Sunday, January 10, 2010

Product Rule

I am a visual learner so the video was definitely more helpful for me. I liked the video from online because it showed exactly how to use the product rule on a function. The demonstration included different colors, sound, and also a clear visual representation of how to use the product rule. The book gave a clear and helpful description as well however personally I just have a hard time concentrating on something that is printed in a thick text book. An upside to the book was that there was more than one example.

Definition:

If f(x)=g(x)h(x) then f'(x)=g'(x)h(x) + g(x)h'(x)

Example:

f(x)=(4x^3)(3x^6)

f'(x)=(12x^2)(3x^6)+(4x^3)(18x^5)

f'(x)=(36x^8)+(72^8)

f'(x)=108^8

Example:
f(x)=(4x^3)ln5x

f'(x)=(12x^2)(ln5x)+(4x^3)((1/5x)(5))

f'(x)=(12x^2)(ln5x)+(4x^3)(1/x)

5 comments:

  1. This is a nice post. It was very clear which source was more helpful to you and why. You also clearly explained the benefits of the book, even thought that was not the most helpful to you. Your definition and example were also good. Though it wasn't required, it would help me if you actually put the video in you post so I could see it without having to find the link on delicious. Do you think that it would be helpful for Bru to show videos like this on in class during a lesson?

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  2. Hi Blizten,

    I also appreciated your reflection on your learning style and what helps you most. Do you think that you'll try to find online sources to supplement the textbook in future situations?

    Also, I'm interested in the example you chose for the product rule. Part of what makes mathematics beautiful and exciting to me is finding the most efficient and elegant way to solve a problem. Your example does show clearly how the product rule works, but does this problem require the product rule in order to differentiate? Is there a simpler way to do it?

    I would consider adding another example in which you MUST use the product rule.

    SKS

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  3. Secret said in her comment, "Do you think that it would be helpful for Bru to show videos like this on in class during a lesson?"

    When I have showed videos in class during the first semester (like the cartoon explaining limits) it seemed that some students were attentive and got something out of it, while others did not. Providing links to these videos seems like the better way to go: those who are visual learners will make use of the link to add to their understanding of the topic, others may choose not to use the link. Either way, it frees up class time, as well as allows for student choice. Like the saying goes: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." At least the water is made available for everyone.

    Cheers, Bru

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  4. I am also a visual learner and watching the video you bookmarked really helped me study the Product Rule. You did a great job explaining what you liked and disliked about each source and provided a helpful definition of the rule and an example. My only suggestion might be to add a verbal definition as well as a mathematical one.

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  5. Secret: Putting the link to the video would have been a good idea I should probably as someone how to do that for my next post! And Bru could show videos like this but he also does a lot of examples on the Smartboard which is helpful too.

    Sarah: After seeing this video and how much it helped me understand this topic, I probably will look for videos of the topics we are learning to further help my understanding. Also, thank you for pointing out that the example I used doesn't require the product rule, I didn't notice that when I posted it. I have added another example that does require the product rule.

    BlueElephants: I agree with you about putting a verbal definition in my post. It would have been a really good addition to it. I will definitely remember to add one on my next post.

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