Calculus is the branch of mathematics that studies continuous change and is the principal precursor of modern mathematical analysis. It rests on two complementary divisions: differential calculus, which examines instantaneous rates of change and the slopes of curves, and integral calculus, which studies the accumulation of quantities and areas under curves. The two divisions are connected by the fundamental theorem of calculus, and both rest on the concept of a limit applied to infinite sequences and series.
Facts
Central QuestionCalculus studies continuous change: how the instantaneous rate at which a quantity changes (the derivative) and the total accumulation of a changing quantity (the integral) can each be defined rigorously and are related to one another through the fundamental theorem of calculus. 1 Key DebateIsaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz each independently formulated infinitesimal calculus in the late 17th century, and when both published, a bitter priority dispute broke out over which mathematician, and therefore which country, deserved credit; it divided English-speaking mathematicians from continental European mathematicians for many years. 1 Connections
Associated With
Source Calculus (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Calculus (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
Calculus is the branch of mathematics that studies continuous change, and is the principal precursor of modern mathematical analysis. Originally called infinitesimal calculus or the calculus of infinitesimals, it has two major branches, differential calculus and integral calculus.
History section, Newton and Leibniz passage
When Newton and Leibniz first published their results, there was great controversy over which mathematician (and therefore which country) deserved credit.
Associated With: Analysis, Wikipedia lead paragraph, Calculus
Calculus is the branch of mathematics that studies continuous change, and is the principal precursor of modern mathematical analysis.
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