2.

5 THE CHAIN RULE

The Chain Rule

We currently have no way to compute the derivative of a
function such as

except by the limit definition.

However, observe that P(t) is the composition of the two

functions

so that P(t) = f (g(t)), where both f’ (t) and g’(t) are easily
computed.
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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

THEOREM 5.1 (Chain Rule)

If y = f (u) and u = g(x),

g(x) then y = f (g(x)),
(g(x)) and the chain
rule is

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.1 Using the Chain Rule

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.1 Using the Chain Rule

Solution

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.2 Using the Chain Rule with a Square Root

F ti
Function

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.2 Using the Chain Rule with a Square Root

F ti
Function
Solution

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 2.5
THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.3 Derivatives Involving the Chain Rule and

Oth Rules
Other R l

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.3 Derivatives Involving the Chain Rule and

Oth Rules
Other R l
Solution

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.3 Derivatives Involving the Chain Rule and

Oth Rules
Other R l
Solution

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.4 A Derivative Involving Multiple Chain

R l
Rules

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.4 A Derivative Involving Multiple Chain

R l
Rules
Solution

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

THEOREM 5.2

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

PROOF

Differentiating both sides of this equation gives

Applying the chain rule to the left side, we get

Solving for g’(x), we obtain

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.5 The Derivative of an Inverse Function

From the given graph, it appears that the function f(x)
= x5 + 3x3 + 2x +1 has an inverse function g, compute
g’(7).

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 2.5 THE CHAIN RULE

EXAMPLE 5.5 The Derivative of an Inverse Function

Solution
We have

Also, and we write .

Thus
Th
By trial and error we see that f(1) = 7 so that g(7) = 1.
1

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