DIFFERENTIATION I

Suppose we have a smooth function f(x) which is

represented graphically by the curve y = f(x). Then we can
draw a tangent to the curve at point P. It is important to be
able to calculate the slope of the tangent of the curve. A
graphical method can be used but this is rather imprecise,
so we use the following analytical method.

We chose a second point Q on the curve which is near P

and join the two points with a tangent line PQ called
secant and calculate the slope of the line. = 2x

Then we can allow Q to approach P so that the secant = 2x

swings around until it just touches the curve and become a
tangent. The limit of the slope of the secant is required to If y = xn, then
find the slope of the tangent.
For example: If y = x4

y = f(x)
y + δy Q(x+δx, y+δy)
Example I
Differentiate the following functions:
(a) x3 + 2x2 + 3x
(b) 4x4 – 3x2 + 5
P(x, y)
(c) ax2 + bx + c
Solution
(a) y = x3 + 2x2 + 3x

The gradient of the secant PQ = = 3x3 – 1 + 2 × 2x2 – 1 + 3 × 1(x1 – 1)

= 3x2 + 4x + 3x0
= 3x2 + 4x + 3
(b) y = 4x4 – 3x2 + 5

= 4x4 – 1 – 2 × 3x2 – 1 + 0
The gradient of the tangent at P(f '(x))
= 4x3 – 6x
(c) y = ax2 + bx + c
as 0
= 2ax + b
Example
Find the gradient of the tangent to the curve y = x2.
Example III
Solution
Find the gradient of the curve y = x(2 – x) at x = 2
The gradient of the tangent to the curve y = f(x)
Solution
y = x(2 – x)
y = 2x – x2

f(x) = x2

46
 Find the equations of the tangents and normal to the curve
=2–2×2 at the given points:
(a) y = x2 (2, 4)
= -2
(b) y = 3x2 + 2 (4, 50)
Example IV
(c) y = 3x – x + 1 (0, 1)
2
Find the gradient of the curves at the given points:
(d) 3 – 4x – 2x2 (0, 1)
(a) y = (4x – 5)2 ( , 9)
(b) y = 3x3 – 2x2 (-2, -24) Solution
(c) y = (x + 2)(x – 4) (3, -5) (a) y = x2
Solution = 2x
(a) y = (4x – 5)2
y = 16x2 – 40x + 25
=2×2
= 32x – 40
=4
= 32 × − 40 The gradient of the tangent = 4
Let n be the gradient of the normal
= 16 – 40 n × 4 = -1
= -24
(b) y = 3x3 – 2x2 n=
= 9x – 4x
2
Equation of the tangent:

= 9 × -22 – 4(-2)
y – 4 = 4(x – 2)
= 36 + 8
= 44 y – 4 = 4x – 8
(c) (x + 2)(x – 4) y = 4x – 4
y = x2 – 2x – 8 Equation of the normal:
= 2x – 2

=2×3–2 4(y – 4) = 1(x – 2)

4y – 16 = x – 2
=4 4y = x – 14
Tangents and Normals to curves
(b) y = (3x2 + 2)
A tangent is a line which touches a curve at only one
point. A normal is a line which is perpendicular to the = 6x
tangent.
=6×4

= 24
Normal
Gradient of tangent = 24
Let the gradient of the normal be n
n × 24 = -1
Normal
n=

Example I Equation of the tangent:

47
 Equation of the tangent:

= -8
y – 50 = 24(x – 4)
y – 50 = 24x – 96 y + 3 = -8(x – 1)
y = 24x – 96 + 50 y + 3 = -8x + 8
y = 24x – 46 y = -8x + 5

Equation of the normal: Equation of the normal:

24(y – 50) = -1(x – 4) 8(y + 3) = x – 1

24y – 1200 = -x + 4 8y + 24 = x – 1
24y + x = 1204 8y + 25 = x

(c) y = 3x2 – x + 1 (0, 1) Example II

Find the coordinates of a point on y = x2 at which the
= 6x – 1
gradient is 2. Hence find the equation of the tangent to the
curve y = x2 whose gradient is 2.
= 6 × 0 – 1 = -1 Solution
y = x2
= -1 = 2x
Let the gradient of the normal be n 2x = 2
n × -1 = -1 x=1
n=1 If x = 1, from y = x2;
Equation of the tangent: y = 12
= -1 y=1
The point is (1, 1)
y – 1 = -x
Equation of the tangent:
y = -x + 1
Equation of the normal: =2

