What is the purpose or proof behind chain rule?Chain Rule applied to Trig Functionschain rule with manual substitutionchain rule or product ruleHelp understand chain rule derivativeThe chain rule problem with second compositeWhy is the chain rule applied to derivatives of trigonometric functions?Proof involving multivariable chain ruleChain rule to differentiate $sin ^2fracx2$Partial Derivative and Chain RuleDifferentiate without using chain rule in 5 steps

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What is the purpose or proof behind chain rule?


Chain Rule applied to Trig Functionschain rule with manual substitutionchain rule or product ruleHelp understand chain rule derivativeThe chain rule problem with second compositeWhy is the chain rule applied to derivatives of trigonometric functions?Proof involving multivariable chain ruleChain rule to differentiate $sin ^2fracx2$Partial Derivative and Chain RuleDifferentiate without using chain rule in 5 steps













2












$begingroup$


For example, take a function $sin x$. The derivative of this function is $cos x$.



The chain rule states that $fracddx (f(g(x)))$ is $fracddx g(x) fracddx (f(g(x)))$. Again going back to the example above, now instead of $sin x$ lets take $sin 2x$.



Differentiating it without chain rule, we get $cos 2x$. However, using chain rule, we get $2cos 2x$.



So now the problem is that I don't see the purpose behind the chain rule. Why should $sin 2x$ be $2cos 2x$?



Is there any proof behind this chain rule? I really need to know as I getting many questions wromg without using the chain rule.










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    " Why should $sin 2x;$ be $;2cos 2x$?" No, it isn't: its derivative is. Why? Because that's what we get from theorems or from the definition of derivative as limit. That's all. And yes: of course there is proof of the chain rule: any decent calculus book includes it.
    $endgroup$
    – DonAntonio
    58 mins ago











  • $begingroup$
    In your post, when you are 'differentiating without chain rule', you are differentiating $sin 2x$ with respect to $2x$, rather than with respect to $x$.
    $endgroup$
    – Minus One-Twelfth
    57 mins ago











  • $begingroup$
    @DonAntonio what i meant was derivative. I was just writing that in short. U shoukd be able to understand that as this whole post is about derivative
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    54 mins ago










  • $begingroup$
    @MinusOne-Twelfth whether i am taking with respect to 2x or x, the derivative value isnt the same and thats my confusion. For example derivative of $sin 2x$ where $piover 2$. Differentiating with respect to 2x is -1 & with respect to x is -2. Why?
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    50 mins ago







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @littleO I didnt say it was correct. It is just my confusion of why should it not be like that and should be $2cos x$
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    49 mins ago
















2












$begingroup$


For example, take a function $sin x$. The derivative of this function is $cos x$.



The chain rule states that $fracddx (f(g(x)))$ is $fracddx g(x) fracddx (f(g(x)))$. Again going back to the example above, now instead of $sin x$ lets take $sin 2x$.



Differentiating it without chain rule, we get $cos 2x$. However, using chain rule, we get $2cos 2x$.



So now the problem is that I don't see the purpose behind the chain rule. Why should $sin 2x$ be $2cos 2x$?



Is there any proof behind this chain rule? I really need to know as I getting many questions wromg without using the chain rule.










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    " Why should $sin 2x;$ be $;2cos 2x$?" No, it isn't: its derivative is. Why? Because that's what we get from theorems or from the definition of derivative as limit. That's all. And yes: of course there is proof of the chain rule: any decent calculus book includes it.
    $endgroup$
    – DonAntonio
    58 mins ago











  • $begingroup$
    In your post, when you are 'differentiating without chain rule', you are differentiating $sin 2x$ with respect to $2x$, rather than with respect to $x$.
    $endgroup$
    – Minus One-Twelfth
    57 mins ago











  • $begingroup$
    @DonAntonio what i meant was derivative. I was just writing that in short. U shoukd be able to understand that as this whole post is about derivative
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    54 mins ago










  • $begingroup$
    @MinusOne-Twelfth whether i am taking with respect to 2x or x, the derivative value isnt the same and thats my confusion. For example derivative of $sin 2x$ where $piover 2$. Differentiating with respect to 2x is -1 & with respect to x is -2. Why?
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    50 mins ago







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @littleO I didnt say it was correct. It is just my confusion of why should it not be like that and should be $2cos x$
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    49 mins ago














2












2








2


1



$begingroup$


For example, take a function $sin x$. The derivative of this function is $cos x$.



