It seems like it should be about three. Pupils learn to get an estimate of the derivative of a function at a point by using the derivative functionality of their graphing calculators. They take that information to determine the equation...

The shortcuts are not just for polynomial functions. Pupils learn the derivatives of the two basic trigonometric functions, cosine and sine. The video provides the derivatives for exponential and logarithmic functions. Learners work...

Graphically find the derivative of sin(x). Using the interactive, pupils graph the slope of the tangent line to the sine function. Class members use the resulting graph to determine the derivative of the sine function. They verify their...

Find deeper meaning in graphs. Pupils use the knowledge gained from the previous sections in the unit to sketch graphs of a function's derivative. Learners also see how to sketch a graph of a function given the graph of its derivatives....

Construct tangent lines and make the connection to tangent functions. An informative activity reviews the geometry origins of the tangent function. Pupils use that information to determine how to construct a tangent to a circle from a...

Notation in mathematics can be intimidating. Use this lesson to expose pupils to the various ways of representing a function and the accompanying notation. The material also addresses the importance of including a domain if necessary....

Discrete or not discrete? Individuals learn about the difference between discrete and non-discrete functions in the fourth installment of a 12-part module. They classify some examples of functions as being either discrete or non-discrete.

Going up? Wait, it might be going down! Learners watch a video to see how to use the derivative and critical points to find where a function is either increasing or decreasing. Individuals use the rate of change to solve real-world...

Time to take a second look at derivatives finding concavity. While watching the video, learners find out the definition of concavity. Individuals see how to determine whether an interval is concave up or concave down using graphs and the...

Continue to differentiate the rest of the trigonometric functions. Pupils see the derivatives of the other four trigonometric functions and begin to memorize the rules. Learners see examples that show that the calculus portion of a...

Pupils learn how to find the derivative of a function by applying the definition using limits. Learners understand that the derivative provides the slope of the tangent line and use that information to find the equation of the tangent...

Use derivatives to find equations of lines. Pupils learn more rules to use as shortcuts to find derivatives. Using the rules, they find the equations of the tangent line and the normal line at a given point. Scholars then apply the new...

Despite what you thought, you can differentiate between continuity and differentiability. Using a short lesson, pupils learn how differentiability and continuity relate to each other. It provides three descriptions of when a function is...

Time to move on to nonlinear functions. Scholars create input/output tables and use these to graph simple nonlinear functions. They calculate rates of change to distinguish between linear and nonlinear functions.

Put all of the derivative rules into one basket. The instructional activity stars with warm-up exercises that provide a connection to previously learned concepts. The lesson plan uses the different derivative theorems to calculate a...

Show your class members that if they can graph a linear function, they can graph an absolute value function. Groups create an absolute value graph using a table, then entertain the idea of an absolute value function defined as two...

If you know one, you know them all! Parent functions all handle translations the same. This lesson plan examines the quadratic, absolute value, and square root functions. Pupils discover the similarities in the behavior of the graphs...

Build on the understanding of finding angles using trigonometric ratios. Pupils develop the definitions of inverse trigonometric functions by restricting their domains in the 13th lesson of a 16-part series. They use inverse functional...

Help learners discover the unique characteristics of the tangent function. Working in teams, pupils create tables of values for different intervals of the tangent function. Through teamwork, they discover the periodicity, frequency, and...

Why is that graph wider? Pupils learn about stretching and shrinking graphs of square root, absolute value, cubic, and quadratic functions. They study both vertical and horizontal stretches and shrinks in addition to reflections. 

Use the graphs of the trigonometric functions to set the stage to inverse functions. The lesson reviews the graphs of the basic trigonometric functions and their transformations. Pupils use their knowledge of graphing functions to model...

Formalize the notion of a function. Scholars continue their exploration of functions in the second lesson of the module. They consider functions as input-output machines and develop function rules for selected functions.

Connect linear equations, proportionality, and constant rates of change to linear functions. Young mathematicians learn how linear equations of the form y = mx + b can represent linear functions. They then explore examples of linear...

Build a solid understanding of trigonometric transformations through exploration. Learners work in teams to analyze the effects of different algebraic components on the graph of a sine function.