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.R.40
Textbook Question
9–61. Evaluate and simplify y'.
y = e^sin (cosx)

1
Step 1: Identify the function y = e^{\sin(\cos x)} and recognize that it is a composition of functions, which will require the use of the chain rule to differentiate.
Step 2: Apply the chain rule. The chain rule states that if you have a composite function y = f(g(x)), then the derivative y' = f'(g(x)) * g'(x).
Step 3: Differentiate the outer function e^{u} with respect to u, where u = \sin(\cos x). The derivative of e^{u} with respect to u is e^{u}.
Step 4: Differentiate the inner function \sin(\cos x) with respect to x. This requires using the chain rule again: first differentiate \sin(v) with respect to v, where v = \cos x, and then differentiate \cos x with respect to x.
Step 5: Combine the derivatives from Steps 3 and 4. Multiply the derivative of the outer function by the derivative of the inner function to find y'.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Differentiation
Differentiation is the process of finding the derivative of a function, which represents the rate of change of the function with respect to its variable. In this context, we need to apply differentiation rules to the function y = e^sin(cos(x)) to find y'. This involves using the chain rule and product rule, as the function is a composition of multiple functions.
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Chain Rule
The chain rule is a fundamental technique in calculus used to differentiate composite functions. It states that if a function y is composed of another function u, then the derivative of y with respect to x can be found by multiplying the derivative of y with respect to u by the derivative of u with respect to x. In this case, we will apply the chain rule to differentiate e^sin(cos(x)).
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Exponential Functions
Exponential functions are functions of the form y = a^x, where a is a constant and x is the variable. The derivative of an exponential function, particularly when the base is e, is unique because it equals the function itself multiplied by the derivative of the exponent. Understanding how to differentiate e^u, where u is a function of x, is crucial for solving the given problem.
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