Calculus is a branch of mathematics, developed independently by Newton and Leibniz and formalized in the 19th century by various mathematicians, that revolutionized human understanding of the world. Mathematically, it allows us to talk about instantaneous rates of change and areas under arbitrary curves. Doesn't sound important? When does anyone use this? Differential equations, which express the relation between two quantities in terms of how they change with respect to one another, allow us to model situations in which we cannot explicitly find the relationship between quantities. This concept can be applied to model situations in physics, engineering, chemistry (how does this reaction progress?), physiology (how does a muscle contract?)...just about any science, as well as economics, sociology (how do new ideas spread?), and more. If you want to understand the world today, you need to understand calculus. Statistics too...but that's another story.
Calculus is not some super-hard subject that only the most brilliant can handle. If you have a good teacher who explains things precisely, you can learn calculus. (Finding such a teacher, unfortunately, can be the hard part.)
Calculus is not some super-hard subject that only the most brilliant can handle. If you have a good teacher who explains things precisely, you can learn calculus. (Finding such a teacher, unfortunately, can be the hard part.)
Guy 1: I have to go to calculus class now.
Guy 2: Calculus? That sucks.
Guy 1: No it doesn't. I'm finally learning math that I can apply -- you can't be an engineer without it!
Guy 2: Calculus? That sucks.
Guy 1: No it doesn't. I'm finally learning math that I can apply -- you can't be an engineer without it!
by Daniel M May 3, 2006
Usually the highest level of math taught at high schools. Must be taken by those considering to major in engineering, math or physics.
Otherwise, should still be taken to make transcript look better.
Otherwise, should still be taken to make transcript look better.
by AbnormalBoy April 20, 2004
A subject within mathematics usually taught in final years of high school that's overused by the media, as of 2008, to describe any circumstance where various decisions would result in various outcomes (which is true for any decision simple or complex).
Most often used in the phrase "....the calculus of..."
Most often used in the phrase "....the calculus of..."
Article title: "The Calculus of Union Strikes"
"What do Steven Chu and John Holdren have to say about the calculus of corn-based ethanol, and its impact on biodiversity in farm country" from the NY Times
"The calculus of reward and punishment in this world is surely more complex than sin equals cancer." from MSNBC
"What do Steven Chu and John Holdren have to say about the calculus of corn-based ethanol, and its impact on biodiversity in farm country" from the NY Times
"The calculus of reward and punishment in this world is surely more complex than sin equals cancer." from MSNBC
by shgraider January 1, 2009
a chronic illness, usually fatal, caused by extreme stress continuous confusion; symptoms include palpitations of the heart and endless depression (dysthymia).
by -C&C February 24, 2011
Calculus is a generic term referring to any form of mathematics which has axioms and at least one fundamental theory. Some examples of mathematics that can be categorized as calculus are: algebra, geometry, arithmetic, etc.
Due to corruption of the definition over time, in modern usage "calculus" almost exclusively refers to "The Calculus." The Calculus is also known as "Newton's Calculus," or "Leibniz’s Calculus" depending on who you ask. Mathematics majors tend to refer to The Calculus as "Leibniz’s Calculus" and physics majors tend to refer to The Calculus as "Newton's Calculus.”
Due to corruption of the definition over time, in modern usage "calculus" almost exclusively refers to "The Calculus." The Calculus is also known as "Newton's Calculus," or "Leibniz’s Calculus" depending on who you ask. Mathematics majors tend to refer to The Calculus as "Leibniz’s Calculus" and physics majors tend to refer to The Calculus as "Newton's Calculus.”
Any Given Major: "I need help with my calculus homework."
Physics Major: "Are you referring to 'Newton's Calculus?'"
Math Major: "I think you mean 'Leibniz's Calculus'"
Physics Major: “No, I mean ‘Newton’s Calculus,’ because Newton slapped Leibniz around like a step-child at Wal*Mart.”
Math Major: sob sob
Physics Major: "Are you referring to 'Newton's Calculus?'"
Math Major: "I think you mean 'Leibniz's Calculus'"
Physics Major: “No, I mean ‘Newton’s Calculus,’ because Newton slapped Leibniz around like a step-child at Wal*Mart.”
Math Major: sob sob
by Andrew April 4, 2005
A topic that most people don't understand because they're too stupid.
Some have a superficial understanding of this topic.
Some have a superficial understanding of this topic.
implicitly differentiate x^2 + y^2 = 2, biatch!!
by LeonC March 31, 2004
Form of math derived by Isaac Newton consisting mainly of derivatives and integrals. Allows one to get the slope of the tangent line of a curve or the area under the curve, respectively. Extremely useful in almost all areas of science. Newton wrote it in two weeks, and often takes us about a year to learn.
From calculus, we know that the derivative of position is velocity, and the velocity is acceleration. A third derivative, the jerk (what you feel when a car suddenly stops), can be found, but is not seen as often. These relationships are crucial to the physical sciences.
From calculus, we know that the derivative of position is velocity, and the velocity is acceleration. A third derivative, the jerk (what you feel when a car suddenly stops), can be found, but is not seen as often. These relationships are crucial to the physical sciences.
by MikeNolan October 20, 2003