Question

what is the first step to find the derivative of e^sqrt(x)

Answer 1

Well, it depends on how comfortable you are doing each step, but to make it as easy as possible, choose u = sqrt(x)

We know that if we have a function that is a combination of other functions, we can use the chain rule to take it's derivative. That is:

f(x) = g(h(x))
f'(x) = g'(h(x)) * h'(x)

So we can use that (with or without the substitution. A lot of people just find the substitution a "cleaner" route)

Answer 2

I was doing u=e
okay, thank you