What's a dx?

ryos · 2005-10-17 17:21:51

Ok, so I know that it's a differential--a change in the function input value--and that it can be used in approximating the function value at that change by dy = f'(x)dx. So far so good.

Then, my book goes on to give the rules of derivatives in differential notation. An example of this is the power rule: d(u^n) = nu^(n-1)du

I've emphasized the du because it seems to have no business being there. You have (nu^(n-1)), which is the rule to find the exact derivative of a power function, and then we stupidly approximate it by multiplying by an arbitrary du. And if the derivative we've found really is exact, then wouldn't du=0, thus invalidating our results entirely?

It gets worse in integrals. They insist on a meaningless dx in ALL of them. They tell you to put it on there and then ignore it while you happily integrate, leaving it out of your solution entirely. What?

I'm sorry for ranting. I know I shouldn't be so condescending towards dx, since it's me who doesn't understand, but it makes me angry because I can't find a proper explanation anywhere, so it's something that obviously everyone should just understand, but I don't.

It's a conspiracy of mathematicians! Lol, I'm better now. Or I will be, once I understand dx.

MathsIsFun · 2005-10-18 09:39:57

Yes, dx is defined in terms of the limit as the slice size goes to 0. I suppose you can say that dx is an infinitesimal slice of x.

But it does seem to follow odd rules at times. Sometimes you can do seemingly illegal things with it, and other times a simple thing is not allowed.

I would like to make a page on this one day. Maybe I could start with figuring the area under a curve, maybe the x^2 curve, starting with large slices and going smaller.

How do the rest of you understand dx?

ryos · 2005-10-20 12:30:25

Thanks kylekaturn. After reading it about 10 times, I think I understand.

MathsIsFun, a page on dx would be great. I would say that, instead of following odd rules, it just sort of breaks them sometimes. Though offensive to mathematicians, it's accurate.

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2005-10-17 17:21:51

What's a dx?

#2 2005-10-18 09:39:57

Re: What's a dx?

#3 2005-10-20 12:30:25

Re: What's a dx?

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