Derivatives are one of the most fundamental concepts in calculus. At their core, they represent how a quantity changes with respect to another. Whether you’re studying physics, economics, or engineering, derivatives allow you to model change, which is a critical part of understanding the world around us. In this installment of Codect, I’ll explain what derivatives are, how they are computed, and why they’re so important. What is a Derivative? Imagine you’re driving a car.