How to Find Derivatives (Differentiation Basics)
Differentiation finds the rate of change of a function. The workhorse is the power rule: d/dx[xⁿ] = n·xⁿ⁻¹.
Step 1: Split into terms
For x³ + 2x, handle x³ and 2x separately, then add the results.
Step 2: Apply the power rule to each term
d/dx[x³] = 3x² and d/dx[2x] = 2.
Step 3: Combine
3x² + 2. That's the derivative.
Try it yourself
Enter any expression below — the solver shows each term's differentiation.