Techniques of Integration
Master integration techniques with this comprehensive study guide. Learn power functions, reciprocal functions, exponential, trigonometric integration, and how integration reverses differentiation. Includes 6 worked examples with step-by-step solutions.
Use the notes online, then download the worksheet to practise without distractions.
- 7 concept sections
- 6 worked questions
- 11 video lessons
7
Concept sections
6
Practice questions
5
Concept videos
6
Solution videos
Start here
Understanding Integration as the Reverse of Differentiation
Concept
Quick Reference: Essential Integration Formulas
Power Functions
| Basic form | Linear form or identity |
|---|---|
$\int x^n \, dx = \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + c, \quad n \neq -1$ | $\int (ax+b)^n \, dx = \frac{(ax+b)^{n+1}}{a(n+1)} + c$ |
Integration of $\frac{1}{ax+b}$
| Basic form | Linear form or identity |
|---|---|
$\int \frac{1}{x} \, dx = \ln|x| + c$ | $\int \frac{1}{ax+b} \, dx = \frac{1}{a}\ln|ax+b| + c$ |
Integration of Exponential Functions
| Basic form | Linear form or identity |
|---|---|
$\int e^x \, dx = e^x + c$ | $\int e^{ax+b} \, dx = \frac{1}{a}e^{ax+b} + c$ |
Integration of Trigonometric Functions
| Basic form | Linear form or identity |
|---|---|
$\int \cos x \, dx = \sin x + c$ | $\int \cos(ax+b) \, dx = \frac{\sin(ax+b)}{a} + c$ |
$\int \sin x \, dx = -\cos x + c$ | $\int \sin(ax+b) \, dx = -\frac{\cos(ax+b)}{a} + c$ |
$\int \sec^2 x \, dx = \tan x + c$ | $\int \sec^2(ax+b) \, dx = \frac{\tan(ax+b)}{a} + c$ |
Integration of Quadratic Trigonometric Functions
| Basic form | Linear form or identity |
|---|---|
$\int \cos^2 x \, dx = \int \frac{\cos 2x + 1}{2} \, dx$ | [Use $\cos 2A = 2\cos^2 A - 1$] |
$\int \sin^2 x \, dx = \int \frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2} \, dx$ | [Use $\cos 2A = 1 - 2\sin^2 A$] |
$\int \tan^2 x \, dx = \int (\sec^2 x - 1) \, dx$ | [Use $\sec^2 A = 1 + \tan^2 A$] |
Concept
- Take the expression you're integrating ($x$ or $ax+b$) and add one to the exponent: $n+1$
- Divide the whole thing by that same value $n+1$
- For $ax+b$, remember to divide by the coefficient of $x$ as well (which is $a$)
- Finally, don't forget to add the constant $c$
- $\int x^3 \, dx = \frac{x^4}{4} + c$
- $\int x^{-2} \, dx = \frac{x^{-1}}{-1} + c = -\frac{1}{x} + c$
- $\int (2x+3)^5 \, dx = \frac{(2x+3)^6}{2 \times 6} + c = \frac{(2x+3)^6}{12} + c$
Video lesson
Integration of Power Functions
Concept
- The absolute value $|x|$ ensures the logarithm is defined for both positive and negative values of $x$
- For $ax+b$, we must divide by the coefficient $a$
- This formula explains why $n \neq -1$ in the power rule – because $x^{-1}$ has its own special integration formula
