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Quote of the Day:
"It is clear that the chief end of mathematical study
must be to make the students think."
-- John Wesley Young
Objectives:
The student will learn to compute differentials.
The student will apply differentials to computing
approximations for cube roots.
1. Collect homework.
2. Definition of a differential:
If y = f(x),
The differential dy = f'(x)dx.
To see where this comes from,
begin with y = f(x)
Take the derivative of each side:
dy/dx = f'(x)
Then multiple both sides by dx:
dy = f'(x)dx
Think of the differentials dy and dx
as small changes in y and x.
3. Examples
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4. Compare the corresponding differential and derivative
formulas on p. 216.
5. More Examples
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6. Click here for a Comic Strip on Differential Calculus
7. Assignment:
p. 217 (9, 11, 12, 27, 30, 35)
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