Calculus
Calculus is one of the most important branches of mathematics, that deals with continuous
change. Calculus is also referred to as infinitesimal calculus or “the calculus of infinitesimals”.
Infinitesimal numbers are the quantities that have value nearly equal to zero, but not exactly
zero. Generally, classical calculus is the study of continuous change of functions. The two major
concepts that calculus is based on are derivatives and integrals.

The derivative of a function is the measure of the rate of change of a function, while integral is
the measure of the area under the curve of the function. The derivative gives the explanation
of the function at a specific point whereas the integral accumulates the discrete values of a
function over a range of values.
Introduction to Calculus

Calculus focuses on some important topics covered in math such as differentiation, integration,

limits, functions, and so on. Calculus, a branch of mathematics, deals with the study of the rate of
change, was developed by Newton and Leibniz.

Calculus Definition: Calculus in Mathematics is generally used in mathematical models to

obtain optimal solutions and thus helps in understanding the changes between the values related
by a function. Calculus is broadly classified into two different sections:

 Differential Calculus
 Integral Calculus

Both differential and integral calculus serve as a foundation for the higher branch of
Mathematics known as “Analysis”, dealing with the impact of a slight change in dependent
variable, as it leads to zero, on the function.

Calculus Topics
Given below is the list of topics that are closely connected to calculus. These topics will also
give you a glimpse of how such concepts are covered in Cuemath. 

Important Topics in Calculus

Introduction to the Linear

Differentiable
Concept of Functions Functions

Transformation of
What Are Functions? Integral
functions

Differential
Integration Formulas Integration
Equation

Functions

Functions represent the relationship between two variables, which are the independent variable
and the dependent variable. Let’s consider the following diagram.

 
There is an INPUT, a black box, and an OUTPUT. For example, suppose we want to make a
pizza. We would need the following basic ingredients.

 Pizza Base
 Pizza Sauce
 Cheese
 Seasoning

The above real-life example can be represented in the form of a function as explained below,

The taste of our pizza depends on the quality of the ingredients. Let’s take another example

Suppose that: y = x2

Value of x Value of y

1 1

2 4
 9 81

11 121

Using the diagram given above, we get:

We can see that the value of y depends on the value of x.  We can conclude that

 INPUT is independent of the OUTPUT

 OUTPUT depends on the INPUT
 Black Box is responsible for the transformation of the INPUT to the OUTPUT

In calculus,

 INPUT is an independent variable 

 OUTPUT is a dependent variable 
 Black Box is a function
Important Topics
 
Restrictions in Domain
 
Constant Functions
 
Linear Functions
 
Quadratic Functions
 
Polynomial Functions
 
Reciprocal Functions
 
Vertical Translation
 
Vertical Scaling
 
Applying Modulus

Differential Calculus

Differential calculus focuses on solving the problems of finding the rate of change of a function
with respect to the other variables. To find the optimal solution, derivatives are used to
calculate the maxima and minima values of a function. Differential helps in the study of the limit
of a quotient, dealing with variables such as x and y, functions f(x), and the corresponding
changes in the variables x and y. The notations dy and dx are known as differentials. The process
used to find the derivatives is called differentiation. The derivative of a function, y with respect
to variable x, is represented by dy/dx or f’(x). 

Limits

Limit helps in calculating the degree of closeness to any value or the approaching term. A limit is
normally expressed using the limit formula as,
limx→cf(x) = A

This expression is read as “the limit of f of x as x approaches c equals A”.

Derivatives

Derivatives represent the instantaneous rate of change of a quantity with respect to the other.
The derivative of a function is represented as:

limx→h[f(x + h) − f(x)]/h = A

Continuity

A function f(x) is said to be continuous at a particular point x = a, if the following three

conditions are satisfied –

 f(a) is defined
  limx→af(x) exists
 limx→a− f(x) = limx→a+ f(x) = f(a)

Continuity and Differentiability

A function is always continuous if it is differentiable at any point, whereas the vice-versa for this
condition is not always true.
Integral Calculus

Integral calculus is the study of integrals and the properties associated to them. It is helpful in:

 calculating f from f’ (i.e. from its derivative). If a function, say f is differentiable in

any given interval, then f’ is defined in that interval.
 calculating the area under a curve for any function.

Integration

Integration is the reciprocal of differentiation. As differentiation can be understood as dividing a

part into many small parts, integration can be said as a collection of small parts in order to form a
whole. It is generally used for calculating areas.

Definite Integral

A definite integral has a specific boundary or limit for calculation of the function. The upper and
lower limits of the independent variable of a function are specified. A definite integral is given
mathematically as,

∫ab f(x).dx = F(x)

Indefinite Integral

An indefinite integral does not have a specific boundary, i.e. no upper and lower limit is defined.
Thus the integration value is always accompanied by a constant value (C). It is denoted as:

∫ f(x).dx = F(x) + C
Applications of Calculus

Calculus is a very important branch, mathematical model that helps in:

  Analyzing a system to find an optimal solution to predict the future of any given
condition for a function.
 Concepts of calculus play a major role in real life, either it is related to solve the area
of complicated shapes, evaluating survey data, safety of vehicles, business planning,
credit card payment records, or finding the changing conditions of a system affect us,
etc.
 Calculus is a language of economists, biologists, architects, medical experts,
statisticians. For example, Architects and engineers use different concepts of calculus
in determining the size and shape of the construction structures. 
 Calculus is used in modelling concepts like birth and death rates, radioactive decay,
reaction rates, heat and light, motion, electricity, etc. 
 
Download FREE Study Materials
Functions Worksheet
Calculus Worksheet
Worksheet On Functions

Solved Examples on Calculus

 Example 1: Let f(y) = y2 and g(y) = ey. Use the chain rule to calculate h′(y) where
h(y) = f(g(y)).

Solution:

Given, f(y) = y2 and g(y) = ey. First derivative above functions are f'(y) = 2y and g'(y)
= ey

To find: h′(y)

Now, h(y) = f(g(y))

h'(y) = f'(g(y))g'(y)
h'(y) = f'(ey)ey

By substituting the values.

 h'(y) = 2ey × ey
or h'(y) = 2e2y

 Example 2:  y is a function of x, and the function definition is given as: y = f(x) =
1/(1 + x2). Find the output values of the function for x = 0, x = −1, and x = √2.

Solution: 

We have:

f(0) = 1/[1 + (0)2] = 1/1 = 1

f(−1) = 1/[1 + (−1)2] = 1/2
f(√2) = 1/[1 + (√2)2] = 1/3

 
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Practice Questions on Calculus

 Q. 1

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?



The integral of \(\cos x\) is \(\sin\ x\).

The integral of \(\cos x\) is \(\sin\ x\).
 

The integral of 2 is \(2x\).

The integral of 2 is 2 x.


The integral of \(\sin\ x\) is \(\cos x\).

The integral of \(\sin\ x\) is \(\cos x\).


The integral of 2 is \(x^2\).

The integral of 2 is x squared.

Check Answer

 Q. 2

Which integration is used to find the area under the curve?



Indefinite Integration
Indefinite Integration


Definite Integration
Definite Integration

Check Answer

 Q. 3

State true or false.

True False

A differentiable
True – A False – A
function is always a
differentiable differentiable
continuous
function is always a function is always a
function.
 True False

continuous function. continuous function.

A continuous True – A False – A

function is always a continuous function continuous function
differentiable is always a is always a
function. differentiable differentiable
function. function.

A continuous True – A False – A

function can be continuous function continuous function
drawn on a can be drawn on a can be drawn on a
coordinate plane coordinate plane coordinate plane
without lifting up without lifting up the without lifting up the
the pen. pen. pen.

Check Answer