1

INTRODUCTION

Learning Points

Integral Calculus is just as important in Physics, and will be used throughout the
Introductory Physics course. This is a quick review of some basic integration concepts.
This manual is not meant to teach you everything about Integration, but rather to give you
a solid base for learning more on your own.

INTEGRATION Getting Started

Integration is denoted by the sign
Just as with differential calculus, you must be given something to integrate with respect to
(w.r.t.). You can tell what you are integrating with respect to by looking at what follows
the d term behind the integral sign.
For example,

y = 2x dx

means you are integrating 2x w.r.t. x

Or

s = 2t dt

means you are integrating 2t w.r.t. t

There are 2 types of integrals: indefinite integrals and definite integrals. We will start by
looking at indefinite integrals.

Indefinite Integrals
Indefinite integrals can be considered as Anti-Derivates i.e. integration is the inverse of

Just as with
differential calculus,
you must be given
something to
integrate with respect
to.

You will be able to

spot an indefinite
integral as it has no
upper
and
lower
limits attached to the
integral sign. (If you
dont know what this
means, dont worry. By
the end of this manual
you will understand).

differentiation. So if 2x is the differential of x2, then x2 is the anti-differential or the

integral of 2x. i.e.

y = x2

If

therefore:

2x dx

= x

then

dy/dx = 2x

Now, because an infinite number of functions can give you the same differential, you must
add an arbitrary constant (+ c) to every anti-derivative or integral.
For example, the following three functions when differentiated would all give 2x
for the solution:

SO

1)

y = x2

dy/dx = 2x

2)

y = x2 1

dy/dx = 2x

3)

y = x2

dy/dx = 2x

2x dx =

x +c

With that said, lets begin to explore the rules of integration.

When you do an
indefinite
integral
add an arbitrary
constant to your
answer.

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BASIC RULES OF INTEGRATION
a. The Constant Rule
The integral of a constant is the constant times the variable being integrated with respect
to. So:

n dx

nx + c

Practice the concept:

5 df

5f + c

dy

1 dy

4t dx

4tx + c

y+c

Remember that all

other variables, than
that being integrated
with respect to, are
treated as constants.
(Check out the last
example on the left).

b. The Power Rule

To integrate a variable raised to a power (except if the power is -1), you add one to the
power and divide by the new power.
xn dx

So, for example,

x ( n 1)
+ c
(n 1)

= p-2 dp
= -1/p

Lets practice this concept.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

s-3 ds =

F 2
F dF =
+c
1
(
1)
2

x dx = x dx
=
=

x (1 1)
(1 1)
x2
2

s ( 3 1)
( 3 1)

1)

+c

+c

=
+ c

1
+ c
2s 2

2F 2
3

+c

c. Multiplied and Divided Constants

If a variable is multiplied or divided by a constant, the multiplied or divided constant stays
with the integral. In fact, you can move the multiplied constant outside of the integral.

Example:
Or:

TIP:
It may help to rewrite
some functions before
integrating.
E.g. 1/p2 dp

5x2 dx

1
dx
3x 3

Now you try the examples on your right.

=
=

5 x2 dx

1 -3
x dx
3

=
=

5x 3
+c
3
2

x
6

+c

Sample problems
1. 2 dp
2. dt
3. x3 dx
4. 4y dy
5. 8t-3 dt
Answers:
1. 2p + c
2. t + c
3. x4/4 + c
4. 2y2 + c
5. -4t-2 + c

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d. Polynomials
To integrate polynomials, integrate each portion of the polynomial with respect to the
specified variable. In other words, the integral of a sum (or difference) is the sum (or
difference) of its integrals.
Example: 3x3 + 4x2 - x- dx

3x3 dx + 4x2 dx - x- dx

3 x dx + 4 x dx - x dx

x4
3
4

3x 4
4

NOTE WELL:
3x4+ 3x2+3x dx
= 3 x4+x +x dx
BUT
3x x3 + x dx
Similarly
5x4 + x dx
5 x4 + x dx

x3
+4
3

4x3
3

x2
1/ 2

- 2x + c

Note: Simplification
It is always best to simplify an equation before attempting to solve it. By doing this, you
could save yourself a lot of trouble
x 2 6x 5
dx
( x 5)

