Differentiating functions with multiple terms
In a nutshell
Functions can consist of multiple terms, added or subtracted together. To differentiate these functions, you apply the differentiation methods you know to each term individually. In other words, you can differentiate a function term by term. Recall that to differentiate axn with respect to x, you multiply by the power, then subtract one from the power giving: naxn−1.
Functions with multiple terms
If y=f(x)±g(x), then the derivative will be:
dxdy=f′(x)±g′(x)
Example 1
Differentiate y=x2+x3 with respect to x.
In other words, you can say that f(x)=x2 and g(x)=x3. These can be differentiated in turn. Differentiating f(x) and g(x) each with respect to x gives:
f′(x)=2x g′(x)=3x2
Hence, the derivative is:
dxdy=2x+3x2
Simplify where possible first
Some expressions don't initially look like the sum of multiple terms, but simplification can make them easier to differentiate.
Example 2
Differentiate y=x3x−5x2+4x6 with respect to x.
Start by dividing by the x (from the denominator):
y=3−5x+4x5
Now differentiate each term one by one.
Note: f(x)=3 differentiates to f′(x)=0.
dxdy=0−5+20x4
This is better written as:
dxdy=20x4−5
Example 3
Differentiate y=x2(3x−7−x31) with respect to x.
Expand the brackets first:
y=3x3−7x2−x1
Also, re-express the x1 with fractional power notation:
y=3x3−7x2−x−1
Now differentiate each term:
dxdy=9x2−14x+x−2
This could also be given as
dxdy=9x2−14x+x21