integral calculus

American  

noun

1. the branch of mathematics that deals with integrals, especially the methods of ascertaining indefinite integrals and applying them to the solution of differential equations and the determining of areas, volumes, and lengths.

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integral calculus British  

noun

1. the branch of calculus concerned with the determination of integrals and their application to the solution of differential equations, the determination of areas and volumes, etc Compare differential calculus

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integral calculus Scientific  

1. The study of integration and its uses, such as in calculating areas bounded by curves, volumes bounded by surfaces, and solutions to differential equations.

2. Compare calculus of variations differential calculus

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Etymology

Origin of integral calculus

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Calculating the area of more complicated subsets of the plane sometimes requires other tools, such as the integral calculus taught in school.

From Scientific American • Aug. 16, 2021

The topic of infinite series may seem unrelated to differential and integral calculus.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Formulas for the areas and volumes of geometric figures were surprisingly easy to obtain using this principle, which was a precursor of integral calculus.

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2014

When we use formulas to find the area in this textbook, the formulas were found by using the techniques of integral calculus.

From Textbooks • Sep. 19, 2013

He occupied himself by inventing the differential and integral calculus, making fundamental discoveries on the nature of light and laying the foundation for the theory of universal gravitation.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan