Differentiating Polynomials

A generator of polynomial differentiation problems. Each problem gives a function, for example f(x) = 3x³ − 2x² + x − 4, and the student writes its derivative f′(x) = 9x² − 4x + 1. Choose the highest power: x², x³, x⁴ or x⁵. The coefficients are whole numbers from −5 to 5, and some terms may be missing. The power rule and the sum rule are all that is needed.

On the website you place the problems on an open-answer sheet, for example a short test or a maths trail. They also go on cards with the function on one part and the derivative on the other. Every time you generate, you get new functions.

It suits students in the final year of upper secondary school and the first year of university practising the power rule.