High School Math : Finding Indefinite Integrals

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Math

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Finding Indefinite Integrals

\(\displaystyle \int \frac{3}{x}=\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle -3x^{-2}+C\)

\(\displaystyle 3x^{-2}+C\)

\(\displaystyle 3x^{-1}+C\)

\(\displaystyle -3e^{-x}\)

\(\displaystyle 3\ln \left | x \right |+C\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3\ln \left | x \right |+C\)

Explanation:

The integral of \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{x}\) is \(\displaystyle \ln \left | x \right |+C\).  The constant 3 is simply multiplied by the integral.  

Example Question #52 : Calculus Ii — Integrals

\(\displaystyle \int cos(x)\sin(x){\mathrm{d} x}=?\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \sin(x)\cos(x)+c\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{\cos(x)}{\sin(x)}+c\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{\sin(x)}{\cos(x)}+c\)

\(\displaystyle -(\frac{1}{2}\cos^2(x)+c)\)

\(\displaystyle \cos^2(x)sin^2(x)+c\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle -(\frac{1}{2}\cos^2(x)+c)\)

Explanation:

To integrate \(\displaystyle \cos(x)\sin(x)\), we need to get the two equations in terms of each other. We are going to use "u-substitution" to create a new variable, \(\displaystyle u\), which will equal \(\displaystyle \cos(x)\).

Now, if \(\displaystyle u=\cos(x)\), then 

\(\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{d}u }{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{\mathrm{d} }{\mathrm{d} x}\cos(x)=-sin(x)\) 

Multiply both sides by \(\displaystyle \mathrm d {x}\) to get the more familiar: 

\(\displaystyle {\mathrm{d} u}=-\sin(x)\mathrm{d}x\)

Note that our \(\displaystyle \mathrm d{u}=-\sin(x)\), and our original equation was asking for a positive \(\displaystyle \sin(x)\).

That means if we want \(\displaystyle \int\cos(x)\sin(x)\) in terms of \(\displaystyle u\), it looks like this:

\(\displaystyle \int u\cdot (-\mathrm d{u}})\)

Bring the negative sign to the outside:

\(\displaystyle -\int u\mathrm d{u}\).

We can use the power rule to find the integral of \(\displaystyle u\):

\(\displaystyle -(\frac{1}{2}u^2+c)\)

Since we said that \(\displaystyle u=\cos(x)\), we can plug that back into the equation to get our answer:

\(\displaystyle -(\frac{1}{2}\cos^2(x)+c)\)

Example Question #3 : Finding Indefinite Integrals

Evaluate the integral below:

 

\(\displaystyle f(x)=\int \frac{dx}{x^2-16}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{8} ln\left | \frac{x+4}{x-4} \right |+c\)

1

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4} ln\left | \frac{x+2}{x-2} \right |+c\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{8} ln\left | \frac{x-4}{x+4} \right |+c\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4} ln\left | \frac{x-2}{x+2} \right |+c\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{8} ln\left | \frac{x-4}{x+4} \right |+c\)

Explanation:

In this case we have a rational function as \(\displaystyle \frac{N(x)}{D(x)}\), where

\(\displaystyle N(x)=1\)

and

 \(\displaystyle D(x)=\frac{1}{x^2-16}\)

\(\displaystyle D(x)\) can be written as a product of linear factors:

 

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{x^2-16}=\frac{1}{(x-4)(x+4)}\equiv \frac{A}{x-4}+\frac{B}{x+4}\)

 

It is assumed that A and B are certain constants to be evaluated. Denominators can be cleared by multiplying both sides by (x - 4)(x + 4). So we get:

 

\(\displaystyle 1=A(x+4)+B(x-4)\)

First we substitute x = -4 into the produced equation:

\(\displaystyle 1=-8B\Rightarrow B=-\frac{1}{8}\)

Then we substitute x = 4 into the equation:

\(\displaystyle 1=8A\Rightarrow A=\frac{1}{8}\)

Thus:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{(x-4)(x+4)}=\frac{1}{8}\frac{1}{x-4}-\frac{1}{8}\frac{1}{x+4}\)

 

Hence:

\(\displaystyle \int \frac{dx}{x^2-16}=\int(\frac{1}{8}\frac{1}{x-4}-\frac{1}{8}\frac{1}{x+4})dx\)

\(\displaystyle =\frac{1}{8}ln\left | x-4 \right |-\frac{1}{8}ln\left |x+4 \right |+c\)

