6 Differential calculus

6.1 Limits EMCGZ

Calculus is one of the central branches of mathematics and was developed from alge-
bra and geometry. It is built on the concept of limits, which will be discussed in this
chapter. Calculus consists of two related ideas: differential calculus and integral calcu-
lus. We will only be dealing with differential calculus in this chapter and will explore
how it can be used to solve optimisation problems and nding rates of change.
The tale of Achilles and the tortoise EMCH2
Zeno (born about 490 BC) was a philosopher of southern Italy who is famous for his
paradoxes (a paradox is a statement that seems contradictory and yet may be true).
One of Zenos paradoxes can be summarised as:
Achilles and a tortoise agree to a race, but the tortoise is unhappy because Achilles
is very fast. So, the tortoise asks Achilles for a head start. Achilles agrees to give the
tortoise a 1000 m head start. Does Achilles overtake the tortoise?
To solve this problem, we start by writing:
Achilles: x
A
= v
A
t
Tortoise: x
T
= 1000 m + v
T
t
where
x
A
is the distance covered by Achilles
v
A
is Achilles speed
t is the time taken by Achilles to overtake the tortoise
x
T
is the distance covered by the tortoise
v
T
is the tortoises speed
Achilles will overtake the tortoise when both of them have covered the same distance.
If we assume that Achilles runs at 2 m.s
1
and the tortoise runs at 0,25 m.s
1
, then this
means that Achilles will overtake the tortoise at a time calculated as:
x
A
= x
T
v
A
t = 1000 + v
T
t
2t = 1000 + 0,25t
2 0,25t = 1000
7
4
t = 1000
t =
4000
7
= 571,43 s
204 6.1. Limits