Quotient Rule Tutorial
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Stephen KirkupQuotient Rule Tutorial
Uploaded by
Stephen KirkupTutorial: The Quotient Rule in Differentiation
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1. When Do We Use the Quotient Rule?
The quotient rule is used when a function is written as one function divided by another.
Examples include:
x2 ex ln x
, ,
sin x x x2 + 1
It is incorrect to differentiate the numerator and denominator separately.
2. The Quotient Rule Formula
If
u(x)
y= , v(x) ̸= 0
v(x)
then
dy v du − u dv
= dx 2 dx
dx v
This is often remembered as:
Bottom times derivative of top minus top times derivative of bottom, all over
bottom squared.
3. Worked Examples
Example 1
Differentiate:
x2
y=
x+1
Let:
du
u = x2 ⇒ = 2x
dx
dv
v =x+1⇒ =1
dx
1
Applying the quotient rule:
dy (x + 1)(2x) − x2
=
dx (x + 1)2
x2 + 2x
(x + 1)2
Example 2
Differentiate:
ex
y=
x
Let:
du
u = ex ⇒ = ex
dx
dv
v=x⇒ =1
dx
dy xex − ex ex (x − 1)
= =
dx x2 x2
Example 3: Quotient Rule with Chain Rule
Differentiate:
sin(3x)
y=
x2
Let:
u = sin(3x), v = x2
du dv
= 3 cos(3x), = 2x
dx dx
dy x2 · 3 cos(3x) − sin(3x) · 2x
=
dx x4
4. Common Mistakes
Forgetting the minus sign
Squaring the wrong part of the denominator
Mixing up numerator and denominator
Incorrect:
d x
=1
dx x+1
Correct:
1
(x + 1)2
2
5. When Not to Use the Quotient Rule
If the expression can be simplified first, it is often easier to do so.
Example:
x2
y= =x
x
dy
=1
dx
6. Practice Exercises
Differentiate the following:
x
1.
x2 +1
ln x
2.
x
e2x
3.
x3
cos x
4.
x
x2 + 1
5.
sin x
7. Key Takeaway
If a function is a quotient of two functions of x, apply the quotient rule:
vu′ − uv ′
v2