What is differentiation used for?

Differentiation is used to find the gradient of a line, or curve. It can also be used to find the co-ordinates of stationary points, whether these be minimum, maximum or points of inflection. The second derivitive can be used to identify if these points are minimum or maximum. 

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Related Further Mathematics GCSE answers

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Find the gradient of the line x^2 + 3x - 6 at the point (5,34)


To differentiate a simple equation: y= 4x^3 + 7x


The circle c has equation x^2+ y ^2=1 . The line l has gradient 3 and intercepts the y axis at the point (0, 1). c and l intersect at two points. Find the co-ordinates of these points.


x^3 + 2x^2 - 9x - 18 = (x^2 - a^2)(x + b) where a,b are integers. Work out the three linear factors of x^3 + 2x^2 - 9x - 18. (Note: x^3 indicates x cubed and x^2 indicates x squared).