Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
In physics, an integral is a mathematical operation that calculates the area under a curve or the accumulation of a quantity over a given interval.
Related terms
Derivative: A derivative is another mathematical operation that represents the rate at which a quantity changes with respect to another variable.
Limit: In calculus, a limit is used to describe the behavior of a function as it approaches a certain value or point.
Definite Integral: A definite integral is an integral where both upper and lower limits are specified, giving us the exact value of the accumulated quantity within that interval.