This article provides a step-by-step guide to calculating derivatives, starting from the formal definition and progressing through essential rules, special techniques (implicit and logarithmic differentiation), and higher-order derivatives. For a function ( y = f(x) ), the derivative, denoted ( f'(x) ) or ( \fracdydx ), is defined as the limit of the difference quotient as the interval approaches zero:
While the limit definition is foundational, we rarely use it for complex functions. Instead, we rely on differentiation rules. a. Basic Rules | Rule | Formula | Example | |------|---------|---------| | Constant | ( \fracddx[c] = 0 ) | ( \fracddx[5] = 0 ) | | Power Rule | ( \fracddx[x^n] = n x^n-1 ) | ( \fracddx[x^4] = 4x^3 ) | | Constant Multiple | ( \fracddx[c \cdot f(x)] = c \cdot f'(x) ) | ( \fracddx[3x^2] = 6x ) | | Sum/Difference | ( (f \pm g)' = f' \pm g' ) | ( \fracddx[x^3 + x] = 3x^2 + 1 ) | b. Product Rule When two differentiable functions are multiplied: calculo de derivadas
The slope of the tangent line to the curve at the point ( (x, f(x)) ). This article provides a step-by-step guide to calculating