Determine the derivative of $f(x)=(x-1)(x^2-4)$.

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Lesson Parent: 
Differentiation IV: Differentiation Formulas Everyone Must Know
Problem: 

Determine the derivative of $f(x)=(x-1)(x^2-4)$.

Answer: 

$f\,'(x)=3x^2-2x-4$

SAMPLE SOLUTION

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Solution: 

Because this is a function $x-1$ times another function $x^2-4$, the best method is to use the product rule. Since both functions are polynomials and we know the derivative of a polynomial we have

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