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Introduction to Differentiation

Eddie Woo via YouTube

Overview

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Embark on a comprehensive journey through the fundamentals of calculus in this 16-hour course. Explore the concept of differentiation from its historical roots to practical applications. Begin with an engaging analysis of Usain Bolt's speed, then delve into measurement accuracy and the difference quotient. Master essential calculus language, notation, and techniques like first principles. Examine various differentiation rules, including the chain rule, product rule, and quotient rule, with detailed derivations and examples. Investigate continuity, limits, and differentiability through rigorous definitions and intriguing counter-examples. Apply calculus concepts to real-world scenarios, such as motion graphs and rate of change problems. Gain proficiency in differentiating various functions, from polynomials to exponentials, and learn to interpret derivatives graphically. By the end of this course, develop a solid foundation in differential calculus, preparing you for advanced mathematical studies and applications in science and engineering.

Syllabus

Prologue to Calculus (1 of 5: How fast did Usain Bolt run?).
Prologue to Calculus (2 of 5: How can we measure more accurately?).
Prologue to Calculus (3 of 5: The difference quotient).
Prologue to Calculus (4 of 5: Exploring a parabola).
Prologue to Calculus (5 of 5: Gradient of the tangent).
Basics of Calculus (1 of 5: Foundational language & notation).
Basics of Calculus (2 of 5: Example of using first principles).
Basics of Calculus (3 of 5: Observing patterns in first principles).
Basics of Calculus (4 of 5: Considering the gradient function visually).
Basics of Calculus (5 of 5: Locating a tangent).
Calculus Notation & Terminology.
First Principles Example: Square Root of x.
First Principles Example: x².
First Principles Example: x³.
First Principles for the Gradient Function.
Prologue to Calculus.
Calculus - Important Results (1 of 2).
Calculus - Important Results (2 of 2).
Chain Rule.
Proving Product Rule.
Quotient Rule.
Why We Need The Product Rule.
Product Rule - example question.
Review - Basic Differentiation Rules.
Continuity.
Overview of Differentiation Rules.
Differentiating the fourth root of x (by first principles).
Linear Rate of Change: Inlet+Outlet Valve Question.
Linear Rate of Change: 2 Inlet Valves Question.
What are Limits? (1 of 3: Approaching from Different Sides).
What are Limits? (2 of 3: A More Rigorous Definition).
What are Limits? (3 of 3: One Strategy for Evaluating Limits).
What is Continuity? (1 of 2: Definitions).
What is Continuity? (2 of 2: An Interesting Counter-Example).
Introduction to Calculus (1 of 2: Seeing the big picture).
Introduction to Calculus (2 of 2: First Principles).
Applying First Principles to x² (1 of 2: Finding the Derivative).
Applying First Principles to x² (2 of 2: What do we discover?).
Applying First Principles to x³.
Finding the Equation of a Tangent.
Deriving a Rule for Differentiating Powers of x.
Differentiating Powers of x (1 of 4: Reviewing the Fundamentals).
Differentiating Powers of x (2 of 4: Considering the Hyperbola).
Differentiating Powers of x (3 of 4: First Principles & the Hyperbola).
Derivatives of Odd & Even Functions.
Differentiating Powers of x (4 of 4: Square Root of x).
The Derivative of a Sum.
Function of a Function Rule (1 of 4: Expanding Before Differentiating).
Function of a Function Rule (2 of 4: Introducing a Substitution).
Function of a Function Rule (3 of 4: Simple Example).
Function of a Function Rule (4 of 4: Working with Square Roots).
Product Rule (1 of 2: It's Complicated...).
Product Rule (2 of 2: Simple Example).
Where does the Product Rule come from? (1 of 2: Delta Notation).
Where does the Product Rule come from? (2 of 2: Derivation).
Quotient Rule (1 of 2: Derivation).
Quotient Rule (2 of 2: Simple Example).
Differentiability (1 of 3: Cube root of x).
Differentiability (2 of 3: Absolute Value of x).
Differentiability (3 of 3: x to the power of 2/3).
Differentiability (Formal Definition).
Properties of a Piecemeal Function (1 of 2: Testing Continuity).
Properties of a Piecemeal Function (1 of 2: Testing Differentiability).
Fundamental Definitions of Speed & Velocity.
Instantaneous Velocity/Acceleration (1 of 2: Defining the Concepts).
Instantaneous Velocity/Acceleration (2 of 2: Example question).
Limits & Continuity (1 of 3: Formal intro to limits).
Limits & Continuity (2 of 3: Limits that exists when functions don't).
Limits & Continuity (3 of 3: Applications to graphs).
Continuity: Definitions & basic concept.
The Problem of Tangents (1 of 4: Gradient as a function).
The Problem of Tangents (2 of 4: First Principles).
The Problem of Tangents (3 of 4: Gradient function of x²).
Applications of First Principles (1 of 4: Refining language and notation).
The Problem of Tangents (4 of 4: Finding a tangent's equation).
Applications of First Principles (2 of 4: The function 1/x).
Applications of First Principles (3 of 4: The function √x).
Applications of First Principles (4 of 4: Developing the power rule).
Product Rule (1 of 2: Derivation).
Review of Differentiation Rules.
Product Rule (2 of 2: Applying it to example functions).
Quotient Rule (1 of 2: Derivation).
Quotient Rule (2 of 2: Examples & warnings).
Differentiating a Rational Function by First Principles.
Finding the equation of a normal at a given point.
Differentiating with Product & Chain Rule (example question).
The Differential Operator (1 of 2: Introduction to notation).
The Differential Operator (2 of 2: Example question).
Angle of Inclination (with Calculus).
Power Rule for Differentiation (1 of 4: Conjecture).
Power Rule for Differentiation (2 of 4: Background knowledge).
Power Rule for Differentiation (3 of 4: Derivation of rule).
Power Rule for Differentiation (4 of 4: Hyperbola).
Basics of Calculus, continued (1 of 2: Sum of functions).
Basics of Calculus, continued (2 of 2: Multiples of functions, constant function).
Leibniz's Derivative Notation (1 of 3: Overview).
Leibniz's Derivative Notation (2 of 3: Finding equation of a tangent).
Leibniz's Derivative Notation (3 of 3: Introducing the chain rule).
Using the Chain (Function of a Function) Rule.
Product Rule - Definition.
Quotient Rule (1 of 2: Proof from product & chain rule).
Quotient Rule (2 of 2: Worked examples).
Motion Graphs (1 of 2: Cannon Man's Displacement).
Motion Graphs (2 of 2: Cannon Man's Speed).
Review of Basic Differentiation (1 of 2: Polynomials, Products, Quotients).
Review of Basic Differentiation (2 of 2: Considering derivatives visually).
Calculus of Exponential Functions (1 of 4: Considering derivatives visually).
Calculus of Exponential Functions (2 of 4: The importance of 2.718...).
Calculus of Exponential Functions (3 of 4: Basic differentiation examples).
Calculus of Exponential Functions (4 of 4: Differentiating with non-e bases).
Determining Derivatives from Graphs (1 of 3: Identifying major features).
Determining Derivatives from Graphs (2 of 3: Considering sign of the gradient).
Determining Derivatives from Graphs (3 of 3: Reversing the process).

Taught by

Eddie Woo

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