\(\displaystyle =\frac{1}{8}(ln\left | x-4 \right |-ln\left |x+4 \right |)+c\)

\(\displaystyle =\frac{1}{8}ln\left | \frac{x-4}{x+4}\right |+c\)

 

 

Example Question #1 : Finding Indefinite Integrals

What is the indefinite integral of \(\displaystyle x^2+5x\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2x+5\)

\(\displaystyle 3x+5\)

\(\displaystyle 10x^2+c\)

\(\displaystyle x^4+5x^2+c\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}x^3+\frac{5}{2}x^2+c\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}x^3+\frac{5}{2}x^2+c\)

Explanation:

To solve for the indefinite integral, we can use the reverse power rule. We raise the power of the exponents by one and divide by that new exponent. For this problem, that would look like:

\(\displaystyle \int x^2+5x{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{x^{2+1}}{2+1}+\frac{5x^{1+1}}{1+1}+c\)

Remember, when taking an integral, definite or indefinite, we always add \(\displaystyle +c\), as there could be a constant involved.

\(\displaystyle \int x^2+5x{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{x^{3}}{3}+\frac{5x^{2}}{2}+c\)

\(\displaystyle \int x^2+5x{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{1}{3}x^3+\frac{5}{2}x^2+c\)

Example Question #61 : Calculus Ii — Integrals

What is the indefinite integral of \(\displaystyle 5x+8\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 16x^3+c\)

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{6}x^3+4x^2+cx+b\)

\(\displaystyle 0\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{2}x^2+8x +c\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{2}x^2+8x +c\)

Explanation:

To solve for the indefinite integral, we can use the reverse power rule. We raise the power of the exponents by one and divide by that new exponent. For this problem, that would look like:

\(\displaystyle \int 5x+8{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{5x^{1+1}}{1+1}+\frac{8x^{0+1}}{0+1}+c\)

Remember, when taking an integral, definite or indefinite, we always add \(\displaystyle +c\), as there could be a constant involved.

\(\displaystyle \int 5x+8{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{5x^{2}}{2}+\frac{8x^{1}}{1}+c\)

\(\displaystyle \int 5x+8{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{5}{2}x^2+8x +c\)

Example Question #2222 : High School Math

What is the indefinite integral of \(\displaystyle x^3+2x+5\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}x^4+x^2+5x+c\)

\(\displaystyle 6x\)

\(\displaystyle 4x^4+x^2+5x+c\)

\(\displaystyle 3x^2+2\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}x^4+2x^2+5x+c\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}x^4+x^2+5x+c\)

Explanation:

To solve for the indefinite integral, we can use the reverse power rule. We raise the power of the exponents by one and divide by that new exponent.

We're going to treat \(\displaystyle 5\) as \(\displaystyle 5x^0\), as anything to the zero power is one.

For this problem, that would look like:

\(\displaystyle \int x^3+2x+5{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{x^{3+1}}{3+1}+\frac{2x^{1+1}}{1+1}+\frac{5x^{0+1}}{0+1}+c\)

Remember, when taking an integral, definite or indefinite, we always add \(\displaystyle +c\), as there could be a constant involved.

\(\displaystyle \int x^3+2x+5{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{x^{4}}{4}+\frac{2x^{2}}{2}+\frac{5x^{1}}{1}+c\)

\(\displaystyle \int x^3+2x+5{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{1}{4}x^4+x^2+5x+c\)

Example Question #2223 : High School Math

What is the anti-derivative of \(\displaystyle 2x\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}x^2+c\)

\(\displaystyle x^2+c\)

\(\displaystyle 2+c\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{2}x^2+c\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x^2+c\)

Explanation:

To find the indefinite integral of our expression, we can use the reverse power rule.

To use the reverse power rule, we raise the exponent of the \(\displaystyle x\) by one and then divide by that new exponent.

First we need to realize that \(\displaystyle 2x=2x^1\). From there we can solve:

\(\displaystyle \int2x{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{2x^{1+1}}{1+1}+c\)

When taking an integral, be sure to include a \(\displaystyle +c\) at the end of everything. \(\displaystyle c\) stands for "constant". Since taking the derivative of a constant whole number will always equal \(\displaystyle 0\), we include the \(\displaystyle +c\) to anticipate the possiblity of the equation actually being \(\displaystyle x^2+5\) or \(\displaystyle x^2-100\) instead of just  \(\displaystyle x^2\).

