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Originally posted by simo_mon

Hi its been about 15 years since i did this but i have a couple of questions about polynomials...

first 1 basic question on notation

if i have 2.345 x10^(-6)is that = 2.345 x( .000,001 ) ?

Correct - however in algebra we use '*' for multiplication instead of '' - to avoid confusion with variable name.

and for the refresher if i have an equation

y = a + a1(x) + a2(x^2) + a3(x^3)

then the first moment is

y = a1 + 2(a2)(x) + 3(a3)(x^2)

This is called "first derivative" - in the Norther hemisphere - and is related to the slope of the tangent line.

which gives the turning points

the second moment

y = 2(a2) + 6(a3)x

This is called "first derivative" - and is related to the curvature of the function.


tells me the slope of the curve either side of the turning point if
i plug values into it ?

is this on the right track or have i messed something up ?

thanks in advance

simo_mon

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