2.

Logarithms
du
∫ =lnu+ c
u
The integrand involves a ratio of two functions where the numerator is the
differential of the denominator. In the same way as in the power formula, we will
convert the given integral in terms of a new auxiliary variable U. If the outcome /result
of conversion looks exactly the same as that of the formula above, (except for the
presence of some numerical/literal factor if there are) that means the numerator is a
complete differential of the denominator, in which case we can use the above formula.

dx
Example. 1. Evaluate ∫
( x +3)

Solution. Put the denominator to the variable u and obtain

du. Now examine or compare the obtained value of
du to the given numerator if they similar.
Let u = x + 3, du = dx. Here it seems that the
obtained value of du is exactly the same as the
du
given numerator, so after conversion we got, ∫
u
, which is also exactly the same as in the formula.
Thus, our answer will be ln u + c. substituting back
the variable x, we get ln (x + 3) + c.
= ln (x + 3) + c.

sec 2 4 x
2. Evaluate ∫ tan 4 x dx

Solution. Let us examine the given integrand by putting the

denominator to U and obtaining the corresponding
value of du.
Let u = tan 4x, du = 4 sec2 4x dx
du
=sec 2 4 x dx
4
Now, let us convert the given integrand with the
new variable u. replace the numerator (sec2 4x dx)
du
by its equivalent [ ], and the denominator by u.
4
du
4
∫ u . let us remove the factor 4 by applying
1 du
4∫ u
property #3, thus we get . Again, the
 integrand looks exactly the same as in the formula
1
above whose answer is ln u+c . Substituting back
4
1
the variable x, we get ln tan 4 x+ c .
4
1
= ln tan 4 x+ c
4

x 2−x
3. Evaluate ∫ dx
x+ 1

Solution. Here, the degree of the numerator is higher than

the degree of the denominator. This means that
the numerator is divisible by the denominator, so
we proceed to the indicated operation. By division
2
we get (x – 2 + ).
x+1

The integral is now written as

x 2−x 2
(
∫ x+ 1 dx = ∫ x−2+ x+1 dx )
We apply property #2,
dx
∫ x dx−2∫ dx +2∫ x+ 1
Then substitute back the variable x
1 2
= x −2 x +2 ln ( x+ 1 )+ c
2

NOTE: if the numerator is of higher degree than the denominator, divide the numerator
by the denominator then the remainder is evaluated using the formula
Logarithm.

2 dx
4. Evaluate ∫
3 x−4

Solution. Put the denominator to U then differentiate to

obtain the corresponding value of du.
Let u = 3x – 4, du = 3 dx. Since the numerator have
a numerical/constant factor other than the
derivative of the denominator, write that factor
before the integral sign. If, that number however,
happens to be a part or exactly the same as the
 derivative of the denominator, then consider it a
part of du. Replace the given integrand by the new
du
2 du
3 or
3∫ u
variable u and obtain whose
2∫
u
2
integral is ln u+ c . Finally, by substituting back
3
2
the variable x, we get ln (3 x −4)+c .
3
2
= ln (3 x −4)+c .
3

( x−3 ) dx
5. Evaluate ∫
x 2−6 x+ 1
Solution. Put the denominator to U then differentiate to
obtain the corresponding value of du.
Let u = x2 – 6x + 1, du = (2x – 6)dx or = 2(x –
du
3)dx so, (x – 3)dx = . Replacing the given
2
du
integrand by the new variable u, we get 2
∫ u . By
1 du 1
property #3, ∫ . The integral is: ln u+c .
2 u 2
Substituting back the variable x, we get
1
ln ( x 2−6 x +1 ) +c .
2
1
¿ ln ( x 2−6 x +1 ) +c
2

Exercises.
2
1. ∫ xx2+dx4
(1−2 x )2 dx
2. ∫ x
yd y
3. ∫ (1+ y 2 )4
( x +3) dx
4. ∫ x−1
cos x dx
5. ∫ 2+3 sinx
 sec x tan x dx
6. ∫ 2 sec x +3
ey d y
7. ∫ e y +4
( x ¿¿ 2−2) dx
8. ∫ x 3−6 x +2
¿

Reference:
Differential and Integral Calculus. (Love and Rainville)