Are They Fractions?

Are They Fractions?
calculus-memes, physics-memes, derivatives-memes, chain-rule-memes, math-confusion-memes | ScienceHumor.io

The eternal confusion of calculus newcomers! The equation shows the chain rule in action, where those aren't fractions but actually derivative notation. Physics students learn this mathematical sleight-of-hand where dv/dx looks like a fraction (and sometimes behaves like one) but represents the rate of change of v with respect to x. The character's bewilderment is the universal reaction of students encountering calculus notation for the first time and thinking "wait, can I just cancel these terms like regular fractions?" Spoiler: sometimes you can, but for reasons that would make your calculus professor have an existential crisis.

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