The derivative is the first of the two main tools of calculus (the second being the
integral). The derivative is the instantaneous rate of
change of a function at a point in its domain. This is the same thing as the slope of the
tangent line to the graph of the function at that point. In order to give a rigorous
definition for the derivative, we need the concept of limit introduced in the preceding
section.
Given a function f, we can define a derivative function f' to take on the value of
the derivative of f at each point in the domain. For example, if Otis drives in a
straight line from his home to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the function f (t) gives his
distance from home at time t, then the function f'(t) gives his "instantaneous rate of
change", or his velocity, at time t.
Once we have taken the derivative of a function f once, we can take the derivative
again. This is called the second derivative of the original function f, and equals the
"instantaneous rate of change of the instantaneous rate of change" of f. In the example
above, this corresponds to how quickly Otis is speeding up or slowing down, that is, his
acceleration. We can continue in this manner as long as we like, taking successive
derivatives.
In this SparkNote, we define derivatives and seek to develop an intuitive understanding of
their meaning. In the following chapters, we will see how to compute derivatives and will
explore some of their many applications.
