Blog #14

For this review blog, I’ll go over some of the derivative rules we learned.

THE CONSTANT RULE:
The constant rule: the derivative of a constant is always 0

Ex. 1) d/dx 7 = 0


THE POWER RULE:
The power rule: whenever you take the derivative of something with an exponent, you lose a power. The formula for this shortcut is d/dx (x^n) = nx^(n-1)

Ex. 2) d/dx 3x^2
First, bring the exponent to the front (and if there is a constant in front of the x, multiply the two). Then, subtract one from the exponent.
= 2(3)x^(2-1) = 6x

Ex. 3) d/dx (x^3 + 9x)
When there are multiple terms in an equation, take the derivative of each term individually.
= 3x^2 + 9


THE PRODUCT RULE:
The product rule formula: f(x)g’(x) + g(x)f’(x)
When using the product rule, the problem must state that you take the derivative of two separate equations multiplied by each other.
*note: g’(x) or f’(x) means take the derivative of g(x) or f(x)

Ex. 4) (x+3)(x^2+6x)
(x+3)(2x+6) + (x^2+6x)(1)
2x^2 + 6x + 6x + 18 + x^2 + 6x
3x^2 + 18x + 18
= 3(x^2 + 6x +6)
**note: Make sure the answer is as fully simplified as possible.


THE QUOTIENT RULE:
The quotient rule formula: (g(x)f’(x) – f(x)g’(x)) / (g(x))^2
When using the quotient rule, the problem must state that you take the derivative of two equations divided by each other.
***note: if the denominator is just a single term, it is not considered an equation and you do not use the quotient rule; you simply rewrite the problem and take the derivative normally

Ex. 5) (x^3+4) / (x-2)
((x-2)(3x^2) – (x^3+4)(1)) / ((x-2)^2)
((3x^3-6x^2) – (x^3+4)) / ((x-2)^2)
****note: to keep things in simplest terms, do not factor out the bottom
(3x^3 – 6x^2 – x^3 – 4) / ((x-2)^2)
*****note: be sure to distribute the negative throughout the second equation
(2x^3 – 6x^2 – 4) / ((x – 2)^2)
(2(x^3 – 3x^2 – 2)) / ((x – 2)^2)


THE CHAIN RULE:
You use the chain rule when you have a function inside of a function, f(g(x)).
Ex. 6) (x^2 + 3)^4
First, take the exponent of the entire function, bring it to the front, then subtract one from the exponent, and then just copy the inside.
4(x^2 + 3)^3
Now, multiply that by the derivative of the inside equation.
4(x^2 + 3)^3 (2x)
Put in simplest terms.
= 8x(x^2 + 3)^3

You can also use the chain rule with the product rule or quotient rule. If this is the case, then you first need to determine whether the chain rule is on the outside or the inside; this is to figure out what order you do things in. If the chain rule is on the outside, you do that first. If not, you do the product rule or quotient rule first.
Ex. 7) (x + 3)(x^2 – 1)^2
In this problem, the product rule comes first. When taking the derivative of the second equation, use the chain rule.
(x + 3)(2(x^2 – 1)(2x)) + (x^2 – 1)^2 (1)
= 4x(x + 3)(x^2 – 1) + (x^2 – 1)^2

Ex. 8) ((x + 2)/(x – 1))^2
For this problem, the chain rule is on the outside, therefore it goes first.
2((x + 2)/(x – 1)) (((x – 1)(1) – (x + 2)(1)) / (x – 1)^2))
2((x + 2)/(x – 1)) ((x – 1 – x – 2) / (x – 1)^2)
2((x + 2)/(x – 1)) ((-3)/(x – 1)^2)
= -3(2x + 4) / (x – 1) (x – 1)^2