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Derivative Rules
Advanced
The Derivative tells us the slope of a function at any point.
Slop = 2x
y
2
Here are useful rules to help you work out the derivatives of many
e=
y
functions (with examples below ). Note: the little mark ’ means
"Derivative of", and f and g are functions.
x
Common Functions Function Derivative
Constant c 0
Line x 1
ax a
Square x2 2x
Exponential ex ex
ax ln(a) ax
loga(x) 1 / (x ln(a))
cos(x) −sin(x)
tan(x) sec2(x)
cos-1(x) −1/√(1−x2)
tan-1(x) 1/(1+x2)
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/derivatives-rules.html 1/9
5/1/2019 Derivative Rules
Product Rule fg f g’ + f’ g
Chain Rule
fºg (f’ º g) × g’
(as "Composition of Functions")
d dy dy du
Chain Rule (using ) =
dx dx du dx
d
"The derivative of" is also written
dx
d
So sin(x) and sin(x)’ both mean "The derivative of sin(x)"
dx
Examples
sin(x) = cos(x)
Or:
sin(x)’ = cos(x)
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/derivatives-rules.html 2/9
5/1/2019 Derivative Rules
Power Rule
Example: What is x3 ?
xn = nxn−1
x3 = 3x3−1 = 3x2
So it is simply this:
x3
-1
3x 2
"multiply by power
then reduce power by 1"
xn = nxn−1
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/derivatives-rules.html 3/9
5/1/2019 Derivative Rules
x -1
-1
-1x -2
which simplifies to −x−2
Multiplication by constant
x3 = 3x3−1 = 3x2
So:
Sum Rule
the derivative of f + g = f’ + g’
So we can work out each derivative separately and then add them.
x2 = 2x
x3 = 3x2
And so:
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/derivatives-rules.html 4/9
5/1/2019 Derivative Rules
Difference Rule
the derivative of f − g = f’ − g’
So we can work out each derivative separately and then subtract them.
v3 = 3v2
v4 = 4v3
And so:
z2 = 2z
z3 = 3z2
z4 = 4z3
And so:
Product Rule
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/derivatives-rules.html 5/9
5/1/2019 Derivative Rules
the derivative of fg = f g’ + f’ g
In our case:
f = cos
g = sin
cos(x) = −sin(x)
sin(x) = cos(x)
So:
= cos2(x) − sin2(x)
Reciprocal Rule
So:
Which is the same result we got above using the Power Rule.
Chain Rule
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/derivatives-rules.html 6/9
5/1/2019 Derivative Rules
d
Example: What is sin(x2) ?
dx
f(g) = sin(g)
g(x) = x2
f'(g) = cos(g)
g'(x) = 2x
So:
d
sin(x2) = cos(g(x)) (2x)
dx
= 2x cos(x2)
dy dy du
Another way of writing the Chain Rule is: =
dx du dx
d
Example: What is sin(x2) ?
dx
dy dy du
=
dx du dx
d d d
sin(x2) = sin(u) x2
dx du dx
Differentiate each:
d
sin(x2) = cos(u) (2x)
dx
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/derivatives-rules.html 7/9
5/1/2019 Derivative Rules
d
sin(x2) = 2x cos(x2)
dx
f(g) = 1/g
g(x) = cos(x)
f'(g) = −1/(g2)
g'(x) = −sin(x)
So:
= sin(x)/cos2(x)
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/derivatives-rules.html 8/9
5/1/2019 Derivative Rules
f(g) = g3
g(x) = 5x−2
g'(x) = 5
So:
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/derivatives-rules.html 9/9