Derivative 2 4. How to find the derivative? Examples of solutions

Derivation of the formula for the derivative of a power function (x to the power of a). Derivatives from roots of x are considered. Formula for the derivative of a power function higher order. Examples of calculating derivatives.

Content

See also: Power function and roots, formulas and graph
Power Function Graphs

Basic formulas

The derivative of x to the power of a is equal to a times x to the power of a minus one:
(1) .

The derivative of the nth root of x to the mth power is:
(2) .

Derivation of the formula for the derivative of a power function

Case x > 0

Consider a power function of the variable x with exponent a:
(3) .
Here a is arbitrary real number. Let's first consider the case.

To find the derivative of function (3), we use the properties of a power function and transform it to the following form:
.

Now we find the derivative using:
;
.
Here .

Formula (1) has been proven.

Derivation of the formula for the derivative of a root of degree n of x to the degree of m

Now consider a function that is the root of the following form:
(4) .

To find the derivative, we transform the root to a power function:
.
Comparing with formula (3) we see that
.
Then
.

Using formula (1) we find the derivative:
(1) ;
;
(2) .

In practice, there is no need to memorize formula (2). It is much more convenient to first transform the roots to power functions, and then find their derivatives using formula (1) (see examples at the end of the page).

Case x = 0

If , then the power function is defined for the value of the variable x = 0 . Let's find the derivative of function (3) at x = 0 . To do this, we use the definition of a derivative:
.

Let's substitute x = 0 :
.
In this case, by derivative we mean the right-hand limit for which .

So we found:
.
From this it is clear that for , .
At , .
At , .
This result is also obtained from formula (1):
(1) .
Therefore, formula (1) is also valid for x = 0 .

Case x< 0

Consider function (3) again:
(3) .
For certain values of the constant a, it is also defined for negative values of the variable x. Namely, let a be a rational number. Then it can be represented as an irreducible fraction:
,
where m and n are integers that do not have a common divisor.

If n is odd, then the power function is also defined for negative values of the variable x. For example, when n = 3 and m = 1 we have the cube root of x:
.
It is also defined for negative values of the variable x.

Let us find the derivative of the power function (3) for and for rational values of the constant a for which it is defined. To do this, let's represent x in the following form:
.
Then ,
.
We find the derivative by placing the constant outside the sign of the derivative and applying the rule for differentiating a complex function:

.
Here . But
.
Since then
.
Then
.
That is, formula (1) is also valid for:
(1) .

Higher order derivatives

Now let's find higher order derivatives of the power function
(3) .
We have already found the first order derivative:
.

Taking the constant a outside the sign of the derivative, we find the second-order derivative:
.
Similarly, we find derivatives of the third and fourth orders:
;

.

From this it is clear that derivative of arbitrary nth order has the following form:
.

notice, that if a is natural number , then the nth derivative is constant:
.
Then all subsequent derivatives are equal to zero:
,
at .

Examples of calculating derivatives

Example

Find the derivative of the function:
.

Let's convert roots to powers:
;
.
Then the original function takes the form:
.

Finding derivatives of powers:
;
.
The derivative of the constant is zero:
.

Derivative

Calculating the derivative of a mathematical function (differentiation) is a very common problem when solving higher mathematics. For simple (elementary) mathematical functions, this is a fairly simple matter, since tables of derivatives for elementary functions have long been compiled and are easily accessible. However, finding the derivative of a complex mathematical function is not a trivial task and often requires significant effort and time.

Find derivative online

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Very easy to remember.

Well, let’s not go far, let’s look at it right away inverse function. Which function is the inverse of the exponential function? Logarithm:

In our case, the base is the number:

Such a logarithm (that is, a logarithm with a base) is called “natural”, and we use a special notation for it: we write instead.

What is it equal to? Of course, .

The derivative of the natural logarithm is also very simple:

Examples:

Find the derivative of the function.
What is the derivative of the function?

Answers: The exponential and natural logarithm are uniquely simple functions from a derivative perspective. Exponential and logarithmic functions with any other base will have a different derivative, which we will analyze later, after we go through the rules of differentiation.

Rules of differentiation

Rules of what? Again a new term, again?!...

