“JUST THE MATHS”

UNIT NUMBER

12.1

INTEGRATION 1
(Elementary indefinite integrals)

by

A.J.Hobson

12.1.1 The definition of an integral

12.1.2 Elementary techniques of integration
12.1.3 Exercises
12.1.4 Answers to exercises
UNIT 12.1 - INTEGRATION 1 - ELEMENTARY INDEFINITE INTEGRALS

12.1.1 THE DEFINITION OF AN INTEGRAL

In Differential Calculus, we are given functions of x and asked to obtain their derivatives;
but, in Integral Calculus, we are given functions of x and asked what they are the derivatives
of. The process of answering this question is called “integration”.

In other words integration is the reverse of differentiation.

DEFINITION
Given a function f (x), another function, z, such that
dz
= f (x)
dx
is called an integral of f (x) with respect to x.

Notes:
(i) The above definition refers to an integral of f (x) rather than the integral of f (x). This
is because, having found a possible function, z, such that
dz
= f (x),
dx
z + C is also an integral for any constant value, C.

(ii) We call z + C the “indefinite integral of f (x) with respect to x” and we write

Z
f (x)dx = z + C.

(iii) C is an arbitrary constant called the “constant of integration”.

(iv) The symbol dx does not denote a number; it is to be taken as a label indicating the
variable with respect to which we are integrating. It may seem obvious that this will be x,
but it could happen, for instance, that x is already dependent upon some other variable, t, in
which case it would be vital to indicate the variable with respect to which we are integrating.

(v) In any integration problem, the function being integrated is called the “integrand”.

Result:
Two functions z1 and z2 are both integrals of the same function f (x) if and only if they differ
by a constant.

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Proof:
(a) Suppose, firstly, that
z1 − z2 = C,
where C is a constant.

Then,
d
[z1 − z2 ] = 0.
dx
That is,
dz1 dz2
− = 0,
dx dx
or
dz1 dz2
= .
dx dx

From our definition, this shows that both z1 and z2 are integrals of the same function.

(b) Secondly, suppose that z1 and z2 are integrals of the same function. Then
dz1 dz2
= .
dx dx
That is,
dz1 dz2
− = 0,
dx dx
or
d
[z1 − z2 ] = 0.
dx

Hence,
z1 − z2 = C,
where C may be any constant.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Any result so far encountered in differentiation could be re-stated in reverse as a result on
integration as shown in the following illustrations:

1.
Z
3x2 dx = x3 + C.

2.
Z
x3
x2 dx = + C.
3

2
 3.
Z
xn+1
xn dx = + C Provided n 6= −1.
n+1
4.
Z
1 Z
dx i.e. x−1 dx = ln x + C.
x
5.
Z
ex dx = ex + C.

6.
Z
cos xdx = sin x + C.

7.
Z
sin xdx = − cos x + C.

Note:
Basic integrals of the above kinds may simply be quoted from a table of standard integrals
in a suitable formula booklet. More advanced integrals are obtainable using the rules to be
discussed below.

12.1.2 ELEMENTARY TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

(a) Linearity

Suppose f (x) and g(x) are two functions of x while A and B are constants. Then,
Z Z Z
[Af (x) + Bg(x)]dx = A f (x)dx + B g(x)dx.

The proof follows from the fact that differentiation is already linear and hence the derivative
of the right hand side is the integrand of the left hand side. The result itself is easily extended
to linear combinations of three or more functions.

ILLUSTRATIONS

1.
Z
x3 x2
(x2 + 3x − 7)dx = + 3 − 7x + C.
3 2

3
 2.
Z
(3 cos x + 4sec2 x)dx = 3 sin x + 4 tan x + C.

(b) Functions of a Linear Function

(i) Inspection Method

Provided the method of differentiating functions of a linear function has been fully under-
stood, the fastest method of integrating such functions is to examine, by inspection, what
needs to be differentiated in order to arrive at them.

EXAMPLES

1. Determine the indefinite integral

Z
(2x + 3)12 dx.

Solution
In order to arrive at the function (2x + 3)12 by a differentiation process, we would have
to begin with a function related to (2x + 3)13 .
In fact,
d h i
(2x + 3)13 = 13(2x + 3)12 .2 = 26(2x + 3)12 .
dx
Since this is 26 times the function we are trying to integrate, we may say that
Z
(2x + 3)13
(2x + 3)12 = + C.
26
2. Determine the indefinite integral
Z
cos(3 − 5x)dx.

Solution
In order to arrive at the function cos(3 − 5x) by a differentiation process, we would have
to begin with a function related to sin(3 − 5x).
In fact,
d
[sin(3 − 5x)] = cos(3 − 5x). − 5 = −5 cos(3 − 5x).
dx
Since this is −5 times the function we are trying to integrate, we may say that
Z
sin(3 − 5x)
cos(3 − 5x) = − + C.
5

4
 3. Determine the indefinite integral Z
e4x+1 dx.

Solution
In order to arrive at the function e4x+1 by a differentiation process, we would have to
begin with a function related to e4x+1 itself because the derivative of a power of e always
contains the same power of e.
In fact
d h 4x+1 i
e = e4x+1 .4.
dx
Since this is 4 times the function we are trying to integrate, we may say that
Z
e4x+1
e4x+1 dx = + C.
4
4. Determine the indefinite integral
Z
1
dx.
7x + 3

Solution
1
In order to arrive at the function 7x+3 by a differentiation process, we would have to
begin with a function related to ln(7x + 3).
In fact,
d 1 7
[ln(7x + 3)] = .7 =
dx 7x + 3 7x + 3
Since this is 7 times the function we are trying to integrate, we may say that
Z
1 ln(7x + 3)
dx = + C.
7x + 3 7

Note:
In each of these examples, we are essentially treating the linear function as if it were a single
x, then dividing the result by the coefficient of x in that linear function.