The chain rule states that $fracddx (f(g(x)))$ is $fracddx g(x) fracddx (f(g(x)))$. Again going back to the example above, now instead of $sin x$ lets take $sin 2x$.



Differentiating it without chain rule, we get $cos 2x$. However, using chain rule, we get $2cos 2x$.



So now the problem is that I don't see the purpose behind the chain rule. Why should $sin 2x$ be $2cos 2x$?



Is there any proof behind this chain rule? I really need to know as I getting many questions wromg without using the chain rule.










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$




For example, take a function $sin x$. The derivative of this function is $cos x$.



The chain rule states that $fracddx (f(g(x)))$ is $fracddx g(x) fracddx (f(g(x)))$. Again going back to the example above, now instead of $sin x$ lets take $sin 2x$.



Differentiating it without chain rule, we get $cos 2x$. However, using chain rule, we get $2cos 2x$.



So now the problem is that I don't see the purpose behind the chain rule. Why should $sin 2x$ be $2cos 2x$?



Is there any proof behind this chain rule? I really need to know as I getting many questions wromg without using the chain rule.







calculus derivatives soft-question






share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question











share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question










asked 1 hour ago









rashrash

49214




49214







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    " Why should $sin 2x;$ be $;2cos 2x$?" No, it isn't: its derivative is. Why? Because that's what we get from theorems or from the definition of derivative as limit. That's all. And yes: of course there is proof of the chain rule: any decent calculus book includes it.
    $endgroup$
    – DonAntonio
    58 mins ago











  • $begingroup$
    In your post, when you are 'differentiating without chain rule', you are differentiating $sin 2x$ with respect to $2x$, rather than with respect to $x$.
    $endgroup$
    – Minus One-Twelfth
    57 mins ago











  • $begingroup$
    @DonAntonio what i meant was derivative. I was just writing that in short. U shoukd be able to understand that as this whole post is about derivative
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    54 mins ago










  • $begingroup$
    @MinusOne-Twelfth whether i am taking with respect to 2x or x, the derivative value isnt the same and thats my confusion. For example derivative of $sin 2x$ where $piover 2$. Differentiating with respect to 2x is -1 & with respect to x is -2. Why?
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    50 mins ago







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @littleO I didnt say it was correct. It is just my confusion of why should it not be like that and should be $2cos x$
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    49 mins ago













  • 1




    $begingroup$
    " Why should $sin 2x;$ be $;2cos 2x$?" No, it isn't: its derivative is. Why? Because that's what we get from theorems or from the definition of derivative as limit. That's all. And yes: of course there is proof of the chain rule: any decent calculus book includes it.
    $endgroup$
    – DonAntonio
    58 mins ago











  • $begingroup$
    In your post, when you are 'differentiating without chain rule', you are differentiating $sin 2x$ with respect to $2x$, rather than with respect to $x$.
    $endgroup$
    – Minus One-Twelfth
    57 mins ago











  • $begingroup$
    @DonAntonio what i meant was derivative. I was just writing that in short. U shoukd be able to understand that as this whole post is about derivative
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    54 mins ago










  • $begingroup$
    @MinusOne-Twelfth whether i am taking with respect to 2x or x, the derivative value isnt the same and thats my confusion. For example derivative of $sin 2x$ where $piover 2$. Differentiating with respect to 2x is -1 & with respect to x is -2. Why?
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    50 mins ago







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @littleO I didnt say it was correct. It is just my confusion of why should it not be like that and should be $2cos x$
    $endgroup$
    – rash
    49 mins ago








1




1




$begingroup$
" Why should $sin 2x;$ be $;2cos 2x$?" No, it isn't: its derivative is. Why? Because that's what we get from theorems or from the definition of derivative as limit. That's all. And yes: of course there is proof of the chain rule: any decent calculus book includes it.
$endgroup$
– DonAntonio
58 mins ago





$begingroup$
" Why should $sin 2x;$ be $;2cos 2x$?" No, it isn't: its derivative is. Why? Because that's what we get from theorems or from the definition of derivative as limit. That's all. And yes: of course there is proof of the chain rule: any decent calculus book includes it.
$endgroup$
– DonAntonio
58 mins ago













$begingroup$
In your post, when you are 'differentiating without chain rule', you are differentiating $sin 2x$ with respect to $2x$, rather than with respect to $x$.
$endgroup$
– Minus One-Twelfth
57 mins ago





$begingroup$
In your post, when you are 'differentiating without chain rule', you are differentiating $sin 2x$ with respect to $2x$, rather than with respect to $x$.
$endgroup$
– Minus One-Twelfth
57 mins ago













$begingroup$
@DonAntonio what i meant was derivative. I was just writing that in short. U shoukd be able to understand that as this whole post is about derivative
$endgroup$
– rash
54 mins ago




$begingroup$
@DonAntonio what i meant was derivative. I was just writing that in short. U shoukd be able to understand that as this whole post is about derivative
$endgroup$
– rash
54 mins ago












$begingroup$
@MinusOne-Twelfth whether i am taking with respect to 2x or x, the derivative value isnt the same and thats my confusion. For example derivative of $sin 2x$ where $piover 2$. Differentiating with respect to 2x is -1 & with respect to x is -2. Why?
$endgroup$
– rash
50 mins ago





$begingroup$
@MinusOne-Twelfth whether i am taking with respect to 2x or x, the derivative value isnt the same and thats my confusion. For example derivative of $sin 2x$ where $piover 2$. Differentiating with respect to 2x is -1 & with respect to x is -2. Why?
$endgroup$
– rash
50 mins ago





1




1




$begingroup$
@littleO I didnt say it was correct. It is just my confusion of why should it not be like that and should be $2cos x$
$endgroup$
– rash
49 mins ago





$begingroup$
@littleO I didnt say it was correct. It is just my confusion of why should it not be like that and should be $2cos x$
$endgroup$
– rash
49 mins ago











3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















2












$begingroup$

This is a good question in my opinion. WHY is the chain rule right?
My quick answer is that you are using the chain rule already without knowing it in the product rule, power rule, ect:
$$
fracddxx^n = nx^n-1cdot fracddxx = nx^n-1
$$

So when you differentiate $sin x$ you are actually doing $cos x cdot x' = cos x$.
For a more detailed answer, lets look at the definition of the derivative.



$$
F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracF(x)-F(y)x-y
$$

so let $F(x) = f(g(x))$ and what do we get?
$$
F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracf(g(x)) - f(g(y))x-y
$$

which we can't evaluate. Let us assume that $g(x) ne g(y)$ when $x$ is 'close' to $y$, then we can multiply the whole thing by 1 to get the product of two derivatives:
$$
F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracf(g(x)) - f(g(y))g(x)-g(y)cdot lim_yrightarrow x fracg(x)-g(y)x-y = f'(g(x))g'(x)
$$

where if we want to be picky we can consider $g(x)=g(y)$ too.



(What follows is quite informal) The chain rule actually says something fundamental about composition. We can think of the function $g(x)$ as 'stretching' or 'shrinking' the domain of $f$. When we differentiate we are differentiating with respect to $f$ under an 'unstretched' domain and must correct for our error by multiplying by the derivative of $g$ which is a measure of how severely the domain was stretched. This is why the power rule ect. do not seem to use the chain rule, the domain is unstretched, so our derivative doesn't need to be corrected at all!



For your example of $sin 2x$ lets think about what is going on, we are essentially squeezing $sin x$ in the $x$ direction. But this will make the slope of the sine function increase in a predictable way, in fact the slope at every point of this squeezed graph is twice as big as the original sine graph, exactly as predicted by the chain rule!



For more complicated $g(x)$ the chain rule measures the rate at which the domain is changing from $x$ at every point to make the derivative correct.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$




















    1












    $begingroup$

    Visually, the derivative is the slope of the tangent line, and the derivative allows us to take a nonlinear function $f$ and approximate it locally with a linear function (that is, a function whose graph is a straight line). In other words, if we know the value of $f(x)$, we can approximate the value of $f$ at a nearby point $x + Delta x$ as follows:
    $$
    tag1 f(x + Delta x) approx f(x) + f'(x) Delta x.
    $$



    Now suppose that $f(x) = g(h(x))$. Then we can approximate $f(x + Delta x)$ by using the above approximation twice, first with $h$ and then with $g$, as follows:
    beginalign
    f(x + Delta x) &= g(h(x + Delta x)) \
    &approx g(h(x) + h'(x) Delta x) \
    &approx g(h(x)) + g'(h(x)) h'(x) Delta x.
    endalign

