It is possible to use the definition of the derivative to determine the derivative of a function. However, this is quite cumbersome. In Power functions and Exponential and logarithmic functions we discussed several elementary functions. Below we provide the derivative each of these elementary functions.
y(x)y′(x)(1)c0(2)xkkxk−1(3)ax(a>0)axln(a)(4)exex(5)alog(x)(a>0,a≠1)1xln(a)(6)ln(x)1x
Remark: Note that the derivatives of the functions y(x)=ex and y(x)=ln(x) follow directly from the derivatives of the exponential and logarithmic functions, respectively.
y(x)y′(x)(1)c0(2)xkkxk−1(3)ax(a>0)axln(a)(4)exex(5)alog(x)(a>0,a≠1)1xln(a)(6)ln(x)1x
Remark: Note that the derivatives of the functions y(x)=ex and y(x)=ln(x) follow directly from the derivatives of the exponential and logarithmic functions, respectively.