=1 y – 1 = 2(x – 1)
y = 2x – 1
y–1=x
y=x+1 Example III
Find the equation of the normal to the curve y = x2 + 3x –
(d) y = 3 – 4x – 2x2 (1, -3)
2 at the point where it cuts the x-axis.
= -4 – 4x Solution
y = x2 + 3x – 2
= -4 – 4 × 1 = 2x + 3

= -8 At the y-axis, x = 0
Let the gradient of the normal be n From y = x2 + 3x – 2,
n × -8 = -1 y = 02 + 3 × 0 – 2
y = -2
n=
(0, -2)

48
 =2×0+3

=3
The gradient of the tangent = 3
Let the gradient of the normal be n
n × 3 = -1

n= Example V
Find the equations of the tangents to the curve
y = (2x – 1)(x + 1) at the points where the curve cuts the x-
axis. Find the point of intersection of these tangents.
3(y – -2) = -1(x) Solution
3(y + 2) = -x y = (2x – 1)(x + 1)
3y + 6 = -x y = 2x2 + x – 1
3y + x + 6 = 0 At the x-axis, y = 0
0 = (2x – 1)(x + 1)
Example IV
Find the value of k for which y = 2x + k is a normal to the , x = -1
curve y = 2x2 – 3.
Solution (½, 0) and (-1, 0)
y = 2x + k The curve cuts the x-axis at (½, 0) and (-1, 0)
Comparing y = 2x + k with y = mx + c; y = 2x2 + x – 1
m=2 = 4x + 1
∴ Gradient of the normal = 2
y = 2x2 – 3
=4× +1
= 4x
=3
Let the gradient of the normal be n.
4x × n = -1 =3

n=
y = 3x – …………………….. (i)
Since the gradient of the normal = 2,
=2 = 4 × -1 + 1

= -3
x=
= -3
y = 2x2 – 3
y = -3(x + 1)
−3
y = -3x – 3 ……………………..(ii)
Equating Eqn (i) and Eqn (ii);
−3

From y = 2x + k

49
 Solution
x2 = 16y
2x dx = 16 dy

x – 2y – 3 = 0
x – 3 = 2y
Substituting x = in Eqn (i);
y=
y=3× Since the tangent is perpendicular to the line

y= ,

Let the gradient of the tangent be t.

The two tangents intersect at
Example VI
Find the coordinates of the point on y = x2 – 5 at which the
t = -2
gradient is 3. Hence find the value of c for which the line
y = 3x + c is a tangent to y = x2 – 5 = -2
Solution
y = x2 – 5 x = -16
When x = -16,
= 2x -162 = 16y
y = 16
2x = 3 x= (-16, 16)

When x = ,
= -2

y – 16 = -2(x + 16)
y – 16 = -2x – 32
y + 2x + 16 = 0
The equation of the tangent is y + 2x + 16 = 0 and
the point of contact is (-16, 16)

Example VIII
Find the equation of the tangents to the curve y = x3 – 6x2
+ 12x + 2 which are parallel to the line y = 3x.
y = 3x + c
Solution
satisfies y = 3x + c
y = x3 – 6x2 + 12x + 2
Comparing y = 3x with y = mx + c gives m = 3

= 3x2 – 12x + 12

3x2 – 12x + 12 = 3
3x2 – 12x + 9 = 0
x2 – 4x + 3 = 0
Example VII (x – 1)(x – 3) = 0
A tangent to the parabola x2 = 16y is perpendicular to the x = 1 and x = 3
line x – 2y – 3 = 0. Find the equation of this tangent and If x = 1,
the coordinates of its point of contact. y = 13 – 6 × 12 + 12 × 1 + 2

50
 y = 1 – 6 + 12 + 2
Recall f '(x) = .
y=9
If x = 3, y = 33 – 6 × 32 + 36 + 2
Maximum Minimum Inflexion
y = 27 – 54 + 38
y = 11 + 0 − − + 0 + 0 +, − 0 −
Sign of
The points are (1, 9) and (3, 11)
changes when
=3
moving through
y – 9 = 3(x – 1) stationary
y – 9 = 3x – 3 values.
y = 3x + 6
To locate maximum, minimum, and inflexion points of a
=3 curve without necessarily drawing the curve, we proceed
as follows:
y – 11 = 3(x – 3)
y – 11 = 3x – 9 (a) Find the gradient of the curve
y = 3x + 2
(b) Equate to zero the expression for .
Maximum, Minimum and Inflexion points of a
(c) Find the values of x which satisfy this equation.
curve
A Maximum (d) Consider the sign of on either sides of these
D I
C B (point of inflexion)
points.
(e) Find the value(s) of y which correspond(s) to the
E F
values of x.
B (minimum)
x =a x =b x =c Distinguishing stationary points using the second
derivative method
Points A, B, and I are stationary (turning points) of the In order to distinguish the turning points, we find the
curve. We say that f(x) has a maximum value at x = a, if second derivative.
f(a) is greater than any value immediately preceding or
following, we say that a function f(x) has a minimum If < 0 at (x1, y2), (x1, y1) is a point of maximum
value at x = b, if f(b) is less than any value immediately
preceding or following. If > 0 at (x1, y1), (x1, y1) is a minimum point;
The tangent to the curve at points A, B and C are
horizontal (parallel to the x-axis). If = 0 at (x1, y1), (x1, y1) is a point of inflexion.

