Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION VII – CENTRAL VISAYAS
Division of Cebu Province
S. Y. 2020-2021

SELF LEARNING HOME TASK (SLHT)

Subject: Basic Calculus Grade Level: __11 Quarter: __3__ Week: ___7__
MELC: a. illustrates the chain rule of differentiation;
b. solves problems using the chain rule.
Competency Code: STEM _ BC11D-IIIh -2 and IIIh- i - 1

Name: __________________________ Section: ____________ Date : _____________

School: ______________________________ ______District: ___________________

1. Reading/ Discussions:

We were able to find the derivative of the different types of functions namely: Algebraic,
Exponential, Logarithmic, Trigonometric and Inverse Trigonometric functions using the rules of
differentiations. But we are not able to get the derivative of composite functions. The question is
how do we get the derivative of composite functions? Is there a differentiation rule to find the
derivative of composite functions? What is that rule? How do we use/ apply this rule?
The Chain Rule
The chain rule is a method for finding the derivative of composite functions, or functions that
are made by combining one or more functions. An example of one of these types of functions
is f(x)=(1+x)2 which is formed by taking the function 1+x and plugging it into the function x2. A
surprising number of functions can be thought of as composite and the chain rule can be applied
to all of them.
The following figure gives the Chain Rule that is used to find the derivative of composite
functions.

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In Leibniz notation, if y = f(u) and u = g(x) are both differentiable functions, then

Note: In the Chain Rule, we work from the outside to the inside. We differentiate the outer
function and then we multiply with the derivative of the inner function.

Example 1:

Find the derivative of f ( x ) =(3x+1)5

Solution:

In this example, there is a function 3x+1 that is being taken to the 5th power. So, there are
two pieces: the 3x+1 (the inside function) and taking that to the 5th power (the outside function).
You know by the power rule, that the derivative of x5 is 5x4. So, cover up that 3x+1, and pretend
it is an x for a minute. The only deal is, you will have to pay a penalty. Since it was actually not
just an x, you will have to multiply by the derivative of the 3x+1.

Simplify
to get the final answer:
' 4 4
f ( x )=5 ( 3 x+ 1 ) ( 3 )=15 ( 3 x+ 1 )

2
 Thus, the derivative of f ( x ) =(3x+1)5 ¿ 15 ( 3 x+1 )4

Example 2:
3
Find the derivatives of f ( x )= 2
( x 2−3 )
Solution:
3 −2
=3 ( x −3 )
2
f ( x )= 2
( x −3 )
2

−2−1
f ' ( x )=3 (−2 ) ( x −3 )
2
(2 x )
−3
¿−12 x ( x −3 )
2

12
¿− 3
( x −3 )
2

3 −12
Thus, the derivative of ( x )= 2
= 3
( x −3 )
2
( x 2−3 )

Example 3:
Find the derivative of f ( x )= √ x 2 +1

Solution:
1
f ( x )= √ x +1=( x +1 )
2 2 2

−1
1 2
f ' ( x )= ( x +1 ) (2 x )
2
2
−1
¿ x ( x +1 )
2 2

x
¿
√ x 2 +1
Thus, the

derivative
x
f ( x )= √ x +1= 2
2
of
√ x +1
Exa mple 4:

Differentiate y = (2x +
5 3
1) (x – x +1)4

Solution:

In this example, we use the Product

Rule before using the Chain Rule.

3
Thus, the derivative of y = (2x + 1)5(x3 – x +1)4
3
¿ 2 ( 2 x +1 ) ( x −x +1 ) ( 17 x + 6 x −9 x+3 )
4 3 3 2

Example 5:

Find the derivative of f ( x )=ln ⁡( x 2−1)

Solution:

1
The same idea will work here. Normally, if it was just ln(x), you would say the derivative is .
x
However, there is something there other than x (the inside function). So, cover it up and take the
derivative. Just don’t forget to multiply by the derivative of the inside function.

