Differentiability

/ˌdɪfərənʃəˈbɪləti/ noun

Definition

In calculus and mathematics, the quality or property of a function having a derivative at every point in its domain.

Etymology

From 'differentiable' (capable of being differentiated) plus '-ity' (noun suffix forming abstract concepts). 'Differentiate' comes from Medieval Latin 'differentiare,' based on 'differentia.'

Kelly Says

Differentiability is why calculus works at all—if a curve is differentiable everywhere, it means you can find its slope at any point! Some weird curves aren't differentiable anywhere, which blew mathematicians' minds in the 1800s.

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