Posted by Jack on October 20, 2002 at 10:46:17:
In Reply to: Chain Rule? I'm math handi-cap! posted by randy on October 20, 2002 at 01:40:51:
: First, what is the chain rule in the "prime" notation?Second, how do you apply that to (x^3-1)^5
: The chain rule provides a technique for finding the derivative of composite functions. For example, if a composite function f(x) is defined as f(x)=(g*h)(x)=g[h(x)]
then f'(x)=g'[h(x)]*h'(x)
: You can think of this technique for differentiating a composite function as working from the "outside to the inside" functions to establish a sequence for each of the derivatives that must be taken.
: f(x)=(x^3-1)^5
: f'(x)=[5(x^3-1)^4] * [3x^2]
: = 13x^2 (x^3-1)^4