Rate of Change and Increasing/Decreasing Functions

Using the derivative to measure how quickly something changes, and whether a function is rising or falling.

Rate of Change

The derivative $\frac{dy}{dx}$ represents the instantaneous rate of change of $y$ with respect to $x$.

Increasing and Decreasing Functions

ConditionBehaviour
$f'(x) > 0$Function is increasing
$f'(x) < 0$Function is decreasing
Lesson 14 of 32
On This Page