Applications of differentiation include:

• Finding the slope (or equation) of the tangent line to the graph of a function at a point
• Finding the slope or equation of the tangent line to the graph of an equation at a point (using implicit differentiation)
• Locating absolute or local extrema on a graph (using critical points)
• Linear approximation of a function value
• Estimating the change in a quantity using differentials
• Estimating the velocity, acceleration of a moving body
• Knowing the behaviour of a function in the number line (change in curvature)