\(\displaystyle \int2x{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{2x^{2}}{2}+c\)

\(\displaystyle \int2x{\mathrm{d} x}=x^2+c\)

Example Question #41 : Finding Integrals

What is the indefinite integral of \(\displaystyle x^3+2\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}x^4+2x+c\)

\(\displaystyle 3x^2\)

\(\displaystyle 6x+6+c\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}x^4+2+c\)

\(\displaystyle 4x^4+2x\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{4}x^4+2x+c\)

Explanation:

To find the indefinite integral of our equation, we can use the reverse power rule.

To use the reverse power rule, we raise the exponent of the \(\displaystyle x\) by one and then divide by that new exponent.

Remember that, when taking the integral, we treat constants as that number times \(\displaystyle x^{0}\) since anything to the zero power is \(\displaystyle 1\). For example, treat \(\displaystyle 2\) as \(\displaystyle 2x^0\).

\(\displaystyle \int x^3+2{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{x^{3+1}}{3+1}+\frac{2x^{0+1}}{0+1}+c\)

When taking an integral, be sure to include a \(\displaystyle +c\) at the end of everything. \(\displaystyle c\) stands for "constant". Since taking the derivative of a constant whole number will always equal \(\displaystyle 0\), we include the \(\displaystyle +c\) to anticipate the possiblity of the equation actually being \(\displaystyle x^2+5\) or \(\displaystyle x^2-100\) instead of just  \(\displaystyle x^2\).

\(\displaystyle \int x^3+2{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{x^{4}}{4}+\frac{2x^{1}}{1}+c\)

\(\displaystyle \int x^3+2{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{1}{4}x^4+2x+c\)

Example Question #2225 : High School Math

What is the indefinite integral of \(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}x^2\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{9}x^3+c\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{3}x^3+c\)

\(\displaystyle 2x+3\)

\(\displaystyle x^3+c\)

\(\displaystyle x^2\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{9}x^3+c\)

Explanation:

To find the indefinite integral of our equation, we can use the reverse power rule.

To use the reverse power rule, we raise the exponent of the \(\displaystyle x\) by one and then divide by that new exponent.

\(\displaystyle \int \frac{1}{3}x^2{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{1}{3}*\frac{x^{2+1}}{2+1}+c\)

When taking an integral, be sure to include a \(\displaystyle +c\)\(\displaystyle c\) stands for "constant". Since taking the derivative of a constant whole number will always equal \(\displaystyle 0\), we include the \(\displaystyle +c\) to anticipate the possiblity of the equation actually being \(\displaystyle x^2+5\) or \(\displaystyle x^2-100\) instead of just  \(\displaystyle x^2\).

\(\displaystyle \int \frac{1}{3}x^2{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{1}{3}*\frac{x^{3}}{3}+c\)

\(\displaystyle \int \frac{1}{3}x^2{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{1}{9}x^3+c\)

Example Question #82 : Functions, Graphs, And Limits

What is the indefinite integral of \(\displaystyle x+18\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2x^2+18x+c\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}x^3+18x^2+cx\)

Undefined

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}x^2+18x+c\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}x^2+18x+c\)

Explanation:

To find the indefinite integral of our equation, we can use the reverse power rule.

To use the reverse power rule, we raise the exponent of the \(\displaystyle x\) by one and then divide by that new exponent.

Remember that, when taking the integral, we treat constants as that number times \(\displaystyle x^{0}\), since anything to the zero power is \(\displaystyle 1\). Treat \(\displaystyle 18\) as \(\displaystyle 18x^0\).

\(\displaystyle \int x+18{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{x^{1+1}}{1+1}+\frac{18x^{0+1}}{0+1}+c\)

When taking an integral, be sure to include a \(\displaystyle +c\)\(\displaystyle c\) stands for "constant". Since taking the derivative of a constant whole number will always equal \(\displaystyle 0\), we include the \(\displaystyle +c\) to anticipate the possiblity of the equation actually being \(\displaystyle x^2+5\) or \(\displaystyle x^2-100\) instead of just  \(\displaystyle x^2\).

\(\displaystyle \int x+18{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{x^{2}}{2}+\frac{18x^{1}}{1}+c\)

\(\displaystyle \int x+18{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{1}{2}x^2+18x+c\)

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors