8.1.2

Integration - Definite Integrals

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Integration

Integration is the opposite of differentiation.

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Integration

  • To integrate xnx^n, add one to the power of x and divide by the new power.
    • xnxn+1n+1x^n \rightarrow \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1}
  • Terms with no powers of xx differentiate to nothing.
  • So we must add an extra unknown "constant of integration" after we integrate:
    • xnxn+1n+1+cx^n \rightarrow \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + c
  • This rule only works for n1n \ne 1.
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Example

  • If y=x35y = x^3 - 5, then dydx=3x2\frac{dy}{dx}= 3x^2.
  • If y=x3+100y = x^3 +100, then dydx=3x2\frac{dy}{dx}= 3x^2.
  • So if we integrate dydx=3x2\frac{dy}{dx}= 3x^2, we have to add the extra term:
    • dydx=3x2y=x3+c\frac{dy}{dx}= 3x^2 \rightarrow y = x^3 + c
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Constant of integration

  • To find the constant of integration, we need to know a value of yy for a specific value of xx.
  • Substitute these values into the equation after integrating and rearrange for cc.
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Example

  • What is the equation of the curve that has gradient dydx=x2+2\frac{dy}{dx} = x^2 + 2 and passes through the point (3,12)(3,12)?
  • The gradient of a curve is equal to the differential of the equation of the curve, so we must integrate the gradient to get the equation of the curve.
    • dydx=x2+2y=x33+2x+c\frac{dy}{dx} = x^2 + 2 \rightarrow y=\frac{x^3}{3} + 2x + c
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Example

  • To find cc, substitute x=3x = 3 and y=12y = 12:
    • 12=333+6+c12 = \frac{3^3}{3} + 6 + c
    • c=3c = -3
  • So the equation of the curve is y=x33+2x3y = \frac{x^3}{3} + 2x-3

Jump to other topics

1Proof

2Algebra & Functions

2.1Powers & Roots

2.2Quadratic Equations

2.3Inequalities

2.4Polynomials

2.5Graphs

2.6Functions

2.7Transformation of Graphs

2.8Partial Fractions (A2 Only)

3Coordinate Geometry

4Sequences & Series

5Trigonometry

6Exponentials & Logarithms

7Differentiation

8Integration

9Numerical Methods

10Vectors

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