Differentiation is the process of finding the derivative.

That's all. What else can you call this process in one word? Not derivative... Mathematicians call the differential the same increment of a function at. This term comes from the Latin differentia - difference. Here.

When deriving all these rules, we will use two functions, for example, and. We will also need formulas for their increments:

There are 5 rules in total.

The constant is taken out of the derivative sign.

If - some constant number (constant), then.

Obviously, this rule also works for the difference: .

Let's prove it. Let it be, or simpler.

Examples.

Find the derivatives of the functions:

at a point;
at a point;
at a point;
at the point.

Solutions:

(the derivative is the same at all points, since this linear function, remember?);

Derivative of the product

Everything is similar here: let’s introduce a new function and find its increment:

Derivative:

Examples:

Find the derivatives of the functions and;
Find the derivative of the function at a point.

Solutions:

Derivative of an exponential function

Now your knowledge is enough to learn how to find the derivative of any exponential function, and not just exponents (have you forgotten what that is yet?).

So, where is some number.

We already know the derivative of the function, so let's try to reduce our function to a new base:

To do this, we will use a simple rule: . Then:

Well, it worked. Now try to find the derivative, and don't forget that this function is complex.

Happened?

Here, check yourself:

The formula turned out to be very similar to the derivative of an exponent: as it was, it remains the same, only a factor appeared, which is just a number, but not a variable.

Examples:
Find the derivatives of the functions:

Answers:

This is just a number that cannot be calculated without a calculator, that is, it cannot be written down in any more in simple form. Therefore, we leave it in this form in the answer.

Note that here is the quotient of two functions, so we apply the corresponding differentiation rule:

In this example, the product of two functions:

Derivative of a logarithmic function

It’s similar here: you already know the derivative of the natural logarithm:

Therefore, to find an arbitrary logarithm with a different base, for example:

We need to reduce this logarithm to the base. How do you change the base of a logarithm? I hope you remember this formula:

Only now we will write instead:

The denominator is simply a constant (a constant number, without a variable). The derivative is obtained very simply:

Derivatives of exponential and logarithmic functions are almost never found in the Unified State Examination, but it will not be superfluous to know them.

Derivative of a complex function.

What's happened " complex function"? No, this is not a logarithm, and not an arctangent. These functions can be difficult to understand (although if you find the logarithm difficult, read the topic “Logarithms” and you will be fine), but from a mathematical point of view, the word “complex” does not mean “difficult”.

Imagine a small conveyor belt: two people are sitting and doing some actions with some objects. For example, the first one wraps a chocolate bar in a wrapper, and the second one ties it with a ribbon. The result is a composite object: a chocolate bar wrapped and tied with a ribbon. To eat a chocolate bar, you need to do the reverse steps in reverse order.

Let's create a similar mathematical pipeline: first we will find the cosine of a number, and then square the resulting number. So, we are given a number (chocolate), I find its cosine (wrapper), and then you square what I got (tie it with a ribbon). What happened? Function. This is an example of a complex function: when, to find its value, we perform the first action directly with the variable, and then a second action with what resulted from the first.

In other words, a complex function is a function whose argument is another function: .

For our example, .

We can easily do the same steps in reverse order: first you square it, and I then look for the cosine of the resulting number: . It’s easy to guess that the result will almost always be different. An important feature of complex functions: when the order of actions changes, the function changes.

Second example: (same thing). .

The action we do last will be called "external" function, and the action performed first - accordingly "internal" function(these are informal names, I use them only to explain the material in simple language).

Try to determine for yourself which function is external and which internal:

Answers: Separating inner and outer functions is very similar to changing variables: for example, in a function

What action will we perform first? First, let's calculate the sine, and only then cube it. This means that it is an internal function, but an external one.
And the original function is their composition: .
Internal: ; external: .
Examination: .
Internal: ; external: .
Examination: .
Internal: ; external: .
Examination: .
Internal: ; external: .
Examination: .

We change variables and get a function.

Well, now we will extract our chocolate bar and look for the derivative. The procedure is always reversed: first we look for the derivative of the outer function, then we multiply the result by the derivative of the inner function. In relation to the original example, it looks like this:

Another example:

So, let's finally formulate the official rule:

Algorithm for finding the derivative of a complex function:

It seems simple, right?

