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⬅ Back to Integral Calculus Topics

Fundamentals and Basic Rules

Core antiderivative rules, definite-integral properties, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

$$\int_a^b f(x)\,dx = F(b)-F(a)\quad \text{where }F'(x)=f(x)$$

Linearity of Indefinite Integrals

$$\int \bigl(f(x)\pm g(x)\bigr)\,dx=\int f(x)\,dx \pm \int g(x)\,dx$$
$$\int kf(x)\,dx = k\int f(x)\,dx$$
$$\int c\,dx = cx + C$$

Power and Logarithmic Integrals

$$\int x^n\,dx=\frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1}+C\quad (n\ne -1)$$
$$\int \frac{dx}{x}=\ln|x|+C$$

Exponential Integrals

$$\int e^x\,dx=e^x+C$$
$$\int a^x\,dx=\frac{a^x}{\ln a}+C\quad (a>0,\;a\ne 1)$$

Definite Integral Properties

$$\int_a^b f(x)\,dx = -\int_b^a f(x)\,dx$$
$$\int_a^b f(x)\,dx=\int_a^c f(x)\,dx+\int_c^b f(x)\,dx$$
$$\int_a^b kf(x)\,dx = k\int_a^b f(x)\,dx$$
$$\int_a^b \bigl(f(x)\pm g(x)\bigr)\,dx=\int_a^b f(x)\,dx \pm \int_a^b g(x)\,dx$$

Definite Logarithmic Integral

Evaluate $$\int_2^7 \frac{3x}{2x^2+4}\,dx.$$

Let $u=2x^2+4$, so $du=4x\,dx$.

$$\int_2^7 \frac{3x}{2x^2+4}\,dx=\frac{3}{4}\int_{12}^{102}\frac{du}{u}=\frac{3}{4}\ln\left(\frac{102}{12}\right)$$

$$\boxed{1.605}$$

Partial Fraction Definite Integral

Evaluate $$\int_2^5 \frac{x+1}{x^2-x}\,dx.$$

Decompose the rational expression:

$$\frac{x+1}{x(x-1)}=-\frac{1}{x}+\frac{2}{x-1}$$

Then

$$\int_2^5\left(-\frac{1}{x}+\frac{2}{x-1}\right)dx=\left[-\ln x+2\ln|x-1|\right]_2^5$$

$$=\ln\left(\frac{32}{5}\right)=\boxed{1.856}$$

Function From Derivative and Point

Find $y=f(x)$ if the graph passes through $(1,2)$ and satisfies $$\frac{dy}{dx}=3x^2-3.$$

$$y=\int(3x^2-3)\,dx=x^3-3x+C$$

Use $(1,2)$:

$$2=1-3+C\quad\Rightarrow\quad C=4$$

$$\boxed{y=x^3-3x+4}$$

Constant of Integration From Known Value

If $f(2)=4$ and $$f(x)=\int(3x^3-7x)\,dx,$$ find $f(0)$.

$$f(x)=\frac{3}{4}x^4-\frac{7}{2}x^2+C$$

Use $f(2)=4$:

$$4=12-14+C\quad\Rightarrow\quad C=6$$

Therefore, $$\boxed{f(0)=6}$$

Definite Integral With Square-Root Substitution

Evaluate $$\int_0^9 \frac{dx}{1+\sqrt{x}}.$$

Let $u=\sqrt{x}$, so $x=u^2$ and $dx=2u\,du$. The limits become $u=0$ to $u=3$.

$$\int_0^9 \frac{dx}{1+\sqrt{x}}=\int_0^3\frac{2u}{1+u}\,du=\int_0^3\left(2-\frac{2}{1+u}\right)du$$

$$=\left[2u-2\ln(1+u)\right]_0^3=6-2\ln4=\boxed{3.227}$$

The Area Interpretation: Integral as Area of a Semicircle

Without antiderivatives, evaluate $\displaystyle\int_{-3}^{3}\sqrt{9-x^2}\,dx$ using geometry.

The integrand $y=\sqrt{9-x^2}$ is the upper half of the circle $x^2+y^2=9$ (radius 3). The integral from $-3$ to $3$ sweeps the entire upper semicircle.

$$\int_{-3}^{3}\sqrt{9-x^2}\,dx=\text{Area of semicircle}=\frac{1}{2}\pi r^2=\frac{1}{2}\pi(9)=\boxed{\frac{9\pi}{2}}$$

This is a powerful shortcut on board exams — always check if the integrand is a recognizable geometric shape before computing.

