Expert: Paul Klarreich - 12/7/2007

Question
What is chain and power rule? and how can I memorize this easily? Is there a verbal words that can be memorized easily?


Answer
Questioner:   Abigail
Category:  Calculus
Private:  No
 
Subject:  What is chain and power rule?
Question:  What is chain and power rule? and how can I memorize this easily? Is there a verbal words that can be memorized easily?
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Hi, Abigail,

I suggest:

Chain rule: Learn it in this form:

dy   dy du
-- = -- --
dx   du dx

Power rule:

D(x^n) = n x^(n-1) << exponent goes DOWN.

This is easier than remembering a long rule.  As to memorizing them, the best thing is to do  number of examples -- a LARGE number.  (You thought calculus would be simple?)