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Terminology:
Variable: usually denoted by x, usually the number you are trying to find
Coefficient: the number before the variable that you times the variable by. E.g. the 4 in “4x”
Exponent: the power. E.g. the 6 in 26
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Derivatives
Derivate is synonymous for differentiation. Derivatives are used to find the instantaneous
rate of change, or how the rates change as the variable does, or to find the tangent line of a
slope (tangent lines explained later on)
Differentiation allows us to find rates of change. For example, it allows us to find the rate of
change of velocity with respect to time (which is acceleration). It also allows us to find the
rate of change of x with respect to y, which on a graph of y against x is the gradient of the
curve. There are a number of simple rules which can be used to allow us to differentiate
many functions easily
Notation:
 Sometimes the notation is f'(x)= pronounced "f prime of x"
 Or sometimes the notation is dx/dy= as in it is derived in respect to x, the variable.
 The latter is more useful when using the chain rule for deriving more complicated
equations (explained later)