Simple derivative. Where is the logical fallacy here?

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In summary: You must differentiate the function.In summary, the conversation discusses the summation and derivative of x^2 and how it relates to the number of terms in the sum. However, this only holds true for natural numbers and the derivative must be taken with caution as it involves a function and not just a constant.
  • #1
PinkCrayon
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[itex]2^{2} = 2 + 2[/itex]
[itex]3^{2} = 3 + 3 + 3[/itex]
[itex]4^{2} = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4[/itex]

Generalizing...
[itex]x^{2} = x + ... + x[/itex] (x times)

Take the derivative of both sides.
[itex]\frac{\delta}{\delta x} x^{2}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{\delta}{\delta x}[ x + ... + x][/itex] (x times)
[itex]2x = 1 + ... + 1[/itex] (x times) [itex]= x [/itex] !?

Surely, there must be something wrong... and there is! But I thought this was pretty cool.
 
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  • #2
PinkCrayon said:
[itex]2^{2} = 2 + 2[/itex]
[itex]3^{2} = 3 + 3 + 3[/itex]
[itex]4^{2} = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4[/itex]
This is true if x is a natural number only.
PinkCrayon said:
Generalizing...
[itex]x^{2} = x + ... + x[/itex] (x times)

Take the derivative of both sides.
[itex]\frac{\delta}{\delta x} x^{2}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{\delta}{\delta x}[ x + ... + x][/itex] (x times)
[itex]2x = 1 + ... + 1[/itex] (x times) [itex]= x [/itex] !?

Surely, there must be something wrong... and there is! But I thought this was pretty cool.
In order to do derivative you need a real variable x and a function for which differentiation makes sense.You should really try to understand what are the conditions for differentiation to avoid this kind of nonsense.
 
  • #3
The derivative of your sequence fails to take into account that an extra term pops up.

Look at it like this:
[tex]\frac{d}{dx}f(x) \approx {f(x+1)-f(x) \over 1}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{d}{dx}[x + ... + x] \approx {[(x+1) + ... + (x+1) + (x+1)] - [x + ... + x] \over 1} = 1 + ... + 1 + (x+1) = 2x+1[/tex]Note that it normal to approximate (squeeze) integrals with summations, and summations with integrals.
Some major proofs are built on that concept.
 
  • #4
When you write "[itex]x^2= x+ x+ \cdot\cdot\cdot+ x[/itex], x times", the "x times" summation is itself a function of x. You cannot just differentiate the sum as if the number of terms were a constant.
 

FAQ: Simple derivative. Where is the logical fallacy here?

What is a simple derivative?

A simple derivative is a mathematical concept that represents the rate of change of a function at a given point. In other words, it calculates how much a function changes when its input changes.

How is a simple derivative calculated?

A simple derivative is calculated using the limit of the difference quotient formula, which involves finding the slope of the tangent line at a specific point on the function. This can be done using the power rule, product rule, quotient rule, or chain rule depending on the complexity of the function.

What is the purpose of finding a simple derivative?

The purpose of finding a simple derivative is to understand the behavior and characteristics of a function. It helps to determine the maximum and minimum points, the direction of the function, and the rate of change at a specific point. This is useful in many scientific and mathematical fields, such as physics, economics, and engineering.

Where is the logical fallacy in the concept of a simple derivative?

The logical fallacy in the concept of a simple derivative is that it assumes the function is continuously differentiable, meaning that it has a derivative at every point. However, this may not always be the case, as there may be points where the function is not defined or has a sharp turn, making it impossible to find a derivative at that point.

Can a simple derivative be negative?

Yes, a simple derivative can be negative. This indicates that the function is decreasing at a specific point, and the rate of change is negative. A positive derivative indicates that the function is increasing and the rate of change is positive. A derivative of zero means that the function is neither increasing nor decreasing at that point.

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