Derivative Exploration

This sketch provides two types of slider-controlled functions (cubic polynomial and generic sinusoid). A point is placed on the function which can be dragged around. The slope of the tangent line is plotted and that point is traced. Use the checkbox's to select a type of function and then the sliders to adjust the coefficients in the function. Drag point A to see how the instantaneous rate of change changes for different values on the function.