Let's check with examples:

Solutions:

1) Internal: ;

External: ;

2) Internal: ;

(Just don’t try to cut it by now! Nothing comes out from under the cosine, remember?)

3) Internal: ;

External: ;

It is immediately clear that this is a three-level complex function: after all, this is already a complex function in itself, and we also extract the root from it, that is, we perform the third action (put the chocolate in a wrapper and with a ribbon in the briefcase). But there is no reason to be afraid: we will still “unpack” this function in the same order as usual: from the end.

That is, first we differentiate the root, then the cosine, and only then the expression in brackets. And then we multiply it all.

In such cases, it is convenient to number the actions. That is, let's imagine what we know. In what order will we perform actions to calculate the value of this expression? Let's look at an example:

The later the action is performed, the more “external” the corresponding function will be. The sequence of actions is the same as before:

Here the nesting is generally 4-level. Let's determine the course of action.

1. Radical expression. .

2. Root. .

3. Sine. .

4. Square. .

5. Putting it all together:

DERIVATIVE. BRIEFLY ABOUT THE MAIN THINGS

Derivative of a function- the ratio of the increment of the function to the increment of the argument for an infinitesimal increment of the argument:

Basic derivatives:

Rules of differentiation:

The constant is taken out of the derivative sign:

Derivative of the sum:

Derivative of the product:

Derivative of the quotient:

Derivative of a complex function:

Algorithm for finding the derivative of a complex function:

We define the “internal” function and find its derivative.
We define the “external” function and find its derivative.
We multiply the results of the first and second points.

Proof and derivation of the formulas for the derivative of the exponential (e to the x power) and the exponential function (a to the x power). Examples of calculating derivatives of e^2x, e^3x and e^nx. Formulas for derivatives of higher orders.

Content

See also: Exponential function - properties, formulas, graph
Exponent, e to the x power - properties, formulas, graph

Basic formulas

The derivative of an exponent is equal to the exponent itself (the derivative of e to the x power is equal to e to the x power):
(1) (e x )′ = e x.

The derivative of an exponential function with a base a is equal to the function itself multiplied by the natural logarithm of a:
(2) .

An exponential is an exponential function whose base is equal to the number e, which is the following limit:
.
Here it can be either a natural number or a real number. Next, we derive formula (1) for the derivative of the exponential.

Derivation of the exponential derivative formula

Consider the exponential, e to the x power:
y = e x .
This function is defined for everyone. Let's find its derivative with respect to the variable x. By definition, the derivative is the following limit:
(3) .

Let's transform this expression to reduce it to the known ones mathematical properties and rules. To do this we need the following facts:
A) Exponent property:
(4) ;
B) Property of logarithm:
(5) ;
IN) Continuity of the logarithm and the property of limits for a continuous function:
(6) .
Here is a function that has a limit and this limit is positive.
G) The meaning of the second remarkable limit:
(7) .

Let's apply these facts to our limit (3). We use property (4):
;
.

Let's make a substitution. Then ; .
Due to the continuity of the exponential,
.
Therefore, when , . As a result we get:
.

Let's make a substitution. Then . At , . And we have:
.

Let's apply the logarithm property (5):
. Then
.

Let us apply property (6). Since there is a positive limit and the logarithm is continuous, then:
.
Here we also used the second remarkable limit(7). Then
.

Thus, we obtained formula (1) for the derivative of the exponential.

Derivation of the formula for the derivative of an exponential function

Now we derive formula (2) for the derivative of the exponential function with a base of degree a. We believe that and . Then the exponential function
(8)
Defined for everyone.

Let's transform formula (8). To do this, we will use the properties of the exponential function and logarithm.
;
.
So, we transformed formula (8) to the following form:
.

Higher order derivatives of e to the x power

Now let's find derivatives of higher orders. Let's look at the exponent first:
(14) .
(1) .

We see that the derivative of function (14) is equal to function (14) itself. Differentiating (1), we obtain derivatives of the second and third order:
;
.

This shows that the nth order derivative is also equal to the original function:
.

Higher order derivatives of the exponential function

Now consider an exponential function with a base of degree a:
.
We found its first-order derivative:
(15) .

