integrals

An integral is a mathematical tool that helps us find the total amount accumulated, such as the area under a curve or the total change over a range. Think of it as adding up an infinite number of tiny pieces—like summing countless small slices of a shape—to measure the whole. It’s fundamental in fields like physics and engineering for calculating quantities like distance, area, and volume when a simple formula isn't enough. In essence, integrals provide a way to quantify accumulated change or space based on a continuous function.