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Class 12 · Mathematics · Part 2

Chapter 7: Integrals

Revision notes, worked problems, a question bank, assertion and reason questions and answers to the NCERT exercises. Tap a group to open it; opening one closes the others.

7.2Integration as the inverse of differentiationAntiderivatives, C, and the standard table

What an integral is

If d/dx F(x) = f(x), then F is an antiderivative of f and we write

∫ f(x) dx = F(x) + C
  • C is the constant of integration; it can be any real number, so a function has infinitely many antiderivatives that differ by constants.
  • Geometrically, ∫ f(x) dx is a family of curves, each a vertical shift of another, all with slope f(x) at each x.
  • To check an answer, differentiate it: you must get back the integrand.
xy−2−112−11234Ox = 1y = x²/2 + CEvery curve has the same slopedy/dx = x at each x.∫ x dx = x²/2 + Cis the whole family.C = 1C = 0C = −1 (dashed)
An indefinite integral is a family of curves that differ by a vertical shift. The constant C picks one curve out.

Standard integrals

FunctionIntegral
xⁿ (n ≠ −1)xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1) + C
1/xlog|x| + C
eˣeˣ + C
aˣaˣ/log a + C
sin x, cos x−cos x + C, sin x + C
sec²x, cosec²xtan x + C, −cot x + C
sec x tan x, cosec x cot xsec x + C, −cosec x + C
1/√(1 − x²)sin⁻¹x + C
1/(1 + x²)tan⁻¹x + C
tan x, cot xlog|sec x| + C, log|sin x| + C
sec x, cosec xlog|sec x + tan x| + C, log|cosec x − cot x| + C

Properties

  • ∫ [f(x) + g(x)] dx = ∫ f(x) dx + ∫ g(x) dx.
  • ∫ k f(x) dx = k ∫ f(x) dx for a constant k.
  • ∫ f(ax + b) dx = F(ax + b)/a + C, where F is an antiderivative of f. (This handles sin 3x, e²ˣ, (2x + 1)⁵ and so on.)

Always keep +C for an indefinite integral and drop it for a definite one.

7.3Methods of integrationSubstitution, partial fractions, by parts

Integration by substitution

Put t = g(x) so that dt = g′(x) dx. Then

∫ f(g(x)) g′(x) dx = ∫ f(t) dt
  • Spot the pair: a function and (a multiple of) its derivative. Examples: 2x/(1 + x²), sin⁴x cos x, 1/(x log x).
  • Integrate in t, then replace t by g(x).
  • Useful results: ∫ f′/f dx = log|f| + C, ∫ tan x dx = log|sec x| + C.
∫ f(g(x)) g′(x) dxstartt = g(x), dt = g′(x) dxsubstitute∫ f(t) dt = F(t) + Cintegrate in tF(g(x)) + Cput t backChoose g(x) so that g′(x) dx appears in the integrand. Change the limits too if the integral is definite.
Substitution is the chain rule run backwards.

Trigonometric identities that help

IntegrandRewrite using
sin²x, cos²x(1 − cos 2x)/2, (1 + cos 2x)/2
sin³x, cos³xsplit off one factor: sin³x = sin x (1 − cos²x)
sin mx cos nxproduct to sum: ½[sin(m + n)x + sin(m − n)x]
tan²x, cot²xsec²x − 1, cosec²x − 1

Standard forms with a quadratic

IntegralResult
∫ dx/(x² − a²)(1/2a) log|(x − a)/(x + a)| + C
∫ dx/(a² − x²)(1/2a) log|(a + x)/(a − x)| + C
∫ dx/(x² + a²)(1/a) tan⁻¹(x/a) + C
∫ dx/√(x² − a²)log|x + √(x² − a²)| + C
∫ dx/√(a² − x²)sin⁻¹(x/a) + C
∫ dx/√(x² + a²)log|x + √(x² + a²)| + C

For px + q over ax² + bx + c, complete the square, or write px + q = A·(derivative of the quadratic) + B and split.

Partial fractions

For a proper rational function P(x)/Q(x) split the denominator into factors, then match:

Factor in the denominatorPartial fraction
(x − a)A/(x − a)
(x − a)²A/(x − a) + B/(x − a)²
(x − a)(x − b)A/(x − a) + B/(x − b)
x² + bx + c (irreducible)(Ax + B)/(x² + bx + c)
  • If the degree of the numerator is at least that of the denominator, divide first.
  • Find the constants with the cover-up trick (put the root in the rest of the fraction) or by comparing coefficients.

