Question

How do you use the chain rule to differentiate `y=(x+1)^(1/2)`?

Answer 1

`dy/dx = (1/2)(x+1)^(-1/2)`

Explanation:

First, we need to use the power rule to take the derivative of outside.

`dy/dx = (1/2)(x+1)^(-1/2)`

Chain rule basically tells you to take the derivative of inside of the function. In this case, the derivative of (x+1) is just 1, which wouldn't make any changes to previous derivative.

`dy/dx = (1/2)(x+1)^(-1/2)*1`