Differentiate the following from first principle.

(–x) – 1

We need to find derivative of f(x) = ( – x) – 1 = – 1/x


Derivative of a function f(x) is given by –


f’(x) = {where h is a very small positive number}


derivative of f(x) = – 1/x is given as –


f’(x) =


f’(x) =


f’(x) =


f’(x) =


As h is cancelled and by putting h = 0 we are not getting any indeterminate form so we can evaluate the limit directly.


f’(x) =


Hence,


Derivative of f(x) = ( – x) – 1


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