Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
3. Techniques of Differentiation
The Chain Rule
Problem 3.31
Textbook Question
Find the derivatives of the functions in Exercises 1–42.
__
𝔂 = ( √ x )²
( 1 + x )

1
First, simplify the expression \( y = (\sqrt{x})^2(1 + x) \). Note that \((\sqrt{x})^2 = x\), so the function simplifies to \( y = x(1 + x) \).
Next, expand the expression \( y = x(1 + x) \) to make differentiation easier. This gives \( y = x + x^2 \).
Now, differentiate the function \( y = x + x^2 \) with respect to \( x \). Use the power rule for differentiation, which states that \( \frac{d}{dx}[x^n] = nx^{n-1} \).
Apply the power rule to each term: The derivative of \( x \) is \( 1 \), and the derivative of \( x^2 \) is \( 2x \).
Combine the derivatives of each term to find the derivative of the entire function: \( \frac{dy}{dx} = 1 + 2x \).

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Derivative
The derivative of a function measures how the function's output value changes as its input value changes. It is defined as the limit of the average rate of change of the function over an interval as the interval approaches zero. Derivatives are fundamental in calculus for understanding rates of change and are denoted as f'(x) or dy/dx.
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Chain Rule
The chain rule is a formula for computing the derivative of the composition of two or more functions. It states that if you have a function g(x) that is composed with another function f(x), the derivative can be found by multiplying the derivative of the outer function by the derivative of the inner function. This is essential when differentiating functions that are nested within each other.
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Power Rule
The power rule is a basic rule for finding the derivative of a function in the form of f(x) = x^n, where n is a real number. According to this rule, the derivative is given by f'(x) = n*x^(n-1). This rule simplifies the process of differentiation for polynomial functions and is widely used in calculus.
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