Is There a Derivative for Our Own Lives?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mathscience
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Derivative
AI Thread Summary
The discussion explores the concept of applying mathematical derivatives, particularly from calculus, to personal life experiences and growth. Participants humorously consider life events as derivatives, with children being likened to derivatives of their parents, who are described as integrals. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining regular functions in life, avoiding irregularities, and the idea that life is a continuous process of growth and change. Some participants express the notion that while calculus can offer insights into quantifiable problems, human behavior is often illogical, making it challenging to apply mathematical principles directly to life. The idea of feedback loops is introduced as a more applicable concept for understanding life changes, with references to literature on feedback theory. Overall, the thread balances humor with philosophical musings on the intersection of mathematics and life experiences.
  • #51
http://abstrusegoose.com/strips/calczilla.PNG
[Source: http://abstrusegoose.com/26]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #52
awesome
 
  • #53
Haha, funny. Though, I would like to know the rest of the story :p
 
  • #54
Tyrannysaurus fex ?
 
  • #55
drizzle said:
Haha, funny. Though, I would like to know the rest of the story :p

For what it's worth, \frac{\partial}{\partial x} (y^x) = y^x \ln(y).

Poor Mr. y^x would be pooped out a different size if y > 1 (although remain the same size in the special case where y = e), become mauled and eaten if y = 1, become negative and pooped out a different size if 0 < y < 1, or become complex if y < 0 (and who knows what that would be like).

[Edit: Deleted the whole y = 0 possibility. That doesn't even make any sense in the first place.]
 
Last edited:
  • #56
:biggrin:
 
Back
Top