Derivatives Exam Cram Sheet
One-Page Quick Reference [2026]

All Levels ⌛ 20-Min Review Print-Ready · 1 Page

A condensed reference card covering every key derivative formula, the most common exam question types, quick solution methods, and the 5 things you must remember before you sit down to write. Print it, study it tonight, ace it tomorrow.

This cram sheet is designed to print cleanly on a single page — formulas, strategies, and tips all at once.

Derivatives Exam Cram Sheet — Complete Quick Reference
DerivativeCalculus.com • 2026 • Free to Print
Core Differentiation Rules
RuleFormula
Constant\(\tfrac{d}{dx}[c]=0\)
Power\(\tfrac{d}{dx}[x^n]=nx^{n-1}\)
Constant Multiple\(\tfrac{d}{dx}[cf]=cf'\)
Sum / Difference\((f\pm g)'=f'\pm g'\)
Product\((fg)'=f'g+fg'\)
Quotient\(\!\left(\tfrac{f}{g}\right)'\!=\tfrac{f'g-fg'}{g^2}\)
Chain\(\tfrac{d}{dx}[f(g)]=f'(g)\cdot g'\)
Trig & Inverse Trig Derivatives
\(f(x)\)\(f'(x)\)
\(\sin x\)\(\cos x\)
\(\cos x\)\(-\sin x\)
\(\tan x\)\(\sec^2 x\)
\(\sec x\)\(\sec x\tan x\)
\(\csc x\)\(-\csc x\cot x\)
\(\cot x\)\(-\csc^2 x\)
\(f(x)\)\(f'(x)\)
\(\arcsin x\)\(\tfrac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\)
\(\arccos x\)\(\tfrac{-1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\)
\(\arctan x\)\(\tfrac{1}{1+x^2}\)
\(e^x\)\(e^x\)
\(a^x\)\(a^x\ln a\)
\(\ln x\)\(\tfrac{1}{x}\)
★ 5 Most Important Things to Remember
  • Chain rule is always last. Work outside-in. The derivative of \(f(g(x))\) is \(f'(g(x))\cdot g'(x)\) — multiply by the inner derivative every time.
  • Product rule ≠ multiply derivatives. Never write \((fg)'=f'g'\). Always use \(f'g+fg'\).
  • Quotient rule: numerator order matters. It is \(f'g-fg'\), never \(fg'-f'g\). The top function is differentiated first.
  • Closed-interval absolute extrema. Check critical points AND both endpoints. The highest/lowest of all those values is your answer.
  • Related rates: differentiate the equation, then substitute. Write the geometric/physics equation first, differentiate both sides with respect to \(t\), then plug in known values.
Most Common Exam Question Types — Quick Solution Method
1
Find \(f'(x)\) of a composite / trig / exp / log function Identify outer & inner function → chain rule → simplify. Ask: is there a product or quotient inside? Apply those rules first.
2
Equation of the tangent line at \(x=a\) ① Compute \(f(a)\) (the point). ② Compute \(f'(a)\) (the slope). ③ Write \(y-f(a)=f'(a)(x-a)\).
3
Local max/min — First or Second Derivative Test Set \(f'(x)=0\), solve for critical pts. 1st test: check sign change of \(f'\). 2nd test: if \(f''(c)>0\) → min; \(f''(c)<0\) → max; \(f''(c)=0\) → inconclusive.
4
Optimization problem ① Identify quantity to maximize/minimize. ② Write objective function. ③ Use constraint to reduce to one variable. ④ Differentiate, set = 0, verify with 2nd derivative or closed-interval test.
5
Related rates ① Draw diagram. ② Write equation relating variables. ③ Differentiate implicitly w.r.t. \(t\). ④ Substitute known rates & values. ⑤ Solve for unknown rate. Include units.
6
Implicit differentiation Differentiate both sides w.r.t. \(x\). Whenever you differentiate a term with \(y\), multiply by \(\tfrac{dy}{dx}\). Collect all \(\tfrac{dy}{dx}\) terms on one side, factor, divide.
7
Increasing / Decreasing / Concavity \(f'>0\): increasing. \(f'<0\): decreasing. \(f''>0\): concave up. \(f''<0\): concave down. Inflection point: \(f''\) changes sign.
8
Linearization / Local approximation \(L(x)=f(a)+f'(a)(x-a)\). Use when estimating \(f(x)\) near a known point \(a\). This is just the tangent line equation reused as an approximation.
⚠ Common Exam Traps
  • Writing \((fg)'=f'g'\) instead of f'g+fg'
  • Forgetting the chain rule multiplier on the inner function
  • Differentiating \(\ln(u)\) as \(\tfrac{1}{u}\) without multiplying by \(u'\)
  • Forgetting to check endpoints when finding absolute extrema on \([a,b]\)
  • Substituting rates before differentiating in related rates
  • Writing \(\tfrac{d}{dx}[\sin^2 x]=2\sin x\) — must apply chain rule: \(2\sin x\cos x\)
  • \(\tfrac{d}{dx}[e^{g(x)}]=e^{g(x)}\cdot g'(x)\), not just \(e^{g(x)}\)
  • Sign error in quotient rule: top is always \(f'g\mathbf{-}fg'\)
Useful Identities
\(\sin^2x+\cos^2x=1\)
\(1+\tan^2x=\sec^2x\)
\(\sin 2x=2\sin x\cos x\)
\(\cos 2x=\cos^2x-\sin^2x\)
\(\tfrac{d}{dx}[x^n e^x]=x^{n-1}e^x(n+x)\)
DerivativeCalculus.com — Free Calculus Resources Also: Final Exam WorksheetAP Calculus WorksheetFree Calculators
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What's on This Cram Sheet

How to use it: Print the page above (one sheet, front side). The card fits on a standard 8.5×11" page. Review it for 20 minutes the night before — then get some sleep.

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