Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Definition
Calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with rates of change and accumulation. It involves the study of derivatives (instantaneous rates of change) and integrals (accumulation or area under a curve).
Derivative: The derivative measures the rate at which a function changes at any given point. It represents the slope of the tangent line to the graph of the function.
The integral calculates the accumulation or total amount represented by a function over an interval. It finds the area under the curve.
Limit: A limit determines what value a function approaches as its input approaches a certain value, either from one side or both sides. It helps analyze behavior near specific points on graphs.