Combining the algebra of
derivatives with the derivatives of the two basic building blocks -- d(xn)/dx=nxn−1 for
any positive integer n (proved from first principles via the binomial expansion of
(x+h)n) and d(sinx)/dx=cosx (proved from first principles using the sum-to-product
identity for sin(x+h)−sinx together with the standard limit sinθ/θ→1) --
lets any polynomial be differentiated term by term, and any product or quotient built from
polynomial and trigonometric pieces be differentiated by combining the power rule,
d(cosx)/dx=−sinx (proved the same way), and the product/quotient rules. The remaining
trigonometric derivatives, such as d(tanx)/dx=sec2x, follow from these two base results by
writing the function as a quotient (e.g. tanx=sinx/cosx) and applying the quotient rule,
rather than needing a fresh first-principles proof of their own.