Quotient Rule Made Easier (NancyPi)

MIT grad shows an easy way to use the Quotient Rule to differentiate rational functions and a shortcut to remember the formula. The calculus Quotient Rule derivative rule is one of the derivative rules for differentiation. It's used to take the derivative of a rational function. To skip ahead: 1) For an easy way to remember the Quotient Rule formula, skip to time 0:21. 2) For an example of how to use the Quotient Rule to take the derivative of a fraction or quotient of functions (rational function), skip to 1:41. This video is a basic introduction to the Quotient Rule for taking derivatives in calculus. Nancy formerly of MathBFF explains the steps.

For more help with Quotient Rule derivatives and HOW TO TAKE THE DERIVATIVE of a function using the DERIVATIVE RULES (Power Rule, Product Rule, Quotient Rule), jump to:    • Derivatives... How? (NancyPi)  

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The Quotient Rule (calculus) tells you how to find the derivative of rational functions (a fraction, or one function divided by another function). The formal definition (textbook definition) of the Quotient Rule is often unnecessarily complex and intimidating.

There is a memory trick, or mnemonic, for how to remember the Quotient Rule formula. All you need to remember is the song "LO dee-HI minus HI dee-LO, over LO LO," where "dee" means the "derivative of." "HI" means your top function in the numerator, and "LO" means your bottom function in the denominator.

In other words, multiply the bottom function times the derivative of the top function MINUS the top function times the derivative of the bottom function, then DIVIDED by the bottom function times itself. After you differentiate the function with the Quotient Rule, remember to simplify the expression as much as possible using algebra.

This video is a basic intro to the Quotient Rule. For more of my calculus math videos and examples of taking derivatives, differentiation rules like the chain rule, differential calculus, basic calculus, integral calculus, common derivatives, and calculus problems (including Calculus 1, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and Calculus 2), as well as precalculus and algebra math help, check out: http://nancypi.com