rate of change

noun phrase

: a value that results from dividing the change in a function of a variable by the change in the variable
velocity is the rate of change in distance with respect to time

Examples of rate of change in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Recursively modeling the fundamental characteristic of linear functions — the constant rate of change — gives us another way to think about this relationship. Patrick Honner, Quanta Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024 On the other, these companies' business models and their rapid rate of change have outpaced investors' traditional analyses—leaving investors in uncertain, uncharted territory. Raphaëlle D’ornano, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 In modern science and engineering, partial differential equations help model complex physical systems involving multiple rates of change, such as ones changing across both space and time. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Feb. 2024 The issues are the rate of change in the nature of warfare and the reasons for it. Foreign Affairs, 13 Dec. 2023 Calculus is a type of math that focuses on the rate of change over time or a mathematics course taught in high school and college. John Kelly, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2023 The rate of change is brutally exponential, and the complexity of the world is daunting. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2023 End of carousel Although visual arts also experienced drop-offs, the rate of change wasn’t as proportionally drastic. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023 As a result, the rate of change on board is famously slow. Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rate of change.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rate of change was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near rate of change

Cite this Entry

“Rate of change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rate%20of%20change. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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