2024

CALCULUS MANUAL

MATHEMATICS UNIT
CAPRICORN SOUTH DISTRICT
4/30/2024
What is Calculus?
Calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with the study of continuous change, particularly
in the context of functions and limits. It is a fundamental subject that has numerous applications
in various fields such as physics, engineering, economics, and computer science.
Two Main Branches of Calculus
1. Differential Calculus: Deals with the study of rates of change and slopes of curves. It
introduces the concept of derivatives, which measure the rate at which a function changes
as its input changes.
2. Integral Calculus: Deals with the study of accumulation of quantities. It introduces the
concept of integrals, which represent the total amount of change of a function over a
given interval.
Key Concepts
1. Limits: The concept of limits is central to calculus. It involves determining the behavior
of a function as the input approaches a specific value.
2. Derivatives: Derivatives measure the rate of change of a function. The derivative of a
function f(x) is denoted as f'(x) or (d/dx)f(x).
3. Differentiation Rules: There are several rules for differentiating functions, such as the
power rule, product rule, and quotient rule.
4. Applications of Derivatives: Derivatives have numerous applications, including finding
the maximum and minimum values of a function, determining the rate at which a quantity
changes over time, and analyzing optimization problems.
Why is Calculus Important?
Calculus has numerous applications in various fields, including:
1. Physics and Engineering: Calculus is used to model and analyze complex phenomena,
such as the motion of objects, the behavior of electrical circuits, and the design of
electronic systems.
2. Economics: Calculus is used to model economic systems, determine the optimal levels of
production and consumption, and analyze the behavior of markets.
3. Computer Science: Calculus is used in machine learning, data analysis, and algorithm
design.
4. Biology and Medicine: Calculus is used to model population growth, understand the
spread of diseases, and analyze medical imaging data.
Let me try and outline the following sub-topics which are crucial to this workshop:
1. Limits

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In calculus, a limit represents the value that a function approaches as the input (or x-value) gets
arbitrarily close to a certain point. In other words, it is the value that a function "limits" to as the
input gets closer and closer to a specific point. The concept of limits is essential in calculus
because it helps us understand how functions behave near a particular point, even if the function
is not defined at that exact point.
The mathematical notation for a limit is: lim x→a f(x) = L
This reads, "The limit as x approaches a of f(x) is L."
2. AVERAGE GRADIENT: is the gradient of the line between any two points, change in
𝑦��divided by change in 𝑥�.
3. Differentiation Rules
Differentiation rules are a set of formulas that help us find the derivative of a function.
The derivative of a function represents the rate of change of the function with respect to
the input.
Here are some common differentiation rules:

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These rules help us find the derivative of a wide range of functions, from simple polynomials
complex trigonometric functions.

4. First Principle (or Limit Definition of a Derivative)

The First Principle, also known as the limit definition of a derivative, is a fundamental
concept in calculus that defines the derivative of a function as a limit. The First Principle
states that the derivative of a function f(x) at a point x=a is equal to the limit of the
difference quotient as the change in x approaches zero:

f'(a) = lim h→0 [f(a+h) - f(a)]/h

This definition helps us understand the concept of a derivative as a measure of the rate of change
of a function. It's a powerful tool for finding the derivative of a function, especially when other
differentiation rules don't apply.

In essence, the First Principle says that the derivative of a function at a point is equal to the limit
of the slope of the secant line through that point, as the secant line approaches the tangent line.

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 ACTIVITIES:

ACTIVITY 1

ACTIVITY 2

ACTIVITY 3

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ACTIVITY 5

ACTIVITY 6

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ACTIVITY 8

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ACTIVITY 11