Derivative Rules

Differentiate using power, chain, product, and quotient rules for IB Maths.

Differentiation rules allow you to find derivatives efficiently. These are tested extensively in IB Maths.

Standard Derivatives (Data Booklet)

ddx(xn)=nxn1\frac{d}{dx}(x^n) = nx^{n-1}, ddx(sinx)=cosx\frac{d}{dx}(\sin x) = \cos x, ddx(cosx)=sinx\frac{d}{dx}(\cos x) = -\sin x

ddx(ex)=ex\frac{d}{dx}(e^x) = e^x, ddx(lnx)=1x\frac{d}{dx}(\ln x) = \frac{1}{x}, ddx(tanx)=sec2x\frac{d}{dx}(\tan x) = \sec^2 x

Rules

Chain Rule

ddx[f(g(x))]=f(g(x))g(x)\frac{d}{dx}[f(g(x))] = f'(g(x)) \cdot g'(x)

Product Rule

(uv)=uv+uv(uv)' = u'v + uv'

Quotient Rule

(uv)=uvuvv2\left(\frac{u}{v}\right)' = \frac{u'v - uv'}{v^2}

Worked Examples

Chain: ddx(sin(3x2))=cos(3x2)6x\frac{d}{dx}(\sin(3x^2)) = \cos(3x^2) \cdot 6x.

Product: ddx(x2ex)=2xex+x2ex\frac{d}{dx}(x^2 e^x) = 2xe^x + x^2 e^x.

Quotient: ddx(lnxx)=1xxlnxx2=1lnxx2\frac{d}{dx}\left(\frac{\ln x}{x}\right) = \frac{\frac{1}{x} \cdot x - \ln x}{x^2} = \frac{1 - \ln x}{x^2}.

Practice Problems

    1. Differentiate y=(2x+1)5y = (2x+1)^5.
    1. Differentiate y=xsinxy = x\sin x.
    1. Differentiate y=exx+1y = \frac{e^x}{x+1}.

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Key Takeaways

  • Chain: composite functions. Product: products. Quotient: fractions.

  • Standard derivatives in the data booklet.

  • Show clear working for method marks.

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