What does dropping a ball look like as a graph? An engaging activity asks learners to record a video of dropping a ball and uploading the video to software for analysis. They compare the position of the ball to time and calculate the...

Students investigate the derivative of a function.  In this calculus lesson, students explore the derivatives of sine, cosine, natural log, and natural exponential functions.  The lesson promotes the idea of the derivative as a...

Learners solve equations using a given derivative. In this calculus lesson, students identify the rise of fall of each function. They use the calculator to find the derivative.

Learners graph the derivative of functions in this calculus lesson. They use the TI to graph their functions and algebraically take the derivative of each function. They then create a visual and analyze the graph.

Pupils solve functions using the derivative. They determine the derivative of a function based on its graph, then analyze different functions and draw a relationship and conclusion based on the graph.

Learn how to solve problems by taking the derivative. Then, through examination of higher order derivatives using the CAS computer program, students create a visual of what is happening with the equation.

Young scholars find the derivative using the mean value theorem in this calculus lesson plan. They find the slopes of secant and tangent lines, then analyze the function and identify the slope.

Students analyze the derivative of a graph. In this calculus lesson, students identify the different behavior of a graph. They label concavity of the graphs as increasing or decreasing.

Chemists use the destructive distillation technique to produce three derivatives from a sample of bituminous coal. You will find background information, a materials list, procedures, and sample follow-up questions that you can use in...

Learn to solve functions by taking the derivatives. In this calculus lesson, students compare the graph of a derivative to that of the original function.

Get moving to a better understanding of graphs of derivatives. Using motion sensors, scholars vary their velocities to create graphs of the first derivative of a function. The activity challenges groups to first create a script of the...

Students explore and derive functions. In this calculus instructional activity, students graphs a function and find the derivative of each function as they compare exponential graphs. They relate and compare each function to its derivative.

Learn how to investigate the change in a graph by dragging the cursor to observe the change in the function. They use the TI calculator to graph their parabola.

Learn how to evaluate the derivatives of polynomials.  Mathematicians find the derivative of a quadratic function and determine the value at a given value.  Students compare the slope of the secant line through two points with...

Young scholars explore quartic functions in this calculus lesson. They investigate an application of derivatives and definite integrals, then explore the question of which of the "three bumps" of a quartic is the largest.

Local linearity isn't the first thing that comes to mind to start off an AP® Calculus course. A scholarly article discusses one possible beginning to the AP® Calculus course: investigating and introducing derivatives through activities...

Twelfth graders analyze the derivatives and use trig functions to practice using the derivative. In this calculus lesson, 12th graders derive the 6 trigonometric functions using the derivative and their properties. They complete practice...

Student list the 6 trig functions and identify their inverse functions. In this trigonometry lesson, young scholars derive the inverse trig functions using the derivative. They solve problems using the inverse functions through...

Students use this hands-on activity to demonstrate the production of coke, one of the most widely used raw materials derived from coal. They are also stimulated to do research into the differences in coal types and coal products.

Pupils explore the concept of derivatives. They use implicit differentiation to determine points on a graph where a tangent line is horizontal, vertical, or oblique. Finally, learners find the derivative of a polynomial by...

Learners define and review derivatives rules. In this calculus lesson, students watch a movie on derivatives, solve examples with the teacher and review the important concepts that make solving a derivative work. They write a summary of...

Young scholars review derivatives and equations for their test. In this calculus lesson plan, students review average rate, parametric equations, tangent line to a curve and value of a derivative to prepare and show mastery on a chapter...

Seeking to derive the formula for the volume of a square pyramid, geometry learners construct six square based pyramids that, when pieced together properly, form a cube. Two short videos demonstrate the relationship...

Birthdays are a time for celebration, and now they're a time for calculation! An AP calculus lesson uniquely explores relationships between a polynomial function and its derivative. Learners create a cubic function based...