Integral Calculator

Calculate definite and indefinite integrals with step-by-step solutions

Supported: +, -, *, /, ^, sin, cos, tan, exp, ln, sqrt

Function Syntax Reference

Basic: x^2, 2*x, 1/x, sqrt(x), pi
Trig: sin(x), cos(x), tan(x), asin(x)
Exp/Log: e^x, exp(x), ln(x), log(x,b)
Hyperbolic: sinh(x), cosh(x), tanh(x)

Common Integral Formulas

∫xndx= xn+1/(n+1) + C
∫exdx= ex + C
∫1/x dx= ln|x| + C
∫sin(x)dx= -cos(x) + C
∫cos(x)dx= sin(x) + C

📚 Understanding Integrals

What is an Integral?

An integral is the reverse operation of differentiation (finding antiderivatives). Geometrically, a definite integral represents the area under a curve between two points. In physics, integrals represent accumulation: distance is the integral of velocity, and work is the integral of force.

Types of Integrals

1. Indefinite Integral (Antiderivative):

∫f(x)dx = F(x) + C

Represents a family of functions whose derivative is f(x). The constant C accounts for all possible vertical shifts.

2. Definite Integral:

ab f(x)dx = F(b) - F(a)

Represents the exact area under the curve f(x) from x=a to x=b. Uses the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Part 1: If F(x) = ∫ax f(t)dt, then F'(x) = f(x)

Part 2: If F'(x) = f(x), then ∫ab f(x)dx = F(b) - F(a)

This theorem connects differentiation and integration as inverse operations, providing a systematic way to evaluate definite integrals.

Integration Techniques

1. Power Rule for Integration:

∫xndx = xn+1/(n+1) + C   (n ≠ -1)

Example: ∫x³dx = x⁴/4 + C

2. U-Substitution (Chain Rule Reversed):

Let u = g(x), then du = g'(x)dx

Example: ∫2x·cos(x²)dx, let u = x², du = 2x dx → ∫cos(u)du = sin(u) + C = sin(x²) + C

3. Integration by Parts:

∫u dv = uv - ∫v du

Example: ∫x·exdx, let u = x, dv = exdx → x·ex - ∫exdx = x·ex - ex + C

4. Partial Fractions:

Decompose rational functions into simpler fractions

Example: ∫1/(x²-1)dx = ∫[1/2(1/(x-1)) - 1/2(1/(x+1))]dx

Riemann Sums & Approximation

Before learning the Fundamental Theorem, integrals were approximated using Riemann sums - dividing the area into rectangles and summing their areas:

Left Riemann Sum

Uses left endpoint of each subinterval

Right Riemann Sum

Uses right endpoint of each subinterval

Midpoint Rule

Uses middle of each subinterval (more accurate)

Trapezoidal Rule

Uses trapezoids instead of rectangles

As the number of rectangles approaches infinity (width → 0), the Riemann sum converges to the exact integral value. Try the interactive Riemann sum visualization above to see this in action!

Applications of Integrals

📏 Area Calculations

Find areas between curves, areas of irregular shapes, and regions bounded by multiple functions.

🌊 Volumes of Revolution

Calculate volumes by rotating curves around axes using disk, washer, or shell methods.

🚀 Physics Applications

Work = ∫F·dx, Center of Mass, Fluid Pressure, Arc Length, and more.

💵 Economics

Consumer/Producer Surplus, Total Revenue from Marginal Revenue, Present Value of Income Streams.

📊 Probability & Statistics

Probability density functions, Expected values, Normal distribution calculations.

📈 Accumulation

Total distance from velocity, Total growth from rate of change, Net change problems.

Important Properties

  • Linearity: ∫[af(x) + bg(x)]dx = a∫f(x)dx + b∫g(x)dx
  • Additivity:ac f(x)dx = ∫ab f(x)dx + ∫bc f(x)dx
  • Reversal:ab f(x)dx = -∫ba f(x)dx
  • Zero Width:aa f(x)dx = 0
  • Constant Multiple: ∫k·f(x)dx = k·∫f(x)dx

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