Integration by parts

From the product rule:

∫ u v dx = u ∫ v dx − ∫ (u′ ∫ v dx) dx
  • Choose u in the order I L A T E: Inverse trig, Logarithmic, Algebraic, Trigonometric, Exponential. The other factor is v.
  • For a single function such as log x or tan⁻¹x take v = 1.
  • For eˣ sin x type integrals, apply parts twice and solve for the integral.
  • Special result: ∫ eˣ [f(x) + f′(x)] dx = eˣ f(x) + C.

Integrals of √ forms

IntegralResult
∫ √(a² − x²) dx(x/2)√(a² − x²) + (a²/2) sin⁻¹(x/a) + C
∫ √(x² − a²) dx(x/2)√(x² − a²) − (a²/2) log|x + √(x² − a²)| + C
∫ √(x² + a²) dx(x/2)√(x² + a²) + (a²/2) log|x + √(x² + a²)| + C

If the quantity under the root is ax² + bx + c, complete the square first.

7.4Definite integralsArea, the Fundamental Theorem and the properties

Definition and the Fundamental Theorem

The definite integral is the limit of sums of thin strips, and it equals the area under the curve when f ≥ 0:

∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx = F(b) − F(a)
  • F is any antiderivative of f; C cancels, so it is not written.
  • d/dx ∫ₐˣ f(t) dt = f(x) (first form of the Fundamental Theorem).
xy1212345Ox = 2Area under y = x² from 0 to 2rectangles: 8 strips, width 1/4sum of strips ≈ 2.19∫₀² x² dx = [x³/3]₀² = 8/3≈ 2.67, the limit as strips narrow
A definite integral is the limit of such sums as the strips become thinner. The Fundamental Theorem evaluates it as F(b) − F(a).

Substitution in a definite integral

  • Put t = g(x) and change the limits: x = a becomes t = g(a), x = b becomes t = g(b).
  • Then integrate in t between the new limits. No need to go back to x.

Example: ∫₀¹ x/(x² + 1) dx: t = x² + 1, limits 1 to 2, giving ½ ∫₁² dt/t = ½ log 2.

Properties of definite integrals

Property
P₀∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx = ∫ₐᵇ f(t) dt
P₁∫ₐᵇ f dx = −∫ᵇₐ f dx, and ∫ₐᵃ f dx = 0
P₂∫ₐᵇ f dx = ∫ₐᶜ f dx + ∫ᶜᵇ f dx (split at c)
P₃∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx = ∫ₐᵇ f(a + b − x) dx
P₄∫₀ᵃ f(x) dx = ∫₀ᵃ f(a − x) dx
P₅∫₀²ᵃ f dx = ∫₀ᵃ f dx + ∫₀ᵃ f(2a − x) dx
P₆∫₀²ᵃ f dx = 2∫₀ᵃ f dx if f(2a − x) = f(x), and 0 if f(2a − x) = −f(x)
P₇∫₋ₐᵃ f dx = 2∫₀ᵃ f dx if f is even, and 0 if f is odd
f(x)f(a + b − x)abx = (a + b)/2P₃∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx = ∫ₐᵇ f(a + b − x) dxThe second graph is the first onereflected in x = (a + b)/2,so the areas match.
Property P₃ is a reflection. It is the key to many 'add the two forms' problems.
even: f(−x) = f(x)∫₋ₐᵃ f dx = 2∫₀ᵃ f dx−aaodd: f(−x) = −f(x)∫₋ₐᵃ f dx = 0−aa
Check for even or odd symmetry before integrating over [−a, a]. It can save the whole calculation.

When to use which property

  • Limits symmetric (−a to a): think P₇ first (even or odd).
  • Integrand contains a sum like sin x + cos x in the denominator over 0 to π/2: use P₃ or P₄, then add the two forms to get 2I.
  • |x − c| or a piecewise function: split at the point where the expression changes sign (P₂).
  • Limits 0 to 2a or 0 to π with f(2a − x) = ±f(x): use P₆.
RefQuick reference and common slipsOne page to revise from

Quick reference

SituationTry
f′(x)/f(x)log|f(x)| + C
Function and its derivative presentsubstitution t = g(x)
Rational functiondivide, then partial fractions
Product of unlike functionsby parts, I L A T E
eˣ times (f + f′)eˣ f(x) + C
√(quadratic)complete the square, then a √ standard form
∫ₐᵇ with a sum of two similar partsP₃ or P₄, then add

Common slips

  • Forgetting + C in an indefinite integral.
  • Using xⁿ⁺¹/(n + 1) for n = −1 (the answer is log|x|).
  • Not changing the limits after a substitution in a definite integral.
  • Missing the 1/a factor in ∫ f(ax + b) dx.
  • Integrating |x − c| without splitting at c.
  • Applying the odd or even property when the limits are not symmetric.