AP Calc: Week 7

tia2222
Oct 25, 2015
1 min read

This week we focused on learning how to find the derivatives of trigonmetric functions. We took a quiz on derivatives, and I actually did much better than I expected. When I'm practicing these problems, I don't always feel very confident in my answers, but it is nice to be able to graph them to have an idea if I am right or not. The only thing I really do not understand about this week's learning is what we would use this information for. Honestly, I don't have any idea of a situation where finding the derivative is necessary. Also, what is the point of the derivative? Sure, it is the slope of the tangent line at any point, I understand that, but why? I mean, who woke up one day and decided that THIS is what a derivative means. What on earth is it used for? I just do not understand the concept of what a derivative means. I really don't mind solving them, though. It's almost like trying to solve a puzzle, especially since there is a way to see if your answer works or not. It's much better than problems that you have to solve blindly and hope that your answer is right. I just wish I understood the real life applications of these problems.