Derivatives Part 1

This lesson on derivatives provides an introduction to the concept and definition of a derivative. The lesson begins with an explanation of the tangent line to a curve and how to approximate its slope using two points. As the points get closer and closer together, the approximation gets better and better, allowing for a more accurate representation of the tangent line. The lesson then moves on to using the idea of a limit to calculate the slope of the tangent line, ultimately leading to the definition of a derivative as the slope of the tangent line.

An introduction to the concept and definition of a derivative.

• What is a derivative?
• What is the formal definition of a derivative?
• How do you estimate the slope of the tangent line to a curve at a point?
• What does delta mean in Calculus?
• What is delta x?
• What does it mean to find a derivative?