Calculus
Calculus
shape and algebra is the study of operations and their application to solving equations. It has two
major branches, differential calculus (concerning rates of change and slopes of curves),
[1]
and integral calculus (concerning accumulation of quantities and the areas under and between
curves);[2] these two branches are related to each other by the fundamental theorem of calculus.
Both branches make use of the fundamental notions of convergence of infinite
sequences and infinite series to a well-defined limit. Generally, modern calculus is considered to
have been developed in the 17th century by Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz. Today, calculus
has widespread uses in science, engineeringand economics and can solve many problems
that algebra alone cannot.
Calculus is a part of modern mathematics education. A course in calculus is a gateway to other,
more advanced courses in mathematics devoted to the study of functions and limits, broadly
called mathematical analysis. Calculus has historically been called "the calculus
of infinitesimals", or "infinitesimal calculus". The word "calculus" comes from Latin (calculus) and
refers to a small stone used for counting. More generally, calculus (plural calculi) refers to any
method or system of calculation guided by the symbolic manipulation of expressions. Some
examples of other well-known calculi are propositional calculus, calculus of variations, lambda
calculus, and process calculus.