Final answer:
To calculate a derivative at a specific point, find the general derivative first and then substitute the point's value into the derivative.
Step-by-step explanation:
When calculating a derivative at a certain point, the correct procedure is to first find the general derivative of the function, and then plug in the specific value for which you want to find the derivative's value. This process allows you to find the instantaneous rate of change or instantaneous acceleration at that particular point on the curve represented by the function.
For example, if you have a position function over time x(t) and want to find the velocity v(t), you would take the derivative of x(t) with respect to time to get v(t). If you are then asked for the velocity at t = 1 second, you would substitute 1 into the derived velocity function v(t). This sequence ensures the most accurate calculation of the derivative at a specific point.