Odd Function on a Symmetric Interval

Evaluate $\displaystyle\int_{-2}^{2}(x^3+2x)\,dx$ using properties of odd functions, without computing directly.

Let $f(x)=x^3+2x$. Check: $f(-x)=(-x)^3+2(-x)=-x^3-2x=-(x^3+2x)=-f(x)$.

Since $f$ is an odd function and the interval is symmetric about 0:

$$\int_{-a}^{a}f(x)\,dx=0 \text{ for any odd function } f$$
$$\int_{-2}^{2}(x^3+2x)\,dx=\boxed{0}$$

The area above the axis exactly cancels the area below. This is a 5-second problem once you recognize the pattern.

Derivative of an Integral (FTC Part 2)

Find $\dfrac{d}{dx}\displaystyle\int_1^{x^2}\sin(t^3)\,dt$.

By the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2, $\dfrac{d}{dx}\int_a^{g(x)}f(t)\,dt=f(g(x))\cdot g'(x)$.

Here $g(x)=x^2$, so $g'(x)=2x$, and $f(t)=\sin(t^3)$.

$$\frac{d}{dx}\int_1^{x^2}\sin(t^3)\,dt=\sin\!\left((x^2)^3\right)\cdot2x=\boxed{2x\sin(x^6)}$$

Polynomial With Radical Constant

Evaluate $$\int (8x^3 - 2x + \sqrt{5})\,dx.$$

Use linearity: integrate each term separately. The constant $\sqrt{5}$ is treated like any number.

$$\int 8x^3\,dx=8\left(\frac{x^4}{4}\right)=2x^4$$

$$\int -2x\,dx=-2\left(\frac{x^2}{2}\right)=-x^2$$

$$\int \sqrt{5}\,dx=\sqrt{5}\,x$$

Combine the terms and add the constant of integration:

$$\boxed{2x^4-x^2+\sqrt{5}\,x+C}$$

Expanded Linear Factors

Evaluate $$\int (3 - 2x)(4x + 5)\,dx.$$

First expand the product so the power rule can be applied.

$$(3-2x)(4x+5)=12x+15-8x^2-10x=-8x^2+2x+15$$

Now integrate term by term:

$$\int(-8x^2+2x+15)\,dx=-8\left(\frac{x^3}{3}\right)+2\left(\frac{x^2}{2}\right)+15x+C$$

$$\boxed{-\frac{8}{3}x^3+x^2+15x+C}$$

Rational Expression After Expansion

Evaluate $$\int \frac{(x - 2)^3}{3x^2}\,dx.$$

Expand the numerator first:

$$(x-2)^3=x^3-6x^2+12x-8$$

Divide every term by $3x^2$:

$$\frac{x^3-6x^2+12x-8}{3x^2}=\frac{x}{3}-2+\frac{4}{x}-\frac{8}{3x^2}$$

Now integrate. Remember that $\int \frac{1}{x}\,dx=\ln|x|$.

$$\int\left(\frac{x}{3}-2+\frac{4}{x}-\frac{8}{3}x^{-2}\right)dx$$

$$=\frac{x^2}{6}-2x+4\ln|x|+\frac{8}{3x}+C$$

$$\boxed{\frac{x^2}{6}-2x+4\ln|x|+\frac{8}{3x}+C}$$

Fractional-Power Binomial Square

Evaluate $$\int (x^{3/4} + 2x^{1/2})^2\,dx.$$

Use $(a+b)^2=a^2+2ab+b^2$.

$$(x^{3/4}+2x^{1/2})^2=x^{3/2}+4x^{5/4}+4x$$

Apply the power rule $\int x^n\,dx=\frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1}+C$.

$$\int x^{3/2}dx=\frac{2}{5}x^{5/2}$$

$$\int 4x^{5/4}dx=4\left(\frac{x^{9/4}}{9/4}\right)=\frac{16}{9}x^{9/4}$$

$$\int 4x\,dx=2x^2$$

$$\boxed{\frac{2}{5}x^{5/2}+\frac{16}{9}x^{9/4}+2x^2+C}$$

Square Root With a Perfect-Square Factor

Evaluate $$\int \sqrt{x^{1/2} - 2x^{3/2} + x^{5/2}}\,dx.$$

Factor the expression inside the radical.

$$x^{1/2}-2x^{3/2}+x^{5/2}=x^{1/2}(1-2x+x^2)=x^{1/2}(x-1)^2$$

Take the square root carefully:

$$\sqrt{x^{1/2}(x-1)^2}=x^{1/4}|x-1|$$

Because of the absolute value, the antiderivative depends on whether $x\ge1$ or $0\le x\le1$.

