I went through engineering school, and 20 years of work (not as an engineer), before finding a calculus text that explained why the derivative of x^2 is 2x+C. Along with many practical applications of calculus.
That book was Calculus Made Simple, published in 1914. Thanks, Project Gutenberg!
I’m guessing the derivation from first principles. I too learned the rules years before I was show it, and it was just so cool to see where they came from.
I went through engineering school, and 20 years of work (not as an engineer), before finding a calculus text that explained why the derivative of x^2 is 2x+C. Along with many practical applications of calculus.
That book was Calculus Made Simple, published in 1914. Thanks, Project Gutenberg!
I’m just being a pendant here, but the derivative of x²+C is 2x. You put the constant at the wrong place.
Also, i’m glad you found a textbook well suited for you. I have to wonder what you mean by ‘why’, do you mean a proof?
I’m guessing the derivation from first principles. I too learned the rules years before I was show it, and it was just so cool to see where they came from.
That’s exactly right. The proof is quite simple and there’s no reason it shouldn’t be taught instead of just getting students to accept magic rules.