Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
Summer 2024
MODULE 4.1: ADVANCED CONCEPTS OF DERIVATIVES
The Chain Rule
Introduction
In this lesson, we will tackle the two more rules on differentiation. These are the chain rule and the power of a
function rule.
Learning Objectives
After studying this completing this module with 80% to 100% accuracy, you are expected to:
a) Illustrate the Chain Rule of Differentiation
b) Solve problems using the Chain Rule
Chain Rule
A set of gears is constructed, as shown in figure 1, such that the second and third gears are on the same axle. Let 𝑦, 𝑢 and
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑦
𝑥 represent the numbers of revolutions per minute of the first, second and third axles. Find , , and and show
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
that
𝒅𝒚 𝒅𝒚 𝒅𝒖
= ∙
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒖 𝒅𝒙
Figure 1
Solution:
Since the circumference of the second gear is three times that of the first, the first axle must make three
revolutions to turn the second axle once. Similarly, the second axle must make two revolutions to turn the third axle
once, and you can write
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= 3 and =2
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥
Combining these two results, you know that the first axle must make six revolutions to turn the third axle once. Hence,
you can write
𝑑𝑦 rate of change of the first axle rate of change of the second axle
= with respect to the second axle × with respect to the third axle
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= ∙ = 3∙2=6
𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥
= rate of change of the first axle
with respect to the third axle
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Basic Calculus
Summer 2024
In other words, the rate of change of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥 is the product of the rate of change of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑢 and
the rate of change of 𝑢 with respect to 𝑥.
This example illustrates a simple case of the chain rule.
The Chain Rule
If 𝑔 is differentiable at 𝑥 and 𝑓 is differentiable at 𝑔(𝑥), then the composite function 𝑭 = 𝒇 ° 𝒈
defined by 𝑭(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒈(𝒙)) is differentiable at 𝑥 and 𝐹′ is given by the product
𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑓′(𝑔(𝑥)) ∙ 𝑔′(𝑥)
In Leibniz notation, if 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑢) and 𝑢 = 𝑔(𝑥) are both differentiable functions, then
𝒅𝒚 𝒅𝒚 𝒅𝒖
= ∙
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒖 𝒅𝒙
Examples:
3
1. Differentiate 𝐹 (𝑥) = (𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 )2
Solution:
Let 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 be the inner function and
3
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 be the outer function
Differentiate the function 𝑔(𝑥).
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥
𝑔′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 4
Differentiate the function 𝑓(𝑥).
3
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2
3 1
𝑓′(𝑥) =
2
𝑥2
Hence,
1
3
𝑓 ′ (𝑥 3 + 4𝑥) = (𝑥3 + 4𝑥)2
2
Using chain rule,
1
3
𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = (𝑥3 + 4𝑥)2 (3𝑥2 + 4)
2
𝑑𝑦
2. If 𝑦 = 𝑢2 − 3𝑢 + 2, where 𝑢 = √𝑥, find .
𝑑𝑥
Solution:
Using the Leibniz notation,
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
= ∙
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥
1
1
= (2𝑢 − 3) (2 𝑥 −2 )
1
= (2√𝑥 − 3) (2 𝑥).
√
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
Summer 2024
𝑑𝑦
3. If 𝑦 = (2𝑥 − 3)2 , find .
𝑑𝑥
Solution:
Let 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 3 be the inner function and
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 be the outer function
Using the chain rule,
𝑑𝑦
= [2(2𝑥 − 3)](2)
𝑑𝑥
= 8𝑥 − 12.
Special Case of the Chain Rule
There is a special case of the chain rule where the outer function is a power function of the form 𝑦 = [𝑔(𝑥)]𝑛 .
This is called the Power of a Function Rule.
The Power of a Function Rule
If 𝑛 is a real number and 𝑦 = [𝑔(𝑥)]𝑛 then,
𝒅𝒚
= 𝒏[𝒈(𝒙)𝒏−𝟏 ]𝒈′ (𝒙).
𝒅𝒙
Examples:
1. Differentiate 𝑦 = (𝑥 3 − 1)100 .
Solution:
Let 𝑢 = 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 1, then 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2
Let 𝑛 = 100
Then,
𝑑𝑦 𝑑
= (𝑥3 − 1)100
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑
= 100(𝑥 3 − 1)99 (𝑥 3 − 1)
𝑑𝑥
= 100(𝑥 3 − 1)99 ∙ 3𝑥 2
= 300𝑥 2 (𝑥 3 − 1)99 .
