Order of concepts taught in calculus 1 & 2

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The order of concepts taught in Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 typically begins with Limits and Continuity, followed by the Definition of a Derivative as a limit, and Special Functions including logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions. Calculus 2 introduces Integration defined as a limit, Riemann Integration, and applications such as optimization and anti-derivatives. Key techniques include the Chain Rule and Implicit Differentiation, with a focus on the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus linking differentiation and integration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Limits and Continuity
  • Familiarity with Derivatives and their applications
  • Knowledge of Integration techniques, including Riemann Integration
  • Basic concepts of Functions and Graphs
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and its implications
  • Explore techniques of differentiation, including the Chain Rule and Implicit Differentiation
  • Study applications of derivatives in optimization problems
  • Learn about Riemann sums and their role in defining definite integrals
USEFUL FOR

Students beginning their studies in calculus, educators designing calculus curricula, and anyone seeking a structured approach to understanding the foundational concepts of Calculus 1 and 2.

Niaboc67
Messages
249
Reaction score
3
Hello everyone. I am about to start Calculus 1 and then Calculus 2. I want to get an idea of how the order of concepts of these to classes are generally laid out.Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It has been a while since I have taken the courses, and there may be different sequences used by different profs, but what I have seen has been:
--
Limits & Continuity
Definition of a derivative as a limit
Special functions: Log, exponential, trig functions, etc.
--
Integration defined as a limit / Reimann Integration.
Application and problem solving.
Multiple dimensions and parametrics.
--
I am sure I have forgotten something, but that sums up what I remember from those two classes.
 
What about chain rule and optimization, anti-derivatives?
 
Niaboc67 said:
What about chain rule and optimization, anti-derivatives?
1. The chain rule is a special technique applied to finding the derivative of a function composed in terms of other functions.
2. Optimization is typically an application of derivatives to certain problems.
3. "Anti-derivative" is another name given to the indefinite integral of a function,
since integration and differentiation are inverse operations of one another, according to the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
 
Ok, chain rule and optimization fall under the category of concepts related to understanding derivatives. And anti-derivative is the same as indefinite integral. Is there any difference between an integral and indefinite integral? so new to all this.
 
Integrals come in definite and indefinite (sometimes improper, but don't worry about that for now). Definite integrals are more of what you might consider the "area under the curve" between two endpoints. Indefinite integrals are like you said, the anti-derivative...more of a functional form such that if F is the anti-derivative of f then
##\int_a^b f(x) dx = F(b)-F(a).##
Another example would be if ##f(x) = 2x##, ##\int f(x) dx = x^2 + C.##

Improper integrals are usually expressed over an infinite range, where a more "proper" integral would be expressed as the limit as the endpoint goes to infinity of the definite integral.
 
Niaboc67 said:
I am about to start Calculus 1 and then Calculus 2. I want to get an idea of how the order of concepts of these to classes are generally laid out.

Have you checked out the table of contents in a textbook or two? For a basic course like that, I doubt that many instructors jump around a lot, although they may skip some secondary topics.

Also, when I Googled for "calculus syllabus" one of the first things I saw was a course page for Calculus I at Columbia University, including a syllabus with a schedule of topics covered, and homework assignments. There's probably a similar page for their Calculus II, although I didn't look.
 
@jtbell http://math.columbia.edu/~macueto/CalculusFall2011.html#syllabus
that one?
 
Found this one on google. Does this look about right?
Functions and graphs. Inverse functions.

The limit of a function. Algebraic computation of limits.

Continuity.

Exponential and logarithmic functions.

An introduction to the derivative. Tangents.

Techniques of differentiation.

Derivatives of trig., exponential and log. functions.

Rates of change. Rectilinear motion.

The chain rule.

Implicit differentiation.
Related rates. Linear approximation and differentials.

Extreme values of a continuous function.

The mean value theorem.

Sketching the graph of a function.

Curve sketching with asymptotes.

l’Hopital’s rule.

Optimization in physical sciences, etc.

Antidifferentiation.
Area as the limit of a sum.

Riemann sums and the definite integral.

The fundamental theorem of calculus.

Integration by substitution.

Introduction to differential equations.

The mean value theorem for integrals.

Numerical integration.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
8K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
7K
Replies
16
Views
5K
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K