Differentiation

What you'll learn

1. 1

   Imagine a function like a machine that turns numbers into other numbers. Differentiation finds the slope of the curve at any single point.

2. 2

   What does differentiation find?

3. 3

   Drag the point along this curve to see how the slope changes. The derivative is the slope of the tangent line.

4. 4

   Let's differentiate f(x) = x² to find its slope at x = 3.

5. 5

   Now you try! Differentiate f(x) = x³ and find the slope at x = 2.

6. 6

   What is the derivative of x³?

7. 7

   Using f'(x) = 3x², what is the slope at x = 2?