For $x\ge1$, $|x-1|=x-1$:

$$\int x^{1/4}(x-1)dx=\int(x^{5/4}-x^{1/4})dx=\frac{4}{9}x^{9/4}-\frac{4}{5}x^{5/4}+C$$

For $0\le x\le1$, $|x-1|=1-x$:

$$\int x^{1/4}(1-x)dx=\int(x^{1/4}-x^{5/4})dx=\frac{4}{5}x^{5/4}-\frac{4}{9}x^{9/4}+C$$

$$ \boxed{ \begin{cases} \frac{4}{9}x^{9/4}-\frac{4}{5}x^{5/4}+C, & x\ge 1\\ \frac{4}{5}x^{5/4}-\frac{4}{9}x^{9/4}+C, & 0\le x\le 1 \end{cases}} $$

Negative Powers of x

Evaluate $$\int \left(\frac{4}{x^2} - \frac{3}{x^3} + \frac{2}{x^4}\right)\,dx.$$

Rewrite the fractions using negative exponents.

$$\frac{4}{x^2}-\frac{3}{x^3}+\frac{2}{x^4}=4x^{-2}-3x^{-3}+2x^{-4}$$

Integrate each power:

$$\int4x^{-2}dx=-4x^{-1}=-\frac{4}{x}$$

$$\int-3x^{-3}dx=\frac{3}{2}x^{-2}=\frac{3}{2x^2}$$

$$\int2x^{-4}dx=-\frac{2}{3}x^{-3}=-\frac{2}{3x^3}$$

$$\boxed{-\frac{4}{x}+\frac{3}{2x^2}-\frac{2}{3x^3}+C}$$

Cube Root Times a Binomial Square

Evaluate $$\int \sqrt[3]{t}(\sqrt{t} + 1)^2\,dt.$$

Convert radicals to fractional exponents: $\sqrt[3]{t}=t^{1/3}$ and $\sqrt{t}=t^{1/2}$.

First expand the square:

$$(\sqrt{t}+1)^2=t+2t^{1/2}+1$$

Multiply by $t^{1/3}$:

$$t^{1/3}(t+2t^{1/2}+1)=t^{4/3}+2t^{5/6}+t^{1/3}$$

Integrate term by term:

$$\boxed{\frac{3}{7}t^{7/3}+\frac{12}{11}t^{11/6}+\frac{3}{4}t^{4/3}+C}$$

Radical Rational Expression in t

Evaluate $$\int \frac{(5 - 2\sqrt{t})^2}{\sqrt[4]{t^3}}\,dt.$$

Rewrite the denominator as $t^{3/4}$ and expand the numerator.

$$(5-2\sqrt{t})^2=25-20t^{1/2}+4t$$

Divide each term by $t^{3/4}$:

$$25t^{-3/4}-20t^{-1/4}+4t^{1/4}$$

Now use the power rule:

$$\int25t^{-3/4}dt=100t^{1/4}$$

$$\int-20t^{-1/4}dt=-\frac{80}{3}t^{3/4}$$

$$\int4t^{1/4}dt=\frac{16}{5}t^{5/4}$$

$$\boxed{100t^{1/4}-\frac{80}{3}t^{3/4}+\frac{16}{5}t^{5/4}+C}$$

Fractional-Power Division

Evaluate $$\int \frac{x^{4/3} - 16}{x^{1/3} + 2}\,dx.$$

Let $u=x^{1/3}$ only to simplify the algebraic division. Then $x^{4/3}=u^4$.

$$\frac{x^{4/3}-16}{x^{1/3}+2}=\frac{u^4-16}{u+2}$$

Factor or divide:

$$\frac{u^4-16}{u+2}=u^3-2u^2+4u-8$$

Return to $x$:

$$x-2x^{2/3}+4x^{1/3}-8$$

Integrate each term:

$$\int(x-2x^{2/3}+4x^{1/3}-8)dx$$

$$=\frac{x^2}{2}-\frac{6}{5}x^{5/3}+3x^{4/3}-8x+C$$

$$\boxed{\frac{x^2}{2}-\frac{6}{5}x^{5/3}+3x^{4/3}-8x+C}$$

Expanded Expression Over Square Root

Evaluate $$\int \left(4 - \frac{3}{\sqrt{x}}\right)^2 \frac{dx}{\sqrt{x}}.$$

Convert $\sqrt{x}$ to $x^{1/2}$ and expand the square.

