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Glossary

A

Accumulation Function

Criticality: 3

A function that calculates the total change or quantity accumulated over an interval, starting from a fixed point and ending at a variable point.

Example:

If a baker starts with 0 dough and adds flour at a rate of 100g per minute, the accumulation function would tell you the total amount of dough at any given time 'x'.

Accumulation Function

Criticality: 2

A function defined as an integral where the upper limit is a variable, representing the accumulated quantity of a rate over an interval.

Example:

If A(x)=0xR(t),dtA(x) = \int_{0}^{x} R(t) , dt represents the total amount of water accumulated in a tank from time 0 to xx, then A(x)A(x) is an accumulation function.

Accumulation of Change

Criticality: 3

The total change in a quantity over a specified interval, determined by its rate of change. It represents the net effect of the rate over time or another independent variable.

Example:

If a car's speed (rate of change of distance) is 60 km/h for 2 hours, the accumulation of change in distance is 120 km.

Accumulation of Change

Criticality: 2

This refers to the total amount by which a quantity has changed over an interval, calculated by integrating its rate of change.

Example:

If a company's profit rate is P(t)P'(t) dollars per day, then 030P(t),dt\int_{0}^{30} P'(t) , dt represents the total accumulation of change in profit over a month.

Accumulation of Change

Criticality: 3

The total amount by which a quantity has increased or decreased over a specific interval, often calculated by integrating a rate of change.

Example:

If a reservoir's water level changes by a certain rate each day, the accumulation of change over a week would be the total rise or fall in water level during that week.

Accumulation of change

Criticality: 2

Represents the total change in a quantity over an interval, often found by integrating a rate of change.

Example:

If you know the rate at which water is flowing into a tank, the accumulation of change would tell you the total volume of water added over a specific time period.

Adjacent Intervals Property

Criticality: 3

This property allows an integral over a larger interval to be broken down into a sum of integrals over adjacent sub-intervals.

Example:

If you need to find the total area under a curve from x=0x=0 to x=10x=10, you can use the adjacent intervals property to calculate it as 05f(x),dx+510f(x),dx\int_{0}^{5} f(x) , dx + \int_{5}^{10} f(x) , dx.

Antiderivative

Criticality: 3

A function $F(x)$ whose derivative is the original function $f(x)$, meaning $F'(x) = f(x)$.

Example:

If f(x)=3x2f(x) = 3x^2, then F(x)=x3+CF(x) = x^3 + C is an antiderivative of f(x)f(x), where C is any constant.

Antiderivative

Criticality: 3

A function $F(x)$ whose derivative is the original function $f(x)$, meaning $F'(x) = f(x)$. It's the reverse process of differentiation.

Example:

If the velocity of a particle is v(t)=2tv(t) = 2t, then its position function s(t)=t2+Cs(t) = t^2 + C is an Antiderivative, as differentiating s(t)s(t) gives v(t)v(t).

Area (under a curve)

Criticality: 2

The region bounded by a function's graph, the x-axis, and two vertical lines, whose measure is approximated by methods like trapezoidal sums.

Example:

Finding the area under the curve of a power output function over time would give the total energy consumed.

Area Under the Curve

Criticality: 3

This is a geometric interpretation of a definite integral, representing the region bounded by the function's graph, the x-axis, and the vertical lines at the limits of integration.

Example:

If you integrate f(x)=x2f(x) = x^2 from x=0x=0 to x=2x=2, the result is the area under the curve of the parabola from the origin to x=2x=2.

Area Under the Rate of Change Curve

Criticality: 3

The graphical representation of the accumulation of change. The area between the graph of a rate of change function and the x-axis over an interval directly corresponds to the total change in the quantity over that interval.

Example:

If a graph shows the flow rate of water into a pool, calculating the area under the rate of change curve from t=0 to t=30 minutes tells you the total volume of water added in that half-hour.

B

Boundary Value

Criticality: 2

A known initial or specific value of a quantity at a particular point in time or at a specific independent variable value. It's used to determine the total value after an accumulation of change.

Example:

If a bank account starts with $1000, that's the boundary value before any interest accrues or withdrawals are made.

C

Concave Down

Criticality: 3

A characteristic of a function where its graph curves downwards, meaning its slope is decreasing over an interval.

Example:

A function like f(x)=x2f(x) = -x^2 is concave down, indicating that a trapezoidal sum will underestimate the area under its curve.

