Calculus Problem Solving – How to Solve a Calculus ProblemCalculus Problem Solving – How to Solve a Calculus Problem
When you move beyond the arithmetic and algebra branches of math, calculus problem really gets interesting. This is the branch of math that lets you investigate change and motion. It uses differentiation and integration to examine rates of change, the slope of a curve, and the accumulation of quantities. It is the foundation of everything we do in science and engineering, from tracking the position of a space shuttle to predicting how much pressure will build up behind a dam as water rises.
Tackling Calculus Problems: Strategies for Success
The first major topic in calculus is finding instantaneous rate of change, which we call differentiation. The easiest way to understand this is to think about rolling a marble up and down a hilly path. The instantaneous speed of the marble at any given point is equal to the change in y divided by the change in x. The greater the slope, the faster the marble moves.
The next topic in calculus is calculating the area under a curve, which we call integration. The easiest way to understand this is to consider a line that extends up and down a mountain. The total distance of the line is equal to the change in y multiplied by the change in x. The greater this ratio, the larger the area. The key concept to remember is that the integral combines all of the discrete values of the function over the entire range of its values. This is how we make geographic models and calculate volume, for example.
