Using Limits in real life

python023

Senior member
Dec 17, 2004
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Just started my Calculus class. Each class we get a "pre-quiz" over material we are going to cover the next day. The final question on my pre-quiz asks for examples of how we use limits in the real world. I've tried searching google but all i get are "Calculus Tutorial" results.
Can anyone help me out?
 

Kirby

Lifer
Apr 10, 2006
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beats the hell out of me, thats what we did in cal today. i'd be content on just being able to do them, much less their purpose.
 

ArchCenturion

Senior member
Aug 6, 2006
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Calculus is based on limits. Integrals take the limit and find areas under a curve. Anything that you integrate over is basically taking a limit.

There is a sh!tload of things that you can integrate over. Finding the surface area of geometric shapes. Finding Volumes. Finding distances.
 

Alienwho

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
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Originally posted by: nkgreen
beats the hell out of me, thats what we did in cal today. i'd be content on just being able to do them, much less their purpose.
I'm in the same boat as you. I remember calculus being really easy in high school, and I don't remember ever touching limits. Then again that was like 5 years ago...I don't have any idea how to do this stuff.

Don't wait to take the required math classes until the end of your college, kids.
 

python023

Senior member
Dec 17, 2004
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Originally posted by: ArchCenturion
Calculus is based on limits. Integrals take the limit and find areas under a curve. Anything that you integrate over is basically taking a limit.

There is a sh!tload of things that you can integrate over. Finding the surface area of geometric shapes. Finding Volumes. Finding distances.


Thank you.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
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Trivia. :) You need limits as a base for other stuff, but after that I never touched limits again.
 

Dritnul

Senior member
Jan 9, 2006
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in my calc we used em to find out how to make the biggest box out of a sheet of cardboard among other things
 

veggz

Banned
Jan 3, 2005
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Originally posted by: silverpig
lim (intelligence -> 0) B.Sc = B.A.

Don't even start :roll:

A lot of topics covered in high school are meant to give you an idea of what you may be interested in pursuing in the future. Most of the things you are learning you will never use again, but are just things that educated people know.
 

Atomicus

Banned
May 20, 2004
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The max speed of a car perhaps? Probably an elaborate equation that relates gas injection rate, losses, efficiency, and all that crap
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
33,297
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real world limit:

the limit of this thread as the replies go longer approaches "sucks"

it also converges one the interval sucks < X < a$$ :D:D:D

just kiddin, OP! :)