Thread: Applied Calculus vs. Calculus

What is the difference between an Applied Calculus problem & a Calculus Problem?
To me applied calculus just means using calculus to solve a specific problem and not just heres an equation, find the derivative & thats it.

Something like Finding the maximum area you can fence in if you can only spend so much money & the fence on each side costs so much per foot.

Or Finding the best angle of projection such that your projectile is launched and goes the maximum distance.

I've searched my old textbooks & googled looking for specific references or a definition of "APPLIED" Calculus, with no luck. Am I on the right track?

Originally Posted by circonian

What is the difference between an Applied Calculus problem & a Calculus Problem?
To me applied calculus just means using calculus to solve a specific problem and not just heres an equation, find the derivative & thats it.

Something like Finding the maximum area you can fence in if you can only spend so much money & the fence on each side costs so much per foot.

Or Finding the best angle of projection such that your projectile is launched and goes the maximum distance.

I've searched my old textbooks & googled looking for specific references or a definition of "APPLIED" Calculus, with no luck. Am I on the right track?

yes, you are on the right track. as the name suggests, "applied calculus" is just calculus applied to solving real world problems. so any application of calculus to solve something in real life can be considered applied calculus. calculus is that and much more

Originally Posted by circonian

What is the difference between an Applied Calculus problem & a Calculus Problem?
To me applied calculus just means using calculus to solve a specific problem and not just heres an equation, find the derivative & thats it.

Something like Finding the maximum area you can fence in if you can only spend so much money & the fence on each side costs so much per foot.

Or Finding the best angle of projection such that your projectile is launched and goes the maximum distance.

I've searched my old textbooks & googled looking for specific references or a definition of "APPLIED" Calculus, with no luck. Am I on the right track?

The epitomy of applied calculus would probably be mechanics, or other forms of physics.