Ash's 11th Post

First off..it's 11:11...make a wish...
Okay, now that that's over with, let's get down to business.

Number one: Is anyone else's wiki page saying there's an error? Maybe because it's almost midnight on a Sunday night and they're fixing it...idk

Anyway..this week: I honestly don't remember much except study guides and..wow..Linearization.

I half-way understood it whenever she was going over it in class, but now, I have no idea what I'm doing. So, to solve that problem, I'm going to go and read everyone's blog about 13 times each (lucky number) and hopefully something hits me (physically or mentally, it doesn't matter which =]).

How about I explain something I understand a little more? Hmm...Related Rates? Sure, that doesn't sound TOO bad..

Alright, Related Rates it is! :)

Steps:
1. Identify all variables and equations
2. Identify what you are looking for
3. Make a sketch and label
4. Write an equation(s) involving your variables (only have 1 unknown)
5. Take the derivative with respect to TIME! (ohh...I should have remembered that..)
6. Substitute in the Derivative and solve

Okay, For those of whom are still scratching their heads in confusion, let's take a different approach to this ;)

Steps:
1. Think of it as step one in Chemistry (for those who have it): Plan
2. Step two in Chemistry: Analyze
3. "Sketch and Label"
4. Use yer fermulas (either given or basic (haha) Geometry formulas)
5. Take d(enter variable here)/dt
6. Substitute and solve (come on, you've been doing it since elementary right? That can't be so bad...haha.. -.-)

Example Problem:

The variables x and y are differentiable functions of t. They are related by the equation y=2x^3-x+4. When x=2, dx/dt = -1. Find dy/dt when x=2.

If you don't get it, break it down (also first step):
1. X and Y are differentiable; y=2x^3-x+4; x=2 so dx/dt=-1.
2. Find: dy/dt
3. Can't really sketch this ^^
4. Your formula was given: y=2x^3-x+4
5. dy/dx = 6x^2dx/dy-dy/dy
dy/dx = 6 (2)^2(-1)-(-1)
dy/dx=-23

Ta Da!! That wasn't so bad now was it? :)