Linear Approximation
A function’s graph may have maximums, minimums, spikes and strange looking things. These characteristics can make it difficult to calculate the derivative of the function. Here’s where linear approximation can come to the rescue: Functions can be approximated by simple lines! But beware — this is only useful for under certain specific conditions. Error is an important aspect of linear approximation.
Comments
tyculver
October 12th, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
This pencast was easy to follow and easy to understand. It helped explain how to use the tangent line to approximate a point on a curve up to a certain point. As the change in x grows so does the error.
gmclean
October 13th, 2009 @ 12:12 am
I like how he explained why a small change in x is used. the bigger the change, the bigger the error.
mparr
October 13th, 2009 @ 12:55 am
This was a good pencast at explaining linear approximation. It tied in tangent lines and slope and derivative. It didn’t help me too much with the homework though. It’s hard for me to understand a concept with only x and y. I like too see actual numbers.
Ryan Kozina
November 3rd, 2009 @ 12:45 am
this pencast was a little more confusing than the others, but it did have moments that cleared up smaller details of linear approximation that cleared it up for me especially how the error works with a larger change in x
Deserae Rawling
November 12th, 2009 @ 2:08 am
This particular pencast was fairly helpful with understanding Linear Approximation and why the change in x needs to be small when using a linear approximation.
Watching this pencast helped solidify the basic concept, but I would still need a little help with the more in depth/harder problems if I was going to attempt the homework right away.
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