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  1. AP Calculus
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Glossary

A

Absolute Value (in area formula)

Criticality: 2

Used in the area formula $A=∫_c^d∣f(y)−g(y)∣dy$ to ensure that the difference between the functions is always positive, guaranteeing a positive area.

Example:

In A=∫01∣y2−y∣,dyA = \int_{0}^{1} |y^2 - y| ,dyA=∫01​∣y2−y∣,dy, the absolute value ensures we subtract the 'left' function from the 'right' function to get a positive width for each slice.

Area Between Curves

Criticality: 3

The total region enclosed by two or more functions over a specified interval, calculated using definite integrals.

Example:

To find the area between curves y=x2y=x^2y=x2 and y=xy=xy=x, you would integrate the difference of the functions over their intersection interval.

F

Functions of y

Criticality: 2

Equations where the independent variable is y and the dependent variable is x, typically expressed in the form $x = f(y)$.

Example:

When calculating the area between x=y2x = y^2x=y2 and x=y+2x = y+2x=y+2, you are working with functions of y.

H

Horizontal Slices

Criticality: 3

A method for approximating the area between curves by dividing the region into infinitesimally thin rectangles oriented horizontally, used when integrating with respect to y.

Example:

When finding the area between x=f(y)x=f(y)x=f(y) and x=g(y)x=g(y)x=g(y), we use horizontal slices of width dydydy and length ∣f(y)−g(y)∣|f(y) - g(y)|∣f(y)−g(y)∣.

I

Integrating with respect to y

Criticality: 3

The process of finding the antiderivative of a function where the variable of integration is y, denoted by $dy$ in the integral.

Example:

To find the area between x=y2x=y^2x=y2 and x=yx=yx=y, you would set up an integral and perform integrating with respect to y.

Intersection Points

Criticality: 3

The coordinates where two or more curves meet, found by setting their equations equal to each other and solving for the variable.

Example:

Finding the intersection points of y=x2y=x^2y=x2 and y=xy=xy=x involves solving x2=xx^2=xx2=x, which gives x=0x=0x=0 and x=1x=1x=1.

Interval of Integration

Criticality: 3

The specific range of values (on the x-axis for $dx$ or y-axis for $dy$) over which a definite integral is evaluated to find the area or other quantities.

Example:

If curves intersect at y=0y=0y=0 and y=1y=1y=1, then [0,1][0,1][0,1] is the interval of integration for finding the area between them.

U

Upper and Lower Limits (of integration)

Criticality: 3

The specific values at the top and bottom of the integral sign, representing the boundaries of the interval over which the function is integrated.

Example:

In ∫01(y−y2),dy\int_{0}^{1} (y - y^2) ,dy∫01​(y−y2),dy, 111 is the upper limit and 000 is the lower limit, defining the range of y-values for the area calculation.