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dy

Definition

In calculus, dy represents an infinitesimally small change or increment in y. It is often used when finding derivatives or approximating changes in a function.

Analogy

Imagine you are measuring the height of a growing plant and dy represents an incredibly tiny increase in its height. It's so small that it's difficult to notice, but it still contributes to the overall growth.

Related terms

Tangent Line: A tangent line is a straight line that touches a curve at only one point. It represents the instantaneous rate of change or slope of the curve at that specific point.

Differential Equation: A differential equation relates an unknown function with its derivatives. It describes how a function changes based on its current state and can be used to model various phenomena in science and engineering.

Linear Approximation: Linear approximation is an estimation technique that uses tangent lines to approximate values of functions near a given point. It provides a close approximation when dealing with small changes or intervals.