Basic Derivative Rules

Rule #1
Constant Rule:

The derivative of any constant is 0.

If F(x)= c, then F(x)= 0
Given y=7, find
.
dx
dy
Rule #2
Linear Rule:

The derivative of any linear function is the slope of the
function.

If Y=mx+b, then Y= m
The number of cricket chirps per second when
the temperature is t degrees Fahrenheit is
modeled by:


Find f(x).



309 . 212 . ) ( t t C
Find the derivative of y= 3x+5.
Rule #3
Power Rule:

The derivative of any polynomial is found by
multiplying each term by its degree and then
decreasing the degree by 1.

... ) ( ) ( ) ( '
, ... ) (
) 1 ( ) 1 (


n m
n m
x nb x ma x f then
c bx ax x f If
Find the derivative of
. 2 ) (
4
x x f
Find the derivative of
2 2 5 ) (
2 3
x x x x f
Find the derivative of
x x f ) (
Find the derivative of

3
) ( x x f
Find the derivative of

3
) (
x
x
x f
Rule #4
Sum/Difference Rule:

To take a derivative of multiple terms, we can take
the derivative of the individual terms.

) ( )... ( ) ( '
, ...
c
dx
dy
bx
dx
dy
ax
dx
dy
y then
c bx ax y If
n m
n m