A Detailed

Lesson Plan
In
Basic Calculus
Topic: Definition of Derivatives
I. Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
a. define derivatives;
b. apply the definition of derivative of a function;
c. enumerate the steps in finding a derivative of a function;
d. show interest on the lesson through active participation in class.

II. Subject Matter:

A. Topic: Definition of Derivatives
B. Reference: CHED Basic Calculus Teaching Guide
C. Materials: Book, Chalkboard, Visual Aids
D. Strategies: Problem Solving and Discussion
E. Values: Systematic Planning; Accepting that Change is Constant

III. Procedure:

Teacher’s Activity Students’ Activity

A. Motivation:
Today, I brought with me pairs of
pictures. You are going to group them
into two, Column A and column B. Put
together or group together all the things
you know that are related to each other
for as long as the number of things under
column A is equal to the number of
things in column B and we will classify
them afterwards. Is that clear? Yes Ma’am.

Who wants to start? Students raise hands.

(The students will recite until column A
and column B will be filled.)

Okay class. Study these things under

column A and column B.
(Teacher gives them time to observe)
What can you observe?
In column A, what do these things mean? Pictures in column A show a starting point or a
beginning. Some are also static ma’am.

Very good. What about in column B? All that are in column B denote change.

That’s great. You’re right! What do you

think why are there changes from column There are changes because some things need to
A to column B? grow.

Ma’am, there are changes because of the

attitudes of people.

Very good class. Your answers are all

correct. But do you agree when I say
there are changes because change is the
only thing that is constant in the world? Yes Ma’am.

Okay. So how can you explain that based

on your own experiences?
Very good class. (Answers vary.)
B. Presentation:
Are you aware that like people or some
things or situations, numbers and
functions can change too?
These changes in functions are called
Derivatives.

C. Lesson Proper:
What is Derivative by the way?

Derivative is the change in a certain function.

Very good. So every derivative of f(x) is
a new function f’(x). Derivative is an instant rate of change.
Based on the definition of derivative, we
can have the formula
f ( x  x)  f ( x)
f ' ( x)  lim .
x0 x

And the process of finding the derivative

is called differentiation.
dy
y’, f’(x), , Dx are used to denote
dx
derivative.

Here are the steps to guide you in finding

the derivative of a function.
1. Substitute all values of x s in the given
function y=f(x) by x  x .
2. Subtract the given function from the
values in step 1.
3. Combine similar terms.
4. Divide the result in step 2 by x .
5. Take the result in step 3 as x  0 .

Let’s have some examples:

1. Find the derivative of f ( x)  2 x  3 .
f ( x  x)  f ( x)
f ' ( x)  lim
x0 x
2( x  x)  3  (2 x  3)
f ' ( x)  lim
x0 x
2 x  2x  3  2 x  3
f ' ( x)  lim
x0 x
2x
f ' ( x)  lim
x0 x

f ' ( x)  lim 2
x0
f ' ( x)  2
2. Find the derivative of y  3x 2  6 x  1 f ( x  x)  f ( x)
y '  lim
x0 x
3( x  x) 2  6( x  x)  1  (3x 2  6 x  1)
y '  lim
x0 x
3( x  2 xx  (x)  (6 x  6x)  1  (3x 2  6 x  1)
2 2
y '  lim
x0 x
3x  6 xx  3(x)  6 x  6x  1  3x 2  6 x  1)
2 2
y '  lim
x0 x
6 xx  3(x)  6x
2
y '  lim
x0 x
y'  lim 6 x  3x  6
x0
y'  lim 6 x  3(0)  6
x0
y'  6 x  6

(The teacher gives more examples if

necessary)

D. Generalization:
I have here a ball, I will pass this to
someone and then pass it to one another.
I will play music as you pass that ball
and when the music stops, the one who is
holding the ball picks one strip of paper
then do what is asked. Is that clear?
Yes Ma’am.

Questions on the strips of paper:

1. What is derivative? Sing one line of Derivative is the change in a certain function.
your favorite song after the answer.
2. What is the formula in finding the f ( x  x)  f ( x)
f ' ( x)  lim
derivative of a function? Recite one x0 x
line of your favorite poem.
3. What is the 1st step in finding the Substitute all values of x s in the given
derivative of a function? Sing one function y=f(x) by x  x .
line of your favorite song after the
answer.
4. What is the 2nd step in finding the Subtract the given function from the values
derivative of a function? Recite one in step 1.
line of your favorite poem.
5. What is the 3rd step in finding the Combine similar terms.
derivative of a function? Sing one
line of your favorite song after the
answer.
6. What is the 4th step in finding the Divide the result in step 2 by x .
derivative of a function? Recite one
line of your favorite poem.
7. What is the 5th step in finding the Take the result in step 3 as x  0 .
derivative of a function? Sing one
line of your favorite song after the
answer.
IV. Application:
I will group you into five. I will show problems then answer it with your group. Write your final
answer in the slate provided. The first group who raises their slate with correct answer will get the
point.
1. y  15x
2. y  4 x  12
3. y  3x 2  2 x  5
4. y  x 2  5x
5. y  100

V. Evaluation:
Find the derivatives of the following:
1. y  2 x  5
2. y  3x 2  2 x  1
3. y  5x 2  5x
4. y  x2  2x  2
5. y  3

VI. Assignment:
A. Find the derivative of the following:
1. y  (2 x  1)(3x  2)
2. y  3  5 x
B. Read about the rules in finding the derivatives.