Calculus (1 Viewer)

[rsingh]

Heys guys,

I just started yr 12 and we're just abt to start Calculus - finally!
Could someone please explain, in plain terms, exactly what Calculus is about, and is it that difficult?

Thank you.

 

[Xayma]

From Wikipedia:

The Calculus is a branch of mathematics, developed from algebra and geometry, involving two major complementary ideas: The first, called differential calculus is a theory about rates of change, and involves the method of differentiation; in terms of mathematical functions, velocity, acceleration, and slopes of curves at a given point can all be discussed on a common symbolic basis. The second, called integral calculus, involves the idea of integration, and uses a general idea of area bounded by the graph of a function, to include related concepts such as volume.

The two concepts define inverse operations, in a sense made quite precise by the fundamental theorem of calculus. This means that either may in fact be given priority, but the usual educational approach is to introduce differential calculus first.

It isn't difficult it is boring and the HSC focuses too much on it however.

 

[Slidey]

It isn't difficult, but it is fun. The HSC focuses too much on the basic pedantic bits of it (like approximation methods such as Simpson's rule) and not enough on the more exciting bits.

The calculus is a bunch of rules you can use to find the change in something. Anywhere there is change, you'll find the calculus - gradients of curves/lines, motion of a point, distance over time, velocity, acceleration, numbers theory, area, volumes, et cetera.

 

[acmilan]

Heys guys,

I just started yr 12 and we're just abt to start Calculus - finally!
Could someone please explain, in plain terms, exactly what Calculus is about, and is it that difficult?

Thank you.

You do realise that you have already done calculus in yr 11?

 

[acmilan]

It isn't difficult, but it is fun. The HSC focuses too much on the basic pedantic bits of it (like approximation methods such as Simpson's rule) and not enough on the more exciting bits.

The calculus is a bunch of rules you can use to find the change in something. Anywhere there is change, you'll find the calculus - gradients of curves/lines, motion of a point, distance over time, velocity, acceleration, numbers theory, area, volumes, et cetera.

You should see in south australia, they have hardly any calculus and do like 2nd year uni statistics at the highest level of maths in yr 12

 

[jhakka]

You do realise that you have already done calculus in yr 11?

Our topics were all over the place, and we didn't do calculus until this year. We were behind for a long time, too.

 

[acmilan]

So you dont even know how to differentiate?

 

[jhakka]

Very funny.

Yes, I know how to differentiate. It's been drilled into my heads since early this year. It's hard not to know how to differentiate now.

Not that it matters any more. No more maths for me.

 

[A2RAYA]

It isn't difficult, but it is fun. The HSC focuses too much on the basic pedantic bits of it (like approximation methods such as Simpson's rule) and not enough on the more exciting bits.

The calculus is a bunch of rules you can use to find the change in something. Anywhere there is change, you'll find the calculus - gradients of curves/lines, motion of a point, distance over time, velocity, acceleration, numbers theory, area, volumes, et cetera.

lol take it easy man the guy started calculus...lets not get him confised over wat it is and wat it means...basically its about differntiating, integrating and everything to do with curve sketching from now on..simple

 

[prsce24]

CALCULUS
- Differential calculus
- Geometrical application of calculus (curve sketching, maxima minima etc.)
- Integration (area, volume etc.)

- Trig. function (the above with trig functions)
- Log and Exp function (the above with log and exp functions)
- Application to physics (ways to find displacement, velocity, acceleration, growth and decay)

That's about it. When you start differentiation and integration, make sure you master it fully fully fully because it is the basis for the more important Trig. function, log exp func, and application to physics.

 

[A2RAYA]

CALCULUS
- Differential calculus
- Geometrical application of calculus (curve sketching, maxima minima etc.)
- Integration (area, volume etc.)

- Trig. function (the above with trig functions)
- Log and Exp function (the above with log and exp functions)
- Application to physics (ways to find displacement, velocity, acceleration, growth and decay)

That's about it. When you start differentiation and integration, make sure you master it fully fully fully because it is the basis for the more important Trig. function, log exp func, and application to physics.

dont make me repeat wat i said about confusing the guy

 

[A2RAYA]

Our topics were all over the place, and we didn't do calculus until this year. We were behind for a long time, too.

quit ur whinging jhakka ....we ended up finishing the course anyway so who cares....

 

[jhakka]

Very true. And, in the words of Robert Frost, "That has made all the difference".

 

[~*HSC 4 life*~]

Very true. And, in the words of Robert Frost, "That has made all the difference".

oh no...don't!

*cries*

calculus is cool, it depends on the type of person you are, i liked it 20x more than probability and stuff, that just wasnt my thing.

 

[kimmeh]

In america, the calculus entrance exam to our equivalent to uni is the most difficult exam for them (tps, roots etc..)-. But then again, they learn imaginary numbers like the 4 uniters do in mainstream

 

[paper cup]

quoting mojako.
calculus is anything to do with differentiation, or anti differentiation (integration).

 

[JamiL]

Heys guys,

I just started yr 12 and we're just abt to start Calculus - finally!
Could someone please explain, in plain terms, exactly what Calculus is about, and is it that difficult?

Thank you.

let ur teacher explain it 2 u cos these guys will confuse u. its quiet simple, and it is a method newton created to help him with predicting shit in the physical world, and with his 3 laws

 

[Slidey]

Newton mainly worked on integration. Leibnez differentiation... though there was overlap.

 

[JamiL]

intergration n differentiation are the same thing jus goin in different direction as such. if u have a function f(x), if u differentate it n get g(x), therefore the intergral of g(x) = f(x) + c. but differentation is what newton started with

 

[withoutaface]

intergration n differentiation are the same thing jus goin in different direction as such. if u have a function f(x), if u differentate it n get g(x), therefore the intergral of g(x) = f(x) + c. but differentation is what newton started with

I believe it was actually integration that was developed first,