Lesson goal: Take a derivative

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In Calculus, the derivative measures the instantaneous rate of change of a function. It tells you the slope of the curve at any given point. Calculus gives us powerful rules for finding derivatives:
  • Power rule: $\frac{d}{dx} x^n = n x^{n-1}$, so $\frac{d}{dx} x^4 = 4x^3$
  • Trigonometric rules: $\frac{d}{dx} \sin(x) = \cos(x)$ and $\frac{d}{dx} \cos(x) = -\sin(x)$
  • Exponential rule: $\frac{d}{dx} e^x = e^x$
With CodeByMath's diff(expression, variable) function, you can compute exact analytical derivatives instantly.
diff("x^4 - 2*x", "x")diff("sin(x) + cos(x)", "x")diff("x^2 * y^3", "y")
Move the mouse over a dotted box for more information.

The second argument specifies which variable you are differentiating with respect to.

Now you try. Try differentiating x^5 - 3*x^2 + 7 with respect to x.

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