Differentiation Rules

  • Basic Rules
  1. $\rhd$ Basic derivative rules (Part 1)  (2:26) The derivative of a constant function, $f(x) =k$, using the limit definition and a geometric approach.
  2. * Practice: A summary of the differentiation rules – sum, difference, product and quotient. (4 problems)
  3. $\rhd$ Basic derivative rules: table(8:59) A table with the values of $f(x)$ and $f'(x)$ are given for $x=0, 1, 4, 9, 16$.  The functions $g$ and $h$ are defined as $g(x) = |x-1|+1$ and $h(x) = 3f(x)+2g(x)$. Find $\dfrac{d}{dx}h(x)$ at $x=9$, or equivalently, $h'(9)$.
  4. * Practice: Basic derivative rules: table. (4 problems)
  5. $\rhd$ Power rule (3:53) The derivative of $x^n$ when $n\neq 0$. Examples shown: $x^2$, $x^3$, $x^{-100}$, $x^{2.572}$.
  6. $\rhd$ Basic derivative rules (9:52) The derivative of a sum of power functions or power functions multiplied by a constant.  Find the derivative of $2x^5$, $x^3+x^{-4}$ and $2x^3-7x^2+3x-100$.
  7. $\rhd$ Differentiating integer powers (mixed positive and negative) (4:48) Consider $g(x) = \dfrac{2}{x^3} – \dfrac{1}{x^2}$. Find $g'(x)$ and $g'(2)$.
  8. * Practice: Power rule (negative and fractional powers). (4 problems)
  9. $\rhd$ Tangent to the graph of $\dfrac{1}{x}$ at the point on the curve $x=k$ (5:58)
  10. $\rhd$ Fractional powers differentiation (2:35) Find $h'(16)$ when $h(x) = 5x^{1/4}+7$.
  11. * Practice: Power rule (with rewriting the expression). (4 problems)
  12. $\rhd$ Radical functions differentiation (2:39) Find $f'(8)$ when $f(x) = -4\sqrt[3]x$.
  13. * Practice: Differentiate integer powers (mixed positive and negative). (4 problems)
  • Polynomials
  1. $\rhd$ Differentiating polynomials (6:38) Find the derivative of $f(x) = x^5+2x^3-x^2$ and $f'(2)$.
  2. * Practice: Differentiate polynomials. (4 problems)
  3. $\rhd$ Tangents of polynomials (4:41) Consider $f(x) = x^3 -6x^2+x-5$. Find the equation of the tangent line to $f(x)$ at $x=1$.
  4. * Practice: Tangents of polynomials. (4 problems)
  • Product Rule
  1. $\rhd$ Product rule (8:03) Find the derivative of $h(x) = (x^2)(x^3+4)$ (first 3:20 minutes) and $y= (\sin x)(\cos x) (x^2+1)$ (can be skipped if you have not seen the derivative of trig functions).
  • Quotient Rule
  1. $\rhd$ Quotient rule (7:37) Find the derivative of $y=\dfrac{x^2+1}{x^5+x}$ (first 3:34 minues) and $y=\dfrac{\tan x}{x^{3/2}+5x}$ (can be skipped if you have not seen the derivative of trig functions).