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
3. Techniques of Differentiation
The Chain Rule
Problem 62
Textbook Question
Calculate the derivative of the following functions.
y = (f(g(x^m)))^n, where f and g are differentiable for all real numbers and m and n are constants
![](/channels/images/assetPage/verifiedSolution.png)
1
Step 1: Recognize that the function y = (f(g(x^m)))^n is a composition of functions and requires the use of the chain rule for differentiation. The chain rule states that if you have a composite function y = h(u(x)), then the derivative y' = h'(u(x)) * u'(x).
Step 2: Apply the chain rule to the outermost function, which is (f(g(x^m)))^n. Let u = f(g(x^m)), then y = u^n. The derivative of y with respect to u is dy/du = n * u^(n-1).
Step 3: Differentiate the inner function u = f(g(x^m)) with respect to x. First, find the derivative of f(g(x^m)) with respect to g(x^m), which is f'(g(x^m)). Then, multiply by the derivative of g(x^m) with respect to x.
Step 4: Differentiate g(x^m) with respect to x. Use the chain rule again, where v = x^m, so g(v) = g(x^m). The derivative of g(v) with respect to v is g'(v), and the derivative of v = x^m with respect to x is m * x^(m-1).
Step 5: Combine all the derivatives using the chain rule. The derivative of y with respect to x is dy/dx = n * (f(g(x^m)))^(n-1) * f'(g(x^m)) * g'(x^m) * m * x^(m-1). This expression represents the derivative of the original function.
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