[Math] what’s the derivative of $\cos(x) \sin(x)$

derivatives

before I ask for anything I must admit I'm working hard to understand this beautiful subject. Thanks in advance.
I want to get a derivative of: $\cos(x)\sin(x)$
The solution is the following:

$$ \frac d{dx}(\cos(x) \sin(x)) = \cos(2 x)$$

Where should I start?

Best Answer

One way is to recall the identity $\sin 2x=2\sin x\cos x$, which can be rewritten as $$\sin x\cos x=\frac{1}{2}\sin 2x.$$ Now differentiate, not forgetting to use the Chain Rule.

An alternative is to differentiate $\cos x\sin x$ immediately, using the Product Rule. We get $(\cos x)(\cos x)+(-\sin x)(\sin x)=\cos^2 x-\sin^2 x$. Then recall the identity $\cos 2x=\cos^2 x-\sin^2 x$.