Example:

t2 9
dt
(t 3)

Example:

( x 5)( x 1)
dx
( x 5)

(t 3)(t 3)
dt
(t 3)

( x 1)dx =

(t 3)dt

x2
2

t2
2

x c

3t c

Sample problems
1. 10x +2 dx
x 2 x 12
2.
dx
x 3
3. (y-2)(y+1) dy
Answers:
1. 5x2 +2x + c
2. x2/2 +4x+ c
3.

y3/3y2/2 -2y+ c

e. The Exponential Rule

The integral of the exponential function is the exponential function. So, the integral of e
raised to the x is e raised to the x.
ex dx =

i.e.

Remember this as
we will use it again
below.

ex + c

f. The Logarithmic Rule

When doing the power rule, we specified that it cannot be used if the power is -1. But
why? Lets try it:
x-1 dx

x0
x ( 1 1)
=
0
( 1 1)

1
0

The integral of x -1 is
ln x.

So what do we do now????
Well if you recall:

= ln x

implies

dy/dx

= 1/x = x-1

Since we suggested that integration is the inverse of differentiation:

x-1 dx = 1/x dx

= ln x + c

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g. Trigonometric Integration
When you integrate a trig function, you should always get another trig function.
sin d

- cos + c

cos d

sin + c

tan d

-ln (cos ) + c

sec2 d

tan + c

h. Composite Functions
A composite function is one that has a function embedded in another one.

Composite Power Functions

To integrate anything to a power (except -1) you add one to the power and divide by the
new power (Power Rule) but for composite power functions you must also differentiate

For example:
Function 1 . x2
Function 2 . 3x + 5
Putting Function 2
into Function 1 creates
a composite function
of (3x + 5)2

the portion enclosed in the brackets and then divide your original answer by your
differentiation result.
For example:

(3x2 + 5x)3 dx

={

(3x 2 5 x) 3
(3 1)

divided by (6x +5) } + c

(3x 2 5 x) 4
+ c
4(6 x 5)

(3 x 2 5 x ) 4
+ c
24 x 20

Composite Exponential Functions

divide by the result of differentiating the thing that e is raised to.
e5x dx

3. e x3 dx
Answers:

Similarly, though the integral of e raised to any thing is e to that thing, you must also

So,

Sample problems
1. (7t3+3t) dt
2. (4y + 3)3 dy

e5x
+ c
5

1.
2.
3.

2(7t 3 3t ) 2
c
63t 2 9
(4 y 3) 4
c
16
e x3
c
3x 2

Composite Logarithmic Functions

Similarly, the integral of any thing raised to the power of minus one is ln of the thing.
For a composite function raised to minus one, you must also divide by the result of
differentiating the portion in brackets.
Example:

1
dt =
(5t 2 3)

(5t2+3)-1 dt
=

ln(5t 2 3)
+ c
10t

Remember to use all

the principles you
have learnt. Be careful.
If you cant do these
questions, review the
laws and try again.

10t
diffe
w.r.t

5
Composite Trigonometric Functions
We can extend the concept to trigonometric functions.
The integral of sine of any thing is minus cosine of the thing, but you must differentiate
the thing and divide by it.
Likewise, the integral of cosine of any thing is sine of the thing, but you must
differentiate the thing and divide by it.
The integral of tangent and secant squared follows the same principle.
So,
And,

sin (5 +4) d

cos (10x2 + 5x) dx

cos(5
5

4)

+ c

sin(10 x 2 5 x)
+c
20 x 5

Note: As you would have realized by now, it is important to remember your rules of

More Problems
1. (cos(7t2)
+sin(3-5t) dt
2. tan(5y) dy
3. e sin x dx
Answers:
1. [sin(7t2)]/14t +
[cos(3-5t)]/5
1

2.

2 ln[cos(5 y 2 )]
5y

3.

