Derivative Patterns

Read this section to learn about patterns of derivatives. Work through practice problems 1-8.

Polynomials are very useful, but they are not the only functions we need. This section uses the ideas of the two previous sections to develop techniques for differentiating powers of functions, and to determine the derivatives of some particular functions which occur often in applications, the trigonometric and exponential functions. 

As you focus on learning how to differentiate different types and combinations of functions, it is important to remember what derivatives are and what they measure. Calculators and personal computers are available to calculate derivatives. Part of your job as a professional will be to decide which functions need to be differentiated and how to use the resulting derivatives. You can succeed at that only if you understand what a derivative is and what it measures. 



Source: Dale Hoffman, https://s3.amazonaws.com/saylordotorg-resources/wwwresources/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/MA005-3.4-More-Differentiation-Problems.pdf
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