This article explains how a running total differs from a rate of change, using...

https://www.bright-bookmarks.win/a-running-total-shows-how-much-has-accumulated-while-a-rate-of-change-tells

This article explains how a running total differs from a rate of change, using parcel deliveries as an example. See how “120 parcels by noon” compares with “15 parcels per hour,” and why the time window and units matter when reading a dashboard.