Well, we define the change in the
function y(x) with respect to the
variable x, Δy/Δx, to be
In English, this equation will
tell us how the function y(x) changes over the distance
between x1 and
x2. Since y
always equals 3 in our previous example, then
Therefore, the function y(x)
does not change over the interval x1 and x2. This mathematics
will be how we describe the change in any function with respect
to a given variable.
Mathematics of “Change”
The symbol “Δ,” called delta, represents the change in a variable. Translated, Δy reads:
“The change in y,” which equals:
“y final minus y initial”
or mathematically:
“Δy = yfinal – yinitial.”
Understanding the symbols…