Any book the elucidates the use of diffirentials?

  • Thread starter ronaldor9
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Book
In summary, the conversation discusses the difficulty of understanding the manipulation of differentials in mechanic books. The speaker is looking for resources that can explain and justify this manipulation without being overly rigorous. They also mention the possibility of studying differential manifolds for a more rigorous understanding.
  • #1
ronaldor9
92
1
The trouble I have in reading mechanic books, at least the ones I have, is that they manipulate diffirentials as though they are algebraic symbols. Now, I know that typically the first year calculus student is told that the differential operator is to be viewed as one symbol and not the quotient of two diffirentials. Are there any books that can elucidate, and justify, the manipulation of diffirentials in such a manner without being too bogged down in rigor; or would I have to wait to study differential manifolds which I presume does place rigor in such manipulations?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #3


There are definitely books that can provide a deeper understanding of the use of differentials without being too bogged down in rigor. One recommendation would be "Calculus: Early Transcendentals" by James Stewart. This book offers a thorough treatment of differentials and their manipulation, while also providing clear explanations and examples. Another option is "Calculus" by Michael Spivak, which delves into the theoretical aspects of differentials but also includes practical applications and examples. Both of these books would be suitable for a first-year calculus student looking to gain a better understanding of the use of differentials.

If you are interested in a more rigorous treatment of differentials, then studying differential manifolds would be a good option. This branch of mathematics deals with more advanced concepts and techniques related to differentials, and would provide a deeper understanding of their manipulation. However, it is not necessary to wait until you study differential manifolds in order to gain a better understanding of differentials. The books mentioned above, as well as other calculus textbooks, can provide a solid foundation that will prepare you for more advanced studies.
 

FAQ: Any book the elucidates the use of diffirentials?

What is the purpose of using differentials in a book?

Differentials are used in a book to help readers understand the concept of change in a function. They allow us to approximate the value of a function at a specific point and also help in finding the rate of change of a function.

How are differentials different from derivatives?

While derivatives provide the instantaneous rate of change of a function, differentials provide an approximation of that change. Differentials are also used to simplify the notation for derivatives, making it easier to understand and work with.

Can you use differentials to find the maximum or minimum value of a function?

Yes, differentials can be used to find the maximum or minimum value of a function by setting the differential equal to zero and solving for the variable. This allows us to find the critical points of a function, which can then be used to determine the maximum or minimum value.

How do differentials help in solving real-world problems?

Differentials are used in many real-world applications, such as physics, engineering, and economics. They allow us to approximate the change in a quantity and make predictions about future behavior. For example, in economics, differentials can be used to estimate the change in demand for a product based on changes in price.

Are there any limitations to using differentials?

One limitation of using differentials is that they provide only an approximation of the actual change in a function. This can lead to errors in calculations if the approximation is not accurate enough. Additionally, differentials can only be used for functions that are differentiable, meaning they have a well-defined derivative at every point.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
7K
Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
16
Views
7K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Back
Top