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Differentiation Rules

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Differentiation rules are rules (actually, theorems) used to compute the derivative of a function in calculus. In what follows, all functions are assumed to be differentiable.

Basic Rules

Derivative of a Constant: If y(x)=c is a constant function then \frac{dy}{dx} = 0.

Sum Rule: If y(x) = u(x)+v(x) then \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{du}{dx} + \frac{dv}{dx}.

Product Rule: If y(x) = u(x) \cdot v(x) then \frac{dy}{dx} = u(x)\frac{dv}{dx} + v(x)\frac{du}{dx}.

Quotient Rule: If y(x) = \frac{u(x)}{v(x)} then \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{v(x)\frac{du}{dx} - u(x)\frac{dv}{dx}}{(v(x))^2}.

Chain Rule: If y(x) = u(v(x)) then \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{du}{dv}\cdot \frac{dv}{dx}.

Power Rule: If y(x) = (u(x))^n then \frac{dy}{dx} = n(u(x))^{n-1} \cdot \frac{du}{dx}. For integer n this is just a consequence of the product and quotient rules and induction, but it can also be proven for all real numbers n, e.g. by using the extended Binomial Theorem.

Derivatives of Trig Functions

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