calculus

/ˈkælkjələs/

/ˈkælkjələs/

Other forms: calculi; calculuses

Calculus is a way of using math to study changes in a system. Moral calculus, on the other hand, is a way of measuring morals and ethics, like choosing the lesser of two evils.

After an apple bonked him on the head, Newton used calculus to fine-tune his Law of Gravity. Don’t break that law, or you’ll fall right off the planet. Today, if you take a calculus class, you’ve probably already taken geometry and trigonometry. Well done. You’ll measure changes between infinitesimally small points or the area of a curve. In the medical world, a calculus is a hard, crusty mass like a kidney stone; or tartar on a tooth. In Latin, calculus means "small pebble used for counting."

Definitions of calculus

1. noun

   the branch of mathematics that is concerned with limits and with the differentiation and integration of functions
   synonyms: infinitesimal calculus

   types:

   analysis

   a branch of mathematics involving calculus and the theory of limits; sequences and series and integration and differentiation

   differential calculus, method of fluxions

   the part of calculus that deals with the variation of a function with respect to changes in the independent variable (or variables) by means of the concepts of derivative and differential

   integral calculus

   the part of calculus that deals with integration and its application in the solution of differential equations and in determining areas or volumes etc.

   calculus of variations

   the calculus of maxima and minima of definite integrals

   Fourier analysis, harmonic analysis

   analysis of a periodic function into a sum of simple sinusoidal components

   type of:

   pure mathematics

   the branches of mathematics that study and develop the principles of mathematics for their own sake rather than for their immediate usefulness
2. noun

   a hard lump produced by the concretion of mineral salts; found in hollow organs or ducts of the body
   “renal calculi can be very painful”

   synonyms: concretion

   types:

   bladder stone, cystolith

   a calculus formed in the bladder

   enterolith

   a calculus occurring in the intestines

   bilestone, gallstone

   a calculus formed in the gall bladder or its ducts

   kidney stone, nephrolith, renal calculus, urinary calculus

   a calculus formed in the kidney

   ptyalith

   calculus in a salivary gland

   salivary calculus, sialolith

   a stone formed in the salivary gland

   urolith

   a urinary stone

   type of:

   rock, stone

   a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
3. noun

   an incrustation that forms on the teeth and gums
   synonyms: tartar, tophus

   type of:

   crust, encrustation, incrustation

   a hard outer layer that covers something