Applications of differentiation include:
- Finding the slope (or equation) of the tangent line to the graph of a function at a point
- Finding the slope or equation of the tangent line to the graph of an equation at a point (using implicit differentiation)
- Locating absolute or local extrema on a graph (using critical points)
- Linear approximation of a function value
- Estimating the change in a quantity using differentials
- Estimating the velocity, acceleration of a moving body
- Knowing the behaviour of a function in the number line (change in curvature)