- $\int \frac{5}{x} \, dx = 5\ln|x| + c$
- $\int \frac{1}{3x+2} \, dx = \frac{1}{3}\ln|3x+2| + c$
Video lesson
Integration of Reciprocal Functions
Concept
- The integral of $e^x$ is simply $e^x + c$ – the function stays the same
- For $e^{ax+b}$, we must divide by the coefficient of $x$ (which is $a$)
- The integral of exponential functions is easy to calculate compared to many other functions
- This function may also be solved using integration by substitution or integration by parts (advanced techniques)
- $\int e^{2x} \, dx = \frac{1}{2}e^{2x} + c$
- $\int 3e^{5x-1} \, dx = 3 \cdot \frac{1}{5}e^{5x-1} + c = \frac{3}{5}e^{5x-1} + c$
- $\int e^{-x} \, dx = -e^{-x} + c$ (represents exponential decay)
Video lesson
Integration of Exponential Functions
Concept
- Since $\frac{d}{dx}(\sin x) = \cos x$, we have $\int \cos x \, dx = \sin x + c$
- Since $\frac{d}{dx}(\cos x) = -\sin x$, we have $\int \sin x \, dx = -\cos x + c$
- Since $\frac{d}{dx}(\tan x) = \sec^2 x$, we have $\int \sec^2 x \, dx = \tan x + c$
- $\int \cos 3x \, dx = \frac{\sin 3x}{3} + c$
- $\int \sin 2x \, dx = -\frac{\cos 2x}{2} + c$
- $\int \sec^2 5x \, dx = \frac{\tan 5x}{5} + c$
Video lesson
Integration of Trigonometric Functions
Concept
- $\cos 2A = 2\cos^2 A - 1$ → $\cos^2 A = \frac{\cos 2A + 1}{2}$
- $\cos 2A = 1 - 2\sin^2 A$ → $\sin^2 A = \frac{1 - \cos 2A}{2}$
- $\sec^2 A = 1 + \tan^2 A$ → $\tan^2 A = \sec^2 A - 1$
- Identify the squared trigonometric function
- Apply the appropriate identity to convert to linear form
- Integrate using standard formulas
- Simplify your answer
Video lesson
Integration of Quadratic Trigonometric Functions
Concept
- Show that the derivative of some function equals another expression
- Hence, find the integral of that expression
- Factor out constants
- Multiply/divide by constants to match the form
- Adjust for missing or extra terms
Practice Questions with Video Solutions
Attempt each question before opening the solution. Then compare your method with the worked steps and video explanation.
Question
Video lesson
Integration of Power Functions - Question 1
Step-by-step solution
- 1(a) Apply power rule to each term:
- 2$\int (10x^4 - 5x^2 + x + 3) \, dx$
- 3$= \frac{10x^5}{5} - \frac{5x^3}{3} + \frac{x^2}{2} + 3x + c$
- 4$= 2x^5 - \frac{5}{3}x^3 + \frac{1}{2}x^2 + 3x + c$
- 5(b) Rewrite with negative/fractional powers first:
- 6$\int \left(6x^{-3} - 2x^{-1/2} + 8x^3\right) dx$
- 7$= \frac{6x^{-2}}{-2} - \frac{2x^{1/2}}{1/2} + \frac{8x^4}{4} + c$
- 8$= -3x^{-2} - 4x^{1/2} + 2x^4 + c = -\frac{3}{x^2} - 4\sqrt{x} + 2x^4 + c$
- 9(c) Simplify first by dividing each term:
- 10$\int \frac{4x^5 + 3x^4 + x}{6x^3} \, dx = \int \left(\frac{2}{3}x^2 + \frac{1}{2}x + \frac{1}{6}x^{-2}\right) dx$