Concave Up

Criticality: 3

A characteristic of a function where its graph curves upwards, meaning its slope is increasing over an interval.

Example:

For a function like f(x)=x2f(x) = x^2, it is concave up over its entire domain, which means a trapezoidal sum will overestimate its area.

Constant Multiple Property

Criticality: 3

This property states that a constant factor within an integral can be moved outside the integral sign without changing the result.

Example:

The integral 015x3,dx\int_{0}^{1} 5x^3 , dx can be simplified to 501x3,dx5 \int_{0}^{1} x^3 , dx using the constant multiple property, making calculations easier.

Constant of Integration

Criticality: 2

The arbitrary constant 'C' added to the antiderivative of a function when performing indefinite integration, accounting for the loss of information about constant terms during differentiation.

Example:

When finding the antiderivative of 2x2x, we get x2+Cx^2 + C; the Constant of Integration 'C' signifies that any constant term would vanish upon differentiation.

Continuous Function

Criticality: 2

A function whose graph can be drawn without lifting the pen, meaning it has no breaks, jumps, or holes in its domain.

Example:

The function f(x)=x2f(x) = x^2 is a continuous function over all real numbers, unlike a step function which has jumps.

D

Decreasing (function)

Criticality: 2

A function is decreasing on an interval if its output values (y-values) consistently fall as its input values (x-values) increase.

Example:

The function f(x)=x2f(x) = -x^2 for x>0x > 0 is a decreasing function, as its graph goes down from left to right in that region.

Definite Integral

Criticality: 3

A mathematical tool used to calculate the exact area under a curve between two specific points on the x-axis. In the context of rates, it computes the accumulation of change.

Example:

To find the total distance traveled by a rocket given its velocity function from launch to 10 seconds, you would use a definite integral of the velocity function from t=0 to t=10.

Definite Integral

Criticality: 3

The exact value of the net area between a function's curve and the x-axis over a specified interval, representing the total accumulation of a quantity.

Example:

Calculating the definite integral of a velocity function over a time interval gives the exact displacement of an object.

Definite Integral

Criticality: 3

A definite integral calculates the net accumulation of a quantity or the signed area under the curve of a function over a specified interval, resulting in a single numerical value.

Example:

If a car's velocity is given by v(t)=2tv(t) = 2t m/s, the definite integral 052t,dt\int_{0}^{5} 2t , dt would tell you the total distance traveled by the car in the first 5 seconds.

Definite Integral

Criticality: 3

An integral with specified upper and lower limits, used to calculate the net change or area under a curve over a given interval.

Example:

To find the total work done by a variable force from point A to point B, you would use a definite integral of the force function over that distance.

Definite Integral

Criticality: 3

An integral evaluated over a specific interval $[a, b]$, representing the net signed area between the function's graph and the x-axis over that interval.

Example:

Calculating the total displacement of a car from time t=0t=0 to t=10t=10 seconds, given its velocity function, involves computing a definite integral.

Definite Integral

Criticality: 3

The exact accumulation of quantities over an interval, often represented as the precise area under a curve between two specific points.

Example:

The definite integral of a velocity function over a time interval gives the exact displacement of an object during that time.

Definite Integral

Criticality: 3

An integral with specified upper and lower limits, resulting in a numerical value that represents the net signed area under a curve over a given interval.

Example:

Calculating the total distance traveled by a car with varying speed over a specific time period involves evaluating a Definite Integral of its velocity function.

Dummy Variable

Criticality: 2

A placeholder variable used within an integral (e.g., 't') that does not affect the final value of the integral, especially when the limits of integration are variables.

Example:

In 0xsin(t)dt\int_{0}^{x} \sin(t) dt, 't' is the dummy variable used to perform the integration, while 'x' remains the variable of the resulting function.

F

First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Criticality: 3

This theorem provides a straightforward method for evaluating definite integrals by connecting them to antiderivatives.

Example:

To find the exact area under the curve of f(x)=2xf(x) = 2x from x=1x=1 to x=3x=3, you'd use the First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus by finding its antiderivative F(x)=x2F(x) = x^2 and calculating F(3)F(1)F(3) - F(1).

Fixed Starting Point (a)

Criticality: 2

The constant lower limit of integration in a definite integral, indicating where the accumulation begins.

