What is Derivative Formula?

The derivative formula is one of the basic concepts used in calculus and the process of finding a derivative is known as differentiation. The derivative formula is defined for a variable ‘x’ having an exponent ‘n’. The exponent ‘n’ can be an integer or a rational fraction. Hence, the formula to calculate the derivative is:

Definition of The Derivative

The derivative of the function f(x) at the point x₀ is given and denoted by

Rules of Derivative Formula

There are some basic rules of the derivative formula i.e. a set of derivative formulas that are used at different levels and aspects. The below image has the rules.

Derivation of Derivative Formula

Let f(x) is a function whose domain contains an open interval about some point x0x0. Then the function f(x) is said to be differentiable at point (x)0(x)0, and the derivative of f(x) at (x)0(x)0 is represented using formula as:

f'(x)= lim_Δx→0 Δy/Δx

⇒ f'(x)= lim_Δx→0 [f((x)0(x)0+Δx)−f((x)0(x)0)]/Δx

Derivative of the function y = f(x) can be denoted as f′(x) or y′(x).

Also, Leibniz’s notation is popular to write the derivative of the function y = f(x) as df(x)/dx i.e. dy/dx

List of Derivative Formulas

Listed below are a few more important derivative formulas used in different fields of mathematics like calculus, trigonometry, etc. The differentiation of Trigonometric functions uses various derivative formulas listed here. All the derivative formulas are derived from the differentiation of the first principle.

Derivative Formulas of Elementary Functions

Derivative Formulas of Trigonometric Functions

Derivative Formulas of Hyperbolic Functions

Differentiation of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Differentiation of Inverse Hyperbolic Functions

Examples Using Derivative Formula

Example 1: Find the derivative of x⁷ using the derivative formula.

Solution:

Example 2: Differentiate 1/√x using the derivative formula.

Solution:

Example 3: What is d/dx = Cos² x, find it by using the derivative formula.

Solution:

Let us assume t = Cosx, then dy/dx = t²

dt/dx = -sin x

By the chain rule, we have dy/dx = dy/dt . dt/dx

dy/dx = 2t . -sin x

= -2 (cos x) (sin x)

= – sin 2x

Therefore, d/dx = Cos² x is = -sin 2x

Some Basic Derivatives

In the table below, u,v, and w are functions of the variable x. a, b, c, and n are constants (with some restrictions whenever they apply). ln(x) designate the natural logarithmic function and e the natural base for  ln(x)

 . Recall that e=2.718…

FAQs on Derivative Formula

What is Meant by Derivative Formula?

Derivative formula is one of the fundamental aspects used in calculus. The dervative function measures sensivity of a variable which is calculated by using a quantity. A derivative helps us to know the changing relationship between two variables. Mathematically, the derivative formula is helpful to find the slope of a line, to find the slope of a curve, and to find the change in one measurement with respect to another measurement. The derivative formula is

What is the Formula to Find the Derivative?

The derivative formula is defined for a variable ‘x’ having an exponent ‘n’. The exponent ‘n’ can be an integer or a rational fraction. Hence, the derivatve formula to calculate the derivative of an algebraic function using the power rule is:

What are the Basic Rules of Derivative Formula?

The basic rules of derivative formulas are:

• Constant Rule
• Constant Multiple Rule
• Power Rule
• Sum Rule
• Difference Rule
• Product Rule (UV differentiation formula)
• Chain Rule
• Quotient Rule

What is The Derivative of f(x) = 25 ?

Since the function f(x) is constant, according to the derivative formula, its derivative will be zero i.e. f’(x) = 0

How to Use The Derivative Formula?

Introduction to Derivatives

It is all about slope!

Let us Find a Derivative!

To find the derivative of a function y = f(x) we use the slope formula:

Like this:

Example: the function f(x) = x²

We know f(x) = x², and we can calculate f(x+Δx) :

Result: the derivative of x² is 2x

In other words, the slope at x is 2x

We write dx instead of “Δx heads towards 0”.

Note: f’(x) can also be used for “the derivative of”:

f’(x) = 2x
“The derivative of f(x) equals 2x”
or simply “f-dash of x equals 2x”

Let’s try another example.

We know f(x) = x³, and can calculate f(x+Δx) :