6.2 Differentiation from first principles

We know that the gradient of the tangent to a curve with equation \(y = f(x)\) at \(x=a\) can be determine using the formula:

We can use this formula to determine an expression that describes the gradient of the graph (or the gradient of the tangent to the graph) at any point on the graph. This expression (or gradient function) is called the derivative.

The derivative of a function \(f\left(x\right)\) is written as \('\left(x\right)\) and is defined by:

The process of determining the derivative of a given function.

This method is called differentiation from first principles or using the definition.

Worked example 7: Differentiation from first principles

Calculate the derivative of \(g\left(x\right)=2x-3\) from first principles.

Write down the formula for finding the derivative using first principles

\['\left(x\right)=\lim_\frac\]

Determine \(g\left(x+h\right)\)

\begin g(x) &= 2x - 3 \\ & \\ g\left(x+h\right) &= 2\left(x+h\right) - 3 \\ &= 2x + 2h - 3 \end

Substitute into the formula and simplify

\begin '\left(x\right) & = \lim_\frac \\ & = \lim_\frac \\ & = \lim_ 2 \\ & = 2 \end

Write the final answer

The derivative \('\left(x\right) = 2\).

Notation

There are a few different notations used to refer to derivatives. It is very important that you learn to identify these different ways of denoting the derivative and that you are consistent in your usage of them when answering questions.

If we use the common notation \(y=f\left(x\right)\), where the dependent variable is \(y\) and the independent variable is \(x\), then some alternative notations for the derivative are as follows:

The symbols \(D\) and \(\frac\) are called differential operators because they indicate the operation of differentiation.

\(\frac\) means \(y\) differentiated with respect to \(x\). Similarly, \(\frac\) means \(p\) differentiated with respect to \(x\).

Important: \(\frac\) is not a fraction and does not mean \(dy \div dx\).

Worked example 8: Differentiation from first principles

Find the derivative of \(f\left(x\right)=4x^\) from first principles.
Determine \(' (\text)\) and interpret the answer.

Write down the formula for finding the derivative from first principles

\['\left(x\right)=\lim_\frac\]

Substitute into the formula and simplify

Calculate \(' (\text)\) and interpret the answer

The derivative of \(f(x)\) at \(x = \text\) is \(\text\).
The gradient of the function \(f\) at \(x = \text\) is equal to \(\text\).
The gradient of the tangent to \(f(x)\) at \(x = \text\) is equal to \(\text\).

Worked example 9: Differentiation from first principles

Calculate \(\frac\) from first principles if \(p\left(x\right)= - \frac\).

Write down the formula for finding the derivative using first principles

\[\frac =\lim_\frac\]

Substitute into the formula and simplify

\begin \frac & = \lim_\frac -\left(- \frac\right)> \end

It is sometimes easier to write the right-hand side of the equation as:

Notice: even though \(h\) remains in the denominator, we can take the limit since it does not result in division by \(\text\).

Write the final answer

\[\frac = \frac\]

Worked example 10: Differentiation from first principles

Differentiate \(g\left(x\right)= \frac\) from first principles and interpret the answer.

Write down the formula for finding the derivative from first principles

\['\left(x\right)=\lim_\frac\]

Substitute into the formula and simplify

\begin '\left(x\right) & = \lim_\frac< \frac - \frac> \\ & = \lim_\frac \\ & = \lim_ 0 \\ & = 0 \end

Interpret the answer

The gradient of \(g(x)\) is equal to \(\text\) at any point on the graph. The derivative of this constant function is equal to \(\text\).