The gradient of each tangent to the curve is zero;

f(x) = 0 Example I
Find the coordinates of the stationary points of the
At points immediately to the left of the maximum point, C curve y = 2x3 – 24x and distinguish between them.
the slope of the tangent is positive. i.e. f '(x) > 0 while Solution
points immediately to the right at point D, the slope is y = 2x3 – 24x
negative i.e. f '(x) < 0.
= 6x2 – 24
In other words, at the maximum f '(x) changes sign from +
to (−).
At stationary points, =0
At the minimum point, f '(x) changes sign from – to +. We
can see this at E and F. 6x2 – 24 = 0
x2 – 4 = 0

51
 (x + 2)(x – 2) = 0 y = 2(4 – 12)
x = -2 and x = 2 y = 2(-8)
If x = -2, y = 2(-2)3 – 24(-2) (2, -16) is a stationary point.
y = -16 + 48 If x = -2, y = -2(-22 – 12)
y = 32 y = -2(4 – 12)
(-2, 32) is a stationary point. y = -2(-8)
If x = 2, y = 2(2)3 – 24(2) y = 16
(-2, 16) is a turning point.
y = 16 – 48
y = -32 = 6x
(2, -32) is a stationary point

= 6x2 – 24 = 6 × 2 = 12

(2, -16) is a point of minima

= 12x
= 6 × -2 = -12 < 0
= 12 × -2 (-2, 16) is a point of maxima.

= -24 < 0 (b) y = x2(3 – x)

y = 3x2 – x3
Since < 0, (-2, 32) is a point of maxima.
= 6x – 3x2
= 12x
At a turning point, =0

= 12 × 2 6x – 3x2 = 0
3x(2 – x) = 0
x = 0 and x = 2
= 24 > 0
If x = 0, y = x2(3 – x)
Since >0, (2, -32) is a point of minima. y=0
(0, 0) is a stationary point.
If x = 2, y = 22(3 – 2)
Example II y=4
Investigate the nature of stationary points of the following (2, 4) is a stationary point
curves. Turning points:
(a) y = x(x2 – 12)
(b) y = x2(3 – x) = 6x – 3x2
(c) y = x(x – 8)(x – 15)
(d) y = x3(2 – x) = 6 – 6x
(e) y = 3x4 + 16x3 + 24x + 3

Solution =6
(a) y = x(x2 – 12)
y = x3 – 12x (0, 0) is a point of minima
= 3x2 – 12 =6–6×2

At a stationary point, =0 = -6 < 0

(2, 4) is a point of maxima.
3x2 – 12 = 0
x2 – 4 = 0 (c) y = x(x – 8)(x – 15)
x = ±2 y = x3 – 23x2 + 120x
If x = 2, y = x(x2 – 12)

52
 is a stationary point
= 3x2 – 46x + 120
= 12x – 12x2
At stationary points, =0
3x2 – 46x + 120 = 0 =0
x = 12, x =
(0, 0) is a point of inflexion.
If x = 12, y = x(x – 8)(x – 15)
y = 12(12 – 8)(12 – 15) = -9
y = 12(4)(-3)
y = -144 is a point of maxima
(12, -144) is a stationary point
(e) y = 3x4 + 16x3 + 24x2 + 3
When x = ,
= 12x3 + 48x2 + 48x

At stationary points, =0
is a stationary point.
12x3 + 48x2 + 48x = 0
= 6x – 46 12x(x + 4x + 4) = 0
x = 0, x = -2
If x = 0, y = 3
= 6 × 12 – 46 (0, 3) is a stationary point.
If x = -2, y = 3(-2)4 + 16(-2)3 + 24(-2)2 + 3
= 26 > 0 y = 48 – 128 + 96 + 3
(12, -144) is a point of minima. y = 19
(-2, 19) is a stationary point.
= 36x2 + 96x + 48
= -26 < 0
is a point of maxima. = 48 > 0

