Posts Tagged ‘Calculus’
Friday, October 16th, 2009
Overview of the Conjugate Zeros Theorem
Description
A detailed tutorial on the conjugate zeros theorem. Step by step tutorial including several examples of the conjugate zeros theorem for reference.
Overview
The conjugate zeros theorem states that if a + b * i is a zero of a polynomial with real coefficients, then so is a – b * i. The conjugate zeros theorem can be proved by taking any function in this form and setting it equal to zero. The conjugate zeros theorem makes many equations easier to solve, especially complex equations when you get to higher levels of math.
Tags: a, b, Calculus, complex, conjugate, equations, function, i, imaginary, Math, number, theorem, zero, zeros
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »
Friday, October 9th, 2009
Witch of Agnesi Explained
Description
A detailed tutorial of the Witch of Agnesi. Step by step tutorial including a visual example of the Witch of Agnesi for reference.
Overview
The Witch of Agnesi is actually a curve. This curve can be a circle, or it can be a regular curve. The movement of the curve flows up and down, and the curve itself changes as it moves. This curve is defined by the Cartesian equation 
.
It is called the Witch of Agnesi by a simple mistranslation into English. This curve was named in Italian – la versiera di Agnesi, which means the Curve of Agnesi. When translating the name, “la versiera” was accidentally read as “l’awersiera”, which means a woman who is contrary to God, or a demon or witch. Hence it was called the Witch of Agnesi.
Tags: Calculus, cartesian, circle, curve, equation, l'awersiera di Agnesi, la versiera di Agnesi, Maria Agnesi, Math, Witch of Agnesi, Witch of Maria Agnesi
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »
Friday, October 9th, 2009
Lissajous Curve Explained
Description
A detailed tutorial of a lissajous curve. Step by step tutorial including several visual examples of lissajous curves for reference.
Overview
A Lissajous curve represents the graph of a system of parametric equations, which can be mathematically expressed as 
. This also decribes complex harmonic motion. The way that the figure appears is very sensitive to the ratio a / b, so the figure can appear in many different forms.
Tags: Bowditch, Calculus, complex, curve, equation, figure, form, graph, harmonic, Lissajous, Math, motion, paramentric, ratio, system
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »
Friday, October 9th, 2009
Explanation of Leibniz Notation
Description
A detailed tutorial on Leibniz notation. Step by step tutorial including several examples of Leibniz notation for reference. Knowledge of Leibniz notation is mandatory for calculus.
Overview
Leibniz notation is a common notation in calculus that helps to identify derivaties. In Leibniz notation, the terms dx and dy are used for derivatives of x and y. This can be used with any variable. Typically this will be expressed in a fraction form, as dy / dx. This form says that you take the derivative of x in respect to y. This notation can be used for integrals as well as derivatives, although it was first developed for use with derivatives.
Tags: anti-derivative, Calculus, change, derivative, dx, dy, function, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, infinitely small, integral, Leibniz, Math, notation, with respect to
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Thursday, October 8th, 2009
Introduction to Inflection Points
Description
A detailed tutorial on inflection points. Step by step tutorial including several examples of inflection points and how to locate inflection points for reference.
Overview
An inflection point, sometimes also known as a point of inflection, is a point on the graph of a function at which the function changes sign. This means that a concave up curve will become a concave down curve, or a concave down curve will become a concave up curve. Inflection points are also points of local maxima and local minima of a function. There are two ways to categorize inflection points. There are stationary points of inflection, and non-stationary points of inflection. Stationary points are formed when the function is zero, and non-stationary points are when the function is not zero.
Tags: Calculus, concave, curve, down, function, inflection, inflexion, local, Math, maxima, minima, non-stationary, point, saddle-point, sign, stationary, up
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Thursday, October 8th, 2009
How to Use the Second Derivative Test
Description
A detailed tutorial on how to use the second derivative test. Step by step tutorial including several examples of how to use the second derivative test for reference.
Overview
The second derivative test is more well-known than the first derivative test, and is often thought to be more accurate. The second derivative test states that if the second derivative of a function is less than zero, then there is a local maximum at x. If the second derivative of a function is greater than zero, then there is a local minimum at x. However, if the second derivative of a function is equal to zero, then the local maximum or minimum cannot be determined. Then you must use the first derivative test to figure it out. The second derivative test can also be used to figure out the concavity of a function – that is, if a curve is pointing up or down. This is normally used to help create the image of the function on a graph.
Tags: Calculus, chart, concavity, critical points, curve, derivative, equals, extrema, extremum, first derivative test, function, graph, Math, maxima, maximum, minima, minimum, negative, positive, second derivative test
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
How to Use the First Derivative Test
Description
A detailed tutorial on how to use the first derivative test. Step by step tutorial including several examples of how to use the first derivative test for reference.
Overview
The first derivative test involves taking the derivative of a function that you would like to find the local maximum or minimum of. Once you have the derivative, you must determine if the function is increasing or decreasing. If the derivative is positive, the function is increasing, and when the derivative is negative, the function is decreasing. If the derivative cannot be determined as positive or negative, then the test fails.
Tags: Calculus, chart, critical points, decreasing, derivative, extrema, extremum, first derivative test, function, graph, increasing, Math, maxima, maximum, minima, minimum, negative, positive, second derivative test
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
The Local Maximum and Minimum of a Function
Description
A detailed tutorial on finding the local maximum and minimum of a function. Step by step tutorial including several examples of finding the local maximum and minumum of a function for reference.
Overview
The local maximum of a function is the largest value that a function can be. The local minimum of a function is the smallest value that a function can be. When given a graph, it is easy to point out local maxima or minima – what is the highest point on the graph you see? What is the lowest? Functions can have more than one local maximum or minimum. The local maxima and minima can be found by using the first or the second derivative test, if they are to be found locally. If they are to be found globally, a method of optimization must be used.
Tags: Calculus, critical points, extrema, extreme value theorem, extremum, Fermat's theorem, first derivative test, function, globalm local, graph, Math, maxima, maximum, minima, minimum, optimization, second derivative test
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
How to Test for Convergence Using the Alternating Series Test
Description
A detailed tutorial on testing for convergence using the alternating series test. Step by step tutorial including several examples of testing for convergence using the alternating series test for reference.
Overview
The alternating series test, like all convergence and divergence tests, is fairly easy. The hardest part is figuring out if you should use the AST, or a different test. An easy way to tell is, is the equation negative? What would happen if you pulled a negative one out? Or maybe, there is already a negative one outside of the equation. If you see any fraction, function, or any equation at all with a -1 to an odd power at the front (or at the front of the numerator, in a fraction) then you should use the alternating series test for it. If the series is decreasing over time, and the limit is approaching zero, then the series is convergent. The alternating series test is normally used in conjunction with another test for convergence.
Tags: -1, alternating, AST, Calculus, converge, convergence, decreasing, diverge, divergence, fraction, function, limit, Math, negative, one, series, test, zero
Posted in Calculus | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
Definition of a Cornu Spiral
Description
A detailed tutorial on Cornu spirals. Step by step tutorial including a visual example of a Cornu spiral for reference.
Overview
The Cornu spiral is also known as a Euler spiral and clothoid. It is generated as a straight line that branches out, and then turns up on one end and down on the other, both spiraling into tight curls. It is formed by a parametric plot of S(t) against C(t). They are very closely linking to Fresnal integrals and have been sometimes thought of as a solution.
Tags: Calculus, clothoid, Cornu spiral, curl, curve, differential equations, Euler spiral, Fresnal integral, Geometry, line, Math, parametric, plot, solution, spiral
Posted in Differential Equations | No Comments »
