chain rule

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. the theorem that defines the method for taking the derivative of a composite function.

---

chain rule British  

noun

1. maths a theorem that may be used in the differentiation of the function of a function. It states that d u /d x = (d u /d y )(d y /d x ), where y is a function of x and u a function of y

---

Etymology

Origin of chain rule

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chain rule

This notation for the chain rule is used heavily in physics applications.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

There is an important difference between these two chain rule theorems.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

Use differentiation, applying the chain rule as necessary, to find an equation that relates the rates.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

In particular, the constant multiple rule, the sum and difference rules, the product rule, and the chain rule all extend to vector-valued functions.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016

The chain rule for functions of more than one variable involves the partial derivatives with respect to all the independent variables.

From Textbooks ● Mar. 30, 2016