Product rule Definition and 139 Threads

In calculus, the product rule (or Leibniz rule or Leibniz product rule) is a formula used to find the derivatives of products of two or more functions. For two functions, it may be stated in Lagrange's notation as




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u

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=

u



v
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u


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{\displaystyle (u\cdot v)'=u'\cdot v+u\cdot v'}
or in Leibniz's notation as







d

d
x




(
u

v
)
=




d
u


d
x





v
+
u





d
v


d
x




.


{\displaystyle {\dfrac {d}{dx}}(u\cdot v)={\dfrac {du}{dx}}\cdot v+u\cdot {\dfrac {dv}{dx}}.}
The rule may be extended or generalized to products of three or more functions, to a rule for higher-order derivatives of a product, and to other contexts.

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  1. L

    Find derivative of: (3 - x^2)/(4 + x^2); Quotient Rule vs. Product Rule

    Hi, I got the right answer when I used the Quotient Rule but not when I used the Product Rule... I think it might be an algebra mistake... Product Rule Method: f'(x) = (3 - x^2)*(4 + x^2)^-1 = (3 - x^2)[(-1(4 + x^2)^-2)*2x] + [(4 + x^2)^-1](-2x) = [(3 - x^2)(-2x)]/[(4 + x^2)^2] +...
  2. C

    Does the product rule fn->f , gn->g imply fngn->fg in (C[0,1],||.||)?

    Homework Statement the product rule fn->f , gn->g implies fngn->fg true in the normed vector space (C[0,1],||.||) depends on the the norm||.||. Give a proof or a counterexample for (C[0,1],||.||infinite),(C[0,1].||.||1)Homework Equations counterexample , you may wish to examine the case f=g=0...
  3. B

    Product Rule Derivative Problem

    Homework Statement Use the product rule to differentiate the function: h(t) = √t(1-t2) Homework Equations d/dx[f(x)g(x)] = f(x)g'(x) + g(x)f'(x) The Attempt at a Solution (see attachment image) I checked the back of the textbook and my solution was wrong. The textbook says...
  4. F

    Differentiating 3 terms with product rule

    Homework Statement Find the derivative of (x^2)(sinx)(tanx) Homework Equations f(x+y)(d/dx)=(x)(y)d/dx+(y)(x)d/dx That's for differentiating with 2 terms. With 3, I haven't done it yet. The Attempt at a Solution x^2(sinx)(sec^2x)+tanx(sinx)2x+x^2(tanx)(cosx)...
  5. M

    Derivative product rule and other rule proofs.

    Homework Statement Prove that the functions: (u+v)'(x0) and αu and u*v are derivable. Homework Equations in other words prove that : (u+v)'(x_{0})=u'(x_{0})+v'(x_{0}) (\alpha u)'(x_{0})=\alpha u'(x_{0}) (u\cdot v)'(x_{0})=u'(x_{0})\cdot v(x_{0})+u(x_{0})\cdot v'(x_{0}) The...
  6. D

    Why is the product rule for derivatives incorrect?

    Hello there! I understand the product rule and how/why it works, and the proof makes sense, but just out of curiosity, why would it be incorrect on a mathematical/application level to say that d/dx f(x)g(x) = f'(x)g'(x) I know that it's wrong, and the product rule is the one that we're...
  7. Z

    Understanding the Product Rule for Differential Operators

    From my book: Let h = x + ay and g = x + by By product rule we then have: ∂/∂x = ∂/∂h + ∂/∂g Can someone explain to me how to arrive at this result? I don't even get what ∂/∂x even means, isn't it just a differential operator?
  8. C

    Simplifying this differential using product rule?

    Hi, I am trying to simplify this; x \frac{\partial}{\partial x} W(x,y) - \frac{\partial}{\partial x} (xW(x,y)) Am I correct in thinking I can do this with the product rule, as; \frac{\partial}{\partial x} (xW(x,y)) = \left( \frac{\partial x}{\partial x}\right) W(x,y) + x...
  9. L

    Trying to use product rule on complicated function

    Homework Statement This is the problem and my attempt. I understand that I can take ln of both sides. However, I am trying to see if it is at all possible to arrive at the correct derivative without taking ln of both sides. I am under the impression that an alternative to taking ln of...
  10. F

    Sum and product rule of measures

    I'm wondering what requirements must exist for a measure, m, to have the following properties: m(Sum(P_i))= Sum(m(P_i)) the sum rule m(Prod(P_i))=Prod(m(P_i)) the product rule Where P_i are underlying sets or single propositions. Thank you.
  11. D

    Product Rule for Scalar Product: Verifying the Functions

    Homework Statement Look up, figure out, or make an intelligent guess at the product rule for the scalar product. That is, a rule of the form d/dt [a(t).b(t)] =?+? Verify your proposed rule on the functions a(t) = ti + sin(t)j + e^(t)k and b(t) = cos(t)i - t^(2)j - e^(t)k: Homework...
  12. A

    Verify the Product Rule for cross products

    cross products= vector(a)*vector(b)=Magnitude(a)*magnitude(b)*cos(theta) I'm having trouble on how to get started...
  13. V

    Simplifying the derivative after using the Product Rule. Help?

