Today I learned something of Calculus

Pip Boy · 10-18-2010, 04:30 PM

Since the slope of a line is determined by (Change in Y)/(Change in X), it would seemingly be impossible to determine the slope of a curve at a single individual point. Using a concept introduced in Calculus, however, called a Limit, one can find trends in the Value of f(x) as X approaches a given number to kind of simulate what X would be if it could exit, such as in instances where a denominator of 0 makes f(x) impossible to actually determine. Using this concept, Derivatives are created. Using a formula derived from the slope formula, one finds what the slope of X moves towards as the Change in X gets smaller and smaller until it finally reaches 0, giving the hypothetical slope at a single point.

OR, IN ENGLISH

Since it is literally impossible to find what the slope of the tangent of X is at a single point, since you can't divide by zero, you use some DERIVATIVES and some LIMITS to find what the slope WOULD BE EQUAL TO if it WERE possible to find it; Thus accurately stating the value of the slope at X.

What the fuck Calculus. What the fuck.

EDIT: OH YE GODS MY BRAINS HOW DO YOU FIND THE AREA OF INFINITY RECTANGLES EACH WITH A WIDTH OF ZERO!?

EDIT AGAIN: I was about to Seil Tag this thread, but I think an SMB tag would be much more appropriate.

Professor Smarmiarty · 10-18-2010, 04:39 PM

Professor Calculus is in someways a metaphor for the contract of literature,the lie of literature- he inverts the literal conventions that his fictitious companions take as pat and ths opens up new spaces of the textwhile also shutting them down- questioning and yet maintaining the core secret. His rather trivial little pendulum takes him directly here, directing him on circular paths that would otherwise be straight, enabling a greater variety of experiences to be drawn while also asking questions of the straight path. Castiafore sings a song but Calculus plays along.

rpgdemon · 10-18-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pip Boy

EDIT: OH YE GODS MY BRAINS HOW DO YOU FIND THE AREA OF INFINITY RECTANGLES EACH WITH A WIDTH OF ZERO!?

With an integral. DUH.

Pip Boy · 10-18-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smarty McBarrelpants

Professor Calculus is in someways a metaphor for the contract of literature,the lie of literature- he inverts the literal conventions that his fictitious companions take as pat and ths opens up new spaces of the textwhile also shutting them down- questioning and yet maintaining the core secret. His rather trivial little pendulum takes him directly here, directing him on circular paths that would otherwise be straight, enabling a greater variety of experiences to be drawn while also asking questions of the straight path. Castiafore sings a song but Calculus plays along.

Please excuse me a moment while I retrieve the small pieces of gray matter I just vomited.

Eltargrim · 10-18-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pip Boy

EDIT: OH YE GODS MY BRAINS HOW DO YOU FIND THE AREA OF INFINITY RECTANGLES EACH WITH A WIDTH OF ZERO!?

Dirac delta. Lots of Dirac delta.

Or yeah, integrals.

Math is easier when you stop wondering why and just accept that it works. Makes Legendre polynomials a hell of a lot easier on the brain.

And fuck Bessel functions.

**McTahr** · 10-18-2010, 07:08 PM

They're so cute before they start messing with real calculus and not this sissy two dimensional junk.

Their eyes are so full of hope, all a-twinkle with knowledge and optimism.

And then they're asked to integrate in three dimensions using spherical coordinates or some other silly process and you can just...see them break.

It's my own personal meth.

krogothwolf · 10-18-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McTahr

They're so cute before they start messing with real calculus and not this sissy two dimensional junk.

Their eyes are so full of hope, all a-twinkle with knowledge and optimism.

And then they're asked to integrate in three dimensions using spherical coordinates or some other silly process and you can just...see them break.

It's my own personal meth.

I hate you

Eltargrim · 10-18-2010, 07:13 PM

Dude spherical coordinates ain't that bad, neglecting the harmonics. It's the cylindrical coordinates. Those are terrible. As I said before, fuck Bessel functions.