Now, we simplify to get the final answer:

1 2x
f ' (x)= 2
(2 x )= 2
x −1 x −1

2x
Thus, the derivative of f ( x )=ln ( x −1 )=
2
2
x −1
4
Example 6:

Differentiate y =4x(3x + 5)5

Solution:
To find the derivative of (3x + 5)5, let g(x) = 3x + 5 and g’(x) = 3
and f(x) = (3x + 5)5 and f’(x) = 5(3x+5)4
Now we use the product rule and the chain rule.

dy
=4 x [ 5 ( 3 x+5 ) ( 3 ) ] + ( 3 x+5 ) (4)
4 5
dx

¿ 60 x [ ( 3 x +5 )4 ]+ 4 ( 3 x +5 )5

4 1
¿ 4 ( 3 x +5 ) [15 x + ( 3 x +5 ) ], factor out the greatest common factor 4(3x+5)4
4
¿ 4 ( 3 x +5 ) (18 x+ 5) , simplify inside brackets

4
¿(72 x +20) ( 3 x +5 )

Thus, the derivative of y = 4x (3x + 5)5 ¿(72 x +20) ( 3 x +5 )4

Example 7:

Find Dx[ ( 3 x +2 )7
x −1 ]
Solution:

Use the quotient rule and the chain rule

( x−1 ) [ 7 ( 3 x +2 )6 (3 ) ]−( 3 x +2 )7 (1)

D x=
( x −1 )2

6 7
21 ( x−1 ) ( 3 x+ 2 ) −( 3 x+ 2 )
¿ 2
( x−1 )

( 3 x +2 )6 [21(x−1)−( 3 x +2 )1 ]
¿ 2
, factor out the greatest common factor (3 x+ 2)6
( x−1 )

( 3 x +2 )6 (21 x−21−3 x −2)

¿ , simplify inside brackets
( x −1 )2

( 3 x +2 )6 (18 x−2 3)
¿
( x−1 )2

5
 [ ]
6
( 3 x +2 )7 ( 3 x +2 ) (18 x−23)
Thus, Dx =
x −1 ( x−1 )
2

Example 8:

Find the derivative of y = sin5 x

Solution.

Recalling that sin5 x means (sin x)5, we see that the outside function is the one that raises an
input to the fifth power:

Sin5 x = f(g(x)), where f(x) = x5 and g(x) = sin x.

In order to reduce the number of steps, we go immediately to the chain rule formula and do the
intermediate computations mentally as required:

d
dx
[ f ( g ( x ) ) ] =f ( g ( x ) ) ¿]
'

4
¿ 5 ( sin x ) (cos x )
4
¿ 5(cos x) ( sin x )

Thus, the derivative of y = sin5 x ¿ 5(cos x) ( sin x )4

Example 9:

Find Dx [ 5 x −4 x+ 3 ]
2

Solution.
2
Here, the outside function is the exponential function with base 5: 5 x −4 x+ 3= f(g(x)), where
f(x) = 5x wherein f’(x) = ln x and g(x) = x 2 − 4x + 3, wherein g’(x) = 2x – 4 . Trimming the number
of steps, a bit more, we omit the formula for the chain rule and just think “Derivative of outside
function, evaluated at inside function, times derivative of inside function”:

Dx [ 5 x −4 x+ 3 ]=ln 5(5 x −4 x+3)(2 x−4)

2 2

¿ ln 5(2 x−4)(5 x −4 x+ 3)

Thus, Dx [ 5 x −4 x+ 3 ]=¿ ln 5(2 x−4)(5 x −4 x+ 3)

2 2

Example 10:

x 2+ 1 dy
Let y = e √ 5 x +2 , find
dx

Solution.
x 2+ 1 5
, where f ( x )=2 x∧g ( x ) =√5 x +2 where g ( x )=
' '
Let f(x) = e
2 √5 x +2

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We will use the product rule and the quotient rule.