    Homework Statement f(x) = (x^3+6)^4 * (x^3+4)^6 Homework Equations f'(x) = (x^3+6)^4*18x^2(x^3+4)^5 + (x^3+4)^6*12x^2(x^3+6)^3 The Attempt at a Solution Obviously this expression can be simplified, but I haven't the slightest clue on how to do this. I would really appreciate...
  14. M

    Is There a Product Rule for Integrating Functions?

    How would I find ∫[f(x)g(x)]d(x)? Similarly, how would I find ∫[f(x)/g(x)]dx? Is there a similar rule to be applied here as in the product rule for differentiation?
  15. N

    Product Rule Proof: Solve Using Limits

    I know there are other ways to obtain the product rule proff but my teacher got me started and I want to finish it this way and also have you guys explain WHY to do each step. So far I have: (f(x)g(x))' = f'(x)g(x) + f(x)g'(x) lim (F(x+h) - F(x))/h as h->0 lim (f(x+h)g(x+h) -...
  16. N

    Solving for d/dx of 3 Functions using the Product Rule

    Product rule generally seems straight forward but what if one comes across a scenario involving 3 functions instead of 2? For example: d/dx[x*e^(x^2)*f(x)] f(x) is just some generic function So there three functions of x are: -x - e^(x^2) -f(x) I am personally lost about how to...
  17. M

    Product Rule for Derivatives: h(t) = √t (1 - t^2)

    Homework Statement h(t) = √t (1 - t^2) Homework Equations the product rule is (first) x (derivative of the second) + (second) x (derivative of the first) The Attempt at a Solution i've been working at this for a while. the closest answer i came up with was this: h(t)= t^1/2 (t^1/2 -...
  18. B

    Derivative for Product rule a new one?

    i found a formula but I'm not sure is and maybe this is exist i don't know. we know it F(x)= f(x).g(x) → F'(x)= f'(x).g(x)+g'(x).f(x) and i want to calculate nth order. n>1 fn(x).g(x)+ \sum^{n}_{k=1} binomial coefficient \left(n k\right). f(n-k)(x).gk(x)+ gn.f(x) is it true...
  19. T

    Is the Product Rule the Key to Finding h'(2)?

    Hello,It is given that h(x) = f(x)g(x). It then tells me to write a formula for h'(2). I know that h'(x) = f'(x)g(x) + f(x)g'(x), using the product rule. So I assumed that h'(2) = f'(2)g(2) + f(2)g'(2) Is this correct? Does the product rule simply allow me to do this? It seems to simple...
  20. X

    Differentiation - chain and product rule.

    It's been years since I've done maths properly so I'm rusty with it. I'm helping out a colleague at work who is studying maths for an OU course. Homework Statement Part 1: Differentiate function. f(x) = e^(0.5x+cos(x)) Part 2: Use answer from part 1 to show. g(x) =...
  21. Q

    Differentiation - Product Rule

    Homework Statement In general I havn't had problems using the differentiation rules until I came on this question, I'm probably doing something stupid any help is handy. Plugged it into an online differentiation solver and it comes up with (x^2-1)/(x^2) which I am getting nowhere near to in my...
  22. 5

    Prove Power Rule by Math Induction and Product Rule

    Homework Statement Use the Principle of Mathematical Induction and the Product Rule to prove the Power Rule when n is a positive integer. Homework Equations Dxxn = nxn-1 Dx(fg) = fDxg + Dxfg The Attempt at a Solution In summary, Dxxn = nxn-1 Dxxk = kxk-1 Dxxk+1 = (k+1)x(k+1)-1 Dx(xkx) =...
  23. W

    Product Rule for Derivatives: Understanding and Applying

    Homework Statement \frac{d}{dx}x^{2}y^{2} = ? Homework Equations Power rule: \frac{d}{dx}x^{n} = nx^{n-1} Product rule: \frac{d}{dx}[f(x)g(x)] = f'(x)g(x) + g'(x)f(x) The Attempt at a Solution My TI-89 titanium gives me 2xy^{2} Which contradicts the power rule. Doing this by...
  24. J

    How do I Apply the Product Rule in Calculus?