Example:

In the integral 2xf(t)dt\int_{2}^{x} f(t) dt, the number 2 is the fixed starting point (a).

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Criticality: 3

A crucial concept in calculus that establishes the profound connection between differentiation and integration.

Example:

Understanding the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus allows you to solve problems that involve both rates of change and total accumulation, like finding the total distance traveled from a velocity function.

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Criticality: 3

A foundational theorem that links the concepts of differentiating a function and integrating a function, providing a method to evaluate definite integrals using antiderivatives.

Example:

Using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, you can quickly find the exact area under the curve of f(x)=x2f(x) = x^2 from 0 to 1 by evaluating its antiderivative at those points.

G

Given Starting Point

Criticality: 2

The fixed initial value or lower limit from which the accumulation or integration begins.

Example:

When calculating the total distance traveled by a car, the odometer reading at the beginning of the trip serves as the given starting point.

H

Heights (of a trapezoid/function values)

Criticality: 2

The vertical lengths of the parallel sides of a trapezoid, determined by the function's value at the endpoints of each subinterval.

Example:

The heights of the trapezoids are crucial because they represent the function's magnitude at the specific x-values, directly influencing the area calculation.

I

Increasing (function)

Criticality: 2

A function is increasing on an interval if its output values (y-values) consistently rise as its input values (x-values) increase.

Example:

The function f(x)=x3f(x) = x^3 is an increasing function over all real numbers, meaning its graph always goes up from left to right.

Indefinite Integral

Criticality: 2

An integral without specified upper and lower limits, representing the family of all possible antiderivatives of a given function, denoted by $F(x) + C$.

Example:

Finding the Indefinite Integral of f(x)=3x2f(x) = 3x^2 gives x3+Cx^3 + C, representing all functions whose derivative is 3x23x^2.

Integrand

Criticality: 2

The function $f(x)$ that is being integrated within an integral expression, typically written after the integral symbol.

Example:

In the integral absin(x),dx{\int }_{a}^{b} \sin(x) , dx, sin(x)\sin(x) is the Integrand, the function whose area under the curve is being found.

Integrand ($f(x)$)

Criticality: 2

The integrand is the function being integrated within a definite integral, denoted as $f(x)$ in the expression $\int_{a}^{b} f(x) \, dx$.

Example:

In the integral 13(x2+2x),dx\int_{1}^{3} (x^2 + 2x) , dx, the integrand is x2+2xx^2 + 2x, which is the function whose area or accumulation we are finding.

Integration Variable ($dx$)

Criticality: 2

The integration variable, typically $dx$, indicates with respect to which variable the integration is performed, defining the axis along which the accumulation is measured.

Example:

For 01ey,dy\int_{0}^{1} e^y , dy, the integration variable is dydy, meaning we are integrating with respect to yy, not xx or any other variable.

Interval

Criticality: 2

The specified range $[a, b]$ over which a definite integral is evaluated, defined by its lower and upper limits.

Example:

When calculating the work done by a variable force from x=1x=1 meter to x=5x=5 meters, the Interval of integration is [1,5][1, 5].

L

Left Riemann Sum

Criticality: 3

A type of Riemann sum where the height of each approximating rectangle is determined by the function's value at the left endpoint of its corresponding subinterval.

Example:

When approximating the area under f(x)=x2f(x) = x^2 from x=0x=0 to x=4x=4 using four rectangles, the first rectangle's height would be f(0)f(0), demonstrating a Left Riemann Sum.

Limits of Integration ($a$ and $b$)

Criticality: 3

These are the upper ($b$) and lower ($a$) bounds of the interval over which the function is integrated, defining the specific range for accumulation.

Example:

In 25sin(x),dx\int_{2}^{5} \sin(x) , dx, the limits of integration are a=2a=2 and b=5b=5, meaning we are calculating the net area from x=2x=2 to x=5x=5.

Lower Limit

Criticality: 2

The bottom value 'a' in a definite integral ${\int }_{a}^{b}f(x) \, dx$, indicating the starting point of the interval over which the integration is performed.

Example:

In 05x2,dx{\int }_{0}^{5} x^2 , dx, the value 0 is the Lower Limit, defining the leftmost boundary of the area being calculated.

M

Midpoint Riemann Sum

Criticality: 3

A type of Riemann sum where the height of each approximating rectangle is determined by the function's value at the midpoint of its corresponding subinterval.

