This subject provides a thorough introduction to Differential and Integral Calculus. With the derivative we learn how to measure variable rates of change in natural processes, to isolate maxima and minima of functions, and to apply these techniques to solve problems of optimisation. With the definite integral we learn how to compute non-standard areas and volumes, understood as special instances of the total distribution of data prescribed by a continuous density.
Students in this subject will also be introduced to the algebra and geometry of linear systems of equations and their solutions. Together with Calculus, Linear Algebra provides the second essential tool of mathematical modelling.
Topics covered include a review of elementary functions and their inverses; limits and continuity of functions; derivatives, basic techniques of differentiation, and applications; the definite integral, basic techniques of integration, and applications; and vectors, subspaces, and linear mappings using two, three, or more space-coordinates; methods for solving linear systems of equations; linear independence of vectors.