• Haus@kbin.social
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    10 months ago

    In (d/dx)f(x), d/dx is a symbol that means the derivative of f with respect to x. It’s not a division of two variables. But, the reason the symbol is useful is that you sort of can multiply the dx in some situations.

    • Feathercrown@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      10 months ago

      I understand that it’s a symbol, not a fraction, and that the top and bottom are linked and not separable. But, you can also use an equivalent infintesimal fraction dy/dx with the actual infintesimal values dy and dx being manipulatable. If I’m wrong, you’ll be able to find an example that doesn’t work (without using partial derivatives-- those actually can’t be cancelled).