Skip to content

Unit 9: Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions

Defining and Differentiating Vector-Valued Functions

Write a curve as a vector-valued function, differentiate it component by component, and read the derivative vector as the direction and rate of motion along the curve.

Topic 9.4 · 6 min read

This lesson comes with the AP Calculus BC plan

In this lesson

  1. 01Vector-valued functions
  2. 02The derivative is computed component by component
  3. 03What the derivative vector tells you
  4. 04The rules you know still work
  5. 05Worked examples
  6. 06Where students lose points
  7. 07On the exam

The first units’ lessons are free. The plan opens every lesson, every practice question with worked solutions, your study plan and calendar, for $14.49 a month. Cancel any time.

Create a free accountSign in