How do I differentiate something in the form f(x)/g(x)?

To differentiate the quotient of two functions f(x)/g(x) you can use the quotient rule, the formula of which is: (f'(x)*g(x)-f(x)*g'(x))/g2(x)

it is important to remember which part you have to differentiate first: let's pick our f(x)/g(x) again

the trick I used was thinking that in the derivative the denominator has to be squared (g2(x)), so it gets "tired". Therefore, in the first part of our numerator, f(x) will be derived while g(x) rests and remains the same, and to that we will subtract f(x) multiplied by the derivative of g(x)

RP
Answered by Riccardo P. Maths tutor

9085 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Using logarithms solve 8^(2x+1) = 24 (to 3dp)


y = 4x^3 - 5/x^2 find dy/dx


Given that y =2x^3 + 3/(x^2), find a) dy/dx and b) the integral of y


How do I find the co-ordinates of a stationary point of a given line and determine whether it is a minimum or a maximum point?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning