Calculus was, uh... not my best subject, but I do remember going over this in AP Calc in 11th grade...slightly.
It's pretty interesting, though, the way you apply it to a general situation...
Although a lot of the times, it IS the case, I think when you say:
I don't think it's as much "simple" answer (note, singular) as it is a number of smaller steps that lead to the same result. That's how I take care of a lot of things (not always a good thing); instead of trying to do things the obvious way when it's not working out, try to find another method that might be faster, or easier, or less tedious.
...and I guess that's more or less what you said.