$$\left(4-\frac{3}{\sqrt{x}}\right)^2=16-\frac{24}{\sqrt{x}}+\frac{9}{x}$$

Now multiply by $\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}=x^{-1/2}$:

$$16x^{-1/2}-24x^{-1}+9x^{-3/2}$$

Integrate each term. The middle term gives a logarithm:

$$\int16x^{-1/2}dx=32\sqrt{x}$$

$$\int-24x^{-1}dx=-24\ln|x|$$

$$\int9x^{-3/2}dx=-18x^{-1/2}=-\frac{18}{\sqrt{x}}$$

$$\boxed{32\sqrt{x}-24\ln|x|-\frac{18}{\sqrt{x}}+C}$$

Basic Polynomial Antiderivative

Evaluate $$\int (8x^3 - 3x^2 + 5x + 3)\,dx.$$

This is a direct power-rule problem.

$$\int8x^3dx=2x^4$$

$$\int-3x^2dx=-x^3$$

$$\int5x\,dx=\frac{5}{2}x^2$$

$$\int3\,dx=3x$$

$$\boxed{2x^4-x^3+\frac{5}{2}x^2+3x+C}$$

Definite Integral of a Square

Evaluate $$\int_{2}^{3} \left(1 - \frac{x}{2}\right)^2\,dx.$$

Expand the square first:

$$\left(1-\frac{x}{2}\right)^2=1-x+\frac{x^2}{4}$$

Find an antiderivative:

$$\int\left(1-x+\frac{x^2}{4}\right)dx=x-\frac{x^2}{2}+\frac{x^3}{12}$$

Evaluate from $2$ to $3$:

$$\left[x-\frac{x^2}{2}+\frac{x^3}{12}\right]_2^3=\left(3-\frac{9}{2}+\frac{27}{12}\right)-\left(2-\frac{4}{2}+\frac{8}{12}\right)$$

$$=\frac{3}{4}-\frac{2}{3}=\boxed{\frac{1}{12}}$$

Definite Integral With a Radical Denominator

Evaluate $$\int_{2}^{8} \frac{dy}{y\sqrt{2y}}.$$

Rewrite the denominator using exponents:

$$y\sqrt{2y}=y\sqrt{2}\sqrt{y}=\sqrt{2}\,y^{3/2}$$

So the integrand is

$$\frac{1}{y\sqrt{2y}}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}y^{-3/2}$$

Integrate:

$$\int\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}y^{-3/2}dy=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\left(-2y^{-1/2}\right)=-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{y}}$$

Evaluate from $2$ to $8$:

$$\left[-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{y}}\right]_2^8=-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{8}}-\left(-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{2}}\right)=-\frac{1}{2}+1$$

$$\boxed{\frac{1}{2}}$$

Domain Check for a Square-Root Integral

Evaluate $$\int_{1}^{9} \sqrt{x(4 - x)}\,dx.$$

Before integrating, always check the domain of an even root. For a real square root, the radicand must be nonnegative:

$$x(4-x)\ge0$$

This is true only for $0\le x\le4$. But the interval $[1,9]$ includes values greater than $4$.

For example, at $x=5$:

$$x(4-x)=5(4-5)=-5$$

Since $\sqrt{-5}$ is not real, the integrand is not real-valued on the whole interval $[1,9]$.

Therefore, as written, the real-valued definite integral is not defined over $[1,9]$.

$$\boxed{\text{No real-valued definite integral as written.}}$$

Definite Integral With a Negative Fractional Power

Evaluate $$\int_{1}^{4} \left(4x - \frac{5}{x\sqrt{x}}\right)\,dx.$$

Rewrite the radical part using exponents:

$$x\sqrt{x}=x\cdot x^{1/2}=x^{3/2}$$

So

$$4x-\frac{5}{x\sqrt{x}}=4x-5x^{-3/2}$$

Find an antiderivative:

$$\int(4x-5x^{-3/2})dx=2x^2+10x^{-1/2}=2x^2+\frac{10}{\sqrt{x}}$$

Evaluate from $1$ to $4$:

$$\left[2x^2+\frac{10}{\sqrt{x}}\right]_1^4=\left(2(4)^2+\frac{10}{2}\right)-\left(2(1)^2+\frac{10}{1}\right)$$

$$=(32+5)-(2+10)=37-12=\boxed{25}$$

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