The

derivative In mathematics, the derivative of a function of a real variable measures the sensitivity to change of the function value (output value) with respect to a change in its argument (input value). Derivatives are a fundamental tool of calculus. F ...

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 theoretical computer science, in particular in formal language theory, the Brzozowski derivative u^S of a set S of strings and a string u is the set of all strings obtainable from a string in S by cutting off the prefix u, as illustrated in th ...

in the theory of formal languages *

Formal derivative In mathematics, the formal derivative is an operation on elements of a polynomial ring or a ring of formal power series that mimics the form of the derivative from calculus. Though they appear similar, the algebraic advantage of a formal derivati ...

, an operation on elements of a polynomial ring which mimics the form of the derivative from calculus * Radon–Nikodym derivative in measure theory *

Derivative (set theory) In axiomatic set theory, a function ''f'' : Ord → Ord is called normal (or a normal function) if and only if it is continuous (with respect to the order topology) and strictly monotonically increasing. This is equivalent to the following two ...

, a concept applicable to normal functions *

Derivative (graph theory) In the mathematical discipline of graph theory, the line graph of an undirected graph is another graph that represents the adjacencies between edges of . is constructed in the following way: for each edge in , make a vertex in ; for every ...

, an alternative term for a line graph deva *

Derivative (finance) In finance, a derivative is a contract that ''derives'' its value from the performance of an underlying entity. This underlying entity can be an asset, index, or interest rate, and is often simply called the "underlying". Derivatives can be u ...

, a contract whose value is derived from that of other quantities *

Derivative suit A shareholder derivative suit is a lawsuit brought by a shareholder on behalf of a corporation against a third party. Often, the third party is an insider of the corporation, such as an executive officer or director. Shareholder derivative suits are ...

or derivative action, a type of lawsuit filed by shareholders of a corporation

In science and engineering

Derivative (chemistry) In chemistry, a derivative is a compound that is derived from a similar compound by a chemical reaction. In the past, derivative also meant a compound that ''can be imagined to'' arise from another compound, if one atom or group of atoms is repla ...

, a type of compound which is a product of the process of derivatization *

Derivative (linguistics) Morphological derivation, in linguistics, is the process of forming a new word from an existing word, often by adding a prefix or suffix, such as For example, ''unhappy'' and ''happiness'' derive from the root word ''happy.'' It is different ...

, 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 gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of continuous flow internal combustion engine. The main parts common to all gas turbine engines form the power-producing part (known as the gas generator or core) and are, in the directi ...

, a mechanical drive gas turbine derived from an aero engine gas turbine

Other uses

Derivative work In copyright law, a derivative work is an expressive creation that includes major copyrightable elements of an original, previously created first work (the underlying work). The derivative work becomes a second, separate work independent in fo ...

, in copyright law, a modification of an original work **

Fork (software development) In software engineering, a project fork happens when developers take a copy of source code from one software package and start independent development on it, creating a distinct and separate piece of software. The term often implies not merely ...

* ''Derivative'' (film), a 2005 Turkish film *Derivative Inc., a spin-off of Side Effects Software, creators of the software

Houdini Harry Houdini (, born Erik Weisz; March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian-American escape artist, magic man, and stunt performer, noted for his escape acts. His pseudonym is a reference to his spiritual master, French magician ...

In mathematics and economics

In science and engineering

Other uses

See also