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Derivative with respect to time

Definition

The derivative with respect to time measures the rate of change of a quantity over time. It represents how quickly or slowly a variable is changing at any given moment.

Analogy

Think of the derivative with respect to time as a speedometer in a car. Just like the speedometer tells you how fast you're going at any point in time, the derivative with respect to time tells you how fast a quantity is changing at any specific moment.

Related terms

Instantaneous Rate of Change: The instantaneous rate of change refers to the rate at which a quantity is changing at a specific instant in time.

Velocity: Velocity is the derivative of position with respect to time. It measures both the speed and direction of an object's motion.

Acceleration: Acceleration is the derivative of velocity with respect to time. It measures how quickly an object's velocity changes over time.

"Derivative with respect to time" appears in:

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.