Calculus: Sign of the Derivative

Objectives

• Make a connection between the sign of the derivative (positive/negative/zero) and the increasing or decreasing nature of the graph

About the Lesson

Students will move a point on a function and observe the changes in the sign of the derivative. Based on observations, students will answer questions on a worksheet. In the second part of the investigation, students will move the point and see a trace of the derivative to connect the positive or negative sign of the derivative with the location on the coordinate plane.