integral

The result of performing integration. An integral is the area, or a generalization of area, under any section of a graph that is described by a function; in other words, the continuous cumulative sum of a function. Not all functions have an exact formula that allows an integral to be found. In such cases, numerical integration has to be used, in which the area is found using approximate numerical techniques. Integrals, together with derivatives, are the fundamental objects of calculus.

Related category

• CALCULUS AND ANALYSIS

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