1
2

e sin x
c
cos x

differentiation as well. If necessary, review the Differentiation self help book. Consider
the example below.
Example:

e sin (3) d

d (sin(3 )
} +c
d

{ e sin (3) divided by

{ e sin (3) divided by 3cos(3) } + c

e sin(3 )
+c
3 cos(3 )

Determining the Exact Original Function

Okay. So you now know the basic rules of Integration. See how far you have come? But I

We can determine c

know you must be wondering Is there any way to know what c is? Of course there is!
We said that an arbitrary constant (+c) had to be added to an anti-derivate, since we do not
know which was the precise original function. But, if some values of x and y for the
original function are given (i.e. we are given some boundary conditions), we can actually
determine the exact original function. The best way to illustrate this is to do a problem.
Consider the physics question below:
QUESTION 1: Find the equation describing the motion of an object moving along a
straight line (i.e. an equation for x) if the equation for its acceleration is given by a = 4t
2. The following is also known about the motion: At t = 5 seconds it velocity is 25 m/s. At
t = 12 s, the object has traveled 238 m from the origin.

Here we get a Physics

based question. This
question shows you
exactly how
integration relates to
Kinematics.
Remember that
Velocity = a dt
Displacement = v dt

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a. We start with the fact that velocity, v
So

a dt

4t 2 dt

Applying the Power Rule and the Constant Rule

v

2t2 2t + c

Now let us also use the other information we know to solve for c
i.e. at t = 5 s, v = 25 m/s

Therefore

25

2(5)2 2(5) + c

-15

2t2 2t 15

v dt

2t2 2t 15 dt

2 3
t - t2 - 15t + q
3

b. But we want a formula for displacement, x.

We utilize the fact that

Any letter can be

used for the arbitrary
constant. In this case,
to avoid confusion
between the different
parts of the question,
we use +q for the
displacement
equation

Now let us also use the other information we know to solve for q
i.e. at t = 12 s, x = 238 m

Therefore

238

2(12)3/3 (12)2 15(12) + q

-590

2 3
t
3

- t2 - 15t - 590

Wasnt that easy? You try the question below.

QUESTION 2: The rate of change of resistance (R) with respect to temperature (T) of
an electrical resistor is given by dR/dT = 0.009T 2 + 0.02T 0.7. Find the resistance when

This is another
Physics application of
integration.

the temperature is 30oC if when R = 0.2 when T = 0oC.

Well start you off:
Since

0.009T2 + 0.02T 0.7

dR

0.009T + 0.02T 0.7 dT

HINTS FOR
SOLVING

dR

0.009T2 + 0.02T 0.7 dT

a.

dR/dT

b.

c.

[See if you get R = 88.1 for your answer].

Find the
equation for R
by integrating.
Substitute for T
and R to
determine c in
the equation.
Find R at T =
30oC

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Definite Integrals
So we are almost at the end. One last concept.
Integration was developed as a way to find the sum of a number of quantities. When this is
being done you are finding a definite integral and your final answer is a numerical value.
This is achieved by integrating between limits.

Isnt it nice that it

also ended up as the
opposite of
differentiation??!!!??

upper lim it

So, a definite integral is denoted by its limits:

lower lim it

3x 2 dx means integrate 3x2 w.r.t. x between the lower limit x =1

As an example:
1

and the upper limit x = 3.

Sample problems
5

So how do we do a definite integral problem. Simple. We follow two steps.

2
6

Step 1: Treat the integral as an indefinite one and do the integration but leave off
the constant c.

result of substituting the lower limit in the result from Step 1.

2
2

/3
3
2

Evaluate

sin x dx

3.

Okay, lets work an example.

t ) 2 dt

3 dx

2.

Step 2: Now substitute the upper limit in the result from Step 1 and subtract the

(5t 2

2x dx

1.

=
0

4.
(5t 2 t ) 3
3(10t 1)

(x 2

4 x 1) dx

Answers:

5(2) 2 2) 3
3(10(2) 1)

5832
57

minus

5(0) 2 0) 3
3(10(0) 1)

-0

= 102.3
Conclusion
Now you know how to integrate (at least the basics). In your upcoming physics lectures,

1.
2.
3.
4.

19
12
-1/2
-16/3

Also try this

question:
A Force moves an
object from x = 0m to
x = 3m according to
F = x3 x. Find the
Work Done.

you will learn when to use it for physics and where it applies. If you think about it youve

Remenber W = F.dx

come a long way from where you started. But all of this will hard work will be wasted if

(Ans: 15.75 Joules)

you do not practice to differentiate. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Its the only
way to keep integration fresh in your mind.