Introduction to Calculus
Bridge precalculus and calculus — limits, continuity, and the derivative — building the conceptual and algebraic foundation for AP Calculus and college-level mathematics.
Estimated Time
2–3 weeks
Difficulty
Advanced
Overview
Unit description, learning objectives, and skills.
Unit 12 — Introduction to Calculus is your bridge to the next level of mathematics. You will estimate and evaluate limits numerically, graphically, and analytically, classify discontinuities, and define the derivative as the limit of the difference quotient. Every concept here is a direct prerequisite for AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, or college calculus.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
Skills You Will Master
Real-World Connection
Calculus is the mathematics of change and accumulation — and Unit 12 is your gateway to it. Limits describe what happens at the edge of what we can directly compute. Continuity tells us when a model is reliable. The derivative measures instantaneous speed, the rate a drug leaves the bloodstream, the marginal cost of producing one more unit, or the slope of a hillside at a single point. Every field that studies how quantities change — physics, economics, biology, engineering — uses calculus as its primary language. Completing Unit 12 means you are ready for AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, or any college-level calculus course.
Chapter Checklist
Recommended steps for completing each chapter
- Read the Workbook
- Complete the Independent Study
- Finish the Exit Ticket
- Take the Quiz
- Review the Answer Key
- Continue to the Next Chapter