Janmarx Simbajon

BSCE – 1F
Differential Calculus

Specific Applications of Differential Calculus

Differential Calculus is a branch of Calculus that is concerned with the rates at which quantities change. Due to
the focus of Differential Calculus, it is usually used to maximize or minimize some variable. The variable may be of unknown
value and the goal is to its maximum or minimum value under given constraints to get the most efficient value of the
variable. Problems that require to find the maximum or minimum variables are usually referred to as Optimization
problems or Minima-Maxima problems.
An application for this is for finding the maximum usage of a limited resource to achieve the most efficient
outcome. Example is finding the dimensions of a largest area that can be fenced with 400 meters of fencing material. This
question with one variable. Because it can turn into a function, it means that it can be graphed. The points in graph of the
function are the values of the inputs or independent variable and their corresponding outputs or dependent variables.
Thus, the maximum point and minimum points of the graph correspond to set of input that will produce the maximum or
minimum output. Now differential calculus helps in finding that maximum or minimum point by the power of the First
Derivative Test.
Now back to the example problem, that can be represented by a function, 200𝑦 − 𝑦 2 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎. Finding the first
derivative of that function and applying first derivative test will yield to a value for y of 100m, this is the highest possible
value of y that will produce the largest area. And now that we have y value, we can easily get the x value which is also
100m.
In conclusion, because of the nature of Differential Calculus which just finds the critical points of the graph of a
function, any other problem which can be represented in a function can an area where differential calculus can be applied.
And many other real-life concepts can be represented by a function, thus more opportunities where differential calculus
can be applied in.

Reference:
Differential Calculus. In Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/differential%20calculus
Applications of Differential Calculus. Siyavula. Retrieved from: https://www.siyavula.com/read/maths/grade-
12/differential-calculus/06-differential-calculus-07