Integral

The integral is one of two main concepts embodied in the branch of mathematics known as calculus, and it corresponds to the area under the graph of a function. The area under a curve is approximated by a series of rectangles. As the number of these rectangles approaches infinity, the approximation approaches a limiting value, called the value of the integral. In this sense, the integral gives meaning to the concept of area, since it provides a means of determining the areas of those irregular figures whose areas cannot be calculated in any other way (such as by multiple applications of simple geometric formulas). When an integral represents an area, it is called a definite integral, because it has a definite numerical value.

The integral is also the inverse of the other main concept of calculus, the derivative, and thus provides a way of identifying functional relationships when only a rate of change is known. When an integral represents a function whose derivative is known, it is called an indefinite integral and is a function, not a number. Fermat, the great French mathematician, was probably the first to calculate areas by using the method of integration.

There are many applications in business, economics and the sciences, including all aspects of engineering, where the integral is of great practical importance. Finding the areas of irregular shapes, the volumes of solids of revolution, and the lengths of irregular shaped curves are important applications. In addition, integrals find application in the calculation of energy consumption, power usage, refrigeration requirements and innumerable other applications.