Introduction
Build Your Intuition
1. 1-Minute Summary 2. X-Ray Vision 3. 3d Intuition
Learn The Lingo
4. Integrals, Derivatives 5. Computer Notation
Basic Understanding
6. Improved Algebra 7. Linear Changes 8. Squared Changes
Deeper Understanding
9. Infinity 10. Derivatives 11. Fundamental Theorem
Figure Out The Rules
12. Add, Multiply, Invert 13. Patterns In The Rules 14. Take Powers, Divide
Put It To Use
15. Archimedes' Formulas Summary
10 min read

6. Improving Arithmetic And Algebra

We've intuitively seen how calculus dissects problems with a step-by-step viewpoint. Now that we have the official symbols, let's see how to bring arithmetic and algebra to the next level.

Better Multiplication And Division

Multiplication makes addition easier. Instead of grinding through questions like

2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

we can rewrite it as:

2 × 13

Boomshakala. If you wanted 13 copies of a number, just write it like that!

Multiplication makes repeated addition easier (likewise for division and subtraction)1. But there's a big limitation: we must use identical, average-sized pieces.

Identical parts are fine for textbook scenarios ("Drive an unwavering 30mph for exactly 3 hours"). The real world isn't so smooth. Calculus lets us accumulate or separate shapes according to their actual, not average, amount:

Operation Example Notes
Division yx
Split whole into identical parts
Differentiation ddxy
Split whole into (possibly different) parts
Multiplication yx
Accumulate identical steps
Integration y dx
Accumulate (possibly different) steps

Let's analyze our circle-to-ring example again. How does arithmetic/algebra compare to calculus?

Operation Formula Diagram
Division average step=Arearadius=πr2r=πr
Area division
Differentiation actual steps=ddrπr2=2πr
Multiplication Area=Average stepamount=πrr=πr2
Area multiplication
Integration Area=actual steps=2πr=πr2

Division spits back the averaged-sized ring in our pattern. The derivative gives a formula (2πr) that describes every ring (just plug in r). Similarly, multiplication lets us scale up the average element (once we've found it) into the full amount. Integrals let us add up the pattern directly.

Sometimes we want to use the average item, not the fancy calculus steps, because it's a simpler representation of the whole ("What's the average transaction size? I don't need the full list"). That's fine, as long as it's a conscious choice.

Better Formulas

If calculus provides better, more-specific version of multiplication and division, shouldn't we rewrite formulas with it? You bet.

Algebra Calculus
distance=speedtime
distance=speed dt
speed=distancetime
speed=ddtdistance
area=heightwidth
area=height dw
weight=densitylengthwidthheight
weight=density dx dy dz

An equation like distance=speedtime explains how to find total distance assuming an average speed. An equation like distance=speed dt tells us how to find total distance by breaking time into instants (split along the "t" axis), and accumulating the (potentially unique) distance traveled each instant (speeddt).

Similarly, speed=ddtdistance explains that we can split our trajectory into time segments, and the (potentially unique) amount we moved in that time slice was the speed.

The overused "integrals are area under the curve" explanation becomes more clear. Multiplication, because it deals with static quantities, can only measure the area of rectangles. Integrals let measurements curve and undulate as we go: we'll add their contribution, regardless.

A series of multiplications becomes a series of integrals (called a triple integral). It's beyond this primer, but your suspicion was correct: we can mimic the multiplications and integrate several times in a row.

Math, and specifically calculus, is the language of science because it describes relationships extremely well. When I see a formula with an integral or derivative, I mentally convert it to multiplication or division (with the understanding that will give the "average" element, not the actual one).

Better Algebra

Algebra lets us start with one fact and systematically work out others. Imagine I want to know the area of an unknown square. I can't measure the area, but I overhead someone saying it was 13.3 inches on a side.

Algebra Thinking process
Area of square=?
The area of this square is unknown…
Area=13.3
…but I know the square root.
(Area)2=(13.3)2
Square both sides…
Area=176.89
…and I can recreate the original area

Remember learning that along with add/subtract/multiply/divide, we could take powers and roots? We added two new ways to transform an equation.

Well, calculus extends algebra with two more operations: integrals and derivatives. Now we can work out the area of a circle, algebra-style2:

Algebra + Calculus Thinking process
Area of circle=?
The area of a circle is unknown...
ddrArea=2πr
…but I know it splits into rings (along the radius)
ddrArea=2πr
Integrate both sides…
Area=πr2
…and I can recreate the original area

The abbreviated notation helps see the big picture. If the integrand only uses a single variable (as in 2πr), we can assume we're using dr from r=0 to r=r. This helps think of integrals and derivatives like squares and square roots: operations that cancel!

It's pretty neat: "gluing together" and "splitting apart" should behave like opposites, right?

With our simpler notation, we can write ddrArea=Area instead of the bulky r0(ddrArea) dr=Area.

Learning The Rules

With arithmetic, we learned special techniques for combining whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and roots/powers. Even though 3+9=12, we can't assume 3+9=12.

Similarly, we need to learn the rules for how integrals/derivatives work when added, multiplied, and so on. Yes, there are fancy rules for special categories (what to do with e^x, natural log, sine, cosine, etc.), but I'm not concerned with that. Let's get extremely comfortable with the basics. The fancy stuff can wait.


  1. Along with repeated addition, multiplication can represent scaling, rotation, and more

  2. Differential Equations are essentially algebraic equations with calculus commands. Complex interactions require special techniques, similar to how x3+3x=5 is trickier than x+3=2

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