    Comparing this result with equation (1), we see that
    $$
    f'(x) = g'(h(x)) h'(x).
    $$



    This is not yet a rigorous proof, but it shows how easy it is to discover the chain rule, and this derivation can be made into a rigorous proof without too much additional effort.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$




















      1












      $begingroup$

      When you said that the differentiation of $sin2x$ is $cos2x$, you didn't actually differentiate $sin 2x$ with respect to $x$, you differentiated it with respect to $2x$. Because the differentiation rule is that
      $$ fracddxsin x = cos x$$



      so, only by replacing ALL $x$ in the formula above can you follow the same rule without breaking it, which is
      $$ fracdd(2x)sin 2x = cos 2x$$



      However, the question isn't asking you to find $fracdd(2x) sin 2x$, it is asking you to find $fracddx sin 2x$. See the difference here?



      Since you differentiated the outer function,$f$, with respect to $2x$, you differentiated it with respect to the inner function because $g(x)=2x$.
      So you actually got $fracdfdg=cos 2x$.
      To get from $fracdfdg$ to $fracdfdx$, you just need to multiply by $fracdgdx$ because:
      $$fracdfdgtimesfracdgdx = fracdfdx $$
      after cancelling out the $dg$.
      In this problem, $fracdgdx = fracddx2x = 2$.
      That is why you have to mulitply a $2$ to your $cos 2x$.






      share|cite|improve this answer










      New contributor




      Carina Chen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






      $endgroup$












      • $begingroup$
        Great explanation, but I have to mention that "derive" does not mean "differentiate". The words are not interchangable.
        $endgroup$
        – dbx
        27 mins ago










      • $begingroup$
        @dbx thanks for the catch! I've updated it.
        $endgroup$
        – Carina Chen
        25 mins ago










      Your Answer





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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      2












      $begingroup$

      This is a good question in my opinion. WHY is the chain rule right?
      My quick answer is that you are using the chain rule already without knowing it in the product rule, power rule, ect:
      $$
      fracddxx^n = nx^n-1cdot fracddxx = nx^n-1
      $$

      So when you differentiate $sin x$ you are actually doing $cos x cdot x' = cos x$.
      For a more detailed answer, lets look at the definition of the derivative.



      $$
      F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracF(x)-F(y)x-y
      $$

      so let $F(x) = f(g(x))$ and what do we get?
      $$
      F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracf(g(x)) - f(g(y))x-y
      $$

      which we can't evaluate. Let us assume that $g(x) ne g(y)$ when $x$ is 'close' to $y$, then we can multiply the whole thing by 1 to get the product of two derivatives:
      $$
      F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracf(g(x)) - f(g(y))g(x)-g(y)cdot lim_yrightarrow x fracg(x)-g(y)x-y = f'(g(x))g'(x)
      $$

      where if we want to be picky we can consider $g(x)=g(y)$ too.



      (What follows is quite informal) The chain rule actually says something fundamental about composition. We can think of the function $g(x)$ as 'stretching' or 'shrinking' the domain of $f$. When we differentiate we are differentiating with respect to $f$ under an 'unstretched' domain and must correct for our error by multiplying by the derivative of $g$ which is a measure of how severely the domain was stretched. This is why the power rule ect. do not seem to use the chain rule, the domain is unstretched, so our derivative doesn't need to be corrected at all!



      For your example of $sin 2x$ lets think about what is going on, we are essentially squeezing $sin x$ in the $x$ direction. But this will make the slope of the sine function increase in a predictable way, in fact the slope at every point of this squeezed graph is twice as big as the original sine graph, exactly as predicted by the chain rule!



      For more complicated $g(x)$ the chain rule measures the rate at which the domain is changing from $x$ at every point to make the derivative correct.






