What's the difference between d, d/dx and dx?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the differences between the symbols d, d/dx, and dx in calculus, exploring their meanings and roles in the context of derivatives and differentials.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants explain that d/dx denotes the derivative of a function with respect to x, while dx represents an infinitesimal change in x.
  • One participant suggests that d has no independent meaning in calculus and is not used on its own.
  • Another participant emphasizes the distinction between the operator d/dx and the derivative itself, stating that d/dx is an operator that, when applied to a function, produces the derivative.
  • There is mention of the relationship between dy and dx, where dy corresponds to the change in y resulting from a change in x.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definitions of d/dx and dx, but there is some disagreement regarding the independent meaning of d and the distinction between the operator and the derivative itself.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on informal interpretations of the symbols, and there may be nuances in the definitions that are not fully explored.

Jason Ko
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TL;DR
What's the difference between d,d/dx and dx?
What's the difference between d,d/dx and dx?
 
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For an example of function ##y = \sin x##.
dy=\cos x \ \ dx
dx is infinitesimal change of x and dy is change corresponding to dx.
\frac{d}{dx}\ y=\frac{dy}{dx}= \cos x
##\frac{d}{dx}## is operator to make differential coefficient
which is expressed as the ratio ##\frac{dy}{dx}##.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Jason Ko said:
Summary:: What's the difference between d,d/dx and dx?

What's the difference between d,d/dx and dx?
:welcome:

##d## has no independent meaning in terms of calculus.

##d/dx## denotes the derivative (of a function) with respect to ##x##.

##dx## denotes the differential of the variable ##x##. Informally, you can think about it as a very small or infinitesimal change in ##x##. More formally, it is as described in post #2 above and here, for example:

https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/classes/calci/differentials.aspx
 
PeroK said:
d/dx denotes the derivative (of a function) with respect to x.
Your explanation doesn't distinguish between the action of taking a derivative, versus the derivative itself. I would say that ##\frac d{dx}## is the operator that when applied to a function, produces the derivative of the function with respect to x.
If f is the function, then ##\frac {df}{dx}## is the derivative of f with respect to x.
 

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