The derivative of a function is the rate of change of the function's output relative to its input value.

Derivative may also refer to:

In mathematics and economics

  • Brzozowski derivative in the theory of formal languages
  • Covariant derivative, a way of specifying a derivative along tangent vectors of a manifold with a connection.
  • Exterior derivative, an extension of the concept of the differential of a function to differential forms of higher degree.
  • Formal derivative, an operation on elements of a polynomial ring which mimics the form of the derivative from calculus
  • Fréchet derivative, a derivative defined on normed spaces.
  • Gateaux derivative, a generalization of the concept of directional derivative in differential calculus.
  • Lie derivative, the change of a tensor field (including scalar functions, vector fields and one-forms), along the flow defined by another vector field.
  • Radon–Nikodym derivative in measure theory
  • Derivative (set theory), a concept applicable to normal functions
  • Derivative (graph theory), an alternative term for a line graph
  • Derivative (finance), a contract whose value is derived from that of other quantities
  • Derivative suit or derivative action, a type of lawsuit filed by shareholders of a corporation

In science and engineering

  • Derivative (chemistry), a type of compound which is a product of the process of derivatization
  • Derivative (linguistics), the process of forming a new word on the basis of an existing word, e.g. happiness and unhappy from happy
  • Aeroderivative gas turbine, a mechanical drive gas turbine derived from an aero engine gas turbine

Other uses

  • Derivative work, in copyright law, a modification of an original work
  • Fork (software development)
  • Derivative (film), a 2005 Turkish film
  • Derivative Inc., a spin-off of Side Effects Software, creators of the software Houdini
  • Derivative, used to describe a word formed from another word

See also

  • Derive (disambiguation), for meanings of "derive" and "derived"
  • Derivation (disambiguation)
  • Imitation
  • Interpretation (disambiguation)
  • Mimicry