The power rule in calculus is a rule for finding the derivative of a function that is a power of x. It states that the derivative of x to the power of n is n times x to the power of (n-1). In mathematical notation, if f(x) = x^n, then f'(x) = nx^(n-1). This rule simplifies the process of taking derivatives, especially for polynomials, by bringing the exponent out front and decrementing the power
. The power rule, along with the more basic differentiation rules, allows us to differentiate any polynomial
. The power rule applies when n is any real number, including integers, rationals, positive, negative, and even irrational numbers
