how do second derivatives work?

Question

ik it’s taking the derivative of a derivative but idk how you’re meant to do that

In: Mathematics

Answer 1

A derivative is just the rate of change of a function, which is another function. But since it’s a function, you can take the rate of change of that as well (second derivative of the original function).

For example, the rate of change of distance is speed. The rate of change of speed is acceleration. Therefore acceleration is the second derivative of speed.