Power Rule Calculator

This tool applies the power rule, the one that says the derivative of a times x to the n is a times n times x to the n minus one. Enter a sum of power terms and it rewrites each one as a coefficient times a power of x, shows the rule worked through term by term, and returns the first and second derivatives in exact fractions rather than decimals. Roots, reciprocals, negative exponents and fractional exponents are all accepted, so square root of x and five over x squared are handled as x to the one half and five x to the minus two. A second action evaluates the function and its slope at a value of x and gives the tangent line there. Products of two x terms, trig, logs and variable exponents need other rules and are refused rather than guessed at.