AP CALCULUS

Section Number:

LECTURE NOTES
Topics: Basic Differentiation Rules

MR. RECORD
Day: 1 of 2

2.2
1. Finding Derivatives Easier.a.k.a. The Derivative Short-Cuts
The Constant Rule

The Power Rule

The derivative of a constant function is 0.

That is, if c is a real number, then

If n is a rational number, then the function f ( x) x n

Is differentiable and

d
c 0.
dx

d
x n nx n 1.
dx

For f to be differentiable at x = 0, n must be a number

such that x n 1 is defined on an open interval
containing 0.

Special Case of the Power Rule

d
x 1
dx

Example 1: Find the derivative of each of the following.

a.

f ( x) x 3

c. y

b. g ( x) 3 x

The Constant Multiple Rule

If f is a differentiable function and c is a real number,
then cf is also differentiable and

d
c f ( x ) c f ( x )
dx

Example 2: Find the derivative of each of the following.

a.

d.

2
x

1
2 3 x2

b. f (t )

4t 2
5

e. f ( x)

3 x
2

c. y 2 x

1
x2

2. Using Parentheses When Differentiating

Example 3: Find the derivative of each of the following by completing the process outlined under the
provided headings.
Original Function
a. y

Differentiate

Simplify

5
2 x3
5

b.

c.

7
3 x 2

d.

Rewrite

2x

3x

3. Differentiating Polynomials
The Sum and Difference Rules
The sum (or difference) of two differentiable functions is differentiable and is the sum (or difference) of their
derivatives.

d
f ( x ) g ( x ) f ( x ) g ( x )
dx
d
f ( x ) g ( x ) f ( x ) g ( x )
dx

SUM RULE

DIFFERENCE RULE

x n 1 is defined on an open interval containing 0.

Example 4: Find the derivative of each of the following.

a. f ( x) x3 4 x 5

b. g ( x)

x4
3x3 2 x
2

AP CALCULUS
Section Number:

LECTURE NOTES
Topics: Derivatives of Sine and Cosine and Rates of Change

MR. RECORD
Day: 2 of 2

2.2
4. Differentiating Sine and Cosine Functions
Derivatives of Sine and Cosine Functions
d
sin x cos x
dx

d
cos x sin x
dx

Proof of the derivative of sin x .

Example 5: Find the derivative of each of the following.

b. y

a. y 2 sin x

sin x
2

c. y x cos x

5. Rates of Change
Example 6: If a billiard ball is dropped from a height of 100 feet, its height, s, at time t is given by
s(t ) 16t 2 100 where s is measured in feet and t is measured in seconds.
a.) Find the average velocity of the falling ball over the given time intervals. Label correctly.
i.) [1, 2]

ii.) [1, 1.5]

iii.) [1, 1.1]

b.) What do you notice about the signs of each answer? Why is this the case?

c.) Find the instantaneous velocity at the following times.

i.) t = 1

ii.) t = 1.5

iii.) t = 2

Example 7: At time t = 0, a diver jumps from a platform that is 32 feet from the water. The position of the
diver is given by s(t ) 16t 2 16t 32 where s is measured in feet and t is measured in seconds.
a.) When does the diver hit the water?
32 ft

b.) What is the divers velocity at impact?