H hank Junior Member Joined Sep 13, 2006 Messages 209 Sep 21, 2006 #1 Quick question... To determine the displacement of a particle, we use the formula f(x+h) - f(x). My question is, why do we have to use the h? Particles travel on a straight line, right? Why not just use f(x) - f(y)? Best Regards, --Hank
Quick question... To determine the displacement of a particle, we use the formula f(x+h) - f(x). My question is, why do we have to use the h? Particles travel on a straight line, right? Why not just use f(x) - f(y)? Best Regards, --Hank
stapel Super Moderator Staff member Joined Feb 4, 2004 Messages 16,550 Sep 21, 2006 #2 You can use "f(x + h) - f(x)", and then compute as h goes to 0; or you can use "f(y) - f(x)", and then compute as y goes to x. Either way will do. Eliz.
You can use "f(x + h) - f(x)", and then compute as h goes to 0; or you can use "f(y) - f(x)", and then compute as y goes to x. Either way will do. Eliz.
