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Definite integrals

Area under a curve and the fundamental theorem of calculus.

A definite integral is the signed area between the curve and the axis on an interval. Find an antiderivative F, then compute F(b) − F(a) — the fundamental theorem of calculus. The shaded region in the graph is the area being computed.

Eżempju maħdum: integrate x^2 dx from 0 to 1

Calculus · Definite-Integrals

Integrate x^2 from 0 to 1

\int_{0}^{1} x^{2}\, dx

Pass b'pass

  1. \int_{0}^{1} x^{2}\, dx

    First find an antiderivative F, then evaluate F(b) − F(a).

  2. \int x^{2}\, dx = \frac{x^{3}}{3}

    Power rule: ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n+1) (n ≠ −1).

  3. F(1) - F(0) = \left(\frac{1}{3}\right) - \left(0\right)

    Fundamental theorem of calculus: plug in the limits.

  4. = \frac{1}{3}

    Simplify.

Jiżvelaw it-tweġiba
\frac{1}{3}

Symbols used here

\int f(x)\,dx,\ \int_a^b
integral
Antiderivative (indefinite) or signed area from a to b (definite).
\leq,\ \geq
less/greater than or equal
Inequalities that allow equality; < and > exclude it.
\pi
pi
Ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, 3.14159…
e
Euler's number
2.71828…, the base whose exponential is its own derivative.
\infty
infinity
Not a number: "grows without bound" in limits and intervals.
\sin,\ \cos,\ \tan
sine, cosine, tangent
Ratios of sides in a right triangle; coordinates on the unit circle.
\log_b x,\ \ln x
logarithm, natural log
The exponent b must be raised to for x; ln uses base e.
\sum_{k=1}^{n} a_k
summation
Add a_k for k = 1 up to n.
\lim_{x \to a} f(x)
limit
The value f(x) approaches as x approaches a.
f'(x),\ \frac{dy}{dx}
derivative
Instantaneous rate of change; slope of the graph.
y',\ y''
first and second derivative of y
Prime notation for derivatives with respect to x (or t).
C,\ C_1,\ C_2
arbitrary constants
Constants of integration fixed by initial conditions.

How to: Definite integrals

  1. First find an antiderivative F, then evaluate F(b) − F(a).
  2. Power rule: ∫xⁿ dx = xⁿ⁺¹/(n+1) (n ≠ −1).
  3. Fundamental theorem of calculus: plug in the limits.
  4. Simplify.

Questions people ask

What is a derivative in one sentence?

The slope of the graph at a point — the rate at which the output is changing there. Speed is the derivative of position.

What is an integral in one sentence?

The accumulated total of a rate — the area under the curve. Distance travelled is the integral of speed.

Why are derivatives and integrals opposites?

That is the fundamental theorem of calculus: accumulating a rate and then measuring how fast the accumulation grows gets you back the rate. Integration undoes differentiation up to a constant.

When do I use substitution and when integration by parts?

Substitution when part of the integrand is the derivative of another part (u and du both present). Parts when the integrand is a product of two unrelated kinds of function — a polynomial times an exponential, log or trig function.

Ipprova tiegħek stess

Aktar fil Calculus

LimitsDerivativesIntegralsTaylor seriesSeries and sumsMaxima and minimaThe chain ruleImplicit differentiationRelated rates and optimisationIntegration techniques: substitution, parts, partial fractionsApplications of integration: area, volume, arc lengthInfinite series and convergence tests