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$

















        2












        $begingroup$

        This is a good question in my opinion. WHY is the chain rule right?
        My quick answer is that you are using the chain rule already without knowing it in the product rule, power rule, ect:
        $$
        fracddxx^n = nx^n-1cdot fracddxx = nx^n-1
        $$

        So when you differentiate $sin x$ you are actually doing $cos x cdot x' = cos x$.
        For a more detailed answer, lets look at the definition of the derivative.



        $$
        F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracF(x)-F(y)x-y
        $$

        so let $F(x) = f(g(x))$ and what do we get?
        $$
        F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracf(g(x)) - f(g(y))x-y
        $$

        which we can't evaluate. Let us assume that $g(x) ne g(y)$ when $x$ is 'close' to $y$, then we can multiply the whole thing by 1 to get the product of two derivatives:
        $$
        F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracf(g(x)) - f(g(y))g(x)-g(y)cdot lim_yrightarrow x fracg(x)-g(y)x-y = f'(g(x))g'(x)
        $$

        where if we want to be picky we can consider $g(x)=g(y)$ too.



        (What follows is quite informal) The chain rule actually says something fundamental about composition. We can think of the function $g(x)$ as 'stretching' or 'shrinking' the domain of $f$. When we differentiate we are differentiating with respect to $f$ under an 'unstretched' domain and must correct for our error by multiplying by the derivative of $g$ which is a measure of how severely the domain was stretched. This is why the power rule ect. do not seem to use the chain rule, the domain is unstretched, so our derivative doesn't need to be corrected at all!



        For your example of $sin 2x$ lets think about what is going on, we are essentially squeezing $sin x$ in the $x$ direction. But this will make the slope of the sine function increase in a predictable way, in fact the slope at every point of this squeezed graph is twice as big as the original sine graph, exactly as predicted by the chain rule!



        For more complicated $g(x)$ the chain rule measures the rate at which the domain is changing from $x$ at every point to make the derivative correct.






        share|cite|improve this answer











        $endgroup$















          2












          2








          2





          $begingroup$

          This is a good question in my opinion. WHY is the chain rule right?
          My quick answer is that you are using the chain rule already without knowing it in the product rule, power rule, ect:
          $$
          fracddxx^n = nx^n-1cdot fracddxx = nx^n-1
          $$

          So when you differentiate $sin x$ you are actually doing $cos x cdot x' = cos x$.
          For a more detailed answer, lets look at the definition of the derivative.



          $$
          F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracF(x)-F(y)x-y
          $$

          so let $F(x) = f(g(x))$ and what do we get?
          $$
          F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracf(g(x)) - f(g(y))x-y
          $$

          which we can't evaluate. Let us assume that $g(x) ne g(y)$ when $x$ is 'close' to $y$, then we can multiply the whole thing by 1 to get the product of two derivatives:
          $$
          F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracf(g(x)) - f(g(y))g(x)-g(y)cdot lim_yrightarrow x fracg(x)-g(y)x-y = f'(g(x))g'(x)
          $$

          where if we want to be picky we can consider $g(x)=g(y)$ too.



          (What follows is quite informal) The chain rule actually says something fundamental about composition. We can think of the function $g(x)$ as 'stretching' or 'shrinking' the domain of $f$. When we differentiate we are differentiating with respect to $f$ under an 'unstretched' domain and must correct for our error by multiplying by the derivative of $g$ which is a measure of how severely the domain was stretched. This is why the power rule ect. do not seem to use the chain rule, the domain is unstretched, so our derivative doesn't need to be corrected at all!



          For your example of $sin 2x$ lets think about what is going on, we are essentially squeezing $sin x$ in the $x$ direction. But this will make the slope of the sine function increase in a predictable way, in fact the slope at every point of this squeezed graph is twice as big as the original sine graph, exactly as predicted by the chain rule!



          For more complicated $g(x)$ the chain rule measures the rate at which the domain is changing from $x$ at every point to make the derivative correct.






          share|cite|improve this answer











          $endgroup$



          This is a good question in my opinion. WHY is the chain rule right?
          My quick answer is that you are using the chain rule already without knowing it in the product rule, power rule, ect:
          $$
          fracddxx^n = nx^n-1cdot fracddxx = nx^n-1
          $$

          So when you differentiate $sin x$ you are actually doing $cos x cdot x' = cos x$.
          For a more detailed answer, lets look at the definition of the derivative.



          $$
          F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracF(x)-F(y)x-y
          $$

          so let $F(x) = f(g(x))$ and what do we get?
          $$
          F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracf(g(x)) - f(g(y))x-y
          $$

          which we can't evaluate. Let us assume that $g(x) ne g(y)$ when $x$ is 'close' to $y$, then we can multiply the whole thing by 1 to get the product of two derivatives:
          $$
          F'(x) = lim_yrightarrow xfracf(g(x)) - f(g(y))g(x)-g(y)cdot lim_yrightarrow x fracg(x)-g(y)x-y = f'(g(x))g'(x)
          $$

          where if we want to be picky we can consider $g(x)=g(y)$ too.



          (What follows is quite informal) The chain rule actually says something fundamental about composition. We can think of the function $g(x)$ as 'stretching' or 'shrinking' the domain of $f$. When we differentiate we are differentiating with respect to $f$ under an 'unstretched' domain and must correct for our error by multiplying by the derivative of $g$ which is a measure of how severely the domain was stretched. This is why the power rule ect. do not seem to use the chain rule, the domain is unstretched, so our derivative doesn't need to be corrected at all!



          For your example of $sin 2x$ lets think about what is going on, we are essentially squeezing $sin x$ in the $x$ direction. But this will make the slope of the sine function increase in a predictable way, in fact the slope at every point of this squeezed graph is twice as big as the original sine graph, exactly as predicted by the chain rule!



          For more complicated $g(x)$ the chain rule measures the rate at which the domain is changing from $x$ at every point to make the derivative correct.







          share|cite|improve this answer














          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer








          edited 21 mins ago

























          answered 26 mins ago









          Kyle CKyle C

          564




          564





















              1












              $begingroup$

              Visually, the derivative is the slope of the tangent line, and the derivative allows us to take a nonlinear function $f$ and approximate it locally with a linear function (that is, a function whose graph is a straight line). In other words, if we know the value of $f(x)$, we can approximate the value of $f$ at a nearby point $x + Delta x$ as follows:
              $$
              tag1 f(x + Delta x) approx f(x) + f'(x) Delta x.
              $$



              Now suppose that $f(x) = g(h(x))$. Then we can approximate $f(x + Delta x)$ by using the above approximation twice, first with $h$ and then with $g$, as follows:
              beginalign
              f(x + Delta x) &= g(h(x + Delta x)) \
              &approx g(h(x) + h'(x) Delta x) \
              &approx g(h(x)) + g'(h(x)) h'(x) Delta x.
              endalign

              Comparing this result with equation (1), we see that
              $$
              f'(x) = g'(h(x)) h'(x).
              $$



              This is not yet a rigorous proof, but it shows how easy it is to discover the chain rule, and this derivation can be made into a rigorous proof without too much additional effort.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$

















                1












                $begingroup$

                Visually, the derivative is the slope of the tangent line, and the derivative allows us to take a nonlinear function $f$ and approximate it locally with a linear function (that is, a function whose graph is a straight line). In other words, if we know the value of $f(x)$, we can approximate the value of $f$ at a nearby point $x + Delta x$ as follows:
                $$
                tag1 f(x + Delta x) approx f(x) + f'(x) Delta x.
                $$



                Now suppose that $f(x) = g(h(x))$. Then we can approximate $f(x + Delta x)$ by using the above approximation twice, first with $h$ and then with $g$, as follows:
                beginalign
                f(x + Delta x) &= g(h(x + Delta x)) \
                &approx g(h(x) + h'(x) Delta x) \
                &approx g(h(x)) + g'(h(x)) h'(x) Delta x.
                endalign

                Comparing this result with equation (1), we see that
                $$
                f'(x) = g'(h(x)) h'(x).
                $$



                This is not yet a rigorous proof, but it shows how easy it is to discover the chain rule, and this derivation can be made into a rigorous proof without too much additional effort.






                share|cite|improve this answer









                $endgroup$















                  1












                  1








                  1





                  $begingroup$

                  Visually, the derivative is the slope of the tangent line, and the derivative allows us to take a nonlinear function $f$ and approximate it locally with a linear function (that is, a function whose graph is a straight line). In other words, if we know the value of $f(x)$, we can approximate the value of $f$ at a nearby point $x + Delta x$ as follows:
                  $$
                  tag1 f(x + Delta x) approx f(x) + f'(x) Delta x.
                  $$



                  Now suppose that $f(x) = g(h(x))$. Then we can approximate $f(x + Delta x)$ by using the above approximation twice, first with $h$ and then with $g$, as follows:
                  beginalign
                  f(x + Delta x) &= g(h(x + Delta x)) \
                  &approx g(h(x) + h'(x) Delta x) \
                  &approx g(h(x)) + g'(h(x)) h'(x) Delta x.
                  endalign

