Basic Differentiation Shortcuts (differentiating constants and linear functions; the Simple Power Rule)
BASIC DIFFERENTIATION SHORTCUTS
(differentiating constants and linear functions; the Simple Power Rule)
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The purpose of this lesson is to begin to develop shortcuts for finding derivatives.

Here's some basic information about derivatives:

• The   derivative of a function $\,f\,$   is a (new) function that gives the slopes of the tangent lines to the graph of $\,f\,$.
Derivatives give slope information.
• The derivative of $\,f\,$ is named $\,f'\,$ (using prime notation).
The function $\,f'\,$ is read aloud as ‘$\,f\,$ prime’.
• The $\displaystyle\,\frac{d}{dx}\,$ operator (read as ‘dee dee x’) is an instruction to ‘take the derivative with respect to $\,x\,$ of whatever comes next’.
For example, $\displaystyle\,\frac{d}{dx}(x^2)\,$ denotes the derivative with respect to $\,x\,$ of $\,x^2\,$.
Similarly, $\displaystyle\,\frac{d}{dt}(t^2)\,$ denotes the derivative with respect to $\,t\,$ of $\,t^2\,$.
The $\displaystyle\,\frac d{dx}\,$ operator is particularly useful when differentiating a function that has not been given a name.
If there is no confusion about the function that $\,\frac{d}{dx}\,$ is acting on, then the parentheses that hold the function to be differentiated may be dropped.
• If a function $\,f\,$ is differentiable at $\,x\,$, then there is a non-vertical tangent line at the point $\,\big(x,f(x)\bigr)\,$.
If there is a non-vertical tangent line at the point $\,\big(x,f(x)\bigr)\,$, then the function $\,f\,$ is differentiable at $\,x\,$.
Thus, ‘$\,f\,$ is differentiable at $\,x\,$’   is equivalent to   ‘there is a non-vertical tangent line to the graph of $\,f\,$ at the point $\,\bigl(x,f(x)\bigr)\,$’.
• The function $f'$, evaluated at $\,x\,$, is denoted by $\,f'(x)\,$.
‘$\,f'(x)\,$’ is read aloud as ‘$\,f\,$ prime of $\,x\,$’.
The number $\,f'(x)\,$ gives the slope of the tangent line to the graph of $\,f\,$ at the point $\,\bigl(x,f(x)\bigr)\,$.
• Elaborating: for $\,f\,$ to be differentiable at $\,x\,$, all the following requirements must be met:
• $x$ must be in the domain of $f$, so the point $(x,f(x))$ exists
• there must be a tangent line to the curve at $(x,f(x))$;
the slope of this tangent line captures the ‘direction you're moving’ as you walk along the curve, going from left to right
• the tangent line must be non-vertical, since a vertical line has no slope
• Every important calculus idea is defined in terms of a limit.
For example, the derivative is defined in terms of a limit.
• By definition, when the limit exists, $\,\displaystyle f'(x) = \lim_{h\rightarrow 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h}\,$.
• The expression $\displaystyle\,\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h}\,$ gives the slope of the line between $\,\bigl(x,f(x)\bigr)\,$ and a nearby point $\,\bigl(x+h,f(x+h)\bigr)\,$.
By taking the limit as $\,h\,$ approaches $\,0\,$, the nearby point is ‘slid’ closer and closer to the original point.
• The definition of derivative is tedious to use, particularly as the function $\,f\,$ increases in complexity.
There must be a better way to find $\,f'(x)\,$!

## Basic Derivative Shortcuts

• THE DERIVATIVE OF A CONSTANT IS ZERO
A constant function graphs as a horizontal line; the slope of a horizontal line is zero.
Examples:
• if $\,f(x) = 5\,$, then $\,f'(x) = 0\,$
• if $\,g(t) = \ln 3\,$, then $\,g'(t) = 0$
• $\displaystyle\frac{d}{dx}(\pi) = 0\,$,     $\displaystyle\frac{d}{dt}(\sqrt{7}) = 0\,$,     $\displaystyle\frac{d}{dw}({\text{e}}^3) = 0\,$
• THE DERIVATIVE OF A LINEAR FUNCTION IS THE SLOPE OF THE LINE
Recall that the graph of $\,f(x) = mx + b\,$ is a line with slope $\,m\,$.
Thus, $\,f'(x) = m\,$.
Examples:
• if $g(t) = 5t - 1\,$, then $\,g'(t) = 5\,$
• $\displaystyle\frac{d}{dx} (3 - \frac{2}{7}x) = -\frac 27\,$;

note that $\,y = 3 - \frac 27x = -\frac 27x + 3\,$ graphs as a line with slope $\,-\frac 27\,$.
SIMPLE POWER RULE how to differentiate $\,x^n$
For all real numbers $\,n\,$: $$\frac d{dx} x^n = nx^{n-1}$$
NOTES ON THE SIMPLE POWER RULE:
• Power functions are functions that can be written in the form $\,x^n\,$, for some real number $\,n\,$.
Examples of power functions:
• $x^2\,$,   $x^3\,$,   $x^{1.4}\,$,   $x^\pi$
• $\displaystyle\frac 1x = x^{-1}\,$,   $\displaystyle\frac 1{x^2} = x^{-2}\,$,   $\sqrt x = x^{1/2}\,$,   $\root 3\of {x^2} = x^{2/3}$
The Simple Power Rule tells how to differentiate power functions.
• To differentiate $\,x^n\,$:
• bring the exponent down front;
• decrease the original exponent by $\,1$
• EXAMPLES:
• if $f(x) = x^3\,$, then $f'(x) = 3x^2$
• $\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx} \sqrt x = \frac d{dx} x^{1/2} = \frac{1}{2} x^{-1/2} = \frac{1}{2x^{1/2}} = \frac{1}{2\sqrt x}$
• $\displaystyle \frac{d}{dt} \frac{1}{\sqrt t} = \frac d{dt} t^{-1/2} = -\frac{1}{2} t^{-3/2} = -\frac{1}{2t^{3/2}} = \frac{-1}{2\sqrt {t^3}}$
• $\displaystyle \frac{d}{dt} t\root 3\of t = \frac{d}{dt} t^1 t^{1/3} = \frac d{dt} t^{4/3} = \frac 43 t^{1/3} = \frac 43\root 3\of t = \frac {4\root 3\of t}{3}$
Master the ideas from this section
by practicing the exercise at the bottom of this page.

When you're done practicing, move on to:
Differentiation Formula Practice

On this exercise, you will not key in your answer.
However, you can check to see if your answer is correct.