Introduction to Integration
Integration is a way of adding slices to find the whole.
Integration can be used to find areas, volumes, central points and many useful
things. But it is easiest to start with finding the area between a function and the
x-axis like this:
A=? f(x)
x
What is the area?
Slices
We could calculate the function at a few points
and add up slices of width Δx like this (but the
answer won't be very accurate):
We can make Δx a lot smaller and add up many
small slices (answer is getting better):
And as the slices approach zero in width, the
answer approaches the true answer.
We now write dx to mean the Δx slices are
approaching zero in width.
That is a lot of adding up!
But we don't have to add them up, as there is a "shortcut", because ...
... finding an Integral is the reverse of finding a Derivative.
(So you should really know about Derivatives before reading more!)
Like here:
Example: 2x
An integral of 2x is x2 ...
Integral
2x x 2 +C
Derivative
... because the derivative of x2 is 2x
(More about "+C" later.)
That simple example can be confirmed by calculating the area:
y
2x
y=
A=x 2 x
Area of triangle = 12(base)(height) = 12(x)(2x) = x2
Integration can sometimes be that easy!
Notation
The symbol for "Integral" is a Slices along x
stylish "S"
(for "Sum", the idea of summing 2x dx
slices):
Function we want
Integral Symbol
to integrate
After the Integral Symbol we put the function we want to find the integral of
(called the Integrand),
and then finish with dx to mean the slices go in the x direction (and approach zero
in width).
And here is how we write the answer:
2x dx = x 2 + C
Plus C
We wrote the answer as x2 but why +C ?
It is the "Constant of Integration". It is there because of all the functions whose
derivative is 2x:
Integrals
2
2
x
2x x +4 x2+3
x2−6
Derivative
• the derivative of x2 is 2x,
• and the derivative of x2+4 is also 2x,
• and the derivative of x2+99 is also 2x,
• and so on!
Because the derivative of a constant is zero.
So when we reverse the operation (to find the integral) we only know 2x, but
there could have been a constant of any value.
So we wrap up the idea by just writing + C at the end.
A Practical Example: Tap and Tank
Let us use a tap to fill a tank.
The input (before integration) is the flow rate from the tap.
We can integrate that flow (add up all the little bits of water) to give us the
volume of water in the tank.
Imagine a Constant Flow Rate of 1:
Integral
(sums up)
volume
)
=1
x
pe
flow
Fills up
lo
(s
x (time) x (time)
Derivative
(finds the rate)
With a flow rate of 1, the tank volume increases by x. That is Integration!
An integral of 1 is x
With a flow rate of 1 liter per second, the volume increases by 1 liter every
second, so would increase by 10 liters after 10 seconds, 60 liters after 60
seconds, etc.
The flow rate stays at 1, and the volume increases by x
And it works the other way too:
If the tank volume increases by x, then the flow rate must be 1.
The derivative of x is 1
This shows that integrals and derivatives are opposites!
Integral
1 x +C
Derivative
Now For An Increasing Flow Rate
Imagine the flow starts at 0 and gradually increases (maybe a motor is slowly
opening the tap):
Integral
(sums up)
volume
flow
2x
Fills up x2
x (time) x (time)
Derivative
(finds the rate)
As the flow rate increases, the tank fills up faster and faster:
• Integration: With a flow rate of 2x, the tank volume increases by x 2
• Derivative: If the tank volume increases by x2, then the flow rate must be 2x
Integral
2x x 2 +C
Derivative
We can write it down this way:
The integral of the flow rate 2x tells us the volume of ∫2x dx = x2 + C
water:
The derivative of the volume x2+C gives us back the flow ddx(x2 + C) = 2x
rate:
volume
flow
2x
Fills up x 2 +C
C C
x (time) x (time)
And hey, we even get a nice explanation of that "C" value ... maybe the tank
already has water in it!
• The flow still increases the volume by the same amount
• And the increase in volume can give us back the flow rate.
Which teaches us to always remember "+C".
Other functions
How do we integrate other functions?
If we are lucky enough to find the function on the result side of a derivative, then
(knowing that derivatives and integrals are opposites) we have an answer. But
remember to add C.
Example: what is ∫cos(x) dx ?
Integral
cos(x) sin(x) +C
Derivative
From the Rules of Derivatives table we see the derivative of sin(x) is cos(x) so:
∫cos(x) dx = sin(x) + C
But a lot of this "reversing" has already been done (see Rules of Integration).
Example: What is ∫x3 dx ?
On Rules of Integration there is a "Power Rule" that says:
∫xn dx = xn+1n+1 + C
We can use that rule with n=3:
∫x3 dx = x44 + C
Knowing how to use those rules is the key to being good at Integration.
So learn the rules and get lots of practice.
Learn the Rules of Integration and Practice! Practice! Practice!
(there are some questions below to get you started)
Definite vs Indefinite Integrals
We have been doing Indefinite Integrals so far.
A Definite Integral has actual values to calculate between (they are put at the
bottom and top of the "S"):
Read Definite Integrals to learn more.
