Chain Rule

The chain rule is used to dierentiate functions such as

(x3 4x)5; e3x2
; sin(5x ) ; cos2 x ; ln(9x2 + 2)
The chain rule can be found on the formula sheet and states that
dy
dx
=
dy
du
du
dx
It is easiest to see how the chain rule works in examples.
Example 6.1 Find the derivative of (x3 4x)5 .
Solution Let u = x3 4x then y = u3. Now work out
dy
du
= 5u4 and
du
dx
= 3x2 4
Then substitute into the chain rule equation to get
dy
dx
=
dy
du
du
dx
= 5u4 (3x2 4) = 5(x3 4x)4(3x2 4)
3
Example 6.2 Find the derivative of y = ln(9x2 + 2) .
Solution Let u = 9x2 + 2 then y = lnu. Now work out
dy
du
=
1
u
and
du
dx
= 18x
Then substitute into the chain rule equation to get
dy
dx
=
dy
du
du
dx
=
1
u
(18x) =
18x
9x2 + 2
6.1.3 Product Rule
The product rule is used to dierentiate functions such as
x3 sin x; e3x cos x ; 3x2 ln 3x
Here y = f(x) is the product of two functions, so we could write y = u(x)v(x). To
dierentiate such functions we use the product rule. On the formula sheet the product
rule
is written as
if y = uv then y0 = u0 v + uv0
It is easiest to see how the product rule works in examples.
Example 6.3 Find the derivative of y = x3 sin x .
Solution First we assign u and v. Let u = x3 and v = sin x.
Second we calculate the components of the product rule formula.
If u = x3 then u0 = 3x2 and if v = sin x then v0 = cos x
Finally we substitute these components into the product rule formula.
y0 = u0 v + uv0 = 3x2 sin x + x3 cos x
Example 6.4 Find the derivative of y = 3x2 ln 3x .
Solution First we assign u and v. Let u = 3x2 and v = ln3x.
Second we calculate the components of the product rule formula.
If u = 3x2 then u0 = 6x and if v = ln3x then v0 =
3
x
Finally we substitute these components into the product rule formula. So
y0 = u0 v + uv0 = 6x ln 3x + 3x2 3
x
= 6xln 3x + 9x
4
6.1.4 Quotient Rule
The quotient rule is used to dierentiate functions such as
3 sin 2x
x2 + 4x
;
x3 + 3x2 2
x5 + 3
;
sinh x
cosh x
Here y = f(x) is the quotient of two functions, so we could write y =
u(x)
v(x)
. To dierentiate
such functions we use the quotient rule. On the formula sheet the quotient rule is written
as
if y =
u
v
then y0 =
u0 v uv0
v2
It is easiest to see how the quotient rule works in examples.
Example 6.5 Find the derivative of y =
3 sin 2x
x2 + 4x

Solution First we assign u and v. Let u = 3 sin 2x and v = x2 +4x. NOTE: v has to be
the function on the bottom.
Second we calculate the components of the quotient rule formula.
If u = 3 sin 2x then u0 = 6 cos 2x and if v = x2 + 4x then v0 = 2x + 4
Finally we substitute these components into the quotient rule formula.
y0 =
u0 v uv0
v2 =
(6 cos 2x) (x2 + 4x)(3 sin 2x) (2x + 4)
(x2 + 4x)2
Example 6.6 Find the derivative of y =
sinh x
cosh x

Solution First we assign u and v. Let u = sinh x and v = cosh x.
Second we calculate the components of the quotient rule formula.
If u = sinh x then u0 = cosh x and if v = cosh x then v0 = sinh x
Finally we substitute these components into the quotient rule formula.
y0 =
u0 v uv0
v2 =
cosh x cosh x sinh x sinh x
(cosh x)2 = 1tanh2 x
Exercises 6.1
1. Find f0(x) if : (a) f(x) = 6x3 ; (b) f(x) =
9
x4 ; (c) f(x) = 5x5 + 4x2 + 7
2. Find s0(t) if : s(t) = 5t2 + 10t + 25
3. Find f0(x) if : (a) f(x) = (x3+3x)6 ; (b) f(x) = e4x23x ; (c) f(x) = cos(5x+3)
4. Find f0(x) if : (a) f(x) = 2x2 ln(3x3) ; (b) f(x) = 6x3ex ; (c) f(x) = sin x cos x
5. Find f0(x) if : (a) f(x) =
3x
x3
(b) f(x) =
x2
1 + ex (c) f(x) = tan x