Derivative of the division of two functions

We now introduce the rule for the division. Try to derive a general formula from the examples you see in the following table:

f(x) f(x)
x1x (1)x(x1)1x2=1x2
x3x2 3x2(x2)x31(x2)2
xx+2 1(x+2)x1(x+2)2
3x52x+1 15x5(2x+1)3x5(2)(2x+1)2
g(x)h(x) ?

If you have been able to deduce the rule of the division, verify if it is the same as the one we present in what follows:

The derivative of the division of two functions is the derivative of the dividend times the divisor minus the dividend times the derivative of the divisor and divided by the square of the divisor. Mathematically it is undoubtedly clearer: f(x)=g(x)h(x)f(x)=g(x)h(x)g(x)h(x)h2(x)

Let's see some examples:

Example

Let f(x)=x2+x3x1

We identify g(x)=x2+x and h(x)=3x1. Let's apply the rule of the quotient,f(x)=(2x+1)(3x1)(x2+x)3(3x1)2

Example

Now a well-known example f(x)=x+2x5

Now g(x)=x+2 and h(x)=x5. Let's apply the rule of the quotient,f(x)=1x5(x+2)5x4(x5)2