Transcript Calculus
Calculus What is it? What good is it? What is Calculus? A systematic method for solving problems about systems that change. A language for describing dynamic systems. A collection of ideas based on infinite processes and limits. Systems that change Precalculus Calculus Limit Process With Calculus you can… Calculate the slope of line… even when the shape of the line is always changing! Systems that change Precalculus A B 200 Miles 4 Hours Average speed = 50 mph Limit Calculus Process Instantaneous Speed = 55 mph With Calculus you can… Calculate the speed of a car or a particle in space… even when the speed is always changing! Systems that change Precalculus Limit Calculus Process y x 3 6x 2 9x 1 5 5 4 Area = 20 4 Area = 12 With Calculus you can… Calculate the area under a curve… even when the height is always changing! A method for solving problems about systems that change Precalculus formulas: Slope of a line Average speed Area of a rectangle Calculus formulas: Slope of a curve Instantaneous speed Area under a curve A language for describing dynamic systems. Precalculus: Calculus: Slope of a line Average speed Area of a rectangle Slope Instantaneous speed Area Other things calculus can do: Explain why the angle between an observer and a rainbow is 42 degrees. Connect designs on a laser printer to form letters of arbitrary size. Find the best seat in the theater for viewing a movie. Etc. What is Calculus? A systematic method for solving problems about systems that change. A language for describing dynamic systems. "Velocity is the derivative of position" ds v dt The relation between velocity and position is given precisely in the language of calculus. "Force is the derivative of momentum" d(mv) F dt Newton's second law of motion is accurately and precisely described in the language of calculus. ds v dt The d(mv) F dt language of calculus shows that the relationship between velocity and position is the same as that between force and momentum. What is Calculus? A systematic method for solving problems about systems that change. A language for describing dynamic systems. A collection of ideas based on infinite processes and limits. Big Ideas of Calculus Limits Differential Integral Calculus Calculus What good is calculus? …there is an opposition in all things. If not so … righteousness could not be brought to pass; neither wickedness; neither holiness nor misery; neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things are a compound in one. II Nephi 1:81-83 Voyager II movie. QuickTime™ and a H.264 decompressor are needed to see this picture. Calculus was used to find: Trajectory of flight Effect of gravity of Saturn & Jupiter Amount of fuel needed After 12 years of flight, Voyager II came within 41 miles of its target, 3000 miles from Neptune The same calculus used to: Determine trajectories of airborne bombs and missiles The same calculus can be used: To help solve the problems of resource and energy distribution that are necessary for peace on earth. Those who know the calculus will be the ones who choose which problems will be solved in this generation, whether for good or for evil. Remember… To be learned is good if they hearken to the counsels of God. II Nephi 6:61