Derivative 101

From the Latin derivātus, derived is a term that can be used as a noun or as an adjective. In the first case, it is a mathematical notion that names the limit value of the link between the increase in the value of a function and the increase in the independent variable.

The derivative, therefore, represents how a function changes as its input also changes. In the cases of real-valued functions of a single variable, the derivative represents, at a certain point, the value of the slope of the tangent line to the graph of the function at that point.

The concept of derivative is used in the field of mathematics. See Abbreviation Finder for acronyms related to Derivative.

Origin of the derivative

The birth and use of derivatives in the mathematical field, although they have their origin in Ancient Greece, we can establish that they appear as such thanks to two very important historical figures: the English mathematician Isaac Newton and the German logician Gottfried Leibniz.

And it is that they started from the theories and concepts established by their predecessors in time to be able to carry out their own applications and methods. Thus, for example, Newton discovered algorithms, proceeded to undertake the restructuring of what are the bases of calculations and created his own method to perform the calculation of tangents.

Derived words

For grammar, a derived word is one that is formed through a derivation. This is a word formation procedure based on the indication of semantically linked concepts with others to which affixes are added. For example: messenger and messenger are two words derived from the word message. In the same sense, maritime, marine, tide, sailor, tidal wave and tidal wave are words derived from sea.

A derived word is developed by a derivation.

In this sense, we can therefore establish that there are two types of words in general. Thus, on the one hand there are the primitive calls, which are those that do not come from any other, and on the other hand we come across the derivatives that, as their name indicates, are those that are formed from others by adding prefixes or suffixes. of various kinds.

In this way, in addition to the examples already cited, we can establish others. In this case, a primitive word would be bread and some of the derivatives of it are baker or bakery.

Among the most frequent prefixes used to create derived words we find bi-, which can be translated as “two”, or equi-, which is synonymous with equality. On the contrary, in terms of suffixes, among the most used is –azo, which is an augmentative or –itis, which is equivalent to an inflammation.

Derivative in chemistry and in finance

At the chemical level, a derivative is a product that is obtained through another. Thus, it can be said that molasses is a liquid product derived from sugar cane, or that gasoline is a mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum.

In finance, on the other hand, a derivative instrument (also known as a financial derivative) is a financial-type product that has a value based on the price of a different resource (referred to as the underlying asset).