DR. JULIA ARNOLD AND MS.

KAREN OVERMAN
USING TAN S 5TH EDITION
APPLIED CALCULUS FOR THE
MANAGERIAL , LIFE, AND SOCIAL
SCIENCES TEXT

Higher Order Derivatives
Since the derivative of a function is itself a
function, it makes sense to think about taking the
derivative of the derivative function which we will
call a higher order derivative.

The function f is called the second derivative of f
and is the derivative of f.

If it is possible to continue, then we can consider a
third derivative f or a fourth derivative f
(4)
, a
fifth derivative f
(5)
, and on and on

If the derivative of a function (the first
derivative, f'(x)) is differentiated, a new
function is obtained called the second
derivative, f''(x). If this function is
differentiated again, a third derivative, f'''(x),
is obtained. If the third derivative, f'''(x), is
differntiated, the fourth derivative, f'v(x), is
obtained. This process can continue and
these resultant functions are referred to as
higher order derivatives.

First
f
Second
f
Third
f
Fourth
f
(4)


Nth
f
(n)


dy
dx

d y
dx
2
2

d y
dx
3
3

d y
dx
4
4

d y
dx
n
n


D
1
y D
2
y D
3
y D
4
y D
n
y


Notation can be one of the following:
Example 1: Find the fifth derivative of
7 x 6 x 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x x f
2 3 4 5 6
+ + + = ) (
There is no short cut to finding the fifth derivative. You
have to go through each one until you get to the fifth.
240 x 720 x f
72 x 240 x 360 x f
24 x 72 x 120 x 120 x f
10 x 24 x 36 x 40 x 30 x f
6 x 10 x 12 x 12 x 10 x 6 x f
7 x 6 x 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x x f
5
2 4
2 3
2 3 4
2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5 6
=
+ =
+ =
' ' '
+ + =
' '
+ + =
'
+ + + =
) (
) (
) (
) (
) (
) (
) (
) (
Example 2: Find the 2nd derivative of:
3
2
x x f = ) (
Example 2: Find the 2nd derivative of
3
2
x x f = ) (
3
4
3
1
3
2
x
9
2
x f
x
3
2
x f
x x f

=
' '
=
'
=
) (
) (
) (
Example 3: Find the second
derivative of :

Hint! Notice you will need to use
the Chain Rule to find the first
derivative.
( )
2
3
2
3 2 ) ( + = x x f
Example 3: Find the second derivative of

( )
2
3
2
3 2 ) ( + = x x f
Always simplify the derivative before going on to
the next derivative.
( )
( ) ( )
( )
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
3
2
3 2 6 ) (
4 3 2
2
3
) (
3 2 ) (
+ =
'
+ =
'
+ =
x x x f
Simplif y
x x x f
x x f
( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) | |
( ) | | 3 4 3 2 6 ) (
3 2 2 3 2 6 ) (
3 2 6 factor, common the out Factor
6 3 2 3 2 12 ) (
6 3 2 4 3 2
2
1
6 ) (
Rule Product
3 2 6 ) (
2
2
1
2
2 2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
2 2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
+ + = ' '
+ + + = ' '
+
+ + + = ' '
+ +
(

+ = ' '
+ = '

x x x f
x x x x f
x
x x x x f
x x x x x f
x x x f
Now take the derivative of f to get the second derivative or f.
Notice you will need to use the Product Rule to find the derivative
and then use the Chain Rule when you take the derivative of the
second factor.
SEATWORK
1. f(x)= 4x^3 3x^ + 10x
2. f(x)= 5x^3 2x^2
3. f(x)= 2x^2 + 2x
4. f(x) = 10x^3 13x^2 +1
5. f(x) = 2x^2 12x^5 + 23
6. f(x) = 3x^9 + 2x^4 x^2
7. f(y) = y^2 +2y -4
8. f(a) = 19a^5 a^4 + 2a 12
9. f(t) = 2t^2 + 2222
10. f(x) = 3x^91 3x^23 +1932