Answers>Maths>IB>Article

What does differentiation actually mean?

Differentiation is defined as the rate of change of a function. Imagine we had a function f(x), which we shall let equal x2. We all know what the graph of xlooks like.

The derivative of xis 2x. This means that, as the variable x increases, the gradient increases by 2x. In graphing a derivative, effectively the gradient is on the y axis, hence the steeper the curve of y, the higher the derivative.

Answered by Toby T. Maths tutor

2619 Views

See similar Maths IB tutors

Related Maths IB answers

All answers ▸

Consider f (x) = logk (6x - 3x 2 ), for 0 < x < 2, where k > 0. The equation f (x) = 2 has exactly one solution. What is the value of k?


How can I apply the chain rule for differentiation?


How do you perform implicit differentiation?


Find the coordinates that correspond to the maximum point of the following equation: y = −16x^2 + 160x - 256


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences