DIFFERENTIATION USING THE CHAIN RULE

The following problems require the use of the chain rule. The chain rule is a rule for
differentiating compositions of functions. In the following discussion and solutions
the derivative of a function h(x) will be denoted by or h'(x) . Most problems
are average. A few are somewhat challenging. The chain rule states formally that
.
However, we rarely use this formal approach when applying the chain rule to specific
problems. Instead, we invoke an intuitive approach. For example, it is sometimes
easier to think of the functions f and gas ``layers'' of a problem. Function f is the
``outer layer'' and function g is the ``inner layer.'' Thus, the chain rule tells us to first
differentiate the outer layer, leaving the inner layer unchanged (the term f'( g(x) ) ) ,
then differentiate the inner layer (the term g'(x) ) . This process will become clearer as
you do the problems. In most cases, final answers are given in the most simplified
form.

o PROBLEM 1 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 2 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 3 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 4 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 5 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 6 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 7 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 8 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 9 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 10 : Differentiate .
 o PROBLEM 11 : Differentiate .

The following seven problems require more than one application of the chain
rule.

o PROBLEM 12 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 13 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 14 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 15 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 16 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 17 : Differentiate .

o PROBLEM 18 : Differentiate .

The following three problems require a more formal use of the chain rule.

o PROBLEM 19 : Assume that h(x) = f( g(x) ) , where both f and g are

differentiable functions. If g(-1)=2, g'(-1)=3, and f'(2)=-4 , what is the
value of h'(-1) ?

o PROBLEM 20 : Assume that , where f is a differentiable

function. If and , determine an equation of the line
tangent to the graph of h at x=0 .

o PROBLEM 21 : Determine a differentiable function y = f(x) which has

the properties and .