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In mathematics, a rate is the quotient of two quantities, often represented as a fraction. [1] If the divisor (or fraction denominator) in the rate is equal to one expressed as a single unit, and if it is assumed that this quantity can be changed systematically (i.e., is an independent variable), then the dividend (the fraction numerator) of the rate expresses the corresponding rate of change ...
The quantity grows at a rate directly proportional to its present size. For example, when it is 3 times as big as it is now, it will be growing 3 times as fast as it is now. In more technical language, its instantaneous rate of change (that is, the derivative) of a quantity with respect to an independent variable is proportional to the quantity ...
For example, the derivative (rate of change) of a constant function is zero. This is because constants, by definition, do not change. Their derivative is hence zero. Conversely, when integrating a constant function, the constant is multiplied by the variable of integration.
Change of variables is an operation that is related to substitution. However these are different operations, as can be seen when considering differentiation or integration (integration by substitution). A very simple example of a useful variable change can be seen in the problem of finding the roots of the sixth-degree polynomial:
In multivariable calculus, the directional derivative measures the rate at which a function changes in a particular direction at a given point. [citation needed]The directional derivative of a multivariable differentiable (scalar) function along a given vector v at a given point x intuitively represents the instantaneous rate of change of the function, moving through x with a direction ...
[5] [6] The difference quotient is a measure of the average rate of change of the function over an interval (in this case, an interval of length h). [7] [8]: 237 [9] The limit of the difference quotient (i.e., the derivative) is thus the instantaneous rate of change. [9]
Identify the known variables, including rates of change and the rate of change that is to be found. (Drawing a picture or representation of the problem can help to keep everything in order) Construct an equation relating the quantities whose rates of change are known to the quantity whose rate of change is to be found.
The variable y is directly proportional to the variable x with proportionality constant ~0.6. The variable y is inversely proportional to the variable x with proportionality constant 1. In mathematics, two sequences of numbers, often experimental data, are proportional or directly proportional if their corresponding elements have a constant ratio.