Differentials

If

, where f is a differentiable
function, then

the differential of x, given by

independent variable,
and the differential of y, is given by

, is an

Examples
Find the differential of each function.
1.

2.

3.

4.

Application of
Differentials

gives the slope of

the tangent line
passing through P,

gives the slope of

the secant line

As
,
be used to
approximate

may

Approximation
From the illustration, we have

But as
Hence,

Example
Use differentials to approximate the amount
of paint needed to apply a coat of paint
0.05 cm thick to a sphere of diameter 10
m.
Note:

V is the volume of the sphere, and r is the

radius of the sphere (5 m = 500 cm).

The volume of the sphere with the applied

coat of paint can be considered as

where

cm.

Thus, the amount of paint used will be given

by
, which can be
approximated by dV.

Using the given quantities, we have

Thus, the approximate volume of the paint

used is
cm3, or
m3.

Example
The radius of a circular disk is given as 24
cm with maximum error in measurement
of 0.2 cm.

Use differentials to estimate the maximum

error in the calculated area of the disk.
where A is the area of the disk, and
r is the radius of the disk.

If the error in the measured value of r is

denoted by
, then the
corresponding error in the calculated value
of A is
, which can be approximated by

If

and

, then

Thus, the maximum error in the calculated

value of A is approximately 9.6 cm2.

Example
Approximate the value of 3 8.05 and

25

Example
A steel cube with 1 meter sides is coated with
0.001 meter cooper. Use differentials to
estimate the volume of the copper in the
coating.

Example
Find the approximate volume of a spherical
shell whose inner radius is 4 in and whose
thickness is 1/16 in.