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Definitions from the Web

Derivatives

Description:

Derivatives, in linguistics, refer to words that are formed from existing words by adding affixes or modifying the base form in some way. These modifications can change the word's part of speech, meaning, or both. Derivatives are an essential tool for expanding vocabulary and creating new words within a language.

Senses:

Sense 1: Word Formations

In the realm of word formation, derivatives involve the addition of prefixes or suffixes to the base form of a word. This process often results in the creation of nouns, adjectives, or verbs with different meanings.

Example: The noun "singer" is a derivative of the verb "sing" where the suffix "-er" is added.

Sense 2: Financial Derivatives

Outside the linguistic context, derivatives also encompass financial instruments whose values are derived from underlying assets. These assets can include commodities, stocks, currencies, or bonds. Financial derivatives are commonly used to hedge against risks or speculate on price movements.

Example: Jane invested in a stock option, a type of financial derivative, to protect herself from potential losses if the stock market declined.

Sense 3: Calculus

In mathematics, derivatives are mathematical functions used to express rates of change and slopes of curves. In calculus, the derivative of a function at a specific point represents its instantaneous rate of change at that point.

Example: The derivative of f(x) = 3x^2 is f'(x) = 6x, which tells us the rate at which the function is changing at any given x-coordinate.

Sample Sentences:

• She loves exploring the derivations of words to better understand their origins.
• The banking industry heavily relies on the use of complex derivatives for risk management.
• Learning about derivatives in calculus can be challenging, but it opens up a whole new world of mathematical understanding.
• The novel includes a myriad of imaginitive derivations, enriching the language and storytelling.

Possible Related Products:

• Language Derivatives Books
• Financial Derivatives Investments
• Calculus Derivatives Study Guides