The Monkey Rules
In principle, derivatives are calculated by studying the limit of secant lines like we did earlier in this chapter. However, in practice (and in Geogebra), derivatives are calculated using a set of rules that are so easy to use, a monkey could do it. In fact, we're going to call these rules the Monkey Rules1 for this exact reason. Almost everyone who uses calculus in their work uses them.
The Monkey Rules have advantages and disadvantages. The obvious advantage is that they are a very fast way to mindlessly calculate a derivative without working out any limits or considering secant and tangent lines. The disadvantage is that they are mindless.
If you're not interested in the algebra of calculus, you can skip the Monkey Rules, and move ahead to the applications of the derivative, and more or less be ok. You'll just have to rely on Geogebra to calculate derivatives for you with code like
derivative(f). So, for instance, later in the book, if I ever write "use the Monkey Rules to calculate the derivative of ___", if you skip these sections, you will have to use Geogebra to perform the check.
Also, if earlier in the book you chose to skip the activities about the Atomic Functions, you are not prepared to study the Monkey Rules.
For those of you still with me, in the next activity we'll study the "0th" of 8 Monkey Rules.
1 I do not claim to have invented the term "Monkey Rules". My high school teacher used this term, and I've heard from many other people that their instructors also used this term.