Differentiation

There are 16 NRICH Mathematical resources connected to Differentiation
Loch Ness
problem
Favourite

Loch ness

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
Draw graphs of the sine and modulus functions and explain the humps.
Quick Route
problem
Favourite

Quick route

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
What is the quickest route across a ploughed field when your speed around the edge is greater?
Exponential Trend
problem
Favourite

Exponential trend

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Find all the turning points of y=x^{1/x} for x>0 and decide whether each is a maximum or minimum. Give a sketch of the graph.
Slide
problem
Favourite

Slide

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
This function involves absolute values. To find the slope on the slide use different equations to define the function in different parts of its domain.
Placeholder: several colourful numbers
problem

Bird-brained

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
How many eggs should a bird lay to maximise the number of chicks that will hatch? An introduction to optimisation.
Towards Maclaurin
problem

Towards maclaurin

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
Build series for the sine and cosine functions by adding one term at a time, alternately making the approximation too big then too small but getting ever closer.
Least of All
problem

Least of all

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
A point moves on a line segment. A function depends on the position of the point. Where do you expect the point to be for a minimum of this function to occur.
Integration matcher
problem

Integration matcher

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Can you match the charts of these functions to the charts of their integrals?
Operating machines
problem

Operating machines

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star filled star filled star
What functions can you make using the function machines RECIPROCAL and PRODUCT and the operator machines DIFF and INT?
Calculus Countdown
problem

Calculus countdown

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Can you hit the target functions using a set of input functions and a little calculus and algebra?