📘 Introduction to Calculus – Class Notes
I. What is Calculus?
Branch of mathematics that studies change (differentiation) and
accumulation (integration).
Two main areas:
1. Differential Calculus – Concerned with rates of change and
slopes of curves.
2. Integral Calculus – Deals with areas under curves and
accumulated quantities.
II. Limits
1. Definition:
o A limit describes the value a function approaches as the input
approaches a certain value.
o Written as:
limx→af(x)=L\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = Lx→alimf(x)=L
2. Key Concepts:
o Left-hand limit and right-hand limit.
o A limit exists only if both sides approach the same value.
o Used to define derivatives and continuity.
3. Special Cases:
o Limits at infinity.
o Indeterminate forms (e.g., 0/0).
III. Derivatives
1. Definition:
o The derivative of a function represents its instantaneous rate
of change.
o Defined as:
f′(x)=limh→0f(x+h)−f(x)hf'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h}f′
(x)=h→0limhf(x+h)−f(x)
2. Interpretation:
o Slope of the tangent line to the curve at a point.
o Velocity, if position is a function of time.
3. Basic Derivative Rules:
o Power rule:
ddx(xn)=nxn−1\frac{d}{dx}(x^n) = nx^{n-1}dxd(xn)=nxn−1
o Constant rule, sum/difference rules.
o Product rule and quotient rule.
o Chain rule for composite functions.
4. Applications:
o Finding maxima/minima.
o Motion problems (velocity and acceleration).
o Optimization.
IV. Integrals
1. Definition:
o The integral is the antiderivative or the area under a curve.
o Indefinite integral:
∫f(x) dx=F(x)+C\int f(x) \, dx = F(x) + C∫f(x)dx=F(x)+C
o Definite integral (with bounds aaa to bbb):
∫abf(x) dx\int_a^b f(x) \, dx∫abf(x)dx
2. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus:
o Connects differentiation and integration:
ddx(∫axf(t) dt)=f(x)\frac{d}{dx} \left( \int_a^x f(t) \, dt \right) = f(x)dxd(∫ax
f(t)dt)=f(x)
3. Basic Integration Rules:
o Power rule for integrals.
o Linearity (sum/difference, constants).
o Substitution method (u-substitution).
4. Applications:
o Area under a curve.
o Accumulated change.
o Physics (displacement from velocity, etc.).
V. Continuity
A function is continuous at a point if:
1. f(a)f(a)f(a) is defined.
2. limx→af(x)\lim_{x \to a} f(x)limx→af(x) exists.
3. limx→af(x)=f(a)\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = f(a)limx→af(x)=f(a).
Discontinuities can be removable, jump, or infinite.