Calculus Notation

The correct way to analyse motion in detail to to use a branch of maths called calculus. Calculus deals with the rate of change of one quantity with respect to another. Typically in physics we want to find the rate of change of a quantity with respect to time, often called merely, 'the rate of change' the that quantity. For example, the rate of change of distance is speed. Some examples of rates of change of quantities are shown in the table.

Symbol

Pronounced

Meaning

Example

Delta

The change in

A movement ofmeans

Delta

The small change in

A movement ofmeans

Deltaover delta

The average rate of change ofover the time period fromto

Average speed

Deltaover delta

The average rate of change ofover the small time period fromto

Average speed

Dee over dee

The instantaneous speed at a time

The speed

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