(d) y = x3(2 – x) (0, 3) is a point of minima.

y = 2x3 – x4
= 36(-2)2 + 96(-2) + 48 = 0
= 6x2 – 4x3
(-2, 19) is a point of inflexion.
At stationary points, =0
Example II
6x2 – 4x3 = 0 If p = 4s2 – 10s + 7, find the minimum value of p and the
2x2(3 – 2x) = 0 values of s which gives the minimum value of p.
x = 0, x = Solution
p = 4s2 – 10s + 7
If x = 0, y = x3(2 – x)
y = 03(2 – 0) = 8s – 10
y=0
(0, 0) is a stationary point. For minimum value of p, =0

If x = ,y= 8s – 10 = 0
s=
y= =
p = 4s2 – 10s + 7

53
 Example V
pmin = Onyango wishes to fence a rectangular farm. He wants the
sum of the length and the width of the farm to be 42 cm.
pmin = Calculate the length and width of the farm for the area of
the farm to be as maximum as possible.
pmin = Solution

= 8s – 10
w
=8>0

p is minimum when S = and the minimum value of l

Let the length and width of the rectangular farm be l and w
p is . respectively.
l × w = 42
Example IV l = 42 – w
A cylindrical can is made so that the sum of the height and A=l×w
the circumference of its base is 45π cm. Find the radius of
A = (42 – w)w
the base of the cylinder if the volume of the can is
maximum. A = 42w – w2
Solution
= 42 – 2w
Let the radius of the base be r and the height h cm.

For the maximum area, =0

42 – 2w = 0
h w = 21
l = 42 – w
= 42 – 21
= 21
Example VI
(Height + circumference) = 45π. The length of a rectangular block is twice its width, and
h + 2πr = 45π the total surface area is 108 cm 2. Show that if the width of
h = 45π − 2πr ………………………………. (i)
the block is x cm, the volume is x(27 – x2). Find the
V = πr2h …………………………….. (ii)
Substituting Eqn (i) in Eqn (ii); dimensions of the block if the volume is maximum.
V = πr2(45π - 2πr) Solution
V = 45π2r2 - 2π2r3 Let the width be x cm

= 90π2r - 6π2r2
h
For the maximum volume, = 0.

90π2r - 6π2r2 = 0 x
6π2r(15 – r) = 0 2x
V=l×w×h
r = 0 or r = 15 V = 2x × x × h
But r ≠ 0 V = 2x2h ………………………………(i)
r = 15 cm Total surface area A = 2(lw + wh + hl)

54
 108 = 2(2x2 + xh + 2xh) h
54 = 2x2 + 3xh h
= h ………………… (ii) 2 R
Substituting Eqn (ii) in Eqn (i);
h R
2
r

r2 + = R2
V= (27 – x2)
r2 + = R2
For the maximum volume, =0
r2 = R2 −
V= (27 – x )
2
V = πr2h

V= (27x – x3) V=

= (27 – 3x2) V = πR2h –

For Vmax, =0

(27 – 3x2)= 0 For the maximum volume, =0

27 – 3x = 0 2

x2 = 9 =0
x=3
l = 2x h2 =
l=6
h= h=

V = πr2h
=
V = π r2
=
h=4 But

Example VII r2 = R2 –
A cylindrical volume V is to be cut from a solid sphere of
radius R. Prove that the maximum volume of the cylindar,
r2 = R2 – R2
V is

Solution r2 = R2
Let the height of the cylinder be h V = πr2h
h= , r2 = R2

Vmax =

55
 Example IX
Vmax = A rectangular block has a base x cm square. Its surface
area is 150 cm2. Prove that the volume of the block is
Example VIII
A cylinder is inscribed in a hemisphere of radius r as (75x – x3).
shown in the figure below. (a) Calculate the dimensions of the block when the
volume is maximum.
(b) The maximum volume.
Solution

h
Find the maximum volume of the cylinder in terms of r.
Solution
x
x
S.A = 2(lw + wh + hl)
r h 150 = 2(x2 + xh + xh)
75 = (x2 + 2xh)
=h

x2 + h2 = r2 V=l×w×h
x2 = r2 – h2 V = x 2h
Volume of the cylinder, V = πx2h
V = π(r2 – h2)h V=
V = πr2h – πh3
= πr2 − 3πh2 V= (75 – x2)

For maximum volume, =0 V= (75x – x3)

πr2 – 3πh2 = 0 = (75 – 3x2)

π(r2 – 3h2) = 0
= h2 For maximum volume, = 0.

h= (75 – 3x2) = 0

x2 = r2 – h2 75 – 3x2 = 0
x2 = 25
x2 = r2 – x=5
h=
x2 =
V = πx2h h=

x2 = , h= h=5

Example X
Vmax = (a) A variable rectangular flower garden has a constant
perimeter of 40. Find the length of the side when the
area is maximum.

