Derivative of the curve and its meaning

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The derivative of the function $y=x^2$ is $y=2x$. So, does this mean that the derivative is the equation of the secant of the curve which can be modified to tangent at a point?

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The derivative is the slope of the tangent in the $x-y$ plane: $f'(x_0)$ is the slope of the tangent to $f$ at the point $(x_0,f(x_0))$