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dy/dt

Definition

The notation dy/dt represents the derivative of a function y with respect to the independent variable t. It measures the rate at which y is changing with respect to t.

Analogy

Think of dy/dt as a speedometer in a car. Just like how the speedometer tells you how fast your car is going at any given moment, dy/dt tells you how fast y is changing with respect to t.

Related terms

Parametric Derivative: The parametric derivative refers to finding the derivatives of functions that are defined parametrically, meaning they are expressed in terms of another variable (usually denoted by t). It allows us to find rates of change for both x and y simultaneously.

Instantaneous Rate of Change: The instantaneous rate of change refers to the rate at which a quantity is changing at a specific point in time or position. It can be represented by derivatives such as dy/dx or dy/dt.

Chain Rule: The chain rule is a calculus rule used for finding the derivative of composite functions. It states that if we have two functions nested inside each other, we can find their derivative by multiplying the derivatives of each function together.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.