Summary
- The Product Rule Formula:
- The Quotient Rule Formula:
Where f’(x) and g’(x) are derivatives of f(x) and g(x) respectively.
The Product Rule
When we have to find the derivative of the product of two functions, we apply ”The Product Rule”.
Let’s suppose we have two functions f(x) and g(x).
We are required to find . Remember, when differentiating a product, each factor is differentiated, but one at a time.
What this basically means is defined by the formula for the product rule.
The derivative of the product of two functions is equal to the derivative of the first function multiplied by the second function plus the first function multiplied by the derivative of the second function.
Let’s work out a few examples to understand how this rule is applied.
Example #1
Q. Find the derivative of
Solution:
We know that:
Where:
f(x) = 2x and
To Apply the Product Rule Formula:
Where f’(x) and g’(x) are derivatives of f(x) and g(x) respectively.
We first find f'(x) and g'(x):
as
Substitute all the above values into the formula:
Simplify:
Ans:
Example #2
Q. Find the derivative of
Solution:
We know:
and
To Apply the Product Rule Formula:
Where f’(x) and g’(x) are derivatives of f(x) and g(x) respectively.
We first find f'(x) and g'(x):
Substitute all the above values into the formula:
Ans:
We applied the product rule when we had to find the derivative of the product of two functions.
However what if we have one function divided by another function. In this case, where derivatives are required of functions that come as quotients we use ”The Quotient Rule”.
The Quotient Rule
In this scenario let’s consider a function which is equal to one function divided by another function i.e.h
To solve such functions we use the quotient rule which is defined by the formula:
The derivative of the quotient of two functions is equal to the derivative of the function in the numerator multiplied by the function in the denominator minus the function in the numerator multiplied by the derivative of the function in the denominator and then divide this whole expression by the square of the function in the denominator.
Let’s work out an example to understand how this rule is applied.
Example #3
Q. Find the derivative of
Solution:
We know:
f(x) = x – 1 and
g(x) = 2x+1
To Apply the Quotient Rule Formula:
Where f’(x) and g’(x) are derivatives of f(x) and g(x) respectively.
We first find f'(x) and g'(x):
Substitute all the above values into the formula:
Hence:
Ans: