What is the main purpose of calculus?

The main purpose of calculus is to study how things change. It helps us understand rates of change (like speed) and accumulation (like area under a curve). Calculus is used in science, engineering, and economics to solve real-world problems involving motion, growth, and optimization. It has two major branches: differential calculus, which focuses on change and slopes, and integral calculus, which focuses on accumulation and areas. These two areas are deeply connected and help explain how small changes affect larger systems. In short, calculus gives us tools to model and predict complex, changing situations in a precise way.