BASIC CALCULUS

Name of the Learner: Grade level:

Section: Date:

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

CHAIN RULE

Background Information for learners

Chain Rule a mathematical rule concerning the differentiation of a function of a function
(such as f [u(x)]) by which under suitable conditions of continuity and differentiability one
function is differentiated with respect to the second function considered as an independent
variable and then the second function is differentiated with respect to its independent
variable

Let’s have an example

f ( x) = (3x + 5) 8 outside function

Inside function

This function has an “inside function” and an “outside function “the outside function is the
exponent of 8 and the inside function is the stuff that we’re raising to the 8.

Derivative of
outside function
The derivative is then,
function

Derivative of
f ( x) = 8(3x + 5) 7 (3) inside function

function

Inside function
left alone

Procedure to solve chain rule

1. Identify the “inside function” and the “outside function”.
2. Differentiate the outside function leaving the inside function.
3. Multiply all of this by the derivative of the inside function.

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 The General form

f ' ( x) = f' (g (x)) g ' ( x)

Derivative of Inside function Derivative of
outside function left alone inside function

function function

Another examples,

(a). f ( x) = cos(5x 2 +3x − 2)

It looks like the outside function is the cos and the inside function is 5x 2 + 3x − 2 . the
derivative then.

f ' ( x) = − sin (5x 2

+ 3x − 2) (10 x + 3)
Derivative of Inside function Derivative of
outside function left alone inside function

function function
3m − 2
(b). f (m) = e

In this case we need to be a little careful. Recall that the outside function is the last
operation that we would be perform in an evaluation. In this case if we were to evaluate this
function the last operation would be the exponential. Therefore, the outside function is the
exponential function and the inside function is its exponent.

f ' (m) = e 3m−2 (3) or f ' (m) = 3e 3m−2

Remember, we leave the inside function when we differentiate the outside function. So,
the derivative of the exponential function (with the inside left alone) is just the original
function.

(c). f ( x) = ln(3x −2 + 4 x 3 )

Here the outside function is the natural logarithm and the inside function is stuff on the
inside of the logarithm.

− 6 x −3 + 12 x 2
f ' ( x) = −2
1
3x + 4 x 3
(
− 6 x −3 + 12 x 2 ) or f ' ( x) =
3x −2 + 4 x 3

Again, remember to leave the inside function along when differentiating the outside
function. So, upon differentiating the logarithm we end up not with 1/x but instead with 1/
(inside function).

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Learning Competencies
The students are able illustrate the Chain Rule of differentiation (STEM_BC11LC-IIIh-2)

ACTIVITY 1.
Directions. Determine whether the function is Composite Function or NOT. Write YES, it is
a Composite Function and NO if it’s NOT on the blank provided. 1 point each

1. f (t ) = t 60 6. f ( x) = tan(x)

2. f (m) = −5m − 3 7. f ( x) = e x

1
−2
3. f (r ) = (r + 3) 8. f ( z ) = 2 z 2

4. f ( x) = ln x 9. f ( x) = ln 3x

5. f (m) = m 10. f (n) = 2e 3n−2

ACTIVITY 2.
Directions. Differentiate each function with respect to x . 1 point each

1. y = (3x + 2) 9 4. f ( x) = 5 x 5 + 9

2. f ( x) = (− x 3 − x ) −5 5. y = 3 4 x 2 − x + 4

1
−2
3. y = ( x − 2 x
3
+ x) 3
6. f ( x) = 4 x 2 + 4 x − 7

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ACTIVITY 3.
Directions. Differentiate each function with respect to x . 1 point each

1. y = ln(3x 2 + 4 x − 10) 6. f ( x) = tan(cos x 2 )

−5
7. y = 2e 4 x
2
2. f ( x) = ln(3x 2 + 5) 2

1 2 x+7
3. y = sin(5x 4 + 5) 8. f ( x) = e
4

4. y = (− 10 x 4 + sin( 2 x) ) 9. y = (3 x 2 − cos( x 3 ) )
20 −4

5. y = sin 3 (3x) + sin( x 5 ) 10. f ( x) = cot (sin 2 x )

4 3

Reflection: (The learner writes how he/she feels about the activity.)

References for learners:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20rule
https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/classes/calci/chainrule.aspx

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 Answer key:
Activity 1
9. NO 6. NO
10. NO 7. NO
11. YES 8.YES
12. NO 9. YES
13. NO 10. YES

Activity 2

1. y ' = 9(3 x + 2) 8 (3)or 27 (3 x + 2 )

8

−6
 3   1 − 
 − 3x 2 − x 2  or f ' ( x) = 30 x x + 5 6
1 1 2
2. f ' ( x) = −5 − x − x 2 

 

 2 
 2 x x3 + x ( )
3x − 1
( ) (3x )
2
1 3 −
3. f ' ( x) = x − 2x 2 + x 3 2
− 4 x + 1 or f ' ( x) =
3 33 x 3 − x 2

