Brief explanation of how intervals work, and what they measure?

Opportunity for a shinyyy medal as well :)

Question

Brief explanation of how intervals work, and what they measure?

Opportunity for a shinyyy medal as well :)

mathmale · Answer

Please ask this question in context.  What are you using intervals for?  What does "work" mean in terms of "how intervals work?"

studygurl14 · Answer

What do you mean by "intervals"?

mathmale · Answer

@mhchen?

mhchen · Answer

You know, the giant S thing

studygurl14 · Answer

Integral?

mhchen · Answer

Woops typo

studygurl14 · Answer

Do you have a specific integral question?

mhchen · Answer

Nope, I just want to know how it's used.

mathmale · Answer

No, I don't know "the giant S thing."  It is essential that you learn the correct vocabulary, or you'll lose a lot of time, and so will others who are trying to help you.

The topic of "integrals" is far too broad to give you a simple, direct answer.  Please be specific about what you need to learn.

mhchen · Answer

Geez mathmale...

studygurl14 · Answer

An integral, very simply put, is the area bounded by a graph. But beyond that, I really need a specific question to explain further.

mhchen · Answer

Alrighty then.

mathmale · Answer

Sorry my insistence on correctness bothers you.  
An integral is the opposite of a derivative.  If you start with function f(x), take the derivative f '(x), and then integrate your result, you'll arrive back at your original function, "plus C."  C is the constant of integration.

studygurl14 · Answer

That too^ See @mhchen there are many applications of integrals.

mhchen · Answer

Aaaah, so it's the opposite of derivatives, that makes more sense.

mathmale · Answer

Example:  the derivative of f(x)=x^3 is f '(x)=3x^2.
Now, if you were to integrate:$$\int\limits_{}^{} 3x^2 dx$$
the correct integrand would be x^3+C.