Education Technology


The Definition of Derivative

Activity Overview

Students will use the graphing calculator to demonstrate the use of the difference quotient as the definition of the derivative.

Before the Activity

See the attached Activity PDF file(s) for detailed instructions for this activity.

During the Activity

Follow the procedures outlined in the activity.

Students will:

  • Use the Limit Feature of the graphing calculator to establish that the limit of the difference quotient and the shortcut symbolic derivative are the same.
  • After the Activity

  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary