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"Knowing the algorithm of this calculus, which I call differential calculus, we can find the maxima and minima as well as tangents without the necessity of removing fractions, irrational, and other restrictions, as had to be done according to the methods that have been published hithero."

 


Purpose
  • To prove and explain these differntiation rules: the Constant Rule, the Power Rule, the Scalar Rule, and the Sum Rule.


Up to this point we have found derivatives by the limit difinition of the derivative. This procedure is rather tedious even for simple functions, and fortunantly they are rules that greatly simplify the differentiation process. These rules permit us to calculate the derivative without the direct use of the limits. We now derive some of these rules, and in each case we assume that the derivative of the given function exits.


Constant Rule
                              The derivative of a constant is zero.

                                                           



Proof
          Let ƒ(x)=c; then by the limit definition

                                          
                                                                        


Power Rule
                                        
                                                      where n is any real number



Proof
           Although the power rule I strue for any real number n, the binomial expansion applies only when n is
positive integer. Thus for the time being, we give a proof for the case when n is a positive integer.

                                       
Now applying the binomial expansion rule, we obtain

                                           


Scalar Multiple Rule
                                        
                                                      where c is a constant



Proof
           Applying the limit definition,

                                       
                                           


Sum Rule
                              The derivative of the sum of functions is the sum of their derivatives.

                                                           



Proof
          Let F(x)=ƒ(x)+g(x). Then by the derivative of F is