UNDERSTANDING DERIVATIVES AND THEIR
APPLICATIONS
Among the many concepts that present varying degrees of difficulty,
derivatives undoubtedly occupy a prominent place. It is important to
note that derivatives are fundamental concepts in the field of calculus
and mathematics, and play a crucial role in numerous disciplines, from
physics and economics to engineering and computer science.
In this sense, it is possible to say that, in simple terms, a derivative is a
measure of how a mathematical function changes in relation to its
independent variable. It provides information about the instantaneous
rate of change of a function at a given point. In other words, it is often
described as an element used in mathematics to calculate responses of
a function whose initial values are being altered.
Applications of derivatives in maths
The derivative is defined as the rate of change of one quantity with
respect to another. In terms of functions, the rate of change of function
is defined as dy/dx = f(x) = y’.
The concept of derivatives has been used in small scale and large scale.
The concept of derivatives used in many ways such as change of
temperature or rate of change of shapes and sizes of an object
depending on the conditions etc.,
Rate of Change of a Quantity
This is the general and most important application of derivative. For
example, to check the rate of change of the volume of a cube with
respect to its decreasing sides, we can use the derivative form as dy/dx.
Where dy represents the rate of change of volume of cube and dx
represents the change of sides of the cube.
Increasing and decreasing functions
To find that a given function is increasing or decreasing or constant, say
in a graph, we use derivatives. If f is a function which is continuous in [p,
q] and differentiable in the open interval (p, q), then,
• f is increasing at [p, q] if f'(x) > 0 for each x ∈ (p, q)
• f is decreasing at [p, q] if f'(x) < 0 for each x ∈ (p, q)
• f is constant function in [p, q], if f'(x)=0 for each x ∈ (p, q)
Tangent and normal to a curve
A tangent is a line that touches the curve at a point and doesn’t cross it,
whereas normal is perpendicular to that tangent.
Let the tangent meet the curve at P(x1, y1).
Application of derivatives tangent and normal
Now the straight-line equation which passes through a point having
slope m could be written as;
y – y1 = m(x – x1)
We can see from the above equation, the slope of the tangent to the
curve y = f(x) and at the point P(x1, y1), it is given as dy/dx at P(x1, y1)
= f'(x). Therefore,
Equation of the tangent to the curve at P(x1, y1) can be written as:
y – y1 = f'(x1)(x – x1)
Equation of normal to the curve is given by;
y – y1 = [-1/ f'(x1)] (x – x1)
Or
(y – y1) f'(x1) + (x-x1) = 0
Maxima and minima
To calculate the highest and lowest point of the curve in a graph or to
know its turning point, the derivative function is used.
• When x = a, if f(x) ≤ f(a) for every x in the domain, then f(x) has
an Absolute Maximum value and the point a is the point of the maximum
value of f.
• When x = a, if f(x) ≤ f(a) for every x in some open interval (p, q)
then f(x) has a Relative Maximum value.
• When x= a, if f(x) ≥ f(a) for every x in the domain then f(x) has an
Absolute Minimum value and the point a is the point of the minimum
value of f.
• When x = a, if f(x) ≥ f(a) for every x in some open interval (p, q)
then f(x) has a Relative Minimum value.
Clarín, R. (2023, June 30). What is a derivative and what are they used
for? https://www.clarin.com/viste/derivada-sirven_0_qvAa6hppdf.html
Admin. (2019, March 6). Applications of Derivatives. BYJU’S.
https://byjus.com/maths/applications-of-derivatives/