                  Comparing this result with equation (1), we see that
                  $$
                  f'(x) = g'(h(x)) h'(x).
                  $$



                  This is not yet a rigorous proof, but it shows how easy it is to discover the chain rule, and this derivation can be made into a rigorous proof without too much additional effort.






                  share|cite|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$



                  Visually, the derivative is the slope of the tangent line, and the derivative allows us to take a nonlinear function $f$ and approximate it locally with a linear function (that is, a function whose graph is a straight line). In other words, if we know the value of $f(x)$, we can approximate the value of $f$ at a nearby point $x + Delta x$ as follows:
                  $$
                  tag1 f(x + Delta x) approx f(x) + f'(x) Delta x.
                  $$



                  Now suppose that $f(x) = g(h(x))$. Then we can approximate $f(x + Delta x)$ by using the above approximation twice, first with $h$ and then with $g$, as follows:
                  beginalign
                  f(x + Delta x) &= g(h(x + Delta x)) \
                  &approx g(h(x) + h'(x) Delta x) \
                  &approx g(h(x)) + g'(h(x)) h'(x) Delta x.
                  endalign

                  Comparing this result with equation (1), we see that
                  $$
                  f'(x) = g'(h(x)) h'(x).
                  $$



                  This is not yet a rigorous proof, but it shows how easy it is to discover the chain rule, and this derivation can be made into a rigorous proof without too much additional effort.







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered 33 mins ago









                  littleOlittleO

                  30k647110




                  30k647110





















                      1












                      $begingroup$

                      When you said that the differentiation of $sin2x$ is $cos2x$, you didn't actually differentiate $sin 2x$ with respect to $x$, you differentiated it with respect to $2x$. Because the differentiation rule is that
                      $$ fracddxsin x = cos x$$



                      so, only by replacing ALL $x$ in the formula above can you follow the same rule without breaking it, which is
                      $$ fracdd(2x)sin 2x = cos 2x$$



                      However, the question isn't asking you to find $fracdd(2x) sin 2x$, it is asking you to find $fracddx sin 2x$. See the difference here?



                      Since you differentiated the outer function,$f$, with respect to $2x$, you differentiated it with respect to the inner function because $g(x)=2x$.
                      So you actually got $fracdfdg=cos 2x$.
                      To get from $fracdfdg$ to $fracdfdx$, you just need to multiply by $fracdgdx$ because:
                      $$fracdfdgtimesfracdgdx = fracdfdx $$
                      after cancelling out the $dg$.
                      In this problem, $fracdgdx = fracddx2x = 2$.
                      That is why you have to mulitply a $2$ to your $cos 2x$.






                      share|cite|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Carina Chen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






                      $endgroup$












                      • $begingroup$
                        Great explanation, but I have to mention that "derive" does not mean "differentiate". The words are not interchangable.
                        $endgroup$
                        – dbx
                        27 mins ago










                      • $begingroup$
                        @dbx thanks for the catch! I've updated it.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Carina Chen
                        25 mins ago















                      1












                      $begingroup$

                      When you said that the differentiation of $sin2x$ is $cos2x$, you didn't actually differentiate $sin 2x$ with respect to $x$, you differentiated it with respect to $2x$. Because the differentiation rule is that
                      $$ fracddxsin x = cos x$$



                      so, only by replacing ALL $x$ in the formula above can you follow the same rule without breaking it, which is
                      $$ fracdd(2x)sin 2x = cos 2x$$



                      However, the question isn't asking you to find $fracdd(2x) sin 2x$, it is asking you to find $fracddx sin 2x$. See the difference here?



