Calculus is the study of math with infinitesimals.
Calculus is divided into two areas, Differentiation and Integration. Both of these areas make use of the idea of a Limit.
- Differentiation is the calculation of the point-slope for a point in function.
- Integration is the calculation of an area under a function.
The basic ideas of Calculus, Differentiation and Integration, are needed for problems in Physics that involve Position, Velocity and Acceleration. We could argue that Physics motivated the discovery of Calculus.
Calculus makes extensive use of Algebra, but Calculus is not a natural extension of Algebra. Said another way, the Algebra student will not have a sense of deja vu when learning Calculus.
Rob Sterling 