INDUS UNIVERSITY

Application of Calculus
in Real Life
(Functions, Derivatives & Integration)

Prepared By OWAIS ULLAH KHAN

Contents
1.1

Abstract:........................................................................................................... 3

1.2

Introduction:...................................................................................................... 3

1.3 Beginning of Calculus:....................................................................................... 3

1.4

The use of calculus in engineering:................................................................3

1.4.2 Civil Engineering:........................................................................................ 4

1.4.2 Structural Engineering:............................................................................... 4
1.4.3

Mechanical Engineering:..........................................................................4

1.4.4

Aerospace Engineering:...........................................................................4

1.4.5 Architecture Engineering:............................................................................4

1.5

General use of Calculus in daily life:..............................................................5

1.5.1

Search Engines:....................................................................................... 5

1.5.2 Whether Models:......................................................................................... 5

1.5.2
1.6

Improving Public Health:..........................................................................6

Application of Calculus in Engineering:..........................................................6

1.6.1 Finding the slope of a curve:.......................................................................6

1.6.2 Finding the area of any shape:....................................................................6
1.7

References:.................................................................................................... 7

Application of Calculus in Real

Life
OWAIS ULLAH KHAN (B.E.E (Power)), INDUS University Karachi.

1.1 Abstract:
This study describes about the uses of CALCULUS (Derivatives, Integration, and Function) in
our real life.

1.2 Introduction:
Calculus is the study of how things change. It provides a framework for modeling systems in
which there is change and a way to deduce the predictions of such models. Calculus is a
very versatile and valuable tool. It is a form of mathematics which was developed from
algebra and geometry. It is made up of two interconnected topics, differential calculus and
integral calculus.

1.3 Beginning of Calculus:

Isaac Newton (1642-1727) and Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716) are the discoverers creators of
calculus. But what do we mean by this? We have seen in the previous chapter that
derivatives were already known and so was their connection with tangents and with the
external values of functions. In addition, the areas under curves of varied complexity had
been computed by basically doing Riemann sums integration. Finally, the connection
between the two processes of integration and differentiation had been foreseen, and Newton
had been exposed to it from Barrow's lectures. One could say that Newton and Leibniz did
understand thoroughly the fundamental theorem of calculus (as we call it today), and also
both appreciated the power and range of the subject. Certainly, Newton used Calculus-type
thinking to push the frontiers of mechanics and physic.

1.4 The use of calculus in engineering:

Calculus, defined as the mathematical study of change, was developed independently by
Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz in the 17th century. Engineering is
defined as "the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural
sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop
ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of
mankind." Some engineers directly use calculus in their daily practice and some use
computer programs based on calculus that simplify engineering design. Two methods of
calculus, differentiation and integration, are particularly useful in the practice of
engineering, and are generally used for optimization and summation, respectively.
1.4.1 Civil Engineering:

Calculus The branch of mathematics that deals with the finding and properties of derivatives
and integrals of functions. Civil engineers use calculus to find the amount of force a beam
can handle. They also use it to figure out where they should build a support on a bridge or
inside a building. Many aspects of civil engineering require calculus. Firstly, derivation of
the basic fluid mechanics equations requires calculus. For example, all hydraulic analysis
programs, which aid in the design of storm drain and open channel systems, use calculus
numerical methods to obtain the results. In hydrology, volume is calculated as the area under
the curve of a plot of flow versus time and is accomplished using calculus.
1.4.2 Structural Engineering:

In structural engineering, calculus is used to determine the forces in complex configurations of

structural elements. Structural analysis relating to seismic design requires calculus. In a soil
structure context, calculations of bearing capacity and shear strength of soil are done using
calculus, as is the determination of lateral earth pressure and slope stability in complex
situations.
1.4.3 Mechanical Engineering:

Many examples of the use of calculus are found in mechanical engineering, such as computing
the surface area of complex objects to determine frictional forces, designing a pump according to
flow rate and head, and calculating the power provided by a battery system. Newton's law of
cooling is a governing differential equation in HVAC design that requires integration to solve.