Differentiating (15), we obtain derivatives of the second and third order:
;
.

We see that each differentiation leads to the multiplication of the original function by . Therefore, the nth order derivative has the following form:
.

Derivatives of elementary functions

Elementary functions are all those listed below. The derivatives of these functions must be known by heart. Moreover, it is not at all difficult to memorize them - that’s why they are elementary.

So, derivatives of elementary functions:

Name	Function	Derivative
Constant	f(x) = C, C ∈ R	0 (yes, zero!)
Power with rational exponent	f(x) = x n	n · x n − 1
Sinus	f(x) = sin x	cos x
Cosine	f(x) = cos x	−sin x(minus sine)
Tangent	f(x) = tg x	1/cos 2 x
Cotangent	f(x) = ctg x	− 1/sin 2 x
Natural logarithm	f(x) = log x	1/x
Arbitrary logarithm	f(x) = log a x	1/(x ln a)
Exponential function	f(x) = e x	e x(nothing changed)

If an elementary function is multiplied by an arbitrary constant, then the derivative of the new function is also easily calculated:

(C · f)’ = C · f ’.

In general, constants can be taken out of the sign of the derivative. For example:

(2x 3)’ = 2 · ( x 3)’ = 2 3 x 2 = 6x 2 .

Obviously, elementary functions can be added to each other, multiplied, divided - and much more. This is how new functions will appear, no longer particularly elementary, but also differentiated according to certain rules. These rules are discussed below.

Derivative of sum and difference

Let the functions be given f(x) And g(x), the derivatives of which are known to us. For example, you can take the elementary functions discussed above. Then you can find the derivative of the sum and difference of these functions:

(f + g)’ = f ’ + g ’
(f − g)’ = f ’ − g ’

So, the derivative of the sum (difference) of two functions is equal to the sum (difference) of the derivatives. There may be more terms. For example, ( f + g + h)’ = f ’ + g ’ + h ’.

Strictly speaking, there is no concept of “subtraction” in algebra. There is a concept of “negative element”. Therefore the difference f − g can be rewritten as a sum f+ (−1) g, and then only one formula remains - the derivative of the sum.

f(x) = x 2 + sin x; g(x) = x 4 + 2x 2 − 3.

Function f(x) is the sum of two elementary functions, therefore:

f ’(x) = (x 2 + sin x)’ = (x 2)’ + (sin x)’ = 2x+ cos x;

We reason similarly for the function g(x). Only there are already three terms (from the point of view of algebra):

g ’(x) = (x 4 + 2x 2 − 3)’ = (x 4 + 2x 2 + (−3))’ = (x 4)’ + (2x 2)’ + (−3)’ = 4x 3 + 4x + 0 = 4x · ( x 2 + 1).

Answer:
f ’(x) = 2x+ cos x;
g ’(x) = 4x · ( x 2 + 1).

Derivative of the product

Mathematics is a logical science, so many people believe that if the derivative of a sum is equal to the sum of derivatives, then the derivative of the product strike">equal to the product of derivatives. But screw you! The derivative of a product is calculated using a completely different formula. Namely:

(f · g) ’ = f ’ · g + f · g ’

The formula is simple, but it is often forgotten. And not only schoolchildren, but also students. The result is incorrectly solved problems.

Task. Find derivatives of functions: f(x) = x 3 cos x; g(x) = (x 2 + 7x− 7) · e x .

Function f(x) is the product of two elementary functions, so everything is simple:

f ’(x) = (x 3 cos x)’ = (x 3)’ cos x + x 3 (cos x)’ = 3x 2 cos x + x 3 (− sin x) = x 2 (3cos x − x sin x)

Function g(x) the first multiplier is a little more complicated, but the general scheme does not change. Obviously, the first factor of the function g(x) is a polynomial and its derivative is the derivative of the sum. We have:

g ’(x) = ((x 2 + 7x− 7) · e x)’ = (x 2 + 7x− 7)’ · e x + (x 2 + 7x− 7) · ( e x)’ = (2x+ 7) · e x + (x 2 + 7x− 7) · e x = e x· (2 x + 7 + x 2 + 7x −7) = (x 2 + 9x) · e x = x(x+ 9) · e x .