56
(b) A variable rectangle has a constant area of 36 cm 2. Mukasa wishes to enclose a rectangular piece of land of
Find the length of the sides when the perimeter is area 1250 cm2 whose one side is bound by a straight bank
maximum. of a river. Find the least possible length of barbed wire
Solution required.
l Solution
x

w 40 w
y y

l xy = 1250
Perimeter of the flower garden P = 2(l + w)
40 = 2(l + w) y=
20 = l + w
l = 20 – w P = x+ y + y
A = lw P = x + 2y
A = (20 – w)w P=x+
A = 20w – w2
= 20 – 2w P=x+

For the maximum area, =0

20 – 2w = 0
w = 10 For the least possible length, =0
l = 20 – w
l = 10 =0
(b) P = 2(l + w)
lw = 36 1=
l= x = 50

P= y= = 25

P= + 2w Example XII
A closed right circular cylinder of base radius r cm and
P = 72w-1 + 2w height h cm has volume of 54π cm3. Show that S, the total
= -72w-2 + 2 surface area of the cylinder, is given by
hence find the radius and height which makes the surface
=
area minimum.
Solution
For the maximum perimeter, =0
r
=0

w2 = 36
w=6
l=6
Example XI
V = πr2h
54𝜋 = 𝜋r2h

57
 Example (UNEB Question)
=h Write down the expression of the volume V and surface
Surface area of a cylinder A = 2πr2 + 2πrh area S of a cylinder of radius r and height h. If the surface
area S of the cylinder is kept constant, show that the
A = 2πr2 + 2πr volume of the cylinder will be maximum when h = 2r
Solution
S = 2πr2 + 2πrh
A = 2πr2 +
h=
V = πr2h
For the minimum surface area, =0 V=

4πr – =0
V= (Sr – 2πr3)
4πr3 − 108π = 0
= (S – 6πr2)
r3 =
r3 = 27 For maximum volume, =0
r=3
S – 6π r 2 = 0
S = 6πr2
h=6 h=
Example XIII
A company that manufactures dog food wishes to pack the
h=
feed in closed cylindrical tins. What should be the
dimensions of each tin if each is to have a volume of 250 π h = 2r
cm3 and the minimum possible surface area? For maximum volume, h = 2r
Solution
A = 2πr2 + 2πrh Example (UNEB Question)
V = πr2h A right circular cone of radius r cm has a maximum
250π = πr2h volume. The sum of its vertical height h and
h= circumference of its base is 15 cm. If the radius varies,

show that the maximum volume of the cone is cm3.

A = 2πr2 + 2πr
Solution
A = 2πr2 + The base is circular
The circumference of the base = 2πr
2πr + h = 15
h = 15 - 2πr
For minimum surface area, =0 Volume of the cone = πr2h

=0
V= πr2(15 – 2πr)
π(4r3 – 500) = 0
r3 = 125 = 𝜋(15r2 – 2πr3)
r = 5 cm
h=
h = 10 cm

58
 For maximum volume, =0 25 =

(30r – 6πr2) = 0 h= ………………………….. (ii)

30r – 6πr2 = 0 Substituting Eqn (2) in Eqn (i);

6r(5 – πr) = 0
A=
5 = πr

r= A=

V= πr2h For the least area, =0

h = 15 – 2πr; But r =

h = 15 – 2π =0
27x3 – 400 = 0
h=5
x3 =
V=
x=
V= cm3
Example l=
A match box consists of an outer cover open at both ends
into which a rectangular box without a top. The length of l=
the box is one and a half times the width. The thickness of
the material is negligible and the volume of the match box l = 3.68403 cm
is 25 cm3. If the width is x cm, find in terms of x the area l ≈ 3.7 cm
of the material used. Hence show that if the least area of
the material is to be used to make the box, the length
should be 3.7 approximately.
Solution
Area of the inner surface = 2(lw) + 2(lh)

= 3x2 + 3xh
Area of the water surface = (lw + 2lh + 2wh)
=

= + 5xh
The total surface of the match box

= + 5xh + 3xh + 3x2

A= + 8xh ………………… (i)