( ) (25x )or 25 x 4
1
1 −
4. f ' ( x) = 5x 5 + 9 2 4
f ' ( x) =
2 2 5x 5 + 9

( ) (8x − 1) or f ' ( x) = 5x − 1
2
1 −
5. f ' ( x) = 4x 2 − x + 4 3
3 (
33 4 x 2 − x + 4 )
2

4x + 2
( ) (8x + 4) or
1
1 −
6. f ' ( x) = 4 x 2 + 4 x − 7 2 f ' ( x) =
2 4x 2 + 4x − 7

Activity 3

3. f ' ( x) =
1
(6 x + 4)or 2 6 x + 4
3x + 4 x − 10
2
3x + 4 x − 10

4. f ' ( x) = 2
1
3x + 5
( ) 12 x
6 x 2 or 2
2
3x + 5
( )( )
5. f ' ( x) = cos 5x 4 + 5 20x 3

(
6. f ' ( x) = sec 2 cos x 2 )(20x ) − sin (x )(2x)
3 2

7. f ' ( x) = 16xe4 x−5

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 1 2 x+7
8. f ' ( x) = e
2

9. f ' ( x) = 40 (− 10 x 4 + sin( 2 x) ) (− 40 x 3 + cos( 2 x) )

19

(
10. f ' ( x) = −4 3x 2 − cos( x 3 ) ) (6 x − (− sin( x
−5 3
)
)(3x 2 )) or −
(24 x + 12 x )sin( x
2 3
)
(3x − cos(x ))
2 3 5

11. f ' ( x) = (9 sin(3 x) ) cos(3 x ) + 5 x 4 cos(x 5 )

2

12. f ' ( x) = −24 x 2 cos(2 x 3 )csc 2 (sin x 3 )(cot (sin 2 x 3 ))

3

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 BASIC CALCULUS
Name of Learner:________________________________ Grade Level:__________
Section:____________________ Date:________________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

SOLVE PROBLEMS USING THE CHAIN RULE

Background Information for Learners

Previously, we have learned how Chain Rule works and when it is needed. Remember
that it is used to solve the derivative of a composite of two functions. We say that if f and g
are both differentiable functions, then the composite function f ○ g is the function whose
values f[g(x)] are found for each x in the domain of f for which g(x) is in the domain of f. This
means that the composite function f ○ g can be differentiated at x if the function g can be
differentiated at x and the function f can be differentiated at g(x). It is expressed by: (f ○ g)’ =
(f’ ○ g)∙ g’. Similarly, we say that y is a differentiable function of x if y is a differentiable
function of u defined by y = f(u) and u is a differentiable function of x defined by u = g(x).
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢
So, with respect to x, the derivative of y can be written using the formula: 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑢 ∙ 𝑑𝑥 .
To simplify,
𝑑𝑦
= (derivative of OUTSIDE function, maintaining inside function only) ∙ (derivative of
𝑑𝑥
INSIDE function). Here’s a short recall! Consider these examples:

1. f(x) = (2x2+3)3 2. g(x) = √2𝑥 + 5

𝑑 𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
[f(x)] = 𝑑𝑥[(2x2+3)3] [g(x)] = 𝑑𝑥 [√2𝑥 + 5]
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 1
= 3(2x2+3)2 ∙ 𝑑𝑥 [2x2+3] 1 𝑑
= 2 (2𝑥 + 5)2−1 ∙ 𝑑𝑥 [2x + 5]
𝑑 𝑑
𝑑 𝑑 2∙ [𝑥]+ [5]
= 3(2x2+3)2 (2∙ [x2] + [3]) = 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2√2𝑥+5
2 ∙1+0
= 3(2x2+3)2 (2∙2x+0) =2
√2𝑥+5
1
= 12x (2x2+3)2 =2
√2𝑥+5

Learning Competency
Solve Problems using the Chain Rule (STEM_BC11LC-IIIh-i-1)

Directions:
𝑑𝑦
Activity 1. Study the given example below and solve the following problems by finding 𝑑𝑥
using Chain Rule. Express your answer in terms of x.

Example: y=√𝑥 4 + 5 ; let u = (𝑥 4 + 5) and y= √𝑢

We solve the derivatives of both formulas:
y= √𝑢 u = (𝑥 4 + 5)
𝑑𝑦 1 𝑑𝑢
= = 4𝑥 3
𝑑𝑢 2 𝑢
√ 𝑑𝑥

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and then find their product:
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑢 1
= ∙ = ∙ 4𝑥 3
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥 2√𝑢
𝑑𝑦
Finally, we can plug in the formula for u to express in terms of x:
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 1
= ∙ 4𝑥 3 ▪
𝑑𝑥 2√(𝑥 4 +5)

Now, it’s your turn!

