\(5\) miles per hour is a rate, and \(5\) miles is then an accumulated rate.
Two young mathematicians discuss whether integrals are defined properly.
Check out this dialogue between two calculus students (based on a true story):
- Devyn
- Riley, I like integrals.
- Riley
- I feel fancy when I make an integral sign.
- Devyn
- I know! An integral computes the signed area between a curve \(y=f(x)\) and the \(x\)-axis. But why signed area? Maybe we should just compute plain old area.
- Riley
- Makes sense to me!
- Deyvn
- Unless…maybe there are other applications where “signed” area makes more sense.
One really great way to think about integrals is that they “accumulate rates.”