From volume = l × w × h,

V=

59
 Techniques of Differentiation y = (x7 – x2)42
Let t = x7 – x2 y = t42
Chain, Product, and Quotient rules

We can now move to some more properties involved in y = t42

differentiation. To summarise, so far we have found that:
1. The derivative of a sum is a sum of its derivatives. = 42t41
2. The derivative of a difference is the difference of the t = x 7 – x2
derivatives.
= 7x6 – 2x
However, it turns out that:
1. The derivative of a product of derivative f(x)g(x) is not
a product of the derivative.
= 42(t41) × (7x6 – 2x)
(f(x)g(x)) ≠ f '(x)g'(x) = 42(7x6 – 2x)t41
2. The derivative of a quotient is not the quotient of the = 42(7x6 – 2x)(x7 – x2)41
derivative
Example III
Find in terms of t in the following expressions:
3. The derivative of the composition f(x) is not the (a) x = t2, y = 4t – 1
composition of the derivatives. (b) y = 3t2 + 2t, x = 1 – 2t
The chain, product and quotient rules tell us how to (c) x = 2 , y = 5t – 4
differentiate in these three situations.
(d) x = , y = t2 + 4t – 3

Chain Rule (e) x = , y=

The chain rule states that: Solution
(a) x = t2, y = 4t – 1
y = 4t – 1
Example I =4
Given that y = (x + 7) , find
2 100
x = t2
Solution = 2t
y = (x2 + 7)100
Let t = x2 + 7
= 2x
y = t100 =4× =

= 100t99
(b) y = 3t2 + 2t, x = 1 – 2t
= 6t + 2
= 100t99 × 2x
= 200xt99 = -2
= 200x(x2 + 7)99.

Example II
Given that y = (x7 – x2)42, find . = (6t + 2) ×

Solution

60
 = -3t – 1 Find in terms of t if x = at2 and y = 2at
Solution
(c) x = , y = 5t − 4 x = at2
= 2at
y = 2at
= 2a
y = 5t – 4
=5

= 2a × =

Example V (UNEB Question)

A curve is defined by the parametric equations
x = t2 – t
y = 3t + 4
(d) x = , y = t2 + 4t – 3. Find the equation of the tangent to the curve at (2, 10)
Solution
= -1t-1-1 = x = t2 – t and y = 3t + 4.

y = t2 + 4t – 3
= (2t + 4)

= (2t + 4) × -t2
= -2t3 – 4t2

(e) x = , y=
At point (2, 10), x = 2 and y = 10.
x = t2 – t
y = 3t + 10
= -2(3 + Substituting, for x = 2,
2 = t2 − t
t2 − t − 2 = 0
= t2 − 2t + t − 2 = 0
t(t − 2) + 1(t − 2) = 0
y= (t − 2)(t + 1) = 0
Either t − 2 = 0,
= t=2
Or t+1=0
t = -1
Substituting for y = 10,
10 = 3t + 4
3t = 6
t=2
For

Example IV

61
 Product Rule
Consider y = uv, where v and u are functions of x.
y+ = (u + )(v +
y+ = uv + u +v +
y – 10 = x – 2 As 0, 0
y = x – 2 + 10 0
y=x+8 + y = uv + u + v
Example VI = uv + u +v −y
= uv + u +v – uv
If x = at2, y = 2at, find and in terms of t.
=u +v
Solution
x = at2, y = 2at
= 2at ; = 2a As 0

, and

Example I
Differentiate the following
(a) (x2 + 1)(x3 + 2)
=
(b) x2(x + 1)3
(c)
Example VII
A curve is represented parametrically by (d)
x = (t2 – 1)2; y = t3 (e)
Find (f)
Solution
x = (t2 – 1)2, y = t3 Solution
(a) y = (x2 + 1)(x3 + 2)
= 2(t2 – 1)2t Let u = x2 + 1, v = x3 + 2
= 4t(t2 – 1)
y = t3
= 3t2 = (x2 + 1)(3x2) + (x3 + 2)2x
= 3x4 + 3x2 + 2x4 + 4x
= 5x4 + 3x2 + 4x
= 5x4 + 3x2 + 4x
= 3t2 × = 5x4 + 3x2 + 4x.

=
(b) y = x2(x + 1)3
Let u = x2, v = (x + 1)3

62
 = x23(x + 1)2 1 + (x + 1)32x
= x(x + 1)2[3x + 2(x + 1)]
= x(x + 1)2(5x + 2)
= x(x+ 1)2(5x + 2)

(c) y =
u= ,v=
(f) y = (1 – x)2
Let u = (1 – x)2, v = (1 – 2x)
y = uv

(d) y=
Let u = x – 1, v =

Example (UNEB Question)

Given that , find:

(a)

(b) The value of q when R is maximum.

