Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The instantaneous rate of change refers to the exact or precise rate at which a quantity is changing at an instant or specific point. It involves finding the slope of the tangent line to that point on a graph.
The average rate of change represents the overall or average speed at which a quantity changes over an interval. It calculates the slope between two points on a graph.
Tangent line: A tangent line is a straight line that touches but does not cross through a curve at one specific point, representing its direction and rate of change at that point.
The derivative is a mathematical concept that represents the instantaneous rate of change or slope of a function at any given point. It is used to find IROC and analyze functions.
"Instantaneous rate of change (IROC)" also found in: