Chain rule proof help me dunno what's wrong

In summary, the person struggled for 3 hours with a proof and finally reached the statement "lim(x->a) g(x) = g(x)" and "lim(x->a) f(a) = f(x)". They were frustrated because they didn't understand how this could be correct, but after checking the textbook, they realized that it was because g and f were continuous at a. They also mentioned the use of h instead of x-a and the chain rule.
  • #1
Andrax
117
0

Homework Statement


this is kinda funny I've been strugglnig with the proof for 3 hours straight today
long story short(<--sorry couldn't find the best way t o say this ) i made it to this statement
lim(x->a) g(x) if this is equal to g(x) then my proof is done
lim(x->a) f(a) if this is equal to f(x) then my proof is done
what's on my mind : this is obviously NOT correct ,after 3 hours of pain i decided to check the txtbook found everything that I've doneto this part and they just write
lim(x->a) g(x)=g(x) and lim(x->a) f(a)=f(x) vthis made me pretty mad i have no idea how they've done this , i was good at limits i have no idea how is this correct if someone can help explain it to me please

forgot to metion i don't think this is important though they use h instead of x-a
chain rule = d/dx (f*g) = df/dxf*g+dg/dxg*f

Homework Equations


without reading the above why lim(x->a) g(x)=g(x)
and why lim(x->a) f(a)=f(x)

The Attempt at a Solution


what I've said up
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
##\lim_{x\to a}g(x)## is not equal to g(x). Note that this wouldn't even make sense, since x is a dummy variable in ##\lim_{x\to a}g(x)##. This expression means the same thing as ##\lim_{t\to a}g(t)##. It's equal to g(a) if and only if g is continuous at a. (Note that if g is differentiable at a, it is also continuous at a).
 
  • #3
Oh i totally missed this part g is actually continuous at a thanks
 

FAQ: Chain rule proof help me dunno what's wrong

What is the chain rule?

The chain rule is a calculus rule that allows us to find the derivative of a composite function, which is a function that is made up of two or more functions. It states that the derivative of a composite function is equal to the derivative of the outer function multiplied by the derivative of the inner function.

How do I prove the chain rule?

To prove the chain rule, we use the definition of a derivative and the limit definition of a derivative. We then apply the chain rule formula to the composite function and simplify the expression until it matches the derivative of the original function.

Why is my chain rule proof not working?

There are a few common mistakes that can cause a chain rule proof to not work. Some possible reasons include not properly identifying the inner and outer functions, not applying the chain rule formula correctly, or making algebraic errors while simplifying the expression.

Can I use the chain rule for any composite function?

Yes, the chain rule can be used to find the derivative of any composite function, as long as the functions involved are differentiable. However, it may become more complicated for more complex functions, so it's important to carefully identify the inner and outer functions and apply the chain rule formula correctly.

Are there any shortcuts for using the chain rule?

There are some shortcuts that can be used for certain types of composite functions, such as the power rule for functions raised to a constant power or the product and quotient rules for multiplying or dividing functions. However, these shortcuts may not always apply and it's important to understand and apply the chain rule formula for any composite function.

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