Chain Rule and 'The Mob'....Pretty darn good explanation

In summary, the conversation discusses a YouTube video where a man relates the calculus chain rule to the popular mob movie. While his analogy is praised, it is noted that some of his math is incorrect. The correct formula for the chain rule is stated and the mistake in the video is pointed out. Additionally, the importance of continuity and differentiability in the rule is emphasized.
  • #1
PhysicsRus
1
0
This guy relates the calculus chain rule to a popular mob movie. You should really check it out. This is one of the newer videos but people like the way this guy explains things. Here is the link:

Ghetto Dude Relates Calculus Chain Rule To "THE MOB" - YouTube
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
his analogy is apt, but some of his math is wrong.

the formula:

$h'(c) = (g \circ f)'(c) = g'(f(c))\cdot f'(c)$

is correctly expressed as:

$$\left(\lim_{f(x) \to f(c)} \dfrac{g(f(x)) - g(f(c))}{f(x) - f(c)}\right)\left(\lim_{x \to c} \dfrac{f(x) - f(c)}{x - c}\right)$$

whereas in the video he writes:

$$h'(c) = \lim_{x \to c} \dfrac{g(f(x)) - g(f(c))}{x - c} \cdot \dfrac{f(x) - f(c)}{x - c}$$

that is he has the denominator wrong in the first factor, so we can't "cancel" the f(x) - f(c) term to obtain:

$$h'(c) = \lim_{x \to c} \dfrac{g(f(x)) - g(f(c))}{x - c} = \lim_{x \to c} \dfrac{h(x) - h(c)}{x - c}$$

an important point is also glossed over:

f has to be differentiable, and differentiable means continuous, so f(x)-->f(c) as x-->c. this is KEY.

i give him credit for his vivid analogy, but algebra counts, too.
 

Related to Chain Rule and 'The Mob'....Pretty darn good explanation

1. What is the chain rule?

The chain rule is a mathematical rule used in calculus to find the derivative of a function composed of two or more functions. It is based on the idea that the rate of change of a composite function is the product of the rate of change of each individual function.

2. How is the chain rule used in real-life scenarios?

The chain rule is used in various fields such as physics, engineering, economics, and statistics to analyze and model complex systems. For example, it can be used to calculate the velocity of an object moving along a curved path or the growth rate of a population influenced by multiple factors.

3. What is the connection between "The Mob" and the chain rule?

The connection between "The Mob" and the chain rule is a metaphor used to explain the concept of the chain rule. Just like how a mob is composed of multiple individuals with different roles and tasks, a composite function is composed of multiple functions working together to produce a result. The chain rule helps us understand how the individual functions contribute to the overall behavior of the composite function.

4. Can you provide an example of the chain rule in action?

Sure, let's say we have a function f(x) = (x^2 + 5x)^3. By applying the chain rule, we can find its derivative as follows: f'(x) = 3(x^2 + 5x)^2 * (2x + 5). Here, the chain rule is used to find the derivative of the inner function (x^2 + 5x), which is then multiplied by the derivative of the outer function (x^3).

5. Are there any common mistakes when applying the chain rule?

One common mistake is forgetting to differentiate the inner function when using the chain rule. Another mistake is not correctly applying the product rule when the outer function has more than one term. It's important to carefully follow the steps of the chain rule to avoid these errors.

Similar threads

  • Feedback and Announcements
Replies
25
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Calculus
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
  • Classical Physics
2
Replies
51
Views
7K
  • Calculus
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
24
Views
2K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Programming and Computer Science
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
17
Views
2K
Back
Top