freeCodeCamp/guide/english/mathematics/derivative/index.md

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Derivative

Derivative

Definition : The derivative of function f(x) with respect to x, represented by f'(x) is defined as:
Limit formula for derivative

where h is a infinitely small change in the value of input, represented by the limit function (h is approaching to zero)

In the above formula, we notice that derivative is just the slope of a tangent of a graph of x at any input value.

Important property of function and it's derivative:
A function f(x) is differentiable at x = a, if and only if, the function is continuous at f(x=a).
Conversely, if a derivative of a function exists at a point a, then the function must be continous at f(x=a).

Properties of Derivatives

  1. Linearity
    Suppose f(x) and g(x) are differentiable functions and a and b are real numbers. Then the function
    Input funtion
    is differentiable as
    Output Derivative

  2. Product Rule
    For a given function h(x) = f(x) * g(x), we can apply the product rule to find the derivative of function h(x) as
    Product Rule
    Please see link in More information (Properties of Derivative) for proof of this property

  3. Quotient Rule
    The quotient rule gives the derivative of one function divided by another. Let h(x) = f(x) / g(x) (where g(x) cannot be zero) then the derivative of h(x) can be found using the following:
    Quotient Rule
    Please see link in More information (Properties of Derivative) for proof of this property

  4. Chain Rule
    The chain rule is used in the case of a function of a function, also known as a composite function or as a composition of functions. Input composite function representation:
    Composite function
    Then the output derivative can be found using the following rule:
    Chain Rule
    Please see link in More information (Properties of Derivative) for proof of this property

More Information:

http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/DerivativeIntro.aspx http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/DefnOfDerivative.aspx Properies of derivatives (proofs included) : http://www.hyper-ad.com/tutoring/math/calculus/Properties_of_Derivatives.html

Note : Images taken from http://www.hyper-ad.com/ and http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/