What is the purpose of dx in an integral?

[ludi_srbin]

Hmmmmmm...Well I guess my first question is how do I write the integral...Do I have to have some sort of program or...?

Anyway, let's say I have some kind of simple integral and there is dx in front of it. What is that dx there for.

 

[Jameson]

Do you mean how to you notate it? The "dx" refers to the variable of integration. If you were in terms of y, you would write "dy".

An example: $$\int xdx$$ This is in terms of the variable x, so we notate that by writing dx.

 

[ludi_srbin]

O thanks.

 

[HallsofIvy]

If you are asking about how to put such equations on this forum, double click on any equation you are interested in and a window will open showing the Latex code.

Double click on:
$$\int xdx$$

For more information on Latex, see the "sticky" in the "General Physics" thread.

 

[ludi_srbin]

O yeah . I forgot about that. Thanks man. I aprrecaite it.