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About Scotto
Expertise
Any kind of mathematics (calculus, analysis, game theory, linear approximation, finite differences, linear regression, linear programming, numerical analysis, probability, statistics, etc.). I also have answered some questions in Physics (mass, momentum, falling bodies), Chemistry (charge, reactions, symbols, molecules), and Biology.

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Experience in the area: I have tutored students in all areas of mathematics for over 20 years. Education/Credentials: BSand MS in Mathematics from Oregon State University, where I completed sophomore course in Physics and Chemistry. I received both degrees with high honors. Awards and Honors: I have passed Actuarial tests 100, 110, and 135.

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Maybe not a publication, but I have respond to well oveer 3000 questions on the PC. That's around 2,000 in basic math and 1,000 in advanced math.

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I aquired well over 40 hours of upper division courses. This was well over the number that were required. I graduated with honors in both my BS and MS degree from Oregon State University. I was allowed to jump into a few junior level courses my sophomore year.

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I have been nominated as the expert of the month several times. All of my scores right now are at least a 9.8 average (out of 10).

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My past clients have been students at OSU, students at the college in South Seattle, referals from a company, friends and aquantenances, people from my church, and people like you.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Teens > Homework/Study Tips > Calculus > derivative

Calculus - derivative


Expert: Scotto - 7/15/2008

Question
The fundamental concept of the derivative is convergence to a limit..ie an unknown value can be measured by closing in on it thru approximations that get finer and finer.I cannot understand what it means..can you help me with an example?

Answer
If you had a simple function, for example, f(x)=x+2 for all x>0, then f(0) would not be defined.  The limit, though, as x approaches 0 is 2,

It all comes down to an epsilon-delta proof.  The variable delta is for the y error and the variable epsilon is for the x error.  No matter how small of a delta error is given, an epsilon can be found to make it true.

For the problem given, the limit as x approaches 0 of the function x+2 = 2, even though at 0, the function was not defined.

Or lets take the function f(x)=(x²-1)/(x+1).  At x=-1, the function is undefined since we have 0/0.  The limit x at approaches -1, though can be shown to be -2.  The function looks like a line x-1 with a whole at x=-1, but it does have a limit as x approaches -1.

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