Differentiation | Definition, Formulas, Examples, & Facts (2024)

differentiation, in mathematics, process of finding the derivative, or rate of change, of a function. In contrast to the abstract nature of the theory behind it, the practical technique of differentiation can be carried out by purely algebraic manipulations, using three basic derivatives, four rules of operation, and a knowledge of how to manipulate functions.

The three basic derivatives (D) are: (1) for algebraic functions, D(xn) = nxn − 1, in which n is any real number; (2) for trigonometric functions, D(sin x) = cos x and D(cos x) = −sin x; and (3) for exponential functions, D(ex) = ex.

Differentiation | Definition, Formulas, Examples, & Facts (1)

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Define It: Math Terms

For functions built up of combinations of these classes of functions, the theory provides the following basic rules for differentiating the sum, product, or quotient of any two functions f(x) and g(x) the derivatives of which are known (where a and b are constants): D(af + bg) = aDf + bDg (sums); D(fg) = fDg + gDf (products); and D(f/g) = (gDffDg)/g2 (quotients).

The other basic rule, called the chain rule, provides a way to differentiate a composite function. If f(x) and g(x) are two functions, the composite function f(g(x)) is calculated for a value of x by first evaluating g(x) and then evaluating the function f at this value of g(x); for instance, if f(x) = sin x and g(x) = x2, then f(g(x)) = sin x2, while g(f(x)) = (sin x)2. The chain rule states that the derivative of a composite function is given by a product, as D(f(g(x))) = Df(g(x)) ∙ Dg(x). In words, the first factor on the right, Df(g(x)), indicates that the derivative of Df(x) is first found as usual, and then x, wherever it occurs, is replaced by the function g(x). In the example of sin x2, the rule gives the result D(sin x2) = Dsin(x2) ∙ D(x2) = (cos x2) ∙ 2x.

In the German mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz’s notation, which uses d/dx in place of D and thus allows differentiation with respect to different variables to be made explicit, the chain rule takes the more memorable “symbolic cancellation” form: d(f(g(x)))/dx = df/dgdg/dx.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.

Differentiation | Definition, Formulas, Examples, & Facts (2024)

FAQs

What are the 7 rules of differentiation with examples? ›

Derivatives Rules Table
Name of the RuleDifferentiation Rule
Constant Multiple Ruled/dx (c f(x)) = c d/dx (f(x))
Sum/Difference Ruled/dx (f(x) ± g(x)) = d/dx (f(x)) ± d/dx (g(x))
Product Ruled/dx (f(x)) · g(x)) = f(x) d/dx (g(x)) + g(x) d/dx (f(x))
3 more rows

What are the basic formulas for differentiation? ›

The basic rule of differentiation are: Power Rule: (d/dx) (x^n) = nx^{n-1}, Sum Rule: (d/dx) (f ± g) = f' ± g', Product Rule: (d/dx) (fg)= fg' + gf', Quotient Rule: (d/dx) (f/g) = [(gf' – fg')/g^2].

What is differentiation with examples? ›

Differentiation is a method of finding the derivative of a function. Differentiation is a process, in Maths, where we find the instantaneous rate of change in function based on one of its variables. The most common example is the rate change of displacement with respect to time, called velocity.

How do you solve differentiation easily? ›

Differentiation and Integration Rules
  1. Product Rule of Differentiation: [f(x)g(x)]' = f'(x)g(x) + g'(x)f(x)
  2. Quotient Rule of Differentiation: [f(x)/g(x)]' = [f'(x)g(x) - g'(x)f(x)]/[g(x)] ...
  3. Chain Rule of Differentiation: [f(g(x))]' = f'(g(x)) × g'(x)

What are the 4 types of differentiation? ›

You can differentiate instruction across four main areas: content, process, product, and environment.

What are the 4 rules of differentiation? ›

The derivative of a constant is equal to zero. The derivative of a constant multiplied by a function is equal to the constant multiplied by the derivative of the function. The derivative of a sum is equal to the sum of the derivatives. The derivative of a difference is equal to the difference of the derivatives.

How many differential formulas are there? ›

In differential calculus, there are three general formulas for differential equations. These are given below: dydx d y d x = f(x) dydx d y d x = f(x, y)

What is the best example of differentiation? ›

Differentiation is nothing but calculating rate at which a quantity changes. It's basically the slope of curve of a particular function. To give a simple example, the cooling of ice- i.e. we calculate change in temperature with respect to time.

What are the 5 rules of differentiation? ›

Five of the most important derivative rules are the sum and difference rule, the power rule, the product rule, the quotient rule, and the chain rule.

Why is differentiation so hard? ›

Why is integration and differentiation so hard in maths? - Quora. The problem is that we don't easily understand the “infinite” (basically limits) and mathematically what is a “space”. We are directly taught how to solve the problems without understanding the theory behind it!

How to answer differentiate questions? ›

Rules of Differentiation:
  1. Sum and Difference : (u(x) ± v(x))'=u'(x)±v'(x)
  2. Product rule: (u(x) × v(x))'=u′(x)×v(x)+u(x)×v′(x)
  3. Quotient Rule : u ( x ) v ( x ) = u ′ ( x ) × v ( x ) − u ( x ) × v ′ ( x ) v ( x ) 2.
  4. Chain Rule: dy(u(x))/dx = dy/du × du/dx.

What are the 5 principles of differentiation? ›

The model approaches differentiation through five dimensions, which are 1) teaching arrangements, 2) learning environment, 3) teaching methods, 4) support materials and 5) assessment.

What is the 7th derivative? ›

Summary
derivativeterminologymeaning
4jounce (snap)rate of change of jerk
5cracklerate of change of jounce
6poprate of change of crackle
7lockrate of change of pop
10 more rows

What are some examples of differentiation in the classroom? ›

Teachers
  • Create Learning Stations.
  • Use Task Cards.
  • Interview Students.
  • Target Different Senses Within Lessons.
  • Share Your Own Strengths and Weaknesses.
  • Use the Think-Pair-Share Strategy.
  • Make Time for Journaling.
  • Implement Reflection and Goal-Setting Exercises.
Sep 20, 2021

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