Idea of the Derivative

This topic looks at finding the slope of the secant line, and looking at the limit of the limit of the secant lines. We then use this idea to define the derivative of a function.

The following resources can be used to further understand this topic:

• Video: Idea of the Derivative

• Video: Definition of the Derivative

• Activity: Definition of the Derivative (from University of Colorado)

• Online Activity: Secant and Tangent Lines (GeoGebra)

• Online Activity: Derivatives and Tangents (GeoGebra)

• Online Activity: Velocity and Derivatives from Graphs (Desmos)

• Online Activity: Position and Velocity (Desmos)