(ii) Substitution Method

The method to be discussed here will eventually be applied to functions other than functions
of a linear function; but the latter serve as a useful way of introducing the technique of
“Integration by Substitution”.
R
In the integral of the form f (ax + b)dx, we may substitute u = ax + b proceeding as follows:

5
Suppose Z
z= f (ax + b)dx.
Then,
dz
= f (ax + b).
dx
That is,
dz
= f (u).
dx

But,
dz dz dx dx
= . = f (u). .
du dx du du

Hence, Z
dx
z= f (u) du.
du

Note:
The secret of this integration by substitution formula is that, apart from putting u = ax + b
dx
into f (ax + b), we replace the symbol dx with du .du; almost as if we had divided dx by du
then immediately multiplied by it again, though, strictly, this would not be allowed since dx
and du are not numbers.

EXAMPLES

1. Determine the indefinite integral

Z
z= (2x + 3)12 dx.

Solution
du dx
Putting u = 2x + 3 gives dx
= 2 and, hence, du
= 12 .
Thus,
Z
1 u13 1
z= u12 . du = × + C.
2 13 2
That is,
(2x + 3)13
z= + C,
26
as before.

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2. Determine the indefinite integral
Z
z= cos(3 − 5x)dx.

Solution
du dx
Putting u = 3 − 5x gives dx
= −5 and hence du
= − 15 .
Thus, Z
1 1
z= cos u. − du = − sin u + C.
5 5
That is,
1
z = − sin(3 − 5x) + C,
5
as before.
3. Determine the indefinite integral
Z
z= e4x+1 dx.

Solution
du dx
Putting u = 4x + 1 gives dx
= 4 and, hence, du
= 14 .
Thus, Z
1 eu
z= eu . du = + C.
4 4
That is,
e4x+1
z= + C,
4
as before.
4. Determine the indefinite integral
Z
1
z= dx.
7x + 3
Solution
du dx 1
Putting u = 7x + 3 gives dx
= 7 and, hence, du
= 7
Thus, Z
1 1 1
z= . du = ln u + C.
u 7 7
That is,
1
z= ln(7x + 3) + C,
7
as before.

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12.1.3 EXERCISES

1. Integrate the following functions with respect to x:

(a)

x5 ;
(b)
3
x2 ;
(c)
1
;
x6
(d)
2x2 − x + 5;
(e)

x3 − 7x2 + x + 1.

2. Use a substitution of the form u = ax + b in order to determine the following integrals:

(a)
Z
sin(5x − 6)dx;

(b)
Z
e2x+11 dx;

(c)
Z
(3x + 2)6 dx.

3. Write down, by inspection, the indefinite integrals with respect to x of the following
functions:
(a)

(1 + 2x)10 ;

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 (b)
e12x+4 ;
(c)
1
;
3x − 1
(d)
sin(3 − 5x);
(e)
9
;
(4 − x)5
(f)
cosec2 (7x + 1).

12.1.4 ANSWERS TO EXERCISES

1. (a)
x6
+ C;
6
(b)
2 5
x 2 + C;
5
(c)
1
− + C;
5x5
(d)
2 3 1 2
x − x + 5x + C;
3 2
(e)
1 4 7 3 1 2
x − x + x + x + C.
4 3 2

9
2. (a)
1
− cos(5x − 6) + C;
5
(b)
1 2x+11
e + C;
2
(c)
1
(3x + 2)7 + C.
21
3. (a)
1
(1 + 2x)11 + C;
22
(b)
1 12x+4
e + C;
12
(c)
1
ln(3x − 1) + C;
3
(d)
1
cos(3 − 5x) + C;
5
(e)
9
+ C;
4(4 − x)4

(f)
1
− cot(7x + 1) + C.
7

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APPENDIX - A Table of Standard Integrals

R
f (x) f (x) dx
a (const.) ax
xn n+1
x /(n + 1) n 6= −1
1/x ln x
sin ax −(1/a) cos ax
cos ax (1/a) sin ax
sec2 ax (1/a) tan ax
cosec2 ax −(1/a) cot ax
sec ax. tan ax (1/a)secax
cosec ax. cot ax −(1/a)cosecax
eax (1/a)eax
ax ax / ln a
sinh ax (1/a) cosh ax
cosh ax (1/a) sinh ax
sech2 ax (1/a) tanh ax
sech ax. tanh ax −(1/a)sechax
cosech ax. coth ax −(1/a)cosechax
cot ax (1/a) ln(sin ax)
tan ax −(1/a) ln(cos ax)
tanh ax (1/a) ln(cosh ax)
coth ax (1/a) ln(sinh ax)
√
1/ (a2 − x2 ) sin−1 (x/a)
1/(a2 + x2 ) (1/a)tan−1 (x/a)
√
1/ (x2 + a2 ) sinh−1√ (x/a)
or ln(x + x2 + a2 )
√
1/ (x2 − a2 ) cosh−1√ (x/a)
or ln(x + x2 − a2 )
−1
1/(a2 − x2 ) (1/a)tanh
  (x/a)
1 a+x
or 2a ln a−x when |x| < a,
 
1 x+a
2a
ln x−a
when |x| > a.

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