Also, axial symmetry is <3. r^2 sin theta dr dtheta dphi becomes 2 pi r^2 sin theta dr dtheta so easily

**McTahr** · 10-18-2010, 07:16 PM

Oh yeah, I personally don't have a problem with them. I actually prefer them for a lot of applications over rectangular coordinates. They can make things plenty easier depending on what you're doing. Seconding the mad diss on cylindrical though.

It just all them other folks seem to think that other coordinate systems are their bane and to be avoided at all costs.

Pip Boy · 10-18-2010, 07:17 PM

10-18-2010, 04:30 PM	#1
Pip Boy Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: A right and proper Nerd Cave Posts: 2,460	Today I learned something of Calculus Since the slope of a line is determined by (Change in Y)/(Change in X), it would seemingly be impossible to determine the slope of a curve at a single individual point. Using a concept introduced in Calculus, however, called a Limit, one can find trends in the Value of f(x) as X approaches a given number to kind of simulate what X would be if it could exit, such as in instances where a denominator of 0 makes f(x) impossible to actually determine. Using this concept, Derivatives are created. Using a formula derived from the slope formula, one finds what the slope of X moves towards as the Change in X gets smaller and smaller until it finally reaches 0, giving the hypothetical slope at a single point. OR, IN ENGLISH Since it is literally impossible to find what the slope of the tangent of X is at a single point, since you can't divide by zero, you use some DERIVATIVES and some LIMITS to find what the slope WOULD BE EQUAL TO if it WERE possible to find it; Thus accurately stating the value of the slope at X. What the fuck Calculus. What the fuck. EDIT: OH YE GODS MY BRAINS HOW DO YOU FIND THE AREA OF INFINITY RECTANGLES EACH WITH A WIDTH OF ZERO!? EDIT AGAIN: I was about to Seil Tag this thread, but I think an SMB tag would be much more appropriate. Last edited by Pip Boy; 10-18-2010 at 04:36 PM.

10-18-2010, 07:08 PM	#6
McTahr For the right price... Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,268	I sit in the back of the class and watch their dreams shatter on the chalkboard. They're so cute before they start messing with real calculus and not this sissy two dimensional junk. Their eyes are so full of hope, all a-twinkle with knowledge and optimism. And then they're asked to integrate in three dimensions using spherical coordinates or some other silly process and you can just...see them break. It's my own personal meth. __________________ Gone.

10-18-2010, 07:13 PM	#8
Eltargrim Fifty-Talents Haversham Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: FABULOUS Posts: 1,904	Dude spherical coordinates ain't that bad, neglecting the harmonics. It's the cylindrical coordinates. Those are terrible. As I said before, fuck Bessel functions. Also, axial symmetry is <3. r^2 sin theta dr dtheta dphi becomes 2 pi r^2 sin theta dr dtheta so easily __________________ <Insert witticism here; get credit; ???; profit!>

10-18-2010, 07:16 PM	#9
McTahr For the right price... Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,268	Oh yeah, I personally don't have a problem with them. I actually prefer them for a lot of applications over rectangular coordinates. They can make things plenty easier depending on what you're doing. Seconding the mad diss on cylindrical though. It just all them other folks seem to think that other coordinate systems are their bane and to be avoided at all costs. __________________ Gone.

10-18-2010, 04:39 PM	#2
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	Professor Calculus is in someways a metaphor for the contract of literature,the lie of literature- he inverts the literal conventions that his fictitious companions take as pat and ths opens up new spaces of the textwhile also shutting them down- questioning and yet maintaining the core secret. His rather trivial little pendulum takes him directly here, directing him on circular paths that would otherwise be straight, enabling a greater variety of experiences to be drawn while also asking questions of the straight path. Castiafore sings a song but Calculus plays along.

10-18-2010, 07:17 PM	#10
Pip Boy Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: A right and proper Nerd Cave Posts: 2,460