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Power Rule Derivative Explained

The document discusses the chain rule and power rule for derivatives. It explains that the chain rule looks at how one variable controls another within the same function, while other rules add perspectives to get the overall change. It then uses an example of x^4 to illustrate the power rule, explaining that x^4 can be viewed as the multiplication of 4 independent variables x, and the derivative is the sum of the individual changes from each variable's perspective, which is why the power is subtracted by 1.

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Adil Mahmud
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67 views2 pages

Power Rule Derivative Explained

The document discusses the chain rule and power rule for derivatives. It explains that the chain rule looks at how one variable controls another within the same function, while other rules add perspectives to get the overall change. It then uses an example of x^4 to illustrate the power rule, explaining that x^4 can be viewed as the multiplication of 4 independent variables x, and the derivative is the sum of the individual changes from each variable's perspective, which is why the power is subtracted by 1.

Uploaded by

Adil Mahmud
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

In the example, gs derivative (x^3 = 3x^2) doesnt refer to the original x,

just whatever the input was (foo^3 = 3*foo^2). The input was f, and it treats f
as a single value. Later on, we scurry in and rewrite f in terms of x. But g has
no involvement with that it doesnt care that f can be rewritten in terms of
smaller pieces.
In many examples, the variable x is the end of the line.
Questions ask for df/dx, i.e. Give me changes from xs point of view. Now, x
could depend on something deeper variable, but thats not being asked for. Its
like saying I want miles per hour. I dont care about miles per minute or miles
per second. Just give me miles per hour. df/dx means stop looking at inputs
once you get to x.
How come we multiply derivatives with the chain rule, but add
them for the others?
The regular rules are about combining points of view to get an overall picture.
What change does f see? What change does g see? Add them up for the total.
The chain rule is about going deeper into a single part (like f) and seeing if its
controlled by another variable. Its like looking inside a clock and saying Hey,
the minute hand is controlled by the second hand!. Were staying inside the
same part.
Sure, eventually this per-second perspective of f could be added to some
perspective from g. Great. But the chain rule is about diving deeper into fs
root causes.

Power Rule: Oft Memorized, Seldom Understood


Whats the derivative of x^4? 4x^3? Great. You brought down the exponent
and subtracted one. Now explain why!
Hrm. Theres a few approaches, but heres my new favorite: x^4 is really x * x *
x * x. Its the multiplication of 4 independent variables. Each x doesnt know
about the others, it might as well be x * u * v * w.
Now think about the first xs point of view:
It changes from x to x + dx
The change in the overall function is [(x + dx) x][u * v * w] = dx[u * v *
w]
The change on a per dx basis is [u * v * w]

Similarly,
From us point of view, it changes by du. It contributes (du/dx)*[x * v *
w] on a per dx basis
v contributes (dv/dx) * [x * u * w]
w contributes (dw/dx) * [x * u * v]
The curtain is unveiled: x, u, v, and w are the same! The point of view
conversion factor is 1 (du/dx = dv/dx = dw/dx = dx/dx = 1), and the total
change is

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