I found a proof for the vector chain rule, but it makese no sense to me

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the vector chain rule proof found at MIT's website, which lacks explicit limit notation, causing confusion among students. The proof assumes familiarity with Taylor series and linear approximations, which are not clearly defined in the context. Participants express a desire for a proof that explicitly incorporates limits, as this aligns better with their understanding from Calculus I and II. The conversation highlights the need for clarity in mathematical proofs, especially for foundational concepts like the chain rule.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the vector chain rule
  • Familiarity with Taylor series
  • Knowledge of limits in calculus
  • Basic concepts of linear approximation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research detailed proofs of the vector chain rule that include limit definitions
  • Study Taylor series and their applications in calculus
  • Explore linear approximation techniques in calculus
  • Review foundational calculus concepts, particularly limits and derivatives
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Students studying calculus, particularly those preparing for exams involving proofs, and educators seeking to clarify the vector chain rule and its applications.

mr_coffee
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Hello everyone, our professor wanted us to find the vector chain rule proof and i found one here:
http://web.mit.edu/wwmath/vectorc/scalar/chain.html
But it makes no sense to me, where are the limits?
 
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Taking the limit is implied when the author says "Now as we let delta t go to zero". This kind of proof relies a bit more on mathematical intuition than the definition for the derivative you learn in Calc I. For one thing, it implies you're familiar with approximating things by Taylor series. Which part of the proof are you having trouble with?
 
hah well i did take that in calc II but forgot even how that works, but i don't get how he starts off saying, let's first notice a few things... x(t+change in t) = x + chag in x
then he goes to say:
now by linear approximation...what the? is there another proof that goes through the limits, i understand that a lot better. He told us to find proofs and make sure we understand them, so he isn't grading this, but he will probably tell us to prove it on an exam
 

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