dy x +1 5
( )
+ √ 5 x+ 2 ( e ) (2 x)
2 2
x +1
=e
dx 2 √ 5 x +2
2

5 e x +1
+ ( 2 xe x +1 ) √ 5 x+ 2
2

¿
2 √ 5 x+ 2

+ ( 2 xe ) ( √ 5 x +2 ) ( 2 √5 x +2 ) get the common denominator

2 2
x +1 x +1
5e
¿ ,
2 √ 5 x +2

+ ( e ) ( 4 x )( 5 x +2 )
2 2
x +1 x +1
5e
¿ , simplify
2 √ 5 x +2

e x +1 [ 5+ ( 4 x ) ( 5 x +2 ) ]
¿ , factor
2 √ 5 x+2
2

e x +1 ( 20 x +8 x +5 )
¿ , simplify
2 √ 5 x +2
2
2 e x +1 ( 20 x +8 x +5 )
Thus, the derivative of y = e x +1
√ 5 x +2 ¿
2 √ 5 x +2
Example 11:
Find the derivative of y = √ 5 e x + 4 x 3

Solution.
' 1
Let f(x) = √ 5 e x + 4 x 3 , where f ( x )= and g(x) ¿ 5 e x +4 x 3 where, g' ( x ) =5 e x +12 x 2
2 √5 e + 4 x
x 3

d
dx
( √ 5 e x +4 x 3 ) =
( 1
2 √5 e + 4 x
x 3 )
( 5 e x + 12 x 2 )

x 2
5 e +12 x
¿
2 √ 5 e x +4 x 3
x 2
5 e +12 x
Thus, the derivative of y = √ 5 e x + 4 x 3 ¿
2 √ 5 e x +4 x 3

Example 12:

Differentiate u(t) = tan-1(3t – 1)

Solution.
' 1
Let f(t) = tan-1(t), where f ( t )= 2 and g(t) = 3t – 1, where g' ( x)=3
t +1

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 d
dx
[ tan−1 (3 t – 1)]= ( 1
( 3 t – 1 )2 +1
( 3)
)
3
¿
( 3t – 1 )2 +1

3
Thus, the derivative of u(t)= tan-1(3t – 1)¿
( 3t – 1 )2 +1

Solving Word Problems Using Chain Rule

Example 1:
1
Find the equation of the line tangent to the graph of h(x) = at x = 2
( 3 x −5 )2
Solution.
Because we are finding an equation of a line, we need a point. The x-coordinate of the
1
point is 2. To find the y-coordinate, substitute 2 into h(x) = .
( 3 x −5 )2

1
h(x) =
( 3 x −5 )2
1
h(2) = 3(2)−5 2
( )
1 1
h(2) = = =1
( 6−5 )2 12

so, the point is (2, 1)

1 −2
For the slope, we need h '(2). To find h '( x), we first rewrite h(x) = 2
=( 3 x−5 ) and apply
( 3 x −5 )
−2−1
'
power rule and chain rule, we have h ( x )=−2 ( 3 x −5 ) ( 3 )=−6 ( 3 x−5 )−3 .

By substituting 2 in h' ( x )=−6 ( 3 x−5 )−3 ,we have

−3
h ( 2 )=−6 [ 3 ( 2 )−5 ] =−6 ( 6−5 ) =−6 ( 1 ) =−6
' −3 −3

So, the slope of the tangent line is – 6

Point (2,1) and m = -6
By substitution in point – slope form, we have
y – y1= m( x – x1)
y – 1 = -6( x – 2)
y – 1 = -6x + 12
y = -6x + 12 + 1
y = - 6x + 13
Thus, the equation of the line tangent to the graph of
1
h ( x )= at x =2is y=−6 x +13
( 3 x−5 )2
Example 2:
Find the equation of the line tangent to the graph of f(x) = √ x 2+16 at x = 3

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Solution.
Because we are finding an equation of a line, we need a point. The x-coordinate of the
point is 3. To find the y-coordinate, substitute 3 into f(x) = √ x 2+16 ,we have
f ( 3 )=√ 32 +16= √ 9+ 16=√ 25=5

so, the point is (3, 5)

1
For the slope, we need f ' (3). To find f ' (x), we first rewrite f ( x )= √ x 2 +16= ( x 2+16 ) 2 and apply
1 −1
1 −1
power rule and chain rule, we have f ' ( x )= ( x 2 +16 ) 2 ( 2 x )=x ( x 2+16 ) 2 .
2
−1
By substituting 3 in f ' ( x )=x ( x 2+16 ) 2 we have

−1 −1 −1
3 3
f ' ( 3 ) =3 [3 2+16 ] =3 ( 9+16 ) 2 =3 ( 25 ) 2 =
2
=
√ 25 5
3
So, the slope of the tangent line is
5
3
Point (3,5) and m ¿
5
By substitution in point – slope form, we have
y – y1= m(x – x1)
3
y – 5 ¿ ( x – 3)
5
3 9
y – 5 ¿ x−
5 5

3 9
y ¿ x− +5
5 5

3 16
y ¿ x+
5 5

Thus, the equation of the line tangent to the graph of

3 16
f ( x )= √ x +16 at x=3 is y=¿ x +
2
5 5

B. Exercises:

Directions: Solve each word problem using chain rule. Show your solutions in a long –
sized bond paper.

1. Find the derivative of h(x) = sin (7x + 2)

2. Differentiate y = 4 −5 x+2

3. Find Dx [ 4 t ( 2 t 5+ 3 ) ]
4

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 4 dy
4. If y = x ( 6 x +1 ) 3 , find
dx

5. Find the derivative of y = e 4 x ( x +3 )2

6. Differentiate g(x) = ln ( 1−5 x 2 + x 3 )

1
7. Find the derivative of y=( 4 x + x−5 ) 3

C. Assessment/Application/Outputs (Please refer to DepEd Order No. 31, s. 2020)

Directions: Solve each word problems using chain rule. Show your solutions in a long - sized
bond paper.

1. Find the derivative of h(x) = ( 2 x+1 )5 ( 3 x−2 )7

2
2. Differentiate y = −103 x − 4

[ ]
5
3. Find Dx 4 x 2 ( y 2 +1 ) 4

5 dy
4. If y = log ( 2 x 2−x ) 2 , find
2 dx

2
5. Find the derivative of y = e−5 x ( 3 x 2−4 x )

3
6. Differentiate g(x) = ln ( x 4 +5 x 2 ) 2

7. Find the derivative of g(x )=ta n ( 4 x 2−3 x +1 )

D. Suggested Enrichment/Reinforcement Activity/ies:

Directions: Solve each word problems using chain rule. Show your solutions in a long -
sized bond paper.
3
1. Find the equation of the line tangent to the graph of h ( x )=( x 2−2 ) at x=−2

2. Find the equation of the line tangent to the graph of f(x) = x 2 √ x 4−12atx=2

2
3. Find the equation of the line tangent to the graph of g( x )=( x 3 +7 ) 3 at x =1

RUBRIC:
The Learner will be rated based on the following indicators.

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 1. The solution to the problem is clear and understandable.

2. The solution presented is correct.

3. The presentation of the work is clear.

4. The work is clean and neatly done.

5. The label of the final answer is correct.

RATING DESCRIPTION
5 All the 5 indicators were satisfied
4 4 out of 5 indicators were satisfied
3 3 out of 5 indicators were satisfied
2 2 out of 5 indicators were satisfied
1 Only 1 out of 5 indicators were satisfied

References:
https://www.mathbootcamps.com/the-chain-rule/
https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/chain-rule.html
https://www.mathbootcamps.com/the-chain-rule/
https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/problems/calci/chainrule.aspx
https://web.auburn.edu/holmerr/1617/Textbook/chainrule-screen.pdf
https://opentextbc.ca/calculusv1openstax/chapter/the-chain-rule/
https://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~kouba/CalcOneDIRECTORY/chainrulesoldirectory/
ChainRuleSol.html#SOLUTION%202
Calculus with Applications Brief Version by Margaret L. Lial, et al, pp. 266 – 291

Prepared by: Edited by:

NESTOR C. LOGRONIO IMELDA V. CANOY, ED.D.

Master Teacher I - Math Principal IV, Sibonga NHS

Reviewed by:

CLAVEL D. SALINAS, ED. D.

SHS Division Coordinator

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