Answer:
f ’(x) = x 2 (3cos x − x sin x);
g ’(x) = x(x+ 9) · e x .

Please note that in the last step the derivative is factorized. Formally, this does not need to be done, but most derivatives are not calculated on their own, but to examine the function. This means that further the derivative will be equated to zero, its signs will be determined, and so on. For such a case, it is better to have an expression factorized.

If there are two functions f(x) And g(x), and g(x) ≠ 0 on the set we are interested in, we can define a new function h(x) = f(x)/g(x). For such a function you can also find the derivative:

Not weak, huh? Where did the minus come from? Why g 2? And like this! This is one of the most complex formulas - you can’t figure it out without a bottle. Therefore, it is better to study it with specific examples.

Task. Find derivatives of functions:

The numerator and denominator of each fraction contain elementary functions, so all we need is the formula for the derivative of the quotient:

According to tradition, let's factorize the numerator - this will greatly simplify the answer:

A complex function is not necessarily a half-kilometer-long formula. For example, it is enough to take the function f(x) = sin x and replace the variable x, say, on x 2 + ln x. It will work out f(x) = sin ( x 2 + ln x) - this is a complex function. It also has a derivative, but it will not be possible to find it using the rules discussed above.

What should I do? In such cases, replacing a variable and formula for the derivative of a complex function helps:

f ’(x) = f ’(t) · t', If x is replaced by t(x).

As a rule, the situation with understanding this formula is even more sad than with the derivative of the quotient. Therefore, it is also better to explain it with specific examples, with detailed description every step.

Task. Find derivatives of functions: f(x) = e 2x + 3 ; g(x) = sin ( x 2 + ln x)

Note that if in the function f(x) instead of expression 2 x+ 3 will be easy x, then we get an elementary function f(x) = e x. Therefore, we make a replacement: let 2 x + 3 = t, f(x) = f(t) = e t. We look for the derivative of a complex function using the formula:

f ’(x) = f ’(t) · t ’ = (e t)’ · t ’ = e t · t ’

And now - attention! We perform the reverse replacement: t = 2x+ 3. We get:

f ’(x) = e t · t ’ = e 2x+ 3 (2 x + 3)’ = e 2x+ 3 2 = 2 e 2x + 3

Now let's look at the function g(x). Obviously it needs to be replaced x 2 + ln x = t. We have:

g ’(x) = g ’(t) · t’ = (sin t)’ · t’ = cos t · t ’

Reverse replacement: t = x 2 + ln x. Then:

g ’(x) = cos ( x 2 + ln x) · ( x 2 + ln x)’ = cos ( x 2 + ln x) · (2 x + 1/x).

That's all! As can be seen from the last expression, the whole problem has been reduced to calculating the derivative sum.

Answer:
f ’(x) = 2 · e 2x + 3 ;
g ’(x) = (2x + 1/x) cos ( x 2 + ln x).

Very often in my lessons, instead of the term “derivative,” I use the word “prime.” For example, the stroke of the sum is equal to the sum of the strokes. Is that clearer? Well, that's good.

Thus, calculating the derivative comes down to getting rid of these same strokes according to the rules discussed above. As a final example, let's return to the derivative power with a rational exponent:

(x n)’ = n · x n − 1

Few people know that in the role n may well be a fractional number. For example, the root is x 0.5. What if there is something fancy under the root? Again, the result will be a complex function - they like to give such constructions to tests and exams.

Task. Find the derivative of the function:

First, let's rewrite the root as a power with a rational exponent:

f(x) = (x 2 + 8x − 7) 0,5 .

Now we make a replacement: let x 2 + 8x − 7 = t. We find the derivative using the formula:

f ’(x) = f ’(t) · t ’ = (t 0.5)’ · t’ = 0.5 · t−0.5 · t ’.

Let's do the reverse replacement: t = x 2 + 8x− 7. We have:

f ’(x) = 0.5 · ( x 2 + 8x− 7) −0.5 · ( x 2 + 8x− 7)’ = 0.5 · (2 x+ 8) ( x 2 + 8x − 7) −0,5 .

Finally, back to the roots: