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What is a derivative in calculus?

Updated: 4/28/2022
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When you take the derivative of a function, you are seeking a variation of that function that provides you with the slope of the tangent (instantaneous slope) at any value of (x). For example, the derivative of the function f(x)=x^2 is f'(x)=2x. Notice that the derivative is denoted by the apostrophe inside the f and (x). Also note that at x=0, f'(x)=0, which means that at x=0 the slope of the tangent is zero, which is correct for the function y=x^2.

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Q: What is a derivative in calculus?
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Continue Learning about Calculus

Calculus derivative of A divided by B?

(a/b)'= (ba'-ab')/(b²)


How does calculus help us?

It is used in physics all the time. For example, acceleration is the derivative of velocity which is a derivative of position with respect to time. Calculating the amount of work done in a vector field (like an electrical field) also uses calculus.


Scientist who made calculus?

Newton is the named founder of Calculus. Yet there is controversy because it is claimed that Leibniz stole Newton's Calculus notes and took all credit for Calculus. But to this day Leibniz's integral and derivative notation is more commonly used that Newton's which was found confusing.


Why was the calculus student confused about y equals ex and the derivative of y equals ex?

Because the derivative of e^x is e^x (the original function back again). This is the only function that has this behavior.


What is calculus and what does it have to do with?

Calculus is a branch of mathematics which came from the thoughts of many different individuals. For example, the Greek scholar Archimedes (287-212 B.C.) calculated the areas and volumes of complex shapes. Isaac Newton further developed the notion of calculus. There are two branches of calculus which are: differential calculus and integral calculus. The former seeks to describe the magnitude of the instantaneous rate of change of a graph, this is called the derivative. For example: the derivative of a position vs. time graph is a velocity vs. time graph, this is because the rate of change of position is velocity. The latter seeks to describe the area covered by a graph and is called the integral. For example: the integral of a velocity vs. time graph is the total displacement. Calculus is useful because the world is rarely static; it is a dynamic and complex place. Calculus is used to model real-world situations, or to extrapolate the change of variables.

Related questions

What does one use a Derivative Calculator for?

Derivative calculators are commonly used to help solve simple differential calculus equations. Generally, they are not able to solve complex calculus equations.


What is the calculus operation for finding the rate of change in an equation?

A derivative.


Calculus derivative of A divided by B?

(a/b)'= (ba'-ab')/(b²)


Scholar name for Proportional-Integral-Derivative method?

It is a one word name ; 'Calculus'.


How does calculus help us?

It is used in physics all the time. For example, acceleration is the derivative of velocity which is a derivative of position with respect to time. Calculating the amount of work done in a vector field (like an electrical field) also uses calculus.


What is the purpose of differential calculus?

Differential Calculus is to take the derivative of the function. It is important as it can be applied and supports other branches of science. For ex, If you have a velocity function, you can get its acceleration function by taking its derivative, same relationship as well with area and volume formulas.


What do all formulas in Calculus begin with?

There are lots of formulae in calculus, and they don't all begin the same way. Depending on what convention is used to express a derivative, the basic derivation formulae (which are BY NO MEANS all formulae used in calculus) usually start with d/dx, followed by some function or expression. In other words, "the derivative of ... is ...".


Scientist who made calculus?

Newton is the named founder of Calculus. Yet there is controversy because it is claimed that Leibniz stole Newton's Calculus notes and took all credit for Calculus. But to this day Leibniz's integral and derivative notation is more commonly used that Newton's which was found confusing.


What is the chain rule in calculus?

The chain rule, in calculus, is a formula. It allows one to compute the derivative of the composition of two or more functions. It was first used by the German mathematician Gottfried Leibniz.


How does one figure the rate of change?

The rate of change of a function is found by taking the derivative of the function. The equation for the derivative gives the rate of change at any point. This method is used frequently in calculus.


How do you trace a curve in differential calculus?

To trace a curve using differential calculus, you use the fact that the first derivative of the function is the slope of the curve, and the second derivative is the slope of the first derivative. What this means is that the zeros (roots) of the first derivative give the extrema (max or min) or an inflection point of the function. Evaluating the first derivative function at either side of the zero will tell you whether it is a min/max or inflection point (i.e. if the first derivative is negative on the left of the zero and positive on the right, then the curve has a negative slope, then a min, then a positive slope). The second derivative will tell you if the curve is concave up or concave down by evaluating if the second derivative function is positive or negative before and after extrema.


Why was the calculus student confused about y equals ex and the derivative of y equals ex?

Because the derivative of e^x is e^x (the original function back again). This is the only function that has this behavior.