MATH 170 · Derivatives, descent and learning

The slope, right here derivative

You are the AI. Nobody hands you a slope formula — you put a finger on the curve and feel which way it tilts. Drag the gold point: the tangent's tilt is the derivative, right there. And your own dragging draws a brand-new curve underneath — the slope-collector, f′.

slope here =−1.00
sweep the point across to trace — the f′ button unlocks after enough dots
Try: sweep slowly edge to edge without lifting — you just drew f′ by hand. Then hunt the flat spots.