The Derivative

Function

IBDP Mathematics
ANALYSIS AND APPROACHES YR 2
SY 2023-2024
Learning Objectives:
Begin with the end in mind

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

● define instantaneous rate of change

● relate instantaneous rate of change, gradient of a tangent to a curve, and the
derivative
● define the derivative function
● use the derivative notation in evaluating the derivative function
Rate of Change

Rates of change are an important concept that is central to many areas of

mathematics, physics, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines. In fact, it is not
just limited to science; in everyday life, we often deal with concepts such as speed,
acceleration, and interest, which, at their core, are rates of change. Sometimes we
are interested in finding rates of change or predicting the future based on the rate
of change in the present.
Rate of Change
When we say that a car is traveling at 60 miles per hour,what do
we really mean? Can we only define such a concept if we travel
for an hour?

- Of course, we could say we travel one mile a minute.

However, if we are traveling for less than a minute at this speed,

is it still reasonable to talk about traveling at a mile a minute?
- Certainly, if no time passes, we do not travel any distance.
Rate of Change

To find the rate of change of a function, we will need to be able to solve for the
slope of the tangent line at a point. With the help of limits, we will be able to solve
for the derivative of a function; the derivative of a function explains the slope of
the tangent lines of the original function.
 Suppose that the function represents the distance traveled by a car along a
straight road. Then after 3 seconds, the car has travelled a distance of f(3)

Time (seconds) Distance (m)

3 18

How do find the car average speed?

We can compute the average rate of change in distance with time, or the average
speed.
We can compute the average rate of change in distance with time, or the average
speed.
A more useful quantity is the instantaneous rate
of change, or in this case, the instantaneous
speed at a particular time t.
Let’s say for example

Time (seconds) Distance (m)

0 0

5 12 What is the average speed

of the car at t=15?
10 24.3

15 37.1

20 49.8

25 76.1
Let’s say for example What is the average speed of the car at t=15?

Time (seconds) Distance (m)

0 0

5 12

10 24.3

15 37.1

20 49.8

Instantaneous
25 76.1 rate of change
Instantaneous Rate of Change
Example: Find the speed at 10 s. (To estimate, we use very narrow time intervals. )

*The table suggests that the exact speed at x = 10 s is 23 m/s.

Concept review: Match the rate to the definition

1. Average rate of change A. Change in the function over

an x-interval

2. Instantaneous rate of B. Change in the function at a

change specific x-value
To get to know about Instantaneous Rate of Change
Derivatives

The gradient of the tangent to the curve at a point is

the instantaneous rate of change of f(x) at that point.

This instantaneous rate of change is called the

derivative of f with respect to x.

We use different notations for the derivative function:

Derivatives
Derivatives
Why not just call it “instantaneous rate of change?”
Rules of Differentiation (pt. 1)
Example 2.1A. Given the following, find:

The derivative of a
Modified power rule constant is zero.
Example 2.1B. Given the following, find:
Tangents and
Normals

IBDP Mathematics
ANALYSIS AND APPROACHES YR 2
SY 2023-2024
Review: Given the following, find:
Investigation
Tangents

The tangent of a curve at point A is the best

approximating line to the curve at A.
However, we note that for some functions:
a. The tangent may intersect the curve again
somewhere else.
b. It is possible for the tangent to pass through the
curve at the point of tangency. This is called the
point of inflection.
Normals Normal

A normal to a curve is a line which is perpendicular

to the tangent at the point of contact.
Normals

Recall that the perpendicular lines with gradients and , then = -1.

If a tangent line has gradient , the gradient of the normal line is

Exercise