    Hi I am 14 and attempting to learn calculus I have just proved product rule and am beginning examples of how it might work. Could anyone check, I will write my process. y(x)=(12x^6)(7x^4+6)= (12x^6)'(7x^4+6)+(12x^6)(7x^4+6)'= (72x^5)(7x^4+6)+(12x^6)(28x^3)= 504x^9+432x^5+336x^9= y(x)=840x^9+432x^5
  25. A

    Proving that the product rule for differentiating products applies to vectors

    If r and s are vectors that depend on time, prove that the product rule for differentiating products applies to r.s, that is that: d/dt (r.s) = r. ds/dt + dr/dt .s -- I'm not entirely sure how I'm supposed to go about proving this, can anyone point me in the right direction, please...
  26. I

    Differentiation: Product rule and composite rule

    Homework Statement Use differentiation to verify that the following integrals are correct (where a is not = 0 is a constant and c is an arbitrary constant (a) integrate xsinax dx= ( −x/a ) (cosax) +(1/a2) sinax+c (b) integrate tanax dx=(−1/a) ln(cosax)+c Homework Equations Composite rule...
  27. G

    Simplifying and Rearranging Polynomial Expressions

    Differentiate and simplify: y=(x+1)(2x-3)^{4} I got: 8(x+1)(2x-3)^{3} + (2x-3)^{4}. But the answers in the answer booklet say: 5(2x+1)(2x-3)^{3} I put both answers in Wolfram Alpha and found they were both equal. So this is just a matter of simplifying/rearranging. Could someone please...
  28. M

    How do I differentiate a three-term product using the product rule?

    Homework Statement Using the product rule, differentiate the following function: Homework Equations y = etsintcost The Attempt at a Solution The three term product rule says: d/dx (uvw) = u'vw + uv'w + uvw' I find u = et, u' = et, v = sint, v' = cost, w = cost and w' = -sint...
  29. M

    Generalization of the product rule to the nth derivative

    Homework Statement do what the title says Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution ok so I think it's h(x)=f(x)g(x) sum from k=0 to n of (n choose k) f^(n-k)(x) g^(k)(x) right?
  30. D

    Derivative of (2x^2 + 1)x^(1/2) using Product Rule | Homework Question

    Homework Statement Find the derivative of y= (2x2 + 1) x1/2 Homework Equations Product RuleThe Attempt at a Solution After differentiating, I eventually get stuck at: \frac{4x3/2+2x2+1}{2\sqrt{x}} The given solution is \frac{10x2+1}{2\sqrt{x}}
  31. M

    Understanding the Product Rule in Lie Groups: How Does it Differ from Calculus?

    Out of curiosity, how does the product rule work in Lie groups? I ended up needing it because I approached a problem incorrectly and then saw that the product rule was unnecessary, but it seems to create a strange scenario. For example: Consider a Lie group G and two smooth curves \gamma_1...
  32. P

    Wikipedia shows a proof of product rule using differentials by

    Wikipedia shows a proof of product rule using differentials by Leibniz. I am trying to correlate it to the definition of a differential and am having no success. Differential Definition: http://eom.springer.de/D/d031810.htm
  33. D

    Implicit differentiation and the product rule

    An example of implicit differentation in Stewart, 6th ed, p 883, is given as follows: x^3 + y^3 + z^3 + 6xyz = 1 Differentiating to find dz/dx, 3x^2 + 3z^2(dz/dx) + 6yz + 6xy(dz/dx) = 0 where the product rule was used to differentiate 6xyz with respect to x. Why isn't the...
  34. C

    Trigonometric derivative: power rule + product rule

    Homework Statement Derive the following: y = (cosxsin2x)-2 2. The attempt at a solution Basically I saw this as a power rule with two products in the middle. So y = -2 (cos2cos2x-sinxsin2x)-1 But the correct answer is completely different, it's: 4(3sin2x - 1) all over...
  35. S

    Exploring the Limit Product Rule: What Does it Mean?

    In trying to prove the limit product rule I've found all explanations to hit on a point where I lose understanding. 1: If \lim_{x \to c} f(x) \ = \ L \ and \ \lim_{x \to c} g(x) \ = \ M \ We define the limit as; \ \forall \ \epsilon \ >\ 0 \ \exists \ \delta > 0 \ : \...
  36. R

    Why is the result not always 0 in the product rule for derivatives?

    [x_{\alpha}, p_{\alpha}]\psi(r)=[x_{\alpha}(-i\hbar \frac{\partial}{{ \partial x_\alpha}})-(-i\hbar\frac{\partial}{\partial x_{\alpha}})x_{\alpha}]\psi(r) why the result is i\hbar\psi(r) should not be 0? and then the same situation why in this case we get 0? [x_{\beta}...
  37. S

    Differentiation using product rule?

