Maths - Chain Rule


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Flashcards

What is the chain rule?


\[\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{dy}{du} \times \frac{du}{dx}\]

What new variable do you introduce when using the chain rule?


\[u\]

When do you apply the chain rule?


When you have composite functions.

#####

\[y = (3x + 4)^5\]

What substitution would you make in order to differentiate??

\[u = 3x + 4 \\\\ y = u^5\]

#####

\[y = u^5\]

What is $\frac{dy}{du}$??

\[5u^4\]

#####

\[u = 3x -1\]

What is $\frac{du}{dx}$??

\[3\]

#####

\[y = (3x + 4)^5 \\ u = 3x + 4 \\ y = u^5 \\ \frac{dy}{du} = 5u^4 \\ \frac{du}{dx} = 3\]

What is $\frac{dy}{dx}$??

\[15(3x + 4)^4\]

#####

\[\ln \boxed{beans}\]

How much does the $\ln$ bit “wiggle”??

\[\frac{1}{\boxed{beans}}\]

#####

\[\ln \boxed{beans}\]

What’s the derivative??

\[\frac{1}{\boxed{beans}} \times (\frac{dy}{d(beans)} \boxed{beans})\]

What’s an analogy for the chain rule?


Multiplying how much stuff wiggles.

#####

\[\ln (2x + 5)\]

What’s the derivative??

\[\frac{2}{2x + 5}\]

#####

\[(3x-1)^4\]

What’s the derivative??

\[12(3x-1)^3\]

#####

\[(2x + 3)^5\]

What’s the derivative??

\[10(2x + 3)^4\]

#####

\[(x + 7)^9\]

What’s the derivative??

\[9(x + 7)^8\]

#####

\[\ln \boxed{2x}\]

How much “wiggle” does the $2x$ contribute??

\[2\]



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