Mastering Derivative Examples: Product, Quotient, and Chain Rules Made Easy

priscilla

12/7/2025

AP Calculus AB/BC

Derivative Examples (Product/Quotient/Chain Rule)

•

Dec 7, 2025

•

2 pages

Mastering Derivative Examples: Product, Quotient, and Chain Rules Made Easy

priscilla

@cilla

Derivatives are powerful tools that tell us how functions change.... Show more

Derivative Practice Problems
Basic differentiation.
a. f(x) = 3x² + 4x-2
f'(x) = 3(2)x+ 4 (1) x²-0
f(x) = 6x +4
b. g(x)=√√x + 2x
½½2
g(x)= x

Basic Differentiation & Rules

When finding derivatives, we apply specific rules depending on the function's structure. For basic polynomials like $f(x) = 3x^2+4x-2$ , we simply apply the power rule to each term: $f'(x)= 6x+4$ .

With more complex functions like $g(x)=\sqrt{x}+2x$ , we rewrite them in exponent form first: $g(x) = x^{\frac{1}{2}}+2x$ . Then we apply the power rule to get $g'(x)= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}+2$ .

The product rule helps us differentiate functions multiplied together. For example, with $f(x) = \sin(x)\cos(x)$ , we use the formula $\frac{d}{dx}(f(x)·g(x)) = f(x)·g'(x)+f'(x)·g(x)$ to get $f'(x) = \cos^2(x)-\sin^2(x)$ .

Remember this! The quotient rule follows a specific pattern: $\frac{d}{dx}[\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}] = \frac{g(x)f'(x)-f(x)g'(x)}{g(x)^2}$ . Think "bottom times derivative of top minus top times derivative of bottom, all over bottom squared."

When dealing with fractions like $j(x) = \frac{5x^2-3x}{2x^3+1}$ , carefully apply the quotient rule step by step. First find the derivatives of the numerator and denominator, then substitute into the formula and simplify.

Chain Rule Applications

The chain rule is your go-to tool when functions are nested inside each other. The formula $\frac{d}{dx}[f(g(x))] = f'(g(x)) \cdot g'(x)$ helps us "unpack" composite functions layer by layer.

For trigonometric functions with inner expressions like $f(x) = \sin(3x^2+1)$ , we first differentiate the outer function (keeping the inner part as is), then multiply by the derivative of the inner function. This gives us $f'(x) = \cos(3x^2+1)(6x)$ .

The same approach works with radical functions. For $g(x) = \sqrt{4x^2+1}$ , we rewrite as a power function, then apply the chain rule to get $g'(x) = \frac{4x}{\sqrt{4x^2+1}}$ .

Pro tip: When differentiating exponential functions like $h(x) = e^{\frac{x}{2}}$ , remember that $e$ to a power keeps its form in the derivative but gets multiplied by the derivative of the exponent.

Exponential functions follow a special pattern—the derivative of $e^{u(x)}$ is simply $e^{u(x)} \cdot u'(x)$ . That's why $h'(x) = \frac{e^{\frac{x}{2}}}{2}$ , which is both elegant and straightforward once you get the hang of it.

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AP Calculus AB/BC

•

Dec 7, 2025

•

2 pages

Mastering Derivative Examples: Product, Quotient, and Chain Rules Made Easy

priscilla

@cilla

Derivatives are powerful tools that tell us how functions change. In these practice problems, we'll explore basic differentiation techniques including the product rule, quotient rule, and chain rule—essential skills for calculus success.

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Basic Differentiation & Rules

When finding derivatives, we apply specific rules depending on the function's structure. For basic polynomials like $f(x) = 3x^2+4x-2$ , we simply apply the power rule to each term: $f'(x)= 6x+4$ .

With more complex functions like $g(x)=\sqrt{x}+2x$ , we rewrite them in exponent form first: $g(x) = x^{\frac{1}{2}}+2x$ . Then we apply the power rule to get $g'(x)= \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}+2$ .

Remember this! The quotient rule follows a specific pattern: $\frac{d}{dx}[\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}] = \frac{g(x)f'(x)-f(x)g'(x)}{g(x)^2}$ . Think "bottom times derivative of top minus top times derivative of bottom, all over bottom squared."

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Chain Rule Applications

The chain rule is your go-to tool when functions are nested inside each other. The formula $\frac{d}{dx}[f(g(x))] = f'(g(x)) \cdot g'(x)$ helps us "unpack" composite functions layer by layer.

The same approach works with radical functions. For $g(x) = \sqrt{4x^2+1}$ , we rewrite as a power function, then apply the chain rule to get $g'(x) = \frac{4x}{\sqrt{4x^2+1}}$ .

Pro tip: When differentiating exponential functions like $h(x) = e^{\frac{x}{2}}$ , remember that $e$ to a power keeps its form in the derivative but gets multiplied by the derivative of the exponent.