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  1. AP Calculus
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Glossary

A

Antiderivative

Criticality: 3

A function whose derivative is the original function. Finding an antiderivative is the reverse process of differentiation.

Example:

If f(x)=2xf(x) = 2xf(x)=2x, then F(x)=x2+CF(x) = x^2 + CF(x)=x2+C is an antiderivative of f(x)f(x)f(x), where C is any constant.

D

Definite Integral

Criticality: 3

An integral with upper and lower limits of integration, representing the net signed area under the curve of a function over a specific interval.

Example:

To find the total distance traveled by a car with velocity v(t)v(t)v(t) from t=0t=0t=0 to t=5t=5t=5 seconds, we would calculate the definite integral ∫05v(t)dt\int_{0}^{5} v(t) dt∫05​v(t)dt.

Differentiation

Criticality: 2

The process of finding the derivative of a function, which represents the instantaneous rate of change of the function.

Example:

The process of finding the slope of the tangent line to a curve at any point is called differentiation.

F

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (FTOC)

Criticality: 3

A foundational theorem in calculus that links the concepts of differentiating a function and integrating a function. It has two main parts that establish the relationship between antiderivatives and definite integrals.

Example:

The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus allows us to quickly evaluate ∫01x2dx\int_{0}^{1} x^2 dx∫01​x2dx by finding the antiderivative and evaluating it at the bounds, rather than using Riemann sums.

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 1

Criticality: 2

States that if $g(x) = \int_{a}^{x} f(t) dt$, then $g'(x) = f(x)$. It shows that differentiation and integration are inverse operations.

Example:

If g(x)=∫1xsin⁡(t)dtg(x) = \int_{1}^{x} \sin(t) dtg(x)=∫1x​sin(t)dt, then by Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 1, g′(x)=sin⁡(x)g'(x) = \sin(x)g′(x)=sin(x).

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2

Criticality: 3

States that if $F$ is an antiderivative of $f$ on $[a,b]$, then $\int_{a}^{b} f(x)dx = F(b) - F(a)$. This part is commonly used to evaluate definite integrals.

Example:

Using Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2, we can evaluate ∫023x2dx\int_{0}^{2} 3x^2 dx∫02​3x2dx as x3∣02=23−03=8x^3 \Big|_0^2 = 2^3 - 0^3 = 8x3​02​=23−03=8.

I

Integration

Criticality: 3

The process of finding the antiderivative of a function, often used to calculate areas, volumes, or total accumulation.

Example:

To find the area under the curve of f(x)=x2f(x) = x^2f(x)=x2 from x=0x=0x=0 to x=3x=3x=3, we perform integration of x2x^2x2 over that interval.

L

Lower Bound

Criticality: 2

The bottom limit of integration in a definite integral, indicating the starting point of the interval over which the function is being integrated.

Example:

In the integral ∫15x2dx\int_{1}^{5} x^2 dx∫15​x2dx, the number 1 is the lower bound.

U

Upper Bound

Criticality: 2

The top limit of integration in a definite integral, indicating the endpoint of the interval over which the function is being integrated.

Example:

In the integral ∫15x2dx\int_{1}^{5} x^2 dx∫15​x2dx, the number 5 is the upper bound.