The Derivative as a Rate of

Change
Motion Along a Line
For example:
• Our discussion of the rate of change of s with respect to t applies equally well to any
function y = f(x). This means that we have the following:
•Example:
  Finding the rate of change

• Find the rate of change of y = x4 with respect

to x.
Solution:
The rate of change is given by
4x3
 Applications of rate of changes to economics

•  When the total-cost function is c = f(q),

The Marginal cost is defined as .

• Similarly, when the total-revenue function is r = f(q),

The Marginal revenue is defined as .
Example:
 Relative and percentage rate of changes

•  The relative rate of change of f(x) is .

• The percentage rate of change of f (x) is (100%).

Example: