Calculus

Calculus is mathematics concerned with the calculation of instantaneous rates of change (differential calculus) and the summation of infinitely many small factors to determine some whole (integral calculus). It was developed independently by Isaac Newton of England and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz of Germany.

Calculus is studied in high school and is a requisite for physics, chemistry, biology, economics, finance, or actuarial science.

Some examples of its value:


 * Architect Engineers uses integration to determine the amount of materials to construct curved shape constructions, or to calculate bridge stresses.
 * In Electrical Engineering, integration is used to determine the exact length of power cable needed to connect two substations, which are miles away from each other.
 * Space flight engineers use calculus to consider the different orbiting velocities of the Earth and the planet a probe is targeted for, as well as other gravitational influences like the sun and the moon.
 * A civil engineer would use it to predict the pressure building up behind a dam as the water rises.


 * Biologists use differential calculus to determine the exact rate of growth in a bacterial culture when different variables such as temperature and food source are changed.


 * In Physics, integration is used to calculate the centre of mass, centre of gravity and mass moment of inertia of moving objects like vehicles, and to calculate the velocity and trajectory of an object, predict the position of planets, and understand electromagnetism.


 * A graphics artist uses calculus to determine how different three-dimensional models will behave when subjected to rapidly changing conditions. It can create a realistic environment for movies or video games.


 * It is used to determine the rate of a chemical reaction and radioactive decay reactions.