Solution
(a)
Let u = q, v = ;
(e) y=

y=
y=

63
 Example
(b) For Rmax, =0 Differentiate the following:

(a) (b)
=0

1000 – 2q2 = 0 (c) (d)

q2 = 500
q2 = 100 × 5
(e) (f)
q=
q = ±10 Solutions
q = 10 or q = -10 (a)

Quotient Rule

Consider y = , where u and v are functions of x.

u = x2 + 1; v = x2 – 1
y=

(b)
As 0, 0 and , 0 u = x, v =

As 0,

64
(c)

Example (UNEB Question)

Differentiate:
(a)

(b)

Solution
(a)
(d) y = y = uv

y=

(b) y =

(e)

Differentiation of Implicit Functions

Example I
Find when x2 + 2xy + y2 = 8

65
Solution
(x2 + 3xy – y2) = (3)
(x + 2xy + y ) =
2 2
(8)
2x dx + 3(x dy + y dx) – 2y dy = 0
2xdx + 2(xdy + ydx) + 2ydy = 0
2x + 3x + 3y – 2y =0
2x+2x + 2y + 2y =0
(3x – 2y) = -2x – 3y
(2x + 2y) = -2x – 2y

= -5

Example II
If x2 – 3xy + y2 – 2y + 4x = 0, find y – 1 = -5(x – 1)
y – 1 = -5x + 5
Solution y = -5x + 6 is the equation of the tangent
x2 – 3xy + y2 – 2y + 4x = 0 Let the gradient of the normal be n
(x2 – 3xy + y2 – 2y + 4x) = (0) n × -5 = -1

2x dx – 3(xdy + ydx) + 2ydy – 2dy + 4dx = 0

2x – 3x – 3y + 2y –2 +4=0

(2y – 3x – 2) = -4 – 2x 5(y – 1) = x – 1
5y – 5 = x – 1
5y – 4 = x is the equation of the normal.
=
Example V
Example III Find the x-stationary points of the curve
x3 – y3 – 4x2 + 3y = 11x + 4
Find when 3x2 – 4xy = 7 Solution
x3 – y3 – 4x2 + 3y = 11x + 4
Solution
3x2 – 4xy = 7 (x3 – y3 – 4x2 + 3y) = (11x + 4)
(3x2 – 4xy) = (7) 3x2 dx – 3y2 dy – 8x dx + 3dy = 11 dx
(3 – 3y2) dy = (11 – 3x2 – 8x) dx
6x dx – 4(x dy + y dx) = 0
=
6x – 4x − 4y = 0

6x – 4y = 4x At stationary points, =0

=0

11 – 3x2 – 8x = 0
Example IV 3x2 + 8x – 11 = 0
If x2 + 3xy – y2 = 0, find at (1, 1). x = 1, x=
Find the equation of the tangent and normal at (1, 1)
Solution
x2 + 3xy – y2 = 0 Application of Differentiation

66
Small Changes
If A(x, y) is a general point in the curve with equation y =
f(x) and B(x+δx, y+δy) is a point in the curve close to A,
then δx is a small increase in x and δy is a small increase
in y
We know from differentiation that

x = 100,
So when is small, we can say that
10 + 0.05 =
10.05 =
The approximation can be used to estimate the value of a
function close to a known value y + δy can be estimated if Example III
y is known. In an experiment, the diameter x of a metal is measured
and the volume V cm3 is calculated using the formula
Example I
Given that y = 3x2 + 2x – 4. Use small changes to find the . If the diameter is found to be 10 cm with a
small change in y when x increases from 2 to 2.02.
possible error of 0.1cm, estimate the possible error in the
Solution
volume calculated.
y = 3x2 + 2x – 4
Solution
= 6x + 2

= (2.02 – 2) = 0.02
= 0.1, x = 10
x = 2; = 0.02

= (6x + 2)
= [(6 × 2) + 2] × 0.02
= 0.28
Hence the possible error in the volume is 5π cm3
Example II Example IV
Use small changes to estimate Find the approximate value of
Solution Solution
y=
x = 1000, =3

x = 100, =1

67
 Use small changes to find .
Solution

x = 625, =2

Example I
Use small changes to find the cube root of 1005
Solution

x = 100, =5 Percentage Small Changes

An error of 3% is made in measuring the radius of the
sphere. Find the percentage error in the volume.
Solution

