How can one lone particular point have a rate of change?

215 viewsMathematicsOther

How can one lone particular point have a rate of change?

In: Mathematics

5 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

This is one of the core concepts of calculus, although idk if you’re asking about calculus.

Normally an rate of change is calculated between two points (speed at t=1 and t=2); this is an average over the span of those two points. You can make those points closer and closer together, getting closer to a single point (t=1.499 and t=1.500), but it’s still an average rate of change between those points, no matter how close they are.

Calculus (specifically derivatives) is the mathematical process of finding what the rate of change approaches as that range approaches 0. I think an intro to calculus concepts is maybe beyond ELI5 but you can find lots of Calculus 101 pages with a quick google.

You are viewing 1 out of 5 answers, click here to view all answers.