3 2
2. Differentiate 𝑦 = √ and express the answer in a simplified factored form.
𝑥−1
Solution:
1
2 3 2
Let us write 𝑦 = ( ) where 𝑔(𝑥) = = 2(𝑥 − 1)−1 , then use the power of a
𝑥−1 𝑥−1
function rule. Therefore,
𝑔′ (𝑥) = (−1)(2)(𝑥 − 1)−2
2
= − (𝑥−1)2
and
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
Summer 2024
2
𝑑𝑦 1 2 − −2
3
= ( ) [(𝑥−1)2 ]
𝑑𝑥 3 𝑥−1
1
−23
= 4
3(𝑥−1)3 .
3. Differentiate 𝑦 = (2𝑥 + 1)5 (𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 1)4
Solution:
Use the product rule before using the chain rule.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑 3 𝑑
= (2𝑥 + 1)5 (𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1)4 + (𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 1)4 (2𝑥 + 1)5
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 3 𝑑
= (2𝑥 + 1)5 ∙ 4(𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 1)3 (𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1) + (𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 1)4 ∙ 5(2𝑥 + 1)4 (2𝑥 + 1)
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
= 4(2𝑥 + 1)5 (𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 1)3 (3𝑥 2 − 1) + 5(𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 1)4 (2𝑥 + 1)4 ∙ 2
Note that each term has the common factor 2(2𝑥 + 1)4 (𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 1)3 ,factor it out and write the answer as
𝑑𝑦
= 2(2𝑥 + 1)4 (𝑥 3 − 𝑥 + 1)3 (17𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 + 3).
𝑑𝑥
Key Concepts
The Chain Rule
If 𝑔 is differentiable at 𝑥 and 𝑓 is differentiable at 𝑔(𝑥), then the composite function 𝑭 = 𝒇 ° 𝒈
defined by 𝑭(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒈(𝒙)) is differentiable at 𝑥 and 𝐹′ is given by the product
𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑓′(𝑔(𝑥)) ∙ 𝑔′(𝑥)
In Leibniz notation, if 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑢) and 𝑢 = 𝑔(𝑥) are both differentiable functions, then
𝒅𝒚 𝒅𝒚 𝒅𝒖
= ∙
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒖 𝒅𝒙
The Power of a Function Rule
If 𝑛 is a real number and 𝑦 = [𝑔(𝑥)]𝑛 then,
𝒅𝒚
= 𝒏[𝒈(𝒙)𝒏−𝟏 ]𝒈′ (𝒙).
𝒅𝒙
Learning Activity
Tutorial Videos
Here are some YouTube videos you can watch to help you to have a better understanding about the lesson.
✓ The Chain Rule
https://www.mathsisfun.com/calculus/derivatives-rules.html
✓ Chain Rule for Finding Derivatives
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaHsqDjWMLU (until 18:39 mins.)
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
Summer 2024
Practice Problem
𝑑𝑦
A. Use the chain rule to find and express the final answer in terms of 𝑥.
𝑑𝑥
1. 𝑦 = 𝑢 2 + 𝑢 , 𝑢 = 2𝑥 + 1
3
2. 𝑦 = (𝑢 − 4) , 𝑢 = 𝑥 2 + 4
2
3. 𝑦 = √𝑢 + 2 , 𝑢 = 4𝑥 − 2
4. 𝑦 = √𝑢 , 𝑢 = 𝑥2
1
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 2
4𝑥 +5𝑥 −7𝑥+8
𝑑 2𝑥+1 4
6. [( ) ]
𝑑𝑥 3𝑥−1
B. Use the product rule and the power of a function rule to differentiate the following.
Do not simplify.
1. 𝑦 = (3𝑥 + 1)2 (𝑥 − 2)
2. 𝑦 = (3 − 5𝑥 2 )(3 + 𝑥 3 )5
3. 𝑦 = (2 − 5𝑥 2 )(3𝑥 2 − 6)3
4. 𝑦 = (1 − 𝑥 2 )√2𝑥 3 + 3
3
5. 𝑦 = √𝑥 + 1(4𝑥 3 − 5)4
References
YouTube Videos
➢ The Organic Chemistry Tutor, (2016, March 4). Derivatives - Power, Product, Quotient and Chain Rule -
Functions & Radicals - Calculus Review. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEj3dzj2Doc
➢ The Organic Chemistry Tutor, (2017, May 11).Chain Rule for Finding Derivatives. YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaHsqDjWMLU
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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Basic Calculus
Summer 2024
PRACTICE ACTIVITY
A. Determine the limit of each of the following algebraic functions. (1 pt. each)
dy
1. y = 5u 2 + 1; u = 2 x find .
dx
dy
2. y = 2u 2 + u; u = x + 3 find .
dx
( )
12
3. f ( x) = x3 − 1
( )
4
4. g ( x) = 3 5 x 2 − 3
1
(
5. h ( x ) = x3 + 2 x ) 2
6. g ( x) = x 2 + 3x − 1
( )
3
7. y = ( 2 x + 1)5 x 2 + 3
