A big part of making math problems easier is recognizing simplification patterns. Hence, Cool 12 Second Math Tricks! More detailed steps follow each video Cool 12second Math Tricks: Logging up on 12seconds.tv Details 1. The first expression is the derivative of a logarithm. It's just a matter of seeing it. 2. Remember the chain rule vernocular: "The derivative of the whole thing is equal to the derivative of the outside times the derivative of the inside". You can read every little detail here at Wikipedia .