infinitesimal calculus
nounUK /ˌɪnfɪnɪˈtesɪməl ˈkælkjʊləs/
US /ˌɪnfɪnɪˈtesɪməl ˈkælkjələs/
A special kind of math that helps us study things that change bit by bit, like how fast a car goes.
Isaac Newton helped invent infinitesimal calculus to figure out how planets move.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The branch of math that deals with very tiny changes and how they add up.
In class we used infinitesimal calculus to find the area under a curve.
3. A way of solving problems about motion and change using tiny steps.
Engineers rely on infinitesimal calculus to design safe bridges.
4. The combined study of derivatives and integrals.
Her favorite part of infinitesimal calculus was learning about integrals.