5.
3 Differentials and approximations
Definition 5.3.1 Let y = f (x). The
differential of y, denoted by dy is given
by
dy = f ' ( x ) x.
The differential of x, denoted by dx is
given by
dx = x.
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y = f (x)
TL
(a+x,f (a +x)) •
(a,f (a)) • } dy } y = f (a +x) - f (a)
x = dx Graphically, the
linear
approximation of a
function represents
a tangent line at a
a a + x
When x is small, dy is a good approximation
of y.
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Since y = f (a +x) - f (a),
f (a +x) = f (a) + y
Thus,
f (a +x) f (a) + dy
so that
f ( a + x ) f ( a ) + f ' ( a ) x
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Example 5.3.1 Use differentials to
approximate 4.02 .
Solution:
Let f ( x ) = x .
We wish to approximate f ( 4.02 ) = 4.02 .
Since
f ( a + x ) f ( a ) + f ' ( a ) x,
f ( 4 + 0.02 ) f ( 4 ) + f ' ( 4 )( 0.02 ) .
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1
f ( x) = x → f ' ( x) = .
2 x
Since f ( 4 + 0.02 ) f ( 4 ) + f ' ( 4 )( 0.02 ) ,
1
f ( 4 + 0.02 ) 2 + ( 0.02 )
2 4
8.02
= 2.005
4
Thus, 4.02 is approximately equal to 2.005.
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Example 5.3.2 Use differentials to
approximate 3.99 .
Solution:
Let f ( x ) = x .
We wish to approximate f ( 3.99 ) = 3.99 .
Since
f ( a + x ) f ( a ) + f ' ( a ) x,
f ( 4 + −0.01) f ( 4 ) + f ' ( 4 )( −0.01) .
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1
f ( x) = x → f ' ( x) = .
2 x
Since f ( 4 + −0.01) f ( 4 ) + f ' ( 4 )( −0.01) ,
1
f ( 4 + −0.01) 2 + ( −0.01)
2 4
7.99
= 1.9975.
4
Thus, 3.99 is approximately equal to 1.9975.
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Example 5.3.3 Use differentials to
3
approximate 27.06 .
Solution:
Let f ( x ) = 3 x .
We wish to approximate f ( 27.06 ) = 3 27.06 .
Since
f ( a + x ) f ( a ) + f ' ( a ) x,
f ( 27 + 0.06 ) f ( 27 ) + f ' ( 27 )( 0.06 ) .
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1
f ( x) = x → f ' ( x) =
3
.
3 3 x2
Since f ( 27 + 0.06 ) f ( 27 ) + f ' ( 27 )( 0.016 ) ,
1
f ( 27 + 0.06 ) 3 + ( 0.06 )
39
81.06
= 3.002.
27
3
Thus, 27.06 is approximately equal to 3.002.
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