Functions

Abstract

In this chapter the notion of a function is introduced as a tool for generating one numerical quantity from another. In particular, we look at equations, their variables and any possible sensitive conditions. This leads toward the idea of how fast a function changes relative to its independent variable. The second part of the chapter introduces two major operations of calculus: differentiating, and its inverse, integrating. This is performed without any rigorous mathematical underpinning, and permits the reader to develop an understanding of calculus without using limits.