Mathematical Modeling
A derivative is a fundamental concept in calculus that represents the rate at which a function changes at any given point. It captures how a function's output value changes in response to changes in its input value, essentially providing a measure of the function's instantaneous slope. Understanding derivatives is crucial for analyzing polynomial functions, as they help identify critical points, concavity, and the behavior of graphs.
congrats on reading the definition of derivative. now let's actually learn it.