Using Newtons notation V. Leibniz notation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the comparison between Newton's notation and Leibniz notation for derivatives, exploring when it might be preferable to use one over the other. The scope includes theoretical considerations and practical applications in calculus and physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions when it is better to use Newton's notation instead of Leibniz notation for derivatives.
  • Another participant suggests that Leibniz notation is particularly convenient for emphasizing the variable with respect to which the derivative is taken, especially in contexts like related rates and implicit differentiation.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the differences between the notations, noting that their physics book uses Newton's notation while their calculus book uses Leibniz notation.
  • It is mentioned that various expressions for derivatives can be used interchangeably, but that each notation has advantages in different contexts, particularly in multivariable calculus where Leibniz notation is more prevalent.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on when to prefer one notation over the other, indicating that multiple views remain on the advantages of each notation.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight that the choice of notation may depend on the context of the problem, such as whether it involves partial derivatives or multivariable calculus, but do not resolve the implications of these choices.

thharrimw
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when is it better to use Newtons Notation nsted of Lebiniz notation?
 
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I guess you are talking about the notation of derivatives. Well, i don't really know when is it better to use Newtons notation instead of Leibniz ones, but i'll go the other way around, it is very convinient to use Leibniz notation when you need to emphasize with respect to what variable you are taking the derivative of the function...like think when you have related rates, and you are differentiating implicitly.
 
sorry i should have said that I'm talking about derivatives! I was wondering becouse in my physics book it has Newtons and in my calc book it uses leibinz and i didn't know if it made a difference or not.
 
Say you have this function y=f(x) then the following expressions all indicate that you are taking the derivative of this function, so you can use them interchangebly, however, as i pointed out using one notation vs the other has it's advantages when you want to indicate the derivative with respect to what variable you are taking, especially when you go to partial derivatives, or multivariable calculus, then leibniz notation is all you'll see.

f'(x)=\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{d}{dx}f(x)=D_x etc convey the same msg.
 

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