The sum and difference rules are most efficient when dealing with functions that are simple additions or subtractions of other functions, such as those that can be expressed as f(x) + g(x) or f(x) - g(x). They are preferred for their simplicity and straightforward application, as the derivative of each function involved can be computed separately and combined (i.e., f'(x) + g'(x) or f'(x) - g'(x)), avoiding the need for more complex rules like the product or chain rules unless the terms themselves are products or compositions .

The quotient rule is essential for differentiating rational functions, which are of the form u/v, where u and v are functions of x. For g(x) = (x^2 + 1)/(x - 1), the quotient rule states d/dx[u/v] = (u'v - uv') / v². Applying it here, u = x² + 1 and u' = 2x, v = x - 1 and v' = 1; so g'(x) = ((2x)(x - 1) - (x² + 1)(1)) / (x - 1)² = (2x² - 2x - x² - 1) / (x - 1)² = (x² - 2x - 1) / (x - 1)². This rule avoids messy algebraic manipulation and directly applies a systematic approach to finding derivatives .

To differentiate f(g(x)) = √(cos(x)), we use the chain rule: d/dx[f(g(x))] = f'(g(x)) * g'(x). First, let f(x) = √x, which implies f'(x) = 1/(2√x). Then, g(x) = cos(x) with g'(x) = -sin(x). Applying the chain rule gives the derivative as f'(g(x)) = 1/(2√(cos(x))) and g'(x) = -sin(x). Thus, the derivative is (-sin(x))/(2√(cos(x))).

To apply the product rule, which states that d/dx[u * v] = u'v + uv', we let u = x², with u' = 2x, and v = sin(x), with v' = cos(x). Using the product rule, f'(x) = (2x)sin(x) + x²cos(x) = 2xsin(x) + x²cos(x).

The derivative of a^x with respect to x is found using the expression a^x * ln(a). This is because a^x can be expressed as e^(xlna), by the property of exponents transforming it into a natural exponent. Differentiating e^(xlna) with respect to x gives lna * e^(xlna), i.e., the same expression in terms of a. Thus, the derivative a^x * ln(a) reflects the exponential nature and the factor ln(a) arises from the constant 'a', determining how the exponential base 'a' affects the rate of growth .

The derivative of ln(x) is 1/x because the natural logarithm function ln(x) is the inverse of the exponential function e^x. The property that links ln(x) and x is that the rate of growth of ln(x) decreases as x increases, reflecting that logarithmic growth becomes slower with larger x. The formula 1/x arises from the relationship of ln(x) to its inverse e^x, ensuring that the change in ln(x) with respect to x is proportional to the reciprocal of x .

To find the derivative of h(x) = sin(2x), we apply the chain rule, which states that d/dx[f(g(x))] = f'(g(x)) * g'(x). Here, f(u) = sin(u) with f'(u) = cos(u), and g(x) = 2x with g'(x) = 2. Applying the chain rule, we get h'(x) = cos(2x) * 2 = 2cos(2x).

Differentiating e^x results directly in e^x because its rate of change equals the function itself, reflecting its base as Euler's constant. For (e^x)^2, using the chain rule entails differentiating the outer and inner functions: let u = e^x, making (e^x)^2 = u². The derivative becomes 2u * du/dx = 2e^x * e^x = 2e^(2x). For a^x, the expression becomes a^x * ln(a) highlighting how differentiation of non-e bases introduces an additional logarithmic term reflecting the base's influence on the function's growth rate. Each introduces unique transformations based on exponential parts’ differentiated interactions .

The derivative of arcsec(x) is -1 / (|x|√(x² - 1)) because sec(x) is only defined for x ≥ 1 or x ≤ -1. The absolute value |x| ensures the expression covers both domains while maintaining positivity, which is critical for the square root's validity. This accounts for the symmetry and continuity needed in real analysis and the domain's constraints imposed on arcsec(x).

The derivative of arctan(x) is 1/(1 + x²), which coincides with the form of the reciprocal squared function often found in trigonometric contexts. This stems from the geometric properties of the unit circle and the fact that arctan(x) relates to the slope of the angle in radians, where the addition of 1 in the denominator corresponds to the Pythagorean identity for tangent and secant, resulting in the derivative being cleverly symmetrical with its basic trigonometric relation, tan²x + 1 = sec²x .