After completing this section, students should be able to do the following.

  • Recall the definition of the derivative.
  • Calculate derivatives using the shortcut formulas.
  • Find the equation of a tangent line.
  • Calculate instantaneous rates of change.
  • Use derivatives to determine if a function is increasing/decreasing.
  • Use derivatives to determine if a function is concave up/concave down.
  • Use derivatives to find local extrema.
  • Use derivatives to find global extrema.
  • Use derivatives to solve optimization problems.
  • Recall the Mean Value Theorem.