2.

6 The Chain Rule

We have learned how to derive polynomial functions, rational functions, as well as radicals. But
quotient rule, product rule, and power rule sometimes are not enough, especially for some
composite functions. In order to derive composite functions, we need to introduce the chain
rule.

If 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑓𝑓 ∘ 𝑔𝑔)(𝑥𝑥), we can rewrite the expression as 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓�𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥)�. The chain rule derives to the
following

𝑦𝑦 ′ = 𝑓𝑓 ′ �𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥)� ⋅ 𝑔𝑔′ (𝑥𝑥)

One of the most important skill you need to do the chain rule successfully is identify how many
functions are in the composition. I like to consider them as inside and outside functions
Common Notation
We can also use Leibniz notation to help understand chain rule. This is commonly used when
representing general derivative rules.
If 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑢𝑢), where 𝑢𝑢 = 𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥), and 𝑓𝑓 and 𝑔𝑔 are differentiable functions, then 𝑦𝑦 is a
differentiable function of 𝑥𝑥.
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= ⋅
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Generalized Derivative Rules

If 𝑢𝑢 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) then we can generalize our current derivative rules.
Generalized Power Rule
If
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑛𝑛

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑛𝑛 ⋅ 𝑢𝑢𝑛𝑛−1 ⋅
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Generalized Square Root Function
If

𝑦𝑦 = √𝑢𝑢

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= ⋅
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2√𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Generalized Reciprocal Function
If
1
𝑦𝑦 =
𝑢𝑢

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
=− 2⋅
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Examples

𝐹𝐹(𝑥𝑥) = �2𝑥𝑥 2 + 3 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 + 2)8

Inside: Inside:

Outside: Outside:

2𝑡𝑡 − 1 6 1
𝑠𝑠 = � � 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) =
𝑡𝑡 + 2 4𝑥𝑥 3 − 6𝑥𝑥 + 2

Inside: Inside:

Outside: Outside:
Once you see what the composed functions are, follow the concept of first “derive the outside,
don’t change the inside, then derive inside.” The outside derivative and inside derivatives are
always multiplied together. The textbook expects you to simplify, but you don’t have
to…normally.
Let’s see the chain rule in action

𝐹𝐹(𝑥𝑥) = �2𝑥𝑥 2 + 3 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 + 2)8

2𝑡𝑡 − 1 6 1
𝑠𝑠 = � � 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) =
𝑡𝑡 + 2 4𝑥𝑥 3 − 6𝑥𝑥 + 2
More Class Examples

Chain Rule can be applied multiple times, for example

𝑦𝑦 = �𝑥𝑥 + �𝑥𝑥 2 + 1