points and determine
their nature,
c) sketch the curve y = f(x).
v du
dx  u dv
dx
a) Using the quotient rule: f '( x ) =
v2
2( x 2 + 4)  2 x(2 x )
f '( x ) =
( x 2 + 4)2

2 x 2 + 8  4 x 2 2(4  x 2 )
= 2 2
= 2
( x + 4) ( x + 4)2
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Examination-style question

2(4  x 2 )
b) When f(x) = 0, 2 2
=0
( x + 4)
2(4  x 2 ) = 0
4  x2 = 0
x = 2
4 1
When x = 2, y = =
8 2
4 1
When x = –2, y = =
8 2
2x
Therefore, the graph of the function f( x ) = 2 has turning
points at (2, 21 ) and (–2, – 21). x +4

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Examination-style question

Looking at the gradient just before and just after x = 2:

x 1.9 2 2.1
dy 2(4  x 2 )
Value of = 2 0.01 0 –0.01
dx ( x + 4)2
Slope +ive –ive
0

So (2, 21 ) is a maximum point.

Looking at the gradient just before and just after x = –2:
x –2.1 –2 –1.9
dy 2(4  x 2 )
Value of = 2 0.01 0 –0.01
dx ( x + 4)2
Slope –ive 0 +ive

So (–2, – 21 ) is a minimum point.

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Examination-style question

2x
c) The curve y = 2 crosses the axes when x = 0 and when
y = 0. x +4

When x = 0, y = 0. (Also, when y = 0, x = 0).

Therefore the curve has one crossing point at the origin, a
minimum at (–2, – 21 ) and a maximum at (2, 21 ):

y Also,
1 2x
2 y=
x2 + 4 as x   , y  0–
–2 0 2 x and,
 1
2 as x  , y  0+.

56 of 56 © Boardworks Ltd 2006