Example:

When calculating the average temperature over a day, a Midpoint Riemann Sum would use the temperature reading from the middle of each hour to represent that hour's average.

N

Negative Rate of Change

Criticality: 2

Occurs when the rate of change function's graph is below the x-axis, indicating that the quantity is decreasing over that interval. The accumulation of change will be negative.

Example:

If the temperature of a cooling object is dropping, it exhibits a negative rate of change in temperature.

O

Overestimate

Criticality: 3

An approximation that yields a value greater than the true value, occurring in trapezoidal sums when the function is concave up.

Example:

If you use a trapezoidal sum to approximate the area under a concave up curve, your result will be an overestimate of the true area.

Overestimate

Criticality: 2

An approximation that yields a value greater than the true or exact value, often occurring when the approximating rectangles extend above the curve.

Example:

For a decreasing function, a Left Riemann Sum will typically result in an overestimate of the true area under the curve.

P

Positive Rate of Change

Criticality: 2

Occurs when the rate of change function's graph is above the x-axis, indicating that the quantity is increasing over that interval. The accumulation of change will be positive.

Example:

When a company's profit is growing, it has a positive rate of change in profit, meaning more money is being earned.

R

Rate of Change

Criticality: 3

The speed or pace at which a quantity is changing with respect to another quantity, often time. It indicates how quickly a value is increasing or decreasing.

Example:

A factory produces 50 widgets per hour; this is its rate of change of production.

Rate of Change (Interpretation)

Criticality: 2

When the integrand represents a rate of change, the definite integral provides the total accumulated change of the original quantity over the given interval.

Example:

If R(t)R(t) is the rate at which water flows into a tank in liters per minute, then 010R(t),dt\int_{0}^{10} R(t) , dt gives the total volume of water accumulated in the tank over the first 10 minutes, illustrating the rate of change interpretation.

Rate of Change Function

Criticality: 3

A function that describes how one quantity changes with respect to another, often represented as the derivative of an accumulation function.

Example:

If a population grows at a certain number of individuals per year, that growth rate is the rate of change function for the population.

Reversing Limits Property

Criticality: 3

This property states that reversing the upper and lower limits of integration changes the sign of the definite integral.

Example:

If 13f(x),dx=7\int_{1}^{3} f(x) , dx = 7, then 31f(x),dx=7\int_{3}^{1} f(x) , dx = -7 due to the reversing limits property.

Riemann Sum

Criticality: 3

A Riemann sum is an approximation of the definite integral of a function, calculated by summing the areas of a finite number of rectangles under the curve.

Example:

To estimate the area under f(x)=x2f(x) = x^2 from 00 to 11, one could use a Riemann sum with 4 rectangles, calculating the sum of their areas to get an approximation.

Riemann sum

Criticality: 3

A technique for approximating the exact value of an accumulation of change, such as a definite integral or the area under a curve, by summing the areas of multiple rectangles.

Example:

To estimate the total distance a car traveled given its varying speed over time, one could use a Riemann sum by adding up the areas of rectangles representing speed multiplied by small time intervals.

Right Riemann Sum

Criticality: 3

A type of Riemann sum where the height of each approximating rectangle is determined by the function's value at the right endpoint of its corresponding subinterval.

Example:

To approximate the total work done by a variable force, a Right Riemann Sum might use the force at the end of each small displacement interval to calculate the work for that segment.

S

Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Criticality: 3

This theorem states that the derivative of an integral with respect to its upper limit is the original function itself.

Example:

If you have a function defined as G(x)=5xsin(t),dtG(x) = \int_{5}^{x} \sin(t) , dt, the Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus immediately tells you that G(x)=sin(x)G'(x) = \sin(x).

Signed Area

Criticality: 2

The definite integral represents the signed area, where areas above the x-axis are considered positive and areas below the x-axis are considered negative.

Example:

For f(x)=cos(x)f(x) = \cos(x) from 00 to 2π2\pi, the integral 02πcos(x),dx=0\int_{0}^{2\pi} \cos(x) , dx = 0 because the positive area above the x-axis from 00 to π/2\pi/2 and 3π/23\pi/2 to 2π2\pi is cancelled out by the negative area below the x-axis from π/2\pi/2 to 3π/23\pi/2, demonstrating the concept of signed area.

