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.

TT
Answered by Toby T. Maths tutor

3203 Views

See similar Maths IB tutors

Related Maths IB answers

All answers ▸

Given h(x) = 9^x + 9 and g(x) = 10*3^x, find {x | h(x) < g(x)}.


Let g (x) = 2x sin x . (a) Find g′(x) . (b) Find the gradient of the graph of g at x = π .


Given that y = -16x2​​​​​​​ + 160x - 256, find the value of x giving the maximum value of y, and hence give this maximum value of y.


Find integer solutions for m - n(log3(2)) = 10(log9(6)).


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning