Winter Math Reflection

By Natalie Youssef

After reflecting on this difficult semester in Calculus have come to master types of
problems that I struggled with the most. For example, after lots of practice and lots of
frustration I can now confidently take the derivative of different problems using the five
different rules. I recognized common mistakes I made while taking the derivative of
functions when I debriefed a derivative problem test that I did poorly on. I realized that I
was not recognizing the types of rules that were needed in order to solve different types of
derivative problems correctly. I could take the derivative of a function easily when given
the rule that was needed in order to solve, but I couldnt recognize the correct rule that was
needed in order to solve each problem on my own. The multiple rules used in order to
solve derivative problems include the power rule, product rule, quotient rule, chain rule,
and double chain rule. I needed to create a process that I could reference use while
approaching and solving these derivative problems.

Power Rule is used to a

natural number or a plain
function.
Ex. Problem: f(x)= (4x6)
Ex. Problem 2: f(x)= (5x)

Product Rule is used

when two functions are
multiplied by one another.
Ex. Problem:
f(x)= (3x) (5x5)

Chain Rule is used when one function is

inside another function.
Ex. Problem: f(x)= 6(3x4+7)

Quotient Rule is used

when one function is
divided by another
function.

Ex. Problem: f(x)=

(5+8)
(76)

Double Chain Rule is used when a

function has two inner functions that are
all multiplied by one another.
Ex. Problem: f(x)= ((5x2+2)4 + 6x)7

Using this outline above helped me distinguish different types of problems based on
their characteristics. Once I mastered how to identify which rule I needed to use in order to
solve each problem, I was able to improve my other setback of solving a problem that used
the double chain rule. A double chain rule can be identified when there are three functions
inside one another. In order to solve these problems correctly it is crucial for me to
recognize that inside functions are always separated in parenthesis. In addition, I need to
identify my three functions in these problems: f(x), g(x), and h(x). I identify g(x) as the
whole inside function f(x). Then I identify h(x) as the function within g(x). While taking the
derivative of each function I make sure to leave the inside functions in parenthesis alone.
Then I solve the problem using the double chain rule and multiplying f1(x) by g1(x) by h1(x).
Using this process I created, taking my time, and working step by step has made me more
confident in my abilities to solve derivative problems correctly. I noticed my improvement

when I solved a double chain rule problem correctly in the practice final. See an annotated
copy of the problem attached in the picture below.