Linked Questions

0 votes
1 answer
54 views

Question in the definition of curvature

$$K = \Bigg|\frac{dT}{ds}\Bigg| = \Bigg|\frac{\frac{dT}{dt}}{\frac{ds}{dt}}\Bigg|$$ where $T$ is the unit tangent vector to the curve and $s$ is arc lenght. I don't know why that relationship is True ...
samsamradas's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
135 views

Is $\frac{dy}{dx}$ a ratio? [duplicate]

In differential calculus for beginners, Joseph Edwards alerts the reader against the fallacious notion of $\frac{dy}{dx}$ being a ratio. But then in Integral calculus they play around with $\ dy$ and $...
Vasus Deus's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
61 views

Why can we treat dy/dx as a fraction in 1 dimension [duplicate]

When doing integration and calculus why can we manipulate $dy/dx$ as if it was a fraction. I heard this only works when working in one dimension or something? And aren't $dy$ and $dx$ supposed to be ...
Tom Xia's user avatar
  • 151
-2 votes
2 answers
81 views

The dy/dx notation [duplicate]

In the dx/dy notation, we could interpret it is a fraction, right? Thus, the Ds cancel out? So that would result in x/y? Am I right? ...
Professional Coder's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
63 views

When can we safely treat $dx$ like it were a real number during integration by substitution

$\def\R{\mathbf{R}}$ Disclaimer. I am aware that this is similar to this post, but the difference here is I'm asking, when can we safely treat these 'infinitesimal' quantities as though they were real ...
user1020500's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
104 views

Solving $y' = \frac{x^2 + 2xy - y^2 - 2}{x^2 - 2xy - y^2 + 2}$ without tricks

I would like to solve the equation: $y' = \frac{y^2 - 2xy - x^2 + 2}{y^2 + 2xy - x^2 - 2} \tag{1}$ From that, we have: $y'(y^2 + 2xy - x^2 - 2) = y^2 - 2xy - x^2 + 2 \implies $ $\frac{(2x + 2yy')(x+...
S11n's user avatar
  • 898
5 votes
1 answer
224 views

Did Newton and Leibniz use limits in their derivations of differential calculus?

In modern treatments of calculus, limits are used to motivate the derivation of differential calculus. However, when I searched for the history of limits I came across this Wikipedia article, which ...
Connor's user avatar
  • 647
0 votes
2 answers
58 views

Given an equation of differentials, how can I find the relative rate of change

Context I am studying special relativity. In [1], Gray derives an equation that is written in terms of three differentials. Namely, $$\left(d\tau\right)^2 = \left(dt\right)^2 - \frac{\left|d\mathbf{r}\...
Michael Levy's user avatar
  • 1,100
1 vote
2 answers
163 views

Difference between $dy$ and $dx$ [duplicate]

I've been taught about $dy/dx$ and how it can be split into $\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{d}{dx}y$. I'm confused as to why this happens. Don't $dy$ and $dx$ both refer to infinitely small changes in their ...
user1054651's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
28 views

How can we treat dy and dx as quantities? [duplicate]

It is very common in non-rigorous calculus classes to perform operations of the form $$\frac{dy}{dx} = f'\left(x\right) \implies dy = f'\left(x\right) dx$$ As if these are simply numbers. How is this ...
Teleoplexic's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
414 views

Show that the distribution defined by $f_n(x)=\sin(nx)$ converges to $T_0$

Let $n>0$ and define the function $(f_n)$ as $f_n(x)=\sin(nx)$. Show that $T_{f_n} \underset{\mathcal{D'}}{\rightarrow} T_0$. As a hint, I was told to use the fact that for distributions one can ...
John.W's user avatar
  • 379
0 votes
0 answers
26 views

Method of differentiation

First of all we all know that d/dx is an operator which differentiates the function provided to it w.r.t. x okay! Now, while differentiating complex functions we often use Chain Rule. Sometimes during ...
Spencer's user avatar
  • 141
0 votes
2 answers
558 views

How does the idea of a differential $\text{d}x$ work if derivatives are not fractions?

I was going through some old work and had a question about differentials. I know that derivatives $\frac{\text{d}y(x)}{\text{d}x}$ are not fractions, but rather an operator $\frac{\text{d}}{\text{d}{x}...
LightninBolt74's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
155 views

Why do we use the $\mathrm dy/\mathrm dx$ definition when talking about rates and not $\Delta y/\Delta x$

I am a student learning rates of change. Why is it always that people use the $\,dy/\,dx$ to represent a rate of change and not the definition of the slope which is $\Delta y/ \Delta x$ I think using $...
AdityaBisht07's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
377 views

question about flipping chain rule derivatives

If $$\frac{dy}{dx} = \left(\frac{dy}{du}\right)\left(\frac{du}{dx}\right),$$ will the inverse of $dy/dx$ flip the other derivatives? For instance, will $$\frac{dx}{dy} = \left(\frac{du}{dy}\right)\...
seb aye's user avatar
  • 123

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