                      Since you differentiated the outer function,$f$, with respect to $2x$, you differentiated it with respect to the inner function because $g(x)=2x$.
                      So you actually got $fracdfdg=cos 2x$.
                      To get from $fracdfdg$ to $fracdfdx$, you just need to multiply by $fracdgdx$ because:
                      $$fracdfdgtimesfracdgdx = fracdfdx $$
                      after cancelling out the $dg$.
                      In this problem, $fracdgdx = fracddx2x = 2$.
                      That is why you have to mulitply a $2$ to your $cos 2x$.






                      share|cite|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Carina Chen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






                      $endgroup$












                      • $begingroup$
                        Great explanation, but I have to mention that "derive" does not mean "differentiate". The words are not interchangable.
                        $endgroup$
                        – dbx
                        27 mins ago










                      • $begingroup$
                        @dbx thanks for the catch! I've updated it.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Carina Chen
                        25 mins ago













                      1












                      1








                      1





                      $begingroup$

                      When you said that the differentiation of $sin2x$ is $cos2x$, you didn't actually differentiate $sin 2x$ with respect to $x$, you differentiated it with respect to $2x$. Because the differentiation rule is that
                      $$ fracddxsin x = cos x$$



                      so, only by replacing ALL $x$ in the formula above can you follow the same rule without breaking it, which is
                      $$ fracdd(2x)sin 2x = cos 2x$$



                      However, the question isn't asking you to find $fracdd(2x) sin 2x$, it is asking you to find $fracddx sin 2x$. See the difference here?



                      Since you differentiated the outer function,$f$, with respect to $2x$, you differentiated it with respect to the inner function because $g(x)=2x$.
                      So you actually got $fracdfdg=cos 2x$.
                      To get from $fracdfdg$ to $fracdfdx$, you just need to multiply by $fracdgdx$ because:
                      $$fracdfdgtimesfracdgdx = fracdfdx $$
                      after cancelling out the $dg$.
                      In this problem, $fracdgdx = fracddx2x = 2$.
                      That is why you have to mulitply a $2$ to your $cos 2x$.






                      share|cite|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Carina Chen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






                      $endgroup$



                      When you said that the differentiation of $sin2x$ is $cos2x$, you didn't actually differentiate $sin 2x$ with respect to $x$, you differentiated it with respect to $2x$. Because the differentiation rule is that
                      $$ fracddxsin x = cos x$$



                      so, only by replacing ALL $x$ in the formula above can you follow the same rule without breaking it, which is
                      $$ fracdd(2x)sin 2x = cos 2x$$



                      However, the question isn't asking you to find $fracdd(2x) sin 2x$, it is asking you to find $fracddx sin 2x$. See the difference here?



                      Since you differentiated the outer function,$f$, with respect to $2x$, you differentiated it with respect to the inner function because $g(x)=2x$.
                      So you actually got $fracdfdg=cos 2x$.
                      To get from $fracdfdg$ to $fracdfdx$, you just need to multiply by $fracdgdx$ because:
                      $$fracdfdgtimesfracdgdx = fracdfdx $$
                      after cancelling out the $dg$.
                      In this problem, $fracdgdx = fracddx2x = 2$.
                      That is why you have to mulitply a $2$ to your $cos 2x$.







                      share|cite|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Carina Chen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      share|cite|improve this answer



                      share|cite|improve this answer








                      edited 25 mins ago





















                      New contributor




                      Carina Chen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      answered 32 mins ago









                      Carina ChenCarina Chen

                      113




                      113




                      New contributor




                      Carina Chen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.





                      New contributor





                      Carina Chen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






                      Carina Chen is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.











                      • $begingroup$
                        Great explanation, but I have to mention that "derive" does not mean "differentiate". The words are not interchangable.
                        $endgroup$
                        – dbx
                        27 mins ago










                      • $begingroup$
                        @dbx thanks for the catch! I've updated it.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Carina Chen
                        25 mins ago
















                      • $begingroup$
                        Great explanation, but I have to mention that "derive" does not mean "differentiate". The words are not interchangable.
                        $endgroup$
                        – dbx
                        27 mins ago










                      • $begingroup$
                        @dbx thanks for the catch! I've updated it.
                        $endgroup$
                        – Carina Chen
                        25 mins ago















                      $begingroup$
                      Great explanation, but I have to mention that "derive" does not mean "differentiate". The words are not interchangable.
                      $endgroup$
                      – dbx
                      27 mins ago




                      $begingroup$
                      Great explanation, but I have to mention that "derive" does not mean "differentiate". The words are not interchangable.
                      $endgroup$
                      – dbx
                      27 mins ago












                      $begingroup$
                      @dbx thanks for the catch! I've updated it.
                      $endgroup$
                      – Carina Chen
                      25 mins ago




                      $begingroup$
                      @dbx thanks for the catch! I've updated it.
                      $endgroup$
                      – Carina Chen
                      25 mins ago

















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