Essential Calculas

By David Austin
238
2026

Description

Calculus is the branch of mathematics which is concerned with the study of rates of change. It is further divided in two branches, namely, differential calculus and integral calculus. Differential calculus studies the rate of changes of functions with respect to their variables through the use of derivatives and differentials. Slopes and curves of graphs are a part of differential calculus. Integral calculus focuses on accumulation of quantities and studies the area under and between the curves. Calculus finds its applications across various domains such as robotics, video games, artificial intelligence, planetary motion, aerospace, bridge engineering, business and economics. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of calculus which will be crucial for the holistic understanding of the subject matter. Some of the diverse topics covered herein address the varied branches that fall under this category. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book. Calculus is an extremely powerful tool for solving a host of practical problems in fields as0 diverse as physics, biology, and economics, to mention just a few. In this rigorous but accessible text, a noted mathematician introduces undergraduate-level students to the problem-solving techniques that make a working knowledge of calculus indispensable for any mathematician. The author first applies the necessary mathematical background, including sets, inequalities, absolute value, mathematical induction, and other "precalculus" material. The text begins with the actual study of differential calculus with a discussion of the key concept of function, and a thorough treatment of derivatives and limits. Differentiation is used as a tool; among the topics covered here are velocity, continuous and differentiable functions, the indefinite integral, local extrema, and concrete optimization problems. The book treats integral calculus, employing the standard definition of the Riemann integral, and deals with the mean value theorem for integrals, the main techniques of integration, and improper integrals. It offers a brief introduction to differential equations and their applications, including problems of growth, decay, and motion. Concise and well written, this text is ideal as a primary text or as a refresher for anyone wishing to review the fundamentals of this crucial discipline. This book offers a concise approach to calculus that focuses on major concepts, and supports those concepts with precise definitions, patient explanations, and carefully graded problems.

About Author

David Austin completed his Ph.D. at the University of Utah in 1989, supervised by Ronald Stern and working in gauge theory and its applications to low-dimensional topology. He then completed a two-year visiting position at the Institute for Advanced Study on a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. David next joined the mathematics faculty at the University of British Columbia in 1991 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1995. During that time, David was a Visiting Fellow for one term at St. Catherine's College, Oxford. In 1999, David moved to Grand Valley State University where he is currently a Professor of Mathematics. Over time, his mathematical interests have grown to include more applied topics including numerical linear algebra. In 2021, David was awarded the Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics from the Mathematical Association of America.

Table of Content

Preface
Chapter 1. Foundations of Limits

Formal (ε–Δ) Definition
One-Sided Limits
Infinite Limits and Limits at Infinity
Continuity of Functions
Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT)

Chapter 2. The Derivative
Definition Quotient
Geometric Interpretation: Tangent Line
Product and Quotient Rules
Chain Rule
Implicit Differentiation

Chapter 3. Applications of Derivatives
Critical Points 
First Derivative Test
Concavity and Inflection Points
Curve Sketching
Optimization Theory

Chapter 4. Integrals: Introduction and Techniques
Antiderivatives
The Definite Integral
Terminology and Notation
Fundamental Theorems of Calculus 
Trigonometric Integrals
Partial Fraction Decomposition

Chapter 5. Applications of Integration
Area Between Curves
Volume by Disks and Washers
Volume by Cylindrical Shells
Arc Length
Surface Area of Revolution
Chapter 6. Sequences and Series
Sequences and Convergence
Geometric and P-Series
Alternating Series and Absolute Convergence
Ratio and Root Tests
Radius of Convergence

Chapter 7. Parametric Equations and Polar Coordinates
Polar Coordinate Systems
Curve Sketching 
Slope in Polar Coordinates
Converting Between Representations
Applications: Spirals and Limaçons

Chapter 8. Multivariable Calculus – Fundamentals
Functions of Several Variables
Partial Derivatives
Gradient Vectors
Clairaut’s Theorem
Linear Approximations

Chapter 9. Multivariable Applications
Tangent Planes
Optimization with Constraints
Double Integrals in Polar Coordinates
Triple Integrals and Volume
Applications: Mass, Center of Mass

Chapter 10. Vector Calculus Basics
Vector-Valued Functions 
Derivatives and Integrals of Vector Functions
ARC Curvature
Frenet–Serret Formulas
Divergence and Curl

Bibliography