Difference Rule Calculator

Published on: July 17, 2026

Final Answer: Free • Full Steps: Plus

This Difference Rule Calculator differentiates terms that are subtracted from one another, and shows the working line by line. The derivative splits across the minus signs just as it does across plus signs, with each term handled separately and the signs kept as they were. Losing a minus sign is the usual mistake here. Following the same pattern every time keeps each sign attached to its own term.

Step-by-step method

Set up the problem.
Write the difference rule formula.
Split the derivative across the subtraction signs.
Differentiate each separated term as Step 4a, Step 4b, Step 4c, and so on.
Combine the term derivatives and simplify.

Formula:

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(f\left(x\right) - g\left(x\right)\right) = \frac{d}{dx}f\left(x\right) - \frac{d}{dx}g\left(x\right)\)

See Example 1 Hide Example 1

Problem

\(f\left(x\right) = x^{3} - x^{2}\)

Approach

Step-by-step method

Set up the problem.
Write the difference rule formula.
Split the derivative across the subtraction signs.
Differentiate each separated term as Step 4a, Step 4b, Step 4c, and so on.
Combine the term derivatives and simplify.

Step 1

Step 1 - Set up the terms in the difference.

In this problem: We are given a difference. The separated terms are \(x^{3}\), \(x^{2}\).

\(f\left(x\right) = x^{3} - x^{2}\)

Step 2

Step 2 - Write the difference rule formula.

In this problem: The difference rule says the derivative of a difference is the difference of the derivatives.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(f\left(x\right) - g\left(x\right)\right) = \frac{d}{dx}f\left(x\right) - \frac{d}{dx}g\left(x\right)\)

Step 3

Step 3 - Split the derivative across the subtraction signs.

In this problem: Apply the derivative to each separated term, keeping each sign.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(x^{3} - x^{2}\right) = \frac{d}{dx}\left(x^{3}\right) - \frac{d}{dx}\left(x^{2}\right)\)

Step 4a

Step 4a - Differentiate the separated term \(x^{3}\).

In this problem: The separated term is \(x^{3}\). Use the power rule to get its derivative.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(x^{3}\right) = 3 x^{2}\)

Problem

\(f\left(x\right) = {x}^{3}\)

Approach

Step-by-step method

Set up the problem.
If a constant coefficient is present, apply the constant multiple rule first.
Write the power rule formula.
Substitute the exponent into the power rule.
Solve and simplify.

Step 1

Step 1 - Set up the problem.

In this problem: We are given \(x^{3}\). This is a power of \(x\), so the exponent is \(n = 3\).

\(f\left(x\right) = {x}^{3}\)

Step 2

Step 2 - Write the power rule formula.

In this problem: The power rule says to move the exponent to the front, then subtract 1 from the exponent.

\(\frac{d}{dx}{x}^{n} = n\,{x}^{n - 1}\)

Step 3

Step 3 - Substitute the given power into the formula.

In this problem: Here, \(n = 3\). Substitute this exponent into the power rule, but do not simplify yet.

\(\frac{d}{dx}{x}^{3} = 3{x}^{3 - 1}\)

Step 4

Step 4 - Solve and simplify.

In this problem: Now subtract 1 from the exponent and keep the result in power form. This gives \(3{x}^{2}\).

\(3{x}^{3 - 1} = 3{x}^{2}\)

Final Answer

\(3 x^{2}\)

Step 4b

Step 4b - Differentiate the separated term \(x^{2}\).

In this problem: The separated term is \(x^{2}\). Use the power rule to get its derivative.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(x^{2}\right) = 2 x\)

Problem

\(f\left(x\right) = {x}^{2}\)

Approach

Step-by-step method

Set up the problem.
If a constant coefficient is present, apply the constant multiple rule first.
Write the power rule formula.
Substitute the exponent into the power rule.
Solve and simplify.

Step 1

Step 1 - Set up the problem.

In this problem: We are given \(x^{2}\). This is a power of \(x\), so the exponent is \(n = 2\).

\(f\left(x\right) = {x}^{2}\)

Step 2

Step 2 - Write the power rule formula.

In this problem: The power rule says to move the exponent to the front, then subtract 1 from the exponent.

\(\frac{d}{dx}{x}^{n} = n\,{x}^{n - 1}\)

Step 3

Step 3 - Substitute the given power into the formula.

In this problem: Here, \(n = 2\). Substitute this exponent into the power rule, but do not simplify yet.

\(\frac{d}{dx}{x}^{2} = 2{x}^{2 - 1}\)

Step 4

Step 4 - Solve and simplify.

In this problem: Now subtract 1 from the exponent and keep the result in power form. This gives \(2{x}^{1}\).

\(2{x}^{2 - 1} = 2{x}^{1} = 2 x\)

Final Answer

\(2 x\)

Step 5

Step 5 - Combine and simplify.

In this problem: Combine the derivative from each separated term, keeping the signs, then simplify.

\(f'\left(x\right) = 3 x^{2} - 2 x\)

Final Answer

\(f'\left(x\right) = 3 x^{2} - 2 x\)

See Example 2 Hide Example 2

Problem

\(f\left(x\right) = 5 x^{2} - 3 x + 1\)

Approach

Step-by-step method

Set up the problem.
Write the difference rule formula.
Split the derivative across the subtraction signs.
Differentiate each separated term as Step 4a, Step 4b, Step 4c, and so on.
Combine the term derivatives and simplify.

Step 1

Step 1 - Set up the terms in the difference.

In this problem: We are given a difference. The separated terms are \(5 x^{2}\), \(3 x\), \(1\).

\(f\left(x\right) = 5 x^{2} - 3 x + 1\)

Step 2

Step 2 - Write the difference rule formula.

In this problem: The difference rule says the derivative of a difference is the difference of the derivatives.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(f\left(x\right) - g\left(x\right)\right) = \frac{d}{dx}f\left(x\right) - \frac{d}{dx}g\left(x\right)\)

Step 3

Step 3 - Split the derivative across the subtraction signs.

In this problem: Apply the derivative to each separated term, keeping each sign.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(5 x^{2} - 3 x + 1\right) = \frac{d}{dx}\left(5 x^{2}\right) - \frac{d}{dx}\left(3 x\right) + \frac{d}{dx}\left(1\right)\)

Step 4a

Step 4a - Differentiate the separated term \(5 x^{2}\).

In this problem: The separated term is \(5 x^{2}\). Use the power rule to get its derivative.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(5 x^{2}\right) = 10 x\)

Problem

\(f\left(x\right) = 5{x}^{2}\)

Approach

Step-by-step method

Set up the problem.
If a constant coefficient is present, apply the constant multiple rule first.
Write the power rule formula.
Substitute the exponent into the power rule.
Solve and simplify.

Step 1

Step 1 - Set up the problem.

In this problem: We are given \(5 x^{2}\). This is a constant multiple of a power of \(x\). The coefficient is \(5\), the power part is \(x^{2}\), and the exponent is \(n = 2\).

\(f\left(x\right) = 5{x}^{2}\)

Step 2

Step 2 - Apply the constant multiple rule first.

In this problem: Before using the power rule, apply the constant multiple rule because \(5\) is a constant coefficient.

\(\frac{d}{dx}5{x}^{2} = 5\cdot \frac{d}{dx}{x}^{2}\)

Problem

\(f\left(x\right) = 5 x^{2}\)

Approach

Step-by-step method

Set up the problem.
Write the constant multiple rule formula.
Apply the constant multiple rule.

Step 1

Step 1 - Set up the coefficient and the variable part.

In this problem: We are given \(5 x^{2}\). The constant coefficient is \(5\), and the variable part is \(x^{2}\).

\(5 x^{2} = 5\cdot \left(x^{2}\right)\)

Step 2

Step 2 - Write the constant multiple rule formula.

In this problem: The constant multiple rule says a constant coefficient stays outside the derivative.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(c\cdot f\left(x\right)\right) = c\cdot \frac{d}{dx}f\left(x\right)\)

Step 3

Step 3 - Apply the constant multiple rule.

In this problem: Move the constant coefficient \(5\) outside the derivative and leave \(x^{2}\) inside the derivative.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(5 x^{2}\right) = 5\cdot \frac{d}{dx}\left(x^{2}\right)\)

Final Answer

\(5\cdot \frac{d}{dx}\left(x^{2}\right)\)

Step 3

Step 3 - Write the power rule formula.

In this problem: Now use the power rule on the remaining power of \(x\).

\(\frac{d}{dx}{x}^{n} = n\,{x}^{n - 1}\)

Step 4

Step 4 - Substitute the exponent into the formula.

In this problem: Here, \(n = 2\). Substitute this exponent into the power rule, then keep the coefficient \(5\) outside.

\(5\cdot \frac{d}{dx}{x}^{2} = 5\cdot 2{x}^{2 - 1}\)

Step 5

Step 5 - Solve and simplify.

In this problem: Apply the power rule to \(x^{2}\), multiply by the constant \(5\), and keep the solving line in power form. This gives \(10{x}^{1}\).

\(5\cdot 2{x}^{1} = 10{x}^{1} = 10 x\)

Final Answer

\(10 x\)

Step 4b

Step 4b - Differentiate the separated term \(3 x\).

In this problem: The separated term is \(3 x\). Use the power rule to get its derivative.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(3 x\right) = 3\)

Problem

\(f\left(x\right) = 3 x\)

Approach

Step-by-step method

Set up the problem.
If a constant coefficient is present, apply the constant multiple rule first.
Write the power rule formula.
Substitute the exponent into the power rule.
Solve and simplify.

Step 1

Step 1 - Set up the problem.

In this problem: We are given \(3\) times \(x\). Rewrite the variable part as \(x^{1}\), so the power rule can be used with exponent \(n = 1\).

\(f\left(x\right) = 3x \Leftrightarrow 3{x}^{1}\)

Step 2

Step 2 - Apply the constant multiple rule first.

In this problem: Before using the power rule, apply the constant multiple rule because \(3\) is a constant coefficient.

\(\frac{d}{dx}3{x}^{1} = 3\cdot \frac{d}{dx}{x}^{1}\)

Problem

\(f\left(x\right) = 3 x^{1}\)

Approach

Step-by-step method

Set up the problem.
Write the constant multiple rule formula.
Apply the constant multiple rule.

Step 1

Step 1 - Set up the coefficient and the variable part.

In this problem: We are given \(3 x^{1}\). The constant coefficient is \(3\), and the variable part is \(x^{1}\).

\(3 x^{1} = 3\cdot \left(x^{1}\right)\)

Step 2

Step 2 - Write the constant multiple rule formula.

In this problem: The constant multiple rule says a constant coefficient stays outside the derivative.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(c\cdot f\left(x\right)\right) = c\cdot \frac{d}{dx}f\left(x\right)\)

Step 3

Step 3 - Apply the constant multiple rule.

In this problem: Move the constant coefficient \(3\) outside the derivative and leave \(x^{1}\) inside the derivative.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(3 x^{1}\right) = 3\cdot \frac{d}{dx}\left(x^{1}\right)\)

Final Answer

\(3\cdot \frac{d}{dx}\left(x^{1}\right)\)

Step 3

Step 3 - Write the power rule formula.

In this problem: Now use the power rule on the remaining power of \(x\).

\(\frac{d}{dx}{x}^{n} = n\,{x}^{n - 1}\)

Step 4

Step 4 - Substitute the exponent into the formula.

In this problem: Use the rewritten power form from Step 1. Here, \(n = 1\). Substitute this exponent into the power rule, then keep the coefficient \(3\) outside.

\(3\cdot \frac{d}{dx}{x}^{1} = 3\cdot {x}^{1 - 1}\)

Step 5

Step 5 - Solve and simplify.

In this problem: Apply the power rule to \(x\), multiply by the constant \(3\), and keep the solving line in power form. This gives \(3\).

\(3\cdot {x}^{0} = 3\cdot 1 = 3\)

Final Answer

\(3\)

Step 4c

Step 4c - Differentiate the separated term \(1\).

In this problem: The separated term is \(1\). Use the constant rule to get its derivative.

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(1\right) = 0\)

Problem

\(f\left(x\right) = 1\)

Approach

Step-by-step method

Set up the problem.
Write the constant rule formula.
Apply the constant rule.

Step 1

Step 1 - Set up the problem.

In this problem: We are given \(1\). This expression does not contain \(x\), so it is a constant.

\(f\left(x\right) = 1\)

Step 2

Step 2 - Write the constant rule formula.

In this problem: The constant rule says the derivative of any constant is \(0\).

\(\frac{d}{dx}c = 0\)

Step 3

Step 3 - Apply the constant rule.

In this problem: Since \(1\) is constant, its derivative is \(0\).

\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(1\right) = 0\)

Final Answer

\(0\)

Step 5

Step 5 - Combine and simplify.

In this problem: Combine the derivative from each separated term, keeping the signs, then simplify.

\(f'\left(x\right) = 10 x - 3 + 0 = 10 x - 3\)

Final Answer

\(f'\left(x\right) = 10 x - 3\)

Example Problems

Click one to load it into the box and solve it.