Example II

Example

68
The height of a cylinder is 10 cm and the radius is 4 cm.
Find the approximate percentage increase in the volume
when the radius increases from 4 to 4.02 cm.
Solution

Example
An error of 2.5% is made in measuring the area of a circle.
What is the percentage error in the circumference?
Solution

V = 𝜋r2h
V = 𝜋 (4)2 × 10
V = 160π
Percentage increase in the volume is

Example III
The period T of a simple pendulum is calculated from the
C = 2π r
formula where l is the length of the pendulum

and g is the acceleration due to gravity constant. find the

percentage change in the period caused by lengthening the
pendulum by 2%.
Solution

Percentage error in circumference =

Example
If l is the length of a pendulum and t is the time of a
complete swing, it is known that l = kt2. The length of the
pendulum is increased by x%. x is so small. Find the
corresponding increase in the time of the string.
Solution

Percentage change in period =

69
 Rates of Change
Application of derivatives
Example I
A side of a cube is increasing at a rate of 6cm/s. Find the
rate of increase in the volume of the cube when the length
of the side is 8cm.
Solution
Percentage increase in time =

x
x
V = x3

= 6 cm/s

18x2

cm3/s

Example II
The volume of a cube is increasing at a rate of 2 cm 3/s.
Find the rate of change of the side of the base when the
length is 3 cm.
Solution

l
l
V = l3
= 2cm3/s

70
 A spherical balloon is inflated such that the rate at which
= 3l2 its radius is increasing is 0.5cm/s. Find the rate at which:
(a) the volume is increasing at the instant when r = 5.0cm
(b) the surface area is increasing when r = 8.5 cm
Solution

2=

= 2πr2

cm/s 50π cm2/s

A = 4𝜋r2
Example III
The area of the circle is increasing at a rate of 3cm 2/s. Find
the rate of change of the circumference when its radius is
2cm.
= 8πr × 0.5
Solution

cm2/s

Example IV
A hollow circular cone is held vertex downwards beneath
a tap leaking at a rate of 2cm 3/s. Find the rise of water
level when the level is 6 cm. Given that the height of the
cone is 18 cm and its radius is 12 cm.
Solution
12cm

18cm

1.5cm/s
2 cm3/s

Example III (UNEB Question)

71
 = 216𝜋 cm3

V = πh3
216 π = πh3
216 = h3
h = 6 cm
V = πh3

cm/min

Example VI
An inverted cone with vertical angle of 60° is collecting
water leaking from a tap at a rate of 2cm 3/s. If the height
Example V of water collected is 10cm, find the rate at which the depth
An inverted right circular cone of vertical angle 120° is is decreasing at that instant.
collecting water from a tap at a steady rate of 18π Solution
cm3/min. Find: r
(a) the depth of the water after 12 minutes
(b) the rate of increase of the depth at this instant.
Solution h
r

30°30°
h

60° 60°

Volume of the cone V =

cm3/min
1 min 18π cm3
12 min x cm3
x = 12 × 18π

72
 144π cm
(Because the bowl fills in a minute)
When the bowl is not full,
r = 6 cm

When h = 3,

When h = 10,

cm/s

Example
Example A horse trough has a triangular cross-section area of
A hemispherical bowl is being filled with water at a height 50 cm and base 60cm and height 2m long. A horse
uniform rate when the height of water is h cm. The is drinking steadily and when the water level is 5cm below
volume is cm3, r being the radius of the the top, it is being lowered at a rate of 1cm/min. Find the
sphere. Find the rate at which the water level is rising rate of consumption in litres per minute.
when it is half-way to the top, given that r = 6 and the Solution
bowl fills in 1 minute.
h/2
r
h/2
h

h h = 50

V= l = 200 cm
When it is full, r = h
V=
V = 100bh

73
 Because it empties in 24s
24s cm3
1s x
cm3/s

cm3/s
When

4.8 litres/minute

Example (UNEB Question)

A hemispherical bowl of radius a cm is initially full of
water. The water runs out through a small hole at the
bottom of the bowl at a constant rate such that it empties
the bucket in 24 s. Given that when the depth of water is x
cm and the volume of water is cm3, show
that the depth of water at that instant is decreasing at a rate
of a3(36(2a – x))-1. Find how long it will take for the depth
of water to be cm and the rate at which the depth is
increasing at that instant.
Solution Volume of water in the bowl =
Volume of the water emptied
a =

x
1s

When it is full of water, x = a xs

x = 20.4445 cm

74