Arnaud Nougues – Math Tutoring
Integration and Primitives Essentials
1. Introduction
Integrals together with derivatives are fundamental objects in Calculus; a very clear
conceptual understanding of these is a must. This chapter summarizes the principles
of integration and the link between integrals and primitives.
2. DEFINITE INTEGRAL - DEFINITION
Let f denote a continuous and positive function on an interval [a, b].
By definition the Definite Integral of f between a and b, denoted by ∫ab f or ∫ab f(t)dt,
is the area between the f curve and the abscissa axis, delimited by a and b.
It is called a “definite” integral because of its dependence on the two given constants a
and b.
The concept can be extended to a non-positive function, bearing in mind that areas in
the negative portions of the function are negative.
3. INDEFINITE INTEGRAL or PRIMITIVE
The Indefinite Integral or Primitive is a generalization of the Definite Integral. It is a
function (as opposed to a definite value) depending on a variable, say x, which
replaces the constant value b.
Notation: F(x) = ∫ax f also written as ∫ax f(t)dt
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Arnaud Nougues – Math Tutoring
KEY PROPERTIES OF PRIMITIVES
F’(x) = f(x): given that F(x) = ∫ax f , then the derivative of F is f ; the primitive
can be looked at as the “inverse” of the derivative.
If F is a primitive of f then F plus any constant is also a primitive of f, since
the derivative of a constant is 0; so there is an infinite number of primitives of
a given function f all differing by a constant term.
∫ab f = F(b) – F(a): formula to calculate a Definite Integral as the difference
of the primitive at two given points b and a.
IN SUMMARY
4. EXAMPLE APPLICATIONS
1- Direct calculation of ∫ab f for a given function f
∫ab f = F(b) – F(a) where F is the primitive of f .
It is then just a matter of identifying F given the function f, based on the knowledge of
derivatives of common functions provided one of them is applicable.
Simple example:
f(x) = x ; find ∫ab f = ∫ab x
Derivative of x2 is 2x, therefore derivative of x2/2 is x
Primitive de f(x) : F(x) = x2/2
∫ab f = b2/2 – a2/2
2- Integration by parts: a useful technique for finding the integral of a function
when expressed as a product uv’ where v’ is a derivative of which we know
the primitive.
Formula: ∫ uv’= uv - ∫ u’v
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Arnaud Nougues – Math Tutoring
Example 1: ∫ x cos(x)
u=x v’ = cos(x)
⇒ ∫ x cos(x) = x sin(x) - ∫ sin(x) = x sin(x) + cos(x) + constant
u’ = 1 v = sin(x)
Example 2: ∫ x ln(x)
u = ln(x) v’ = x
⇒ ∫ x ln(x) = x2 ln(x)/2 - ∫(1/x) (x2/2) = x2 ln(x)/2 - ∫ x/2 = x2
u’ = 1/x v = x2/2
ln(x)/2 - x2/4 + constant
function when expressed as a product of a composite function g ∘ f (x) = g
3- Integration by substitution: a useful technique for finding the integral of a
[f(x)] and of the derivative of f.
Formulae: ∫ g [ f(x)] f’(x) dx = ∫ g(y) dy
after substituting f(x) for y and f’(x) dx for dy.
Example: ∫ sin(√x) / √x dx
y = √x
⇒ ∫ sin(√x) / √x dx = ∫ sin(y) * (2 dy) = 2 ∫ sin(y) dy = -2 cos(y) = -2
dy = 1 / 2√x dx
cos(√x) + constant
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