Integrals

Integrals measure area, track accumulation, and help us undo derivatives. Whether you’re calculating distance from velocity or total growth from a rate, integrals reveal how quantities build up over time or space. ∫

Integral

The definite integral of a function f(x) over the interval [a, b] is:

\int_a^b f(x) \, dx

This represents the signed area under the curve of f(x) from a to b.

The indefinite integral (or antiderivative) is:

\int f(x) \, dx = F(x) + C

where F'(x) = f(x) and C is an arbitrary constant of integration.

Integration Techniques

Table of Integration Techniques.

Rule Function f(x) Integral \int f(x)\,dx Notes
Constant c cx + C c \in \mathbb{R}
Power x^n (with n \neq -1) \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + C Power rule for n \neq -1
Sum/Difference g(x) \pm h(x) \int g(x)\,dx \pm \int h(x)\,dx Integral distributes over sums and differences
Exponential (base e) e^x e^x + C Natural exponential
Exponential (base a) a^x \frac{a^x}{\ln a} + C a > 0,\ a \neq 1
Logarithmic \frac{1}{x} \ln|x| + C Valid for x \neq 0
Chain Rule (u-sub) f(g(x))g'(x) \int f(u)\,du, where u = g(x) Substitution method
Integration by Parts u(x)v'(x) u(x)v(x) - \int u'(x)v(x)\,dx \int u\,dv = uv - \int v\,du