1. y =(x2+5x)3 ; let u = (x2 + 5x) and y = (u)3

2. y =√5𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 − 2 ; let u = (5x3 + 4x -2) and y = √𝑢

3. y = 3 cos(4x+3) ; let u = (4x+3) and y = 3 cos (u)

1 1
4. y = (𝑥 2 + 𝑥)3 ; let u =𝑥 2 + and y = u3
𝑥

5. y = sin 2x ; let u =2x and y =sin u

Activity 2. Using Chain Rule, find the tangent line to following functions at a given point.
Show your complete solution. Follow the steps to find the correct answer:
1. Solve the derivative of the given function.
2. At the point in the problem, evaluate the given function to find the y coordinate of the
tangent point.
3. To find the slope at x, evaluate the derivative of the function by plugging the x value.
4. To write down the equation of the tangent line, use the form y-y1= m (x-x1).

Take a look at this example:

Find the tangent line to h(x) = x3 at x=4.
Step 1.
h(x) = x3
h’(x) = 3x2

Step 2.
h(4) = (4)3 = 64 (y coordinate)

Step 3.
h’(4) = 3 (4)2 = (3)(16) = 48 (slope)

Step 4.
Use the point (4, 64) and slope (m) = 48 in the point-slope formula for a line.
y-y1= m (x-x1)
y – 64 = 48 (x – 4)
y – 64 = 48x – 192
y = 48x – 128

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Therefore, the line y = 48x – 128 is tangent to h(x) = x3 at x=4.

Now, it’s your turn!

(a.) f(z) = 6√3𝑧 – 2𝑒 3−𝑧 at z = 3

(b.) g(x) = (x3 + 3)2 at x = -1

(c.) h(x) = cos(2x) at x= 2

(d.) f(x) = ln (4x + 1) at x = 0

Activity 3. Solve the derivative of the following problems using Chain Rule and simplify the
result. Show your complete solution.
G. g(x) = (4x3-10x)5 H. V(y) = ln (3y5 – 6 + y4)

4
E. y = √8 + 16𝑧 O. H(k) = tan (3k)

S. f(x) = 2x5 + sin (x3 – 4) C. V(x) = 3cos (2x + tan (3x))

2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(4𝑥)
T. S(t) = 2𝑒 3𝑡−𝑡 − 6 D. y = 2−𝑡 3

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Activity 4. From your answers in Activity 3, reveal how Chain Rule relates to your life
through the hidden message using the letters that represent the problems. Write the letter that
represents the problem below the correct answer.

V’(x) = (-9sec2(3x)-6) V’(y) = H’(k)= H’(k)= f’(x) = y’ =

sin (tan(3x)+2x) 𝑦 3 (15𝑦+4) 3sec2(3k) 3sec2(3k) 2 3
3x cos(x -4)+10x 4 4
3
3𝑦 5 +𝑦4 −6 (16𝑧+ 8)4

S’(t) = H’(k)=
2
-(4t-6)𝑒 3𝑡−𝑡 3sec2(3k)

y’ =
4cos (4𝑥) H’(k)=
2−𝑡 3 3sec2(3k)

g’(x) = H’(k)= 3sec2(3k) H’(k)= 3sec2(3k) y’ =

4cos (4𝑥)

5(12x2-10) (4x3-10x) 2−𝑡 3

MESSAGE: “___________________________________________________________.”

Reflection

What have you learned from this topic?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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References
Books: Balmaceda, J.M., Arceo, C.P., Lemence, R., Ortega, O., & Vallejo, L.J. (2016). Basic
Calculus: Teaching Guide for Senior High School. EC-TEC Commercial.
Larson, R.E. and Hostetler, R.P. (1994). Calculus: With Analytical Geometry (5 th ed.).
Lexington, KY: D.C. Health and Co.

Internet: Dawkins, P. (2016). Calculus I-Paul’s Online Math Notes. Pdfdrive.

https://www.pdfdrive.com/calculus-i-pauls -online-math-notes-d10909841.html

Answer Key

Activity 1
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 1 1
1. = 3(x2+5x)2 (2x+5) 4. = 2 (𝑥 2 + )2 (2𝑥 − )
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥 𝑥2

𝑑𝑦 5(3𝑥2 +4) 𝑑𝑦
2. 𝑑𝑥= 5. 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝑥
2√5𝑥3 +4𝑥−2

𝑑𝑦
3. = −12 sin(4𝑥 + 3)
𝑑𝑥

Activity 2
a. y = 9x – 11 b. y = 2 (6x + 7)

c. y = -2x sin(4) +4 sin(4) + cos(4) d. y =4x

Activity 3
𝑦 3 (15𝑦+4)
G. g’(x) = 5(12x2-10) (4x3-10x) H. V’(y) = 3𝑦5 +𝑦4 −6

4
E. y’ = 3 O. H’(k) = 3sec2(3k)
(16𝑧+ 8)4

S. f’(x) = 3x2cos(x3-4)+10x4 C. V’(x) = (-9sec2(3x)-6)sin (tan(3x)+2x)

2 4cos (4𝑥)
T. S’(t) = -(4t-6)𝑒 3𝑡−𝑡 D. y’ = 2−𝑡 3

Activity 4
MESSAGE: “CHOOSE TO DO GOOD.”

110