AboutScotto 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.
Experience 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.
Publications 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.
Education/Credentials 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.
Awards and Honors 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).
Past/Present Clients 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.
Question I've had Calculus 2 before, but am taking it over because it's been about 9 years since I last had it. We've recently learned the definition of a definite integral. My professor, who derives and proves theories most of the time, constantly says the delta x in the Riemann Sum becomes the dx in the integral. This irritates me to no end, and I'm not sure if I should be. I see where he gets that because he was translating each piece of the limit of the Riemann Sum to the integral, but from what I remember the dx really means with respect to x, thus telling you which variable you should use to integrate/differentiate. Am I wrong?
Answer Out of an article (//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_sum), I have taken the following:
"In mathematics, a Riemann sum is a method for approximating the total area underneath a curve on a graph, otherwise known as an integral. It may also be used to define the integration operation. The sums are named after the German mathematician Bernhard Riemann."
When the integral is approximated, it can be seen to be more accurate when delat x is smaller. As it approaches 0, it becomes all the more accurate. That is why it is said that dx is the instantaneous approximation to delta x.
