The course
Calculus, one honest idea at a time.
Each lesson takes minutes, not hours. Ideas come as pictures first, plain words second, symbols last — and every lesson hands you to the next.
- 01FunctionsBefore calculus can describe change, we need a way to describe relationships. A function is just that: a dependable rule that turns each input into exactly one output.6 min
- 02GraphsA graph is a function made visible: every input–output pair becomes a point, and together the points draw the function's whole personality at a glance.6 min
- 03Slope & rate of changeSlope is the number that says how fast one thing changes compared to another. It's the single most important number in calculus — everything else is refinements of it.7 min
- 04LimitsA limit asks: as the input creeps toward some value, what are the outputs closing in on? It's how mathematics talks precisely about “getting infinitely close” — without ever dividing by zero.8 min
- 05DerivativesThe derivative is the slope of a curve at a single point — the instantaneous rate of change. It answers “how fast, right now?” for anything a function can describe.9 min
- 06Basic derivative rulesYou could compute every derivative from the limit definition — but you'd grow old doing it. A handful of patterns covers nearly every function you'll meet. Learn the pattern, and the formulas remember themselves.12 min
- 07AntiderivativesAn antiderivative runs the derivative backwards: given the rate of change, recover the original quantity. If you know the speed at every moment, can you rebuild the journey? Yes — that's antidifferentiation.8 min
- 08Basic antiderivative rulesEvery antiderivative rule is a derivative rule read backwards. Master one reverse move — raise the power, divide by the new power — plus a few special characters, and the essentials are yours.11 min
- 09Integrals & areaAn integral adds up infinitely many infinitely small pieces. Geometrically: the area under a curve. Practically: the total accumulated by a changing rate.9 min
- 10The fundamental theoremDerivatives measure change; integrals accumulate totals. The fundamental theorem of calculus reveals they are the same operation, run in opposite directions — and turns area problems into two function evaluations.8 min
- 11Optimization & related ratesDerivatives don't just describe change — they find best values and connect linked rates. This is where calculus starts paying rent.9 min