Subinterval

Criticality: 2

A subinterval is one of the smaller divisions of the total integration interval $[a, b]$, used in the construction of Riemann sums to approximate the area under a curve.

Example:

If you're integrating from x=0x=0 to x=10x=10 and divide the interval into 5 equal parts, each part like [0,2][0,2] or [2,4][2,4] is a subinterval.

Subinterval

Criticality: 2

A smaller division of a larger interval, used in Riemann sums to define the base of each approximating rectangle.

Example:

If you're estimating the area under a curve from x=0x=0 to x=10x=10, you might divide it into five subintervals like [0,2],[2,4],[4,6],[6,8],[8,10][0,2], [2,4], [4,6], [6,8], [8,10].

Subintervals

Criticality: 2

Smaller, contiguous intervals into which a larger interval is divided to facilitate the approximation of an integral, with each subinterval forming the base of a trapezoid.

Example:

To get a more accurate approximation of an integral, you would typically divide the main interval into a greater number of subintervals.

Sum/Difference Property

Criticality: 3

This property allows the integral of a sum or difference of functions to be split into the sum or difference of their individual integrals.

Example:

To integrate (x2+sin(x))(x^2 + \sin(x)) from 00 to π\pi, you can use the sum/difference property to evaluate 0πx2,dx+0πsin(x),dx\int_{0}^{\pi} x^2 , dx + \int_{0}^{\pi} \sin(x) , dx separately.

T

Trapezoidal Sum

Criticality: 3

A numerical integration method that approximates the definite integral of a function by dividing the area under its curve into a series of trapezoids and summing their areas.

Example:

To estimate the total distance a car traveled given its speed at various times, you could use a trapezoidal sum on the speed-time graph.

Trapezoids

Criticality: 2

Four-sided polygons with at least one pair of parallel sides, used as the fundamental geometric shapes in a trapezoidal sum to approximate the area under a curve.

Example:

When approximating the area under a curve, each segment is treated as a trapezoid where the parallel sides are the function values at the interval endpoints.

U

Underestimate

Criticality: 3

An approximation that yields a value less than the true value, occurring in trapezoidal sums when the function is concave down.

Example:

When approximating the area under a concave down curve using a trapezoidal sum, the calculated value will be an underestimate of the actual area.

Underestimate

Criticality: 2

An approximation that yields a value less than the true or exact value, often occurring when the approximating rectangles lie entirely below the curve.

Example:

For an increasing function, a Left Riemann Sum will typically result in an underestimate of the true area under the curve.

Units of Accumulation

Criticality: 2

The resulting units of the accumulated quantity, derived by multiplying the units of the rate of change by the units of the independent variable. This ensures dimensional consistency.

Example:

If a population grows at a rate of 'people per year' over 'years', the units of accumulation will be 'people', representing the total change in population.

Upper Limit

Criticality: 2

The top value 'b' in a definite integral ${\int }_{a}^{b}f(x) \, dx$, indicating the endpoint of the interval over which the integration is performed.

Example:

In 05x2,dx{\int }_{0}^{5} x^2 , dx, the value 5 is the Upper Limit, defining the rightmost boundary of the area being calculated.

V

Variable Ending Point (x)

Criticality: 2

The upper limit of integration in an accumulation function, which is a variable that determines the extent of the accumulation.

Example:

When calculating the volume of water flowing into a tank over time, 'x' represents the variable ending point (x), allowing you to find the volume at any future moment.

Variable Endpoint

Criticality: 2

The changing upper limit of an interval, typically represented by a variable (e.g., 'x'), up to which accumulation is measured.

Example:

In a function describing the total rainfall over time, 'x' represents the variable endpoint, allowing you to find the total rainfall up to any specific day.

W

Width (of a trapezoid/subinterval)

Criticality: 2

The horizontal length of a subinterval, which serves as the base of a trapezoid in the trapezoidal sum calculation.

Example:

In a trapezoidal sum with equal width subintervals, the total interval length is simply divided by the number of trapezoids.

Z

Zero-Length Interval Property

Criticality: 2

This property states that the definite integral of any function over an interval where the upper and lower limits are identical is always zero.

Example:

If you integrate f(x)=x2+3f(x) = x^2 + 3 from x=5x=5 to x=5x=5, the result is 00 because of the zero-length interval property, as there is no area over a single point.