calc-lab calculus, visual

1. Limits — ε/δ

$\lim_{x\to a} f(x) = L$. Drag ε. The required δ shrinks with it.

L
largest δ that works
limit exists?

2. Tangent line

Drag the point. The line's slope is $f'(x_0)$ — the limit of secant slopes as $h\to 0$.

f(x₀)
f'(x₀)

3. Optimization

Critical points: $f'(x)=0$. Use $f''$ to classify them. Slide the parameter to see how the landscape changes.

critical points
classification

4. Riemann sums

$\int_a^b f(x)\,dx \approx \sum f(x_i^*)\,\Delta x$. Pick a method; slide $n$.

sum
exact
error

5. Area between two curves

$\int_a^b |f(x)-g(x)|\,dx$. Interval auto-clips to where curves are defined.

area

6. Taylor series

$f(x) \approx \sum_{k=0}^{N} \frac{f^{(k)}(a)}{k!}(x-a)^k$. Shaded band: radius of convergence.

radius of convergence

7. Partial derivatives

Slice $z=f(x,y)$ along $y=y_0$ (red) and $x=x_0$ (teal). The slopes of the slices are $f_x$ and $f_y$.

f(x₀,y₀)
fₓ
f_y
Hessian det

8. Vector field

Arrow length is rescaled; colour is true magnitude.

9. Gradient + contour lines

$\nabla f$ points up the steepest slope — perpendicular to level sets.

10. 3D surface

Drag to rotate. Yellow dots: extrema. Orange: saddle.