DIFFERENTIATION USING THE CHAIN RULE

The following problems require the use of the chain rule. The chain rule is a rule for differentiating compositions of functions. In the following discussion and solutions the derivative of a function h(x) will be denoted by or h'(x) . Most problems are average. A few are somewhat challenging. The chain rule states formally that

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However, we rarely use this formal approach when applying the chain rule to specific problems. Instead, we invoke an intuitive approach. For example, it is sometimes easier to think of the functions f and g as ``layers'' of a problem. Function f is the ``outer layer'' and function g is the ``inner layer.'' Thus, the chain rule tells us to first differentiate the outer layer, leaving the inner layer unchanged (the term f'( g(x) ) ) , then differentiate the inner layer (the term g'(x) ) . This process will become clearer as you do the problems. In most cases, final answers are given in the most simplified form.

• PROBLEM 1 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 2 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 3 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 4 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 5 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 6 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 7 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 8 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 9 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 10 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 11 : Differentiate .

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The following seven problems require more than one application of the chain rule.

• PROBLEM 12 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 13 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 14 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 15 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 16 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 17 : Differentiate .

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• PROBLEM 18 : Differentiate .

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The following three problems require a more formal use of the chain rule.

• PROBLEM 19 : Assume that h(x) = f( g(x) ) , where both f and g are differentiable functions. If g(-1)=2, g'(-1)=3, and f'(2)=-4 , what is the value of h'(-1) ?

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• PROBLEM 20 : Assume that , where f is a differentiable function. If and , determine an equation of the line tangent to the graph of h at x=0 .

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• PROBLEM 21 : Determine a differentiable function y = f(x) which has the properties and .

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Click HERE to return to the original list of various types of calculus problems.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please e-mail any correspondence to Duane Kouba by clicking on the following address :

kouba@math.ucdavis.edu

 
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