- 11$= \frac{2}{3} \cdot \frac{x^3}{3} + \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{1}{6} \cdot \frac{x^{-1}}{-1} + c$
- 12$= \frac{2}{9}x^3 + \frac{1}{4}x^2 - \frac{1}{6x} + c$
Final answer
Question
Video lesson
Integration of Reciprocal Functions - Question 2
Step-by-step solution
- 1(a) Factor out the constant:
- 2$\int \frac{5}{6x} \, dx = \frac{5}{6} \int \frac{1}{x} \, dx = \frac{5}{6} \ln|x| + c$
- 3(b) Use reciprocal formula with $ax+b$:
- 4$\int \frac{1}{4x-3} \, dx = \frac{1}{4} \ln|4x-3| + c$
- 5(c) Separate the fraction first:
- 6$\int \frac{8 + (4x-3)^5}{(4x-3)^6} \, dx = \int \left(8(4x-3)^{-6} + (4x-3)^{-1}\right) dx$
- 7$= 8 \cdot \frac{(4x-3)^{-5}}{-5 \cdot 4} + \frac{1}{4}\ln|4x-3| + c$
- 8$= -\frac{2}{5(4x-3)^5} + \frac{1}{4}\ln|4x-3| + c$
- 9(d) Factor out the constant:
- 10$\int \frac{5}{2-5x} \, dx = 5 \int \frac{1}{2-5x} \, dx = 5 \cdot \frac{1}{-5} \ln|2-5x| + c$
- 11$= -\ln|2-5x| + c$
Final answer
Question
Video lesson
Integration of Exponential Functions - Question 3
Step-by-step solution
- 1(a) Apply exponential formula:
- 2$\int e^{2x-1} \, dx = \frac{e^{2x-1}}{2} + c$
- 3(b) Simplify first:
- 4$\int \frac{e^{4x} + 5}{e^{4x}} \, dx = \int \left(1 + 5e^{-4x}\right) dx$
- 5$= x + 5 \cdot \frac{e^{-4x}}{-4} + c = x - \frac{5}{4}e^{-4x} + c$
- 6(c) Expand the numerator first:
- 7$\int \frac{(e^{2x} - e^x)^2}{e^x} \, dx = \int \frac{e^{4x} - 2e^{3x} + e^{2x}}{e^x} \, dx$
- 8$= \int (e^{3x} - 2e^{2x} + e^x) \, dx$
- 9$= \frac{e^{3x}}{3} - 2 \cdot \frac{e^{2x}}{2} + e^x + c = \frac{1}{3}e^{3x} - e^{2x} + e^x + c$
- 10(d) Simplify the fraction:
- 11$\int \frac{1 - e^{4-3x}}{e^{4-3x}} \, dx = \int (e^{-(4-3x)} - 1) \, dx$
- 12$= \int (e^{3x-4} - 1) \, dx = \frac{e^{3x-4}}{3} - x + c$
Final answer
Question
Video lesson
Integration of Trigonometric Functions - Question 4
Step-by-step solution
- 1(a) Apply trigonometric formulas:
- 2$\int (7\cos 3x + \sec^2 x) \, dx = 7 \cdot \frac{\sin 3x}{3} + \tan x + c$
- 3$= \frac{7}{3}\sin 3x + \tan x + c$
- 4(b) Integrate term by term:
- 5$\int \left(x^{-3} - \sin(5x+2)\right) dx = \frac{x^{-2}}{-2} - \frac{-\cos(5x+2)}{5} + c$
- 6$= -\frac{1}{2x^2} + \frac{1}{5}\cos(5x+2) + c$
- 7(c) Apply trigonometric formulas:
- 8$\int (\sin 3x - \sec^2 6x) \, dx = -\frac{\cos 3x}{3} - \frac{\tan 6x}{6} + c$
Final answer
Question
Video lesson
Integration of Quadratic Trigonometric Functions - Question 5
Step-by-step solution
- 1(a) Direct integration (no identity needed for $\sec^2$):
- 2$\int (3\sec^2 4x + \sin 3x) \, dx = 3 \cdot \frac{\tan 4x}{4} - \frac{\cos 3x}{3} + c$
- 3$= \frac{3}{4}\tan 4x - \frac{1}{3}\cos 3x + c$
- 4(b) Use identity for $\cos^2 x$:
