Unexpected or surprising examples, interesting problems, and clever proofs on calculus that are often counterintuitive or paradoxical—the oddities that most math students are seldom exposed to during their calculus lessons.
Be it a continuous function whose graph possesses a tangent at no point, or a continuous function that has infinitely many maxima and minima on a finite interval, or a shape that has finite area but infinite perimeter, these examples of out-of-bounds calculus seldom fail to trigger an aha! reaction among math geeks.
by Covido August 24, 2022
Get the Out-of-Bounds Calculus mug.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 13, 2006
Get the calculus mug.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 19, 2004
Get the calculus mug.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
Get the calculus mug.The most ridiculous math class you'll ever take in high school in which the lowest grades you'll ever make you're happy to receive. Side effects include: lack of sleep, absence of a life, and/or loss of a soul.
"Dude, I have my AP Calculus final tomorrow; FML..."
"I got a 56!"
"Way to go!" (insert high five here)
"I got a 56!"
"Way to go!" (insert high five here)
by Instead of Studying for Calc. December 16, 2009
Get the AP Calculus mug.An advanced placement (AP) Calculus course taken in high school. This course features one semester of college level Calculus, while the next level available in highschool (Calculus BC) features 2 semesters of Calculus 1. Calculus AB is considered a simpler, less in-depth version of Calculus BC.
"Are you taking AP calculus BC next year?"
"No I decided to take AP calculus AB because I don't think I'm up to the challenge."
"No I decided to take AP calculus AB because I don't think I'm up to the challenge."
by Bakayaro Konoyaro November 17, 2013
Get the AP Calculus AB mug.The first of many classes that weeds out college freshman who don't have what it takes to study STEM majors such as engineering or computer science. A hard class that covers trig substitution, improper integrals, series, sequences, and polar coordinates and often requires 20+ hours of work a week.
Jimmy wanted to study Mechanical Engineering when he was in college. However, after failing Calculus II twice and getting a C- on his fourth attempt, he decided to switch into Business and never looked back.
by partyrockstar222 August 16, 2021
Get the Calculus II mug.