Calculus – Find the Derivative using the Chain Rule and Power Rule

By | October 26, 2016

Find the Derivative using the Chain Rule and Power Rule

In this tutorial students learn how to evaluate the derivative of an explicit function.  The students will use the chain rule and power rule to accomplish this task.

Power Rule

$y'=f'(x)=nx^{(n-1)}$

Explicit Function

$y=f(x)=\sqrt{1-x}$

Derivative

$y'=f('x)=-\frac {1} {\sqrt{1-x}}$

Graphing Tool

Click the link below to see the functions on an interactive online graphing tool.

Virginia Standards of Learning(SOL)

SOL APC.9

The student will apply formulas to find derivatives. This will include

1. a) derivatives of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and inverse trigonometric functions;
2. b) derivations of sums, products, quotients, inverses, and composites (chain rule) of elementary functions;
3. c) derivatives of implicitly defined functions; and
4. d) higher order derivatives of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic, functions.