- 5$\int (6\cos^2 x - \sec^2 2x + x) \, dx = \int \left(6 \cdot \frac{\cos 2x + 1}{2} - \sec^2 2x + x\right) dx$
- 6$= \int (3\cos 2x + 3 - \sec^2 2x + x) \, dx$
- 7$= 3 \cdot \frac{\sin 2x}{2} + 3x - \frac{\tan 2x}{2} + \frac{x^2}{2} + c$
- 8$= \frac{3}{2}\sin 2x - \frac{1}{2}\tan 2x + 3x + \frac{x^2}{2} + c$
- 9(c) Use identities for both squared terms:
- 10$\int (\sin^2 2x + \cos^2 x) \, dx = \int \left(\frac{1 - \cos 4x}{2} + \frac{\cos 2x + 1}{2}\right) dx$
- 11$= \int \left(\frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{2}\cos 4x + \frac{1}{2}\cos 2x + \frac{1}{2}\right) dx$
- 12$= \int \left(1 - \frac{1}{2}\cos 4x + \frac{1}{2}\cos 2x\right) dx$
- 13$= x - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{\sin 4x}{4} + \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{\sin 2x}{2} + c$
- 14$= x - \frac{1}{8}\sin 4x + \frac{1}{4}\sin 2x + c$
Final answer
Question
Video lesson
Integration Using Given Derivative - Question 6
Step-by-step solution
- 1Part 1: Show the derivative
- 2Let $y = (2x-1)\sqrt{x+3} = (2x-1)(x+3)^{1/2}$
- 3Using product rule: $\frac{dy}{dx} = (2x-1) \cdot \frac{d}{dx}[(x+3)^{1/2}] + (x+3)^{1/2} \cdot \frac{d}{dx}[2x-1]$
- 4$= (2x-1) \cdot \frac{1}{2}(x+3)^{-1/2} + (x+3)^{1/2} \cdot 2$
- 5$= \frac{2x-1}{2\sqrt{x+3}} + 2\sqrt{x+3}$
- 6Combine fractions: $= \frac{2x-1}{2\sqrt{x+3}} + \frac{2\sqrt{x+3} \cdot 2\sqrt{x+3}}{2\sqrt{x+3}}$
- 7$= \frac{2x-1 + 4(x+3)}{2\sqrt{x+3}} = \frac{2x-1+4x+12}{2\sqrt{x+3}} = \frac{6x+11}{2\sqrt{x+3}}$ ✓
- 8Part 2: Find the integral
- 9From part 1, we know: $\frac{d}{dx}[(2x-1)\sqrt{x+3}] = \frac{6x+11}{2\sqrt{x+3}}$
- 10Notice the integral has $\sqrt{x+3}$ (not $2\sqrt{x+3}$) in denominator
- 11Multiply derivative by 2: $\frac{d}{dx}[2(2x-1)\sqrt{x+3}] = \frac{6x+11}{\sqrt{x+3}}$
- 12Therefore: $\int \frac{6x+11}{\sqrt{x+3}} \, dx = 2(2x-1)\sqrt{x+3} + c$
Final answer
Key Formulas to Remember
Add 1 to exponent, divide by new exponent
Remember to divide by coefficient of x
Special case when n = -1
Natural logarithm with coefficient adjustment
The function is its own integral
Divide by coefficient of x
Reverse of sine differentiation
Note the negative sign
Reverse of tangent differentiation
- $\int \cos^2 x \, dx = \int \frac{\cos 2x + 1}{2} \, dx$ (use $\cos 2x = 2\cos^2 x - 1$)
- $\int \sin^2 x \, dx = \int \frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2} \, dx$ (use $\cos 2x = 1 - 2\sin^2 x$)
- $\int \tan^2 x \, dx = \int (\sec^2 x - 1) \, dx$ (use $\sec^2 x = 1 + \tan^2 x$)
- $\int \cos(ax+b) \, dx = \frac{\sin(ax+b)}{a} + c$
- $\int \sin(ax+b) \, dx = -\frac{\cos(ax+b)}{a} + c$
- $\int \sec^2(ax+b) \, dx = \frac{\tan(ax+b)}{a} + c$
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