Calculus through Data & Modeling: Applying Differentiation

As rates of change, derivatives give us information about the shape of a graph. In this course, we will apply the derivative to find linear approximations for single-variable and multi-variable functions. This gives us a straightforward way to estimate functions that may be complicated or difficult to evaluate. We will also use the derivative to locate the maximum and minimum values of a function. These optimization techniques are important for all fields, including the natural sciences and data analysis. The topics in this course lend themselves to many real-world applications, such as machine learning, minimizing costs or maximizing profits

• Apply differentiation to find linear approximations of functions
• Determine maximum and minimum values of functions
• Use differentiation for optimization problems
• Estimate complex functions using derivatives
• Understand the role of derivatives in data science
• Connect differentiation to practical applications like machine learning

• Basic familiarity with the topic and its common terminology
• Readiness to practice through applied exercises or case-based work