How Do You Determine When to Use the Chain Rule or Product Rule in Calculus?

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on the confusion surrounding the application of the product rule and chain rule in calculus. Users express difficulty in recognizing when to apply each rule, especially in problems that require both. The product rule is used when differentiating products of functions, while the chain rule is applied for composite functions. An example problem illustrates the complexity of using both rules simultaneously. Understanding the context and structure of the functions involved is crucial for determining the appropriate rule to use.
duki
Messages
264
Reaction score
0
I have a question more than a problem to answer.
I'm having a difficult time recognizing when to use the product rule and when to use the chain rule.

How do you recognize when to use each, especially when you have to use both in the same problem. Problems like y+x^4y^3-5x^6+3y^8-42=0 tend to mix me up.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Product rule: x times y \frac{d}{dx}(xy)=xy'+y

Chain rule: 2x+2 raised to the power of 2 \frac{d}{dx}(2x+2)^2=2(2x+2)\cdot2
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K