This week the focus was on the derivative of a function. The derivative is the slope of the tangent at any point. In order to understand the derivative we first had to understand what exactly the tangent line is. Then I had to focus on relating the tangent line to a function and what it means to the derivative.
The tangent line contains one point on a differentiable function and the slope of the function at that point. This makes the tangent only touch the function one time. Knowing the derivative of a function allows you to find the slope of the tangent at any point and allows you find the equation of a tangent line at any point you please.
The learning curve in calculus has not been too steep, learning what a tangent line was lead very easily into what a derivative is. The lab was not very effective at making my brain understand, but after the lesson and working through a few worksheets, the derivative makes sense. If this is the foundation for the rest of the year, I think I am going to be all right. I think we are back into math and have found the groove of this class.
The tangent line contains one point on a differentiable function and the slope of the function at that point. This makes the tangent only touch the function one time. Knowing the derivative of a function allows you to find the slope of the tangent at any point and allows you find the equation of a tangent line at any point you please.
The learning curve in calculus has not been too steep, learning what a tangent line was lead very easily into what a derivative is. The lab was not very effective at making my brain understand, but after the lesson and working through a few worksheets, the derivative makes sense. If this is the foundation for the rest of the year, I think I am going to be all right. I think we are back into math and have found the groove of this class.