Type of Form of function Graph Rule Interpretatio

function n
y = constant y=C Horizontal dy/dx = 0 Slope = 0;
line
y = linear y = ax + b Straight dy/dx = a Slope =
function line coefficient on
x
y= y = axn + b Nonlinear, dy/dx = anxn-1 Derivative is a
polynomial of one or function,
order 2 or more actual slope
higher turning depends upon
points location (i.e.
value of x)
y = sums or y = f(x) + g(x) Nonlinear dy/dx = f'(x) + g'(x). Take
differences of derivative of
2 functions each term
separately,
then combine.
y = product y = [ f(x) g(x) ] Typically dy/dx = f'g + g'f. Start by
of two nonlinear identifying
functions, f, g, f', g'

y = quotient y = f ( x) / g ( x) Typically dy/dx = (f'g - g'f) / g2. Start by

or ratio of nonlinear identifying
two functions f, g, f', g', and
g2
y=generalize Nonlinear identify g(x)
d power
function
y=composite Nonlinear y is a function
function/ of u, and u is a
function of x.
chain rule
y=natural log Natural log Special case of
function chain rule

y=exponentia Exponentia Special case of

l function l chain rule