1.4.4 Aerospace Engineering:

Numerous examples of the use of calculus can be found in aerospace engineering. Thrust over
time calculated using the ideal rocket equation is an application of calculus. Analysis of rockets
that function in stages also requires calculus, as does gravitational modeling over time and space.
Almost all physics models, especially those of astronomy and complex systems, use some form
of calculus.

1.4.5 Architecture Engineering:

Calculus is used to improve the architecture not only of buildings but also of important
infrastructures such as bridges. Bridges are complex constructions because they have to be able
to support varying amounts of weight across large spaces. When designing a bridge, one must
take into account factors including weight, environmental factors and distance. Because of this,
maths such as differential calculus and integral calculus are often used to create the most robust
design. The use of calculus is also creating a change in the way other architecture projects are
designed, pushing the frontier of what sorts of shapes can be used to create the most beautiful
buildings. For example, though many buildings have arches with perfect symmetry, calculus can
be used to create archways that are not symmetric along with other odd shapes that are still able
to be structurally sound.

1.5 General use of Calculus in daily life:

1.5.1 Search Engines:

Algorithms are used every day by major search engine companies to help refine searches for
the person behind the keyboard. Algorithms are calculations used to compile a large amount
of data and variables into an equation, spitting out the best possible answer. These algorithms
are what makes search engines so adept at finding the precise answer quickly. They take into
account variables such as the user's geographic location, web history and how useful other
users have found similar web pages to create an appropriate search result. All of these
variables are utilized to define the rules and constraints of sequent calculus equations that
produce the most logical and effective results.

1.5.2 Whether Models:

Weather is more accurately predicted than ever before. Part of the improvement is thanks to
technology, such as computer modeling that uses calculus and is able to more meticulously
predict upcoming weather. These computer programs also use types of algorithms to help assign
possible weather outcomes in a region. Much like in the computer algorithms, weather forecasts
are determined by considering many variables, such as wind speed, moisture level and
temperature. Though computers do the heavy lifting of sifting through massive amounts of data,
the basics of meteorology are grounded in differential equations, helping meteorologists
determine how changes in the temperatures and pressures in the atmosphere may indicate
changes in the weather.
1.5.2 Improving Public Health:

The field of epidemiology -- the study of the spread of infectious disease -- relies heavily on
calculus. Such calculations have to take three main factors into account: those people who
are susceptible to a disease, those who are infected with the disease and those who have
already recovered from it. With these three variables, calculus can be used to determine how
far and fast a disease is spreading, where it may have originated from and how to best treat it.
Calculus is especially important in cases such as this because rates of infection and recovery
change over time, so the equations must be dynamic enough to respond to the new models
evolving every day.

1.6 Application of Calculus in Engineering:

1.6.1 Finding the slope of a curve:

Calculus can give us a generalized method of finding the slope of a curve. The slope of a line is
fairly elementary, using some basic algebra it can be found. Although when we are dealing with a
curve it is a different story. Calculus allows us to find out how steeply a curve will tilt at any
given time. This can be very useful in any area of study.
1.6.2 Finding the area of any shape:
Although we do have standard methods to calculate the area of some shapes, calculus allows us
to do much more. Trying to find the area on a shape like this would be very difficult if it wasnt
for calculus.

1.7 References:

http://www.ehow.com/info_8785081_use-calculus-engineering.html
https://www.wyzant.com/resources/lessons/math/calculus/introduction/applications_of_c
alculus
1. K. B. Oldham and J. Spanier, The Fractional Calculus: Theory and
Applications of Differentiation and Integration to Arbitrary Order, vol.
11 of Mathematics in Science and Engineering, Academic Press, New
York, NY, USA, 1974. View at Zentralblatt MATH View at MathSciNet.