    Homework Statement Differentiate the following function with respect to x, p(x) = (( x+5 )^2)*(( x+3 )^7) Homework Equations well the product rule is, p(x)=(f)*(g) p'(x)= (f')*(g)+(g')*(f) and general differentiation is, p'(x)=n(f)^(n-1)*n(g)^(n-1) The Attempt at a Solution well...
  38. T

    Why is there a d\theta/dt at the end of the derivative?

    Homework Statement r = r(t) \theta = \theta(t) x = r cos(\theta) dx/dt =dr/dt cos(\theta) - r sin(\theta) d\theta/dtThe Attempt at a Solution Where does the d\theta/dt come from at the end of the derivative? I know I'm using product rule here because r and theta are both functions of t...
  39. J

    Using Product Rule to Transform Equations A to B: Understanding the Process

    My question is how do they transform equation A. into B.. I know they are using the product rule but don't know what is going on. EQ A.)D(1/r^2)d/dr(r^2(dC/dr))-kC=0 now how do they get Eq B. EQ B.) (d^2C/dr^2)+(2/r)(dC/dr)-(kC)/D=0
  40. V

    Product Rule with Partial Derivatives

    Hi, so I'm trying to solve Laplace's equation by separation of variables, and there's a basic step I'm not understanding with regards to the product rule. Given A product rule (i think) is taken to make the first term easier to deal with and we get I'm just having trouble...
  41. E

    Solving a Difficult Calculus Problem: Applying the Product Rule

    Homework Statement http://i.imgur.com/TSLwA.png Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Sorry I figured it out, it was the product rule.
  42. I

    Product rule with chain rule (derivation wrt time)

    I'm trying to find the derivative of 0 = 3xcosƟ with respect to time. I know I should use the product rule for x and cosƟ. But I don't know what I should do with the constant 3. would it be like this? 0 = 3x(-sinƟ)(dƟ/dt) + 3(dx/dt)(cosƟ)
  43. A

    Momentum Flux: Quick Question (Product Rule)

    Homework Statement Heya, I can expand the term on the LHs and get the term on the RHS no problem :) But, I don't understand how the bottom line is arrived at; I think its basically just a backward engineering of the product rule, but I can't get it! Any help would be useful
  44. J

    Derivatives: Product Rule for y=4-x^2sinx

    Homework Statement find the dy/dx of y= 4- x (to the 2nd power) sin x Homework Equations is there a rule? The Attempt at a Solution nothing
  45. B

    Reverse Product Rule: Understanding its Application in Integration

    Homework Statement i'm sorry i know I've been bombarding physics forums with questions but i need help :p using reverse product rule \int uv' = uv - \int vu' and say i have a*b i noticed my teaher said that a=u and b=v not v' and he simly made that into a v' by deriving. is there a point...
  46. R

    Differentiation, Product Rule 3-terms

    Homework Statement f(x) = (2x-1)(3x-2)(5x+1) d/dx = ? Note that I am letting (2x-1)(3x-2) = f and 5x+1 = g Homework Equations d/dx (fg) = f d/dx g + g d/dx f The Attempt at a Solution d/dx y = (2x-1)(3x-2)d/dx(5x+1)+(5x+1)d/dx((2x-1)(3x-2)) = (2x-1)(3x-2)(5)+...
  47. K

    The sin(a+b) formula and the product rule for derivatives

    Why are they similar? sin(a+b)=sin(a)cos(b)+cos(a)sin(b) d/dx (f(x)*g(x))=f(x)g'(x)+g(x)f'(x) Somewhere on this very site there was mention of this, I believe, though I can't remember where. Maybe I'm delirious.
  48. L

    Implicit Differentiation and product rule

    Hi, So, I am reviewing Cal III, and I have come across something that I do not understand regarding implicit differentiation with partial derivatives: x^3 + y^3 + z^3 + 6xyz = 1 implicit differentiation of z with respect to x: 3x^2 + 3z^2(dz/dx) + 6yz + 6xy(dz/dx) = 0 *notive the...
  49. F

    Rate of Change of Area of Triangle with Changing Base and Height

    Homework Statement Question: the base b and height h change with a time t in such a way that b= (t+1)^{2} and h= t^{2}+1 Determine the rate of change of the area of the triangle when t=3 Homework Equations A=\frac {1}{2}(b)(h) The Attempt at a Solution I am not sure what to do...
  50. J

    Where Can I Find Proofs for Vector Calculus Identities?

    Wikipedia gives an extensive amount of vector identities: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_calculus_identities http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vector_identities Does anyone know of a link where most of these are proved. I'm particularly interested in the product rules but would...
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