Recent content by doogerjr

So, from what I'm getting, you can find the limit of any function, as the limit is just how a function behaves as the x value approaches a certain number. The function can be any function, and you can still find a limit. There are two types of methods used depending on what the function looks...

Ahh, thank you! I feel like I am finally making some progress on this. No, I have not yet seen the definition of a derivative. Just from flipping through the book, I figured that should come after getting a solid idea of what the limit is. Or is the limit better understood after learning the...

maybe I am getting ahead of myself. I am going to try a chain of logic here, can you tell me if I am going wrong anywhere? 1. Calculus is the study of change, rates of change. I don't really understand this. Are we studying the speed something is changing? 2. The rate of change can be...

1. Ok, so you cannot find the limit of just any equation? So far, the best explanation I've found is this: What I get from this is the limit is the slope of a curved line at a certain point. 2. But, why would we ever want to find this?

Ok, let me try to get this straight... The limit is a point. Right? If we know the limit is 10, right? (thats just a random number I picked) You put, say 1, then 2, then 3, and so on into a function like f(x)=2x, you cannot ever put 10 in? Do people agree? I guess I'm just really struggling to...

This is comforting for where I am now, but doesn't give me much hope for the future :bugeye: lol, jk a couple of things here...Why exactly are we trying to find this thing called a limit? I'm still not clear on a couple of points...What is a limit and why are we trying to find it? Also, I'm a...

Litle help understanding the point behind Calculus... Hi guys! Thanks for any help you can give. I'm in college, taking HS Algebra, not too much of a problem, and am taking College algebra and trig over the summer. I have decided to study calculus from the textbook my college (uw-madison) uses...

Hello all on Physics Forums! I have a slight/fairly big/freakin' huge problem. I was accepted to UW-Madison. However, I wish to major in physics/engineering/haven't really decided yet. That being the case, I was told by my physics teacher that I was lacking in several math basics. So I went to...

Homework Statement A conical tank, (with vertex down) is 10 feet across the top and twelve feet deep. If water is flowing into the tank at a rate of 10 cubic feet per minute, find the rate of change of the depth of the water when the water is 8 feet deep. Homework Equations? :frown...

Hey thanks guys. This really helps put my mind to rest. It's comforting to know that better physics is taught in college, and no hs physics is assumed. I'll also look into those math books. Thanks!:smile:

Hey people. This may seem naive, but I have a few questions to ask about Physics education in college. I live in a part of the US that doesn't exactly have excellent resources to lend to education, so I received a pretty substandard education from grades 3-8. I did learn to read really well, and...

See, I didn't know that. Why is this?

Ugh. Sorry, but I don't understand.:frown: I pretty much understand all this: From then on, I just get more steadily lost. Edit: This really freakin annoys me cause we went over this in class months ago, and I still can't seem to remember fundamental equations or solve (relatively) simple...

Homework Statement Hey all, I'm trying to get caught up in my AP Physics class, (the book we're using is Giancoli Physics 6th Edition), so I am making notes and doing the problems at the end of the chapters. (I'm on Ch. 3 right now). I understand the concepts, but can't seem to do the...

Hi all. Been lurking for a while now, and I've found this could be quite a helpful place to visit. Anyway, I'm currently a Senior in High School, and I've come to a crossroads/dilemma of sorts. I wish to attend college, however I do not know what to study. I am interested in a TON of almost...