An operation is linear if it behaves "nicely'' with respect to multiplication by a constant and addition. The name comes from the equation of a line through the origin, $f(x)=mx$, and the following two properties of this equation. First, $f(cx)=m(cx)=c(mx)=cf(x)$, so the constant $c$ can be "moved outside'' or "moved through'' the function $f$. Second, $f(x+y)=m(x+y)=mx+my= f(x)+f(y)$, so the addition symbol likewise can be moved through the function.

The corresponding properties for the derivative are:

$$(cf(x))' = {d\over dx}cf(x) = c {d\over dx} f(x) = cf'(x),$$ and $$(f(x)+g(x))' = {d\over dx}(f(x)+g(x)) = {d\over dx} f(x)+{d\over dx} g(x) =f'(x)+g'(x).$$

It is easy to see, or at least to believe, that these are true by thinking of the distance/speed interpretation of derivatives. If one object is at position $f(t)$ at time $t$, we know its speed is given by $f'(t)$. Suppose another object is at position $5f(t)$ at time $t$, namely, that it is always 5 times as far along the route as the first object. Then it "must'' be going 5 times as fast at all times.

The second rule is somewhat more complicated, but here is one way to picture it. Suppose a flatbed railroad car is at position $f(t)$ at time $t$, so the car is traveling at a speed of $f'(t)$ (to be specific, let's say that $f(t)$ gives the position on the track of the rear end of the car). Suppose that an ant is crawling from the back of the car to the front so that its position on the car is $g(t)$ and its speed relative to the car is $g'(t)$. Then in reality, at time $t$, the ant is at position $f(t)+g(t)$ along the track, and its speed is "obviously'' $f'(t)+g'(t)$.

We don't want to rely on some more-or-less obvious physical interpretation to determine what is true mathematically, so let's see how to verify these rules by computation. We'll do one and leave the other for the exercises. $$\eqalign{ {d\over dx}(f(x)+g(x)) &= \lim_{\Delta x\to 0} {f(x+\Delta x)+g(x+\Delta x) - (f(x)+g(x))\over \Delta x} \cr &= \lim_{\Delta x\to 0} {f(x+\Delta x)+g(x+\Delta x) - f(x)-g(x)\over \Delta x} \cr &= \lim_{\Delta x\to 0} {f(x+\Delta x)-f(x) +g(x+\Delta x) -g(x)\over \Delta x} \cr &= \lim_{\Delta x\to 0} \left({f(x+\Delta x)-f(x)\over \Delta x} +{g(x+\Delta x) -g(x)\over \Delta x}\right) \cr &= \lim_{\Delta x\to 0} {f(x+\Delta x)-f(x)\over \Delta x} + \lim_{\Delta x\to 0} {g(x+\Delta x) -g(x)\over \Delta x} \cr &=f'(x)+g'(x)\cr }$$ This is sometimes called the sum rule for derivatives.

Because it is so easy with a little practice, we can usually combine all uses of linearity into a single step. The following example shows an acceptably detailed computation.

Exercises 3.2

Find the derivatives of the functions in 1–6.

Ex 3.2.1 $\ds 5x^3+12x^2-15$ (answer)

Ex 3.2.2 $\ds -4x^5 + 3x^2 - 5/x^2$ (answer)

Ex 3.2.3 $\ds 5(-3x^2 + 5x + 1)$ (answer)

Ex 3.2.4 $f(x)+g(x)$, where $\ds f(x)=x^2-3x+2$ and $\ds g(x)=2x^3-5x$ (answer)

Ex 3.2.5 $\ds (x+1)(x^2+2x-3)$ (answer)

Ex 3.2.6 $\ds \sqrt{625-x^2}+3x^3+12$ (See section 2.1.) (answer)

Ex 3.2.7 Find an equation for the tangent line to $\ds f(x) = x^3/4 - 1/x$ at $x=-2$. (answer)

Ex 3.2.8 Find an equation for the tangent line to $\ds f(x)= 3x^2 - \pi ^3$ at $x= 4$. (answer)

Ex 3.2.9 Suppose the position of an object at time $t$ is given by $\ds f(t)=-49 t^2/10+5t+10$. Find a function giving the speed of the object at time $t$. The acceleration of an object is the rate at which its speed is changing, which means it is given by the derivative of the speed function. Find the acceleration of the object at time $t$. (answer)

Ex 3.2.10 Let $\ds f(x) =x^3$ and $c= 3$. Sketch the graphs of $f$, $cf$, $f'$, and $(cf)'$ on the same diagram.

Ex 3.2.11 The general polynomial $P$ of degree $n$ in the variable $x$ has the form $\ds P(x)= \sum _{k=0 } ^n a_k x^k = a_0 + a_1 x + \ldots + a_n x^n$. What is the derivative (with respect to $x$) of $P$? (answer)

Ex 3.2.12 Find a cubic polynomial whose graph has horizontal tangents at $(-2 , 5)$ and $(2, 3)$. (answer)

Ex 3.2.13 Prove that $\ds{d\over dx}(cf(x))= cf'(x)$ using the definition of the derivative.

Ex 3.2.14 Suppose that $f$ and $g$ are differentiable at $x$. Show that $f-g$ is differentiable at $x$ using the two linearity properties from this section.