Is There a Derivative for Our Own Lives?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the concept of applying mathematical derivatives to personal life experiences and growth. Participants engage in a playful examination of how calculus principles, particularly derivatives, might metaphorically relate to life, emotions, and personal development.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that deriving pleasure from life could be akin to finding a derivative, while others express that their lives are increasing exponentially, making the derivative irrelevant.
  • A few participants humorously propose that children could be viewed as derivatives of their parents, leading to discussions about the roles of parents as integrals.
  • There are mentions of the importance of regular functions in life, with some expressing a preference for discrete functions over continuous ones.
  • One participant raises the idea that if a derivative could significantly change one's functioning, it might be considered a controlled substance.
  • Some participants discuss the complexities of applying calculus to human behavior, noting that while calculus is logical, human behavior often appears illogical.
  • Feedback theory is introduced as a potentially more applicable framework to life than calculus, with references to specific literature on the subject.
  • Participants humorously reference mathematical concepts like slopes, with one suggesting that a negative slope indicates a poor life situation, while a positive slope indicates a good one.
  • There are playful warnings against "drinking and deriving," emphasizing the humorous nature of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no consensus on the application of calculus to life. While some find the metaphorical application amusing and insightful, others challenge the practicality and logic of such comparisons.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of human behavior and the limitations of mathematical models in capturing the nuances of life experiences. There are unresolved discussions about the applicability of calculus versus feedback theory.

mathscience
Newton discovered the derivative of a function. But what if we used that same methodology and applied it to our own lives?

What I mean is, what if there were a specific derivative to our own life?

Just a thought.
 
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That would help you with integrating in society.
 
I always try to derive pleasure from life, avoid going down any slippery slopes, and have regular functions. My life has been increasing exponentially though so taking the derivative won't change anything.
 
Jimmy Snyder said:
I always try to derive pleasure from life, avoid going down any slippery slopes, and have regular functions. My life has been increasing exponentially though so taking the derivative won't change anything.

It's those regular functions that are the most important. I just HATE it when my functions go irregular on me.
 
I prefer my functions to be discrete rather than continuous.
 
If the specific derivative is effective enough to change the way you function, it usually becomes a controlled substance.
 
jtbell said:
I prefer my functions to be discrete rather than continuous.

I prefer they be discreet as well as discrete.
 
mathscience said:
Newton discovered the derivative of a function. But what if we used that same methodology and applied it to our own lives?

What I mean is, what if there were a specific derivative to our own life?

Just a thought.

It's just a matter of defining it :smile:
 
mathscience said:
Newton discovered the derivative of a function. But what if we used that same methodology and applied it to our own lives?

What I mean is, what if there were a specific derivative to our own life?

Just a thought.

do offspring count?
 
  • #10
Pythagorean said:
do offspring count?

:smile: that's a funny thought - introducing your children as your derivatives...
 
  • #11
lisab said:
:smile: that's a funny thought - introducing your children as your derivatives...

So my parents are integrals??
 
  • #12
micromass said:
So my parents are integrals??

they were definitely integral to your derivative
 
  • #13
Pythagorean said:
they were definitely integral to your derivative

That makes them really smooth.
 
  • #14
At least one of them had to be. The other probably had to set limits.
 
  • #15
Pythagorean said:
At least one of them had to be. The other probably had to set limits.

I know they were very open about things. They rarely had divergent thoughts.
 
  • #16
micromass said:
That makes them really smooth.

Yes. If they didn't integrate, and instead used the trapezoid rule, they'd be step parents.
 
  • #17
life being a state of never-ending growth and change, it's the second derivative we ought to watch.
 
  • #18
Yeah but don't go too far with that. If you bring up the third derivative, you're going to sound like a jerk.
 
  • #19
Ygggdrasil said:
Yeah but don't go too far with that. If you bring up the third derivative, you're going to sound like a jerk.

But it can be reversed by a fourth mention. Jerks can change.
 
  • #20
I'm so sad I read this forum post...
 
  • #21
PRodQuanta said:
I'm so sad I read this forum post...

What? You mean to say you didn't derive any pleasure from it?
 
  • #22
Think think think...

uh, slope, area under the curve, partial derivative, "as time goes to infinity," "as my patience approaches zero," ...

dang it, something's there, but I can't put it together!
 
  • #23
Chi Meson said:
Think think think...

uh, slope, area under the curve, partial derivative, "as time goes to infinity," "as my patience approaches zero," ...

dang it, something's there, but I can't put it together!

Maybe your deriver's license has expired.
 
  • #24
Chi Meson said:
Think think think...

uh, slope, area under the curve, partial derivative, "as time goes to infinity," "as my patience approaches zero," ...

dang it, something's there, but I can't put it together!
A man's got to know his limits.
 
  • #25
lisab said:
Maybe your deriver's license has expired.
d'oh!

Jimmy Snyder said:
A man's got to know his limits.
d'oh/d't!
 
Last edited:
  • #26
Calculus for dummies?
 
  • #27
Dummy variables are often useful in calculating an integral or a derivative. You just have to explain carefully what they're doing, so they don't get confused.
 
  • #28
I thought for sure this was going to be a locked thread by now. That was a trollish question it seemed. OP? Are you there?
 
  • #29
Chi Meson said:
I thought for sure this was going to be a locked thread by now. That was a trollish question it seemed. OP? Are you there?

A drive-by it would seem, which is a shame since we have provided so much that he could integrate into his thought process.
 
  • #30
Maybe we derove him out of his mind.
 

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