Differentiation

11

I do GCSE Higher maths, and I understand how to differentiate but i don't know when to or what it actually solves? Can anyone help?

Reply 1

pinkycloudy

7

Differentiation transforms an equation to the gradient equation. So you can find the gradient of the equation. Or you can find the points where it is stationary (gradient = 0) you can use this to find minimum or maximum points too! Also you may need to know the physics related to it I.e. the displacement, velocity, time, distance. Sth like that I can’t rmb on top of my head

Reply 2

hotpud

18

Original post

by carnaldrax

I do GCSE Higher maths, and I understand how to differentiate but i don't know when to or what it actually solves? Can anyone help?

It gives you the gradient of a point on a graph. It can be used for calculating things like acceleration given velocity as differentiating velocity gives acceleration.

You can also find gradients on surfaces which comes into its own when calculating voltages generated at certain points in an electro magnetic field... I think! 😂

Reply 3

MP_25

10

hiya

a-level maths student here, differentiation is finding the gradient, so dy/dx (or sometimes written as f'(x) ) = change in y divided by change in x. Usually its used in finding points/co-ords on a curve, mostly stationary points (gradient is 0) i.e maxima and minima. You also use diffferentiation in modelling, so using it to find maximum/minimum volumes/lengths for a container when ur given the surface area for example.
I didnt do differentiation at GCSE for what i remember so idk what kind of questions would come up there. Honestly i recommend looking thorugh exam past papers to see what the questions are like, also the maths walkthoughs of exam paper questions are great to know what types of questions come up and when to use them - saves me all the type in exams :smile:

hopefully this is gonna be some help :smile:

Reply 4

Harman Kaur

12

Original post

by carnaldrax

I do GCSE Higher maths, and I understand how to differentiate but i don't know when to or what it actually solves? Can anyone help?

I do gcse higher maths as well and I haven't studied this topic before. But I have heard about it, it is topic in A level maths then why are you doing it for GCSE? Is it also in GCSE as well? if it is do I have to learn? I do Edexcel maths.

Reply 5

carnaldrax

OP

11

Original post

by Harman Kaur

I do gcse higher maths as well and I haven't studied this topic before. But I have heard about it, it is topic in A level maths then why are you doing it for GCSE? Is it also in GCSE as well? if it is do I have to learn? I do Edexcel maths.

I do Edexcel IGCSE and yes we have to learn it

Reply 6

carnaldrax

OP

11

Original post

by Harman Kaur

I do gcse higher maths as well and I haven't studied this topic before. But I have heard about it, it is topic in A level maths then why are you doing it for GCSE? Is it also in GCSE as well? if it is do I have to learn? I do Edexcel maths.

I do Edexcel IGCSE and yes we have to learn it

Reply 7

Neatstudy.mirale

9

Original post

by Harman Kaur

I do gcse higher maths as well and I haven't studied this topic before. But I have heard about it, it is topic in A level maths then why are you doing it for GCSE? Is it also in GCSE as well? if it is do I have to learn? I do Edexcel maths.

I do igcse extended math and yes differentiation is touched on from algebra its linked with functions,the comcwpt is pretty straight forward once you learn it and apply it although when you move onto the alevel maths it becomes more broader its worth checking the course context for differentiation for your specification

Differentiation

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated