Calculus

How to solve

When a function is a product uv, both factors can change, so the derivative accounts for each changing while the other is held: (uv)' = u'v + uv'. Differentiating each factor separately and combining avoids expanding first when that would be messier.

Steps

  1. Identify u and v; compute u' and v'.
  2. Form u'v + uv'.
  3. Expand and combine like terms if helpful.

Example

Differentiate (x²)(3x + 1).

  1. u = x² ⇒ u' = 2x; v = 3x + 1 ⇒ v' = 3.
  2. (uv)' = 2x(3x + 1) + x² · 3 = 6x² + 2x + 3x² = 9x² + 2x.

Answer: 9x^2 + 2x

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