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Introduction To Derivatives: Let Us Find A Derivative!
Introduction To Derivatives: Let Us Find A Derivative!
Introduction to Derivatives
It is all about slope!
y
Change in Y
Change in Y
Slope =
Change in X
Change in X
24
We can find an average slope between two points.
15
24
average slope =
15
Change in Y
Slope = Change in X
= Δy
Δx
Δx
Now follow these steps:
Δy f(x+Δx) − f(x)
Fill in this slope formula: Δx
= Δx
Like this:
f(x+Δx) − f(x)
The slope formula is:
Δx
2x Δx + (Δx)2
Simplify (x2 and −x2 cancel):
Δx
d
And "the derivative of" is commonly written dx
like
this:
d 2
dx x = 2x
"The derivative of x2 equals 2x"
or simply "d dx of x2 equals 2x"
d 2
So what does dx
x = 2x mean?
y
It means that, for the function x2, the slope or 6
"rate of change" at any point is 2x. 5
=4
4
slope
3
So when x=2 the slope is 2x = 4, as shown 2
1
here: 0
-1 0 1 2 3 4
-1 x
-2
Or when x=5 the slope is 2x = 10, and so on.
f’(x) = 2x
"The derivative of f(x) equals 2x"
or simply "f-dash of x equals 2x"
f(x+Δx) − f(x)
The slope formula:
Δx
Derivative Rules
Done.
Notation
"Shrink towards zero" is actually written as a limit like
this:
f(x+Δx) − f(x)
f’(x) = lim
Δx→0 Δx
Where to Next?
Go and learn how to find derivatives using Derivative Rules ,
and get plenty of practice:
Derivative Rules
Calculus Index
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