Question

Assume the derivatives of \(f\) and \(g\) exist. How do you find the derivative of the sum of two functions \(f+g ?\)

Short answer

Answer: The derivative of the sum of two functions, f and g, is equal to the sum of their individual derivatives: (f+g)'(x) = f'(x) + g'(x).

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Sum Rule for derivatives

The Sum Rule states that the derivative of the sum of two functions is the sum of the derivatives of the individual functions: \((f+g)'(x) = f'(x) + g'(x)\).

Apply the Sum Rule to the given functions

Since \(f'(x)\) and \(g'(x)\) exist, we can apply the Sum Rule to the sum of functions \(f+g\) as follows: \((f+g)'(x) = f'(x) + g'(x)\).

State the derivative of the sum

The derivative of the sum of two functions \(f+g\) is equal to the sum of their individual derivatives: \((f+g)'(x) = f'(x) + g'(x)\). This is the final answer.

Key concepts

Exploring the Sum Rule

The Sum Rule is a fundamental theorem in calculus that simplifies the process of finding derivatives when dealing with sums of functions. In essence, if you have two functions, say \(f(x)\) and \(g(x)\), and you want to find the derivative of their sum \(f(x) + g(x)\), the Sum Rule allows you to take the derivative of each function individually and then add them together.
Understanding the Sum Rule is crucial as it makes calculating derivatives straightforward:

• It simplifies complex problems by breaking them into smaller, manageable parts.
• It helps in ensuring consistency and accuracy when solving derivative problems.

The mathematical expression for the Sum Rule is \((f + g)'(x) = f'(x) + g'(x)\). This means that you just differentiate \(f(x)\) and \(g(x)\), then add the results. This step-by-step approach is efficient, especially when dealing with multiple functions.

Understanding Functions

Functions are the building blocks of calculus and play a crucial role in mathematical analysis. A function, in simple terms, is a relation that associates each element of a set with exactly one element of another set. In calculus, functions often describe how one quantity changes in relation to another.
There are several types of functions you might encounter:

• Linear Functions: Represented as \(f(x) = mx + b\), where \(m\) is the slope and \(b\) is the y-intercept.
• Quadratic Functions: Take the form \(f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c\), creating a parabolic graph.
• Exponential Functions: Have the form \(f(x) = a^x\), showcasing rapid growth or decay.
• Trigonometric Functions: Involve sine, cosine, and tangent, relating to periodic phenomena.

Knowing how to differentiate between these types and their characteristics is important because they dictate the strategy for finding derivatives. Functions tell us the relationship between variables and are essential when modeling real-world scenarios.

Basics of Calculus

Calculus is a branch of mathematics that studies continuous change. It is divided into differential calculus and integral calculus. Differential calculus focuses on the concept of a derivative, which represents how a function changes as its input changes. This is particularly useful when you want to understand the rate of change or the slope of a function at any given point.
Calculus is employed in various fields such as physics, engineering, economics, and more because it provides tools to model and analyze dynamic systems. Some of the key features of calculus include:

• Derivatives: Measure the sensitivity to change of the function value with respect to a change in its argument.
• Integrals: Quantify the accumulated quantity, such as area under a curve.
• Limits: Used to define the derivative and integral, encapsulating the idea of approximation.

Having a good grasp of calculus can help you delve into more complex problems, discover trends, and predict future outcomes. Through calculus, you gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and the mathematical patterns that describe it.