Free Online Courses in Math - Derivatives

Course Content - Part 1

1. Definition of Derivative
2. Main Properties
   • Theorems. Derivative - Fermat's Theorem
   • Theorems. Derivative - Darboux's Theorem
   • Theorems. Derivative - Rolle's Theorem
   • Theorems. Derivative - Lagrange's Theorem
   • Limit of Derivative
   • Theorems. Derivative - Cauchy's Theorem

Course Content - Part 2

1. Analytic Methods. Finding Derivatives of
   • Elementary Functions:
     • constant function
     • polynomial function
     • 1/x function
     • x^1/2 function
     • power function
     • exponential function
     • logarithmic function
     • trigonometric function
     • inverse function
     • cyclometric function (inverse trigonometric functions)
   • Analytic Methods. Complex Functions
2. Table of Elementary Derivatives
3. Derivative - Other Important Rules - Calculus
4. Derivative - Examples
   • Derivative - Examples 1-10
   • Derivative - Examples 11-20
   • Derivative - Examples 21-30
   • Derivative - Examples 31-40
   • Derivative - Examples 41-50
   • Derivative - Examples 51-60
   • Derivative - Examples 61-70

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Apart from that form of learning, one can also practise differentiation using Free Online Calculator.

Literature.

G. M. Fichtenholz – Integral and differential calculus, vol. 1, PWN Warsaw 1999 (originally in Russian)

Mathematical basis of derivative

At the very beginning, one should become familiar with mathematical principles of derivative. To do so, one should start with the definition of derivative and the most important theorems presented below. Study of given examples can help to learn its main properties and train them practically.

Theory. Definition.

Let's consider a function f(x) defined in a given range γ. Next move from the x = x₀ point with the step Δx > 0 or Δx < 0 such that the new value of x = x₀ + Δx is still within the range γ. Then the value of the f function changes from f(x₀) to f(x₀ + Δx). If the the limit of the expression

when

exists it is called the derivative of f function over variable x in the x₀ point.

Derivatives. Notation.

• dy/dx or df(x₀)/dx

  by Leibniz

• y' or f'(x₀)

  by Lagrange

• Dy or Df(x₀)

  by Cauchy.

Main Properties of Derivative

Theorems. Derivative. Fermat's Theorem.

Lemma.

Let the function f(x) have in the point x₀ its finite derivative. If this derivative is

then for x values that are close enough to x₀ on its right the function f(x) is

and for x values that are close enough to x₀ on its left the function f(x) is

In other words, one can say that function f(x) in the point x₀ grows (or decays).

Proof.

Let's consider the case when f'(x) > 0. From definition of derivative of f(x)

we can find such a surrounding of x₀

where

and x ≠ x₀. Then we have

such that

Then

thus

on the other hand when

and

we get

thus

what was to be demonstrated (Q. E. D. quod erat demonstrandum).

Theorems. Derivatives. Fermat's theorem.

Let a function f(x) that is defined in a range γ have its minimum or maximum in an inner point p of γ. If in that point both right and left derivative of f over x exist and are finite then

Proof.

Let the function f have maximum in the point p. Assume that

Then if f'(p) > 0 and if x > p then f(x) > f(p) or if f'(p) < 0 and if x < p then f(x) > f(p). In both cases f(p) cannot be the greatest value of f function in the γ range.

Theorems. Derivatives. Darboux's Theorem.

Theorem.

If a function f(x) have in the range [a, b] the finite derivative then this derivative i. e. the function f'(x) takes at least once each value between f'(a) and f'(b).

Proof.

Let's take a number P from the range (f'(a), f'(b)) such that

We can define a new continuous function g(x)

having, in the range [a, b] the derivative

Because

and g(x) function is continuous, the second Weierstrass theorem implies that must be such a point p where g(x) function takes its maximum value and, in this case, this point is within the [a, b] range i. e. a < p < b. So from the Fermat's theorem we have

and it gives

what was to be demonstrated (Q. E. D. quod erat demonstrandum).

Theorems. Derivatives. Rolle's Theorem.

Theorem.

Let's assume that a function f(x):

1. is defined and continuous in the range [a, b]
2. has the finite derivative (i. e. the function f'(x) exists) at least in the range (a, b)
3. at both ends of the range [a, b] the function f has equal values f(a) = f(b).

Then between a and b one can find such a point p

that

Proof.

The function f(x) is continuous in the range [a, b] and from the second theorem of Weierstrass has in the range [a, b] maximum M and minimum m. Let's consider two cases:

1. M = m. Then in the range [a, b] function f(x) has the constant value. Then f'(x) = 0 everywhere in [a, b] and a point p can be any point from (a, b).
2. M > m. We know that f(a) = f(b) and then at least one of M and m values is taken in the point p somewhere inside the range [a, b] and then from the Fermat's theorem f'(p) = 0.

what was to be demonstrated (Q. E. D. quod erat demonstrandum).

Theorems. Derivatives. Lagrange's Theorem.

Theorem.

Let's assume that:

1. a function f(x) is defined and continuous in the range [a, b]
2. it has the finite derivative (i. e. the function f'(x) exists) at least in the range (a, b)

then between a and b is a point p such that

for which the following formula is fulfilled

Proof.

Let's define in the range (a, b) a new function F(x)

The function fulfils all assumptions of the Rolle's theorem. Its derivative

is finite in the range (a, b). And at both ends of [a, b]

The Rolle's theorem implies that within the range (a, b) is a point p such that

Thus we have

and finally

what was to be demonstrated (Q. E. D. quod erat demonstrandum).

Derivatives. Limit of Derivative.

Let's assume that a function f(x) is continuous in the range [x₀, x₀ + H] (where H > 0) and has the finite derivative f'(x) for x > x₀. If a finite or infinite limit of

exists and equals K then the right derivative in the point x₀ (because the limit is in x₀⁺⁰) has the same value.

An example.

Let's consider the function

with the derivative

the limit of f'(x) when

equals

and the limit of f'(x) when

equals

It means that the function f(x) has only one-sided derivatives i. e. the right derivative +∞ and the left derivative -∞.

Theorems. Derivatives. Cauchy's Theorem.

Theorem.

Let's assume that:

1. function f(x) and g(x) are continuous in the range [a, b]
2. they have the finite derivatives (i. e. the function f'(x) and g'(x) exist) at least in the range (a, b)
3. g'(x) ≠ 0 in the range (a, b)

then between a and b is a point p such that

for which the following formula is fulfilled

Proof.

From the Rolle's theorem g(b) ≠ g(a). Let's consider in the range (a, b) a new function F(x) such that

The function fulfils all assumptions of the Rolle's theorem. The function F(x) is continuous in the range [a, b] because in this range are continuous both functions f(x) and g(x). In (a, b) exists the derivative F'(x) and equals

And at both ends of [a, b]

The Rolle's theorem implies that within the range (a, b) is a point p such that

Thus we have

and finally

what was to be demonstrated (Q. E. D. quod erat demonstrandum). This theorem is called also the generalised theorem of average value.

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Last update: January 2, 2021
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