Calculus is a branch of mathematics concerned with two types of functions: derivatives and integrals.
The derivative calculates the rate of change of the function at a point on a curved line. This formula also works for a straight line, as well. A derivative of a function is written by adding a apostrophe like this: f'(x). One of the applications of derivatives is to determine velocity and acceleration of an object in motion.
Integrals measure the area under a curved line graph, such as a half circle. The integral symbol looks like a flattened S.
Derivatives and integrals are related in that they are inverse functions of each other. That means the operations will cancel each other out, such as taking the square root of a squared number will give you the original number.
Applications of integrals include calculating areas of plane regions or surfaces, as well as calculating volumes of solids.
Both derivatives and integrals are defined by using the concept of a limit. An example of a limit is where you have the equation 1/x. If you take x to be very large, then 1/x gets closer to 0.