Answer: Instantaneous rate of change.
- A Area enclosed under the curve across an interval
- B Sum of all the function's values over its domain
- C Instantaneous rate of change
- D Average value of the function across an interval
Correct answer: C. Instantaneous rate of change
Explanation: The derivative gives the instantaneous rate of change of the function at any point.
As point Q slides along the curve toward P, the secant line PQ rotates into the tangent line at P, whose slope is the derivative.
Concept context
Rate of change, differentiation rules, and applications