Re: How to use "Apply" to do differentiation ?
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg114491] Re: How to use "Apply" to do differentiation ?
- From: WetBlanket <wyvern864 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sun, 5 Dec 2010 21:55:35 -0500 (EST)
- References: <idd7ts$nja$1@smc.vnet.net>
On Dec 4, 3:16 am, Mayasky <alix.zh... at gmail.com> wrote:
> Something simple yet unbelievable occurred when I use:
>
> Apply[D[#, x] &, x^5]
>
> The output is invariably 1 whether I use x^5 or x^100.
> Also I suggest you to try "Trace" command to see
> the weirdness -- the output is messy if pasted as
> text here.
>
> Finally I have to take a detour and use:
> Nest[D[#, x] &, x^5, 1]
>
> I have been using Mathematica for several years and
> never found that. I myself is wordless, but can anyone
> explain that?
You need to place x^5 in parenthesis
Apply[D[#, x] &,{ x^5}]
Gary