TOPIC 1

The Indefinite Integral

From the preceding topics, we know that by differentiation, a derivative or differential is

obtained from a given function. Suppose the derivative (or differential) of a function is given, how can
the function be found? For instance, what function has for its derivative 3𝑥 2 or for its differential
𝑑
3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 ? From our experience with differentiation, we know that 𝑑𝑥
(𝑥)3 = 3𝑥 2 or 𝑑 (𝑥 3 ) = 3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 .
Hence our answer to the question above is 𝑥 3 . But that is not the only possible answer. Recalling that
the derivative or differential of a constant is zero, we may also give the following functions as valid
answers:

𝑥3 + 4

𝑥 3 − 15

𝑥 3 + √2

Thus, we see that there is no unique answer to the question above. However, one thing quite
noticeable from the possible answers above is that, pairwise, that if two functions have the same
derivative, their difference is a constant. Thus if we let C be any constant, then we may write 𝑥 3 +
𝐶 as our general answer.

The function 𝑥 3 + 𝐶 is called the antiderivative or the integral of 3𝑥 2 . The process of finding
the antiderivative is called antidifferentiation.In this subject, we shall use the term integral in place of
antiderivative and integration instead of antidifferentiation. We may define integration as the process
of finding the function whose derivative or differential is given.

To denote the process of integration, the symbol ∫ 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑. Since 𝑑(𝑥 3 + 𝐶) = 3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥, then
the statement “the integral of 3𝑥 2 𝑖𝑠 𝑥 3 + 𝐶 “ can be expressed symbolically as

∫ 3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥 3 + 𝐶

Since C has no known value, the expression ∫ 3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 is called an indefinite integral. In general,
the indefinite integral of a function f(x) is denoted by ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 and defined symbolically as follows:

(Eqn. 1) ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝐹(𝑥) + 𝐶 if dF (x) = f(x)dx

We call the symbol ∫ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛, * f(x) the integrand, C the constant of integration and
F(x) + C the value of the indefinite integral∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥. The differential dx indicates that x is the variable
of integration.

Integral Calculus | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 1

 As symbols of operation, d and ∫ 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 to each other. Let us see what happens if d
precedes ∫ 𝑜𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 it follows ∫. Suppose f(x) and F(x) are functions whose relationship is given by

𝑑𝐹(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥

Integrating both sides

∫ 𝑑𝐹(𝑥) = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥

Comparing the above formula and equation 1, we conclude that

(Eqn. 2) ∫ 𝑑𝐹(𝑥) = 𝐹(𝑥) + 𝐶

The result above tells us that integrating the differential of a function gives that function plus
an arbitrary constant.

Thus

∫ 𝑑(𝑥 3 ) = 𝑥 3 + 𝐶

∫ 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑦 + 𝐶

∫ 𝑑(sin 𝑥) = sin 𝑥 + 𝐶

When d precedes ∫, by definition we have

∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝐹(𝑥) + 𝐶 𝑖𝑓 𝑑𝐹 (𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥

Differentiating both sides, we get

𝑑 ∫ 𝑓(𝑋)𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝐹(𝑥)

Replacing 𝑑𝐹 (𝑥) 𝑏𝑦 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥, we obtain

(Eqn. 3) 𝑑 ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥

The result above tells us that when d precedes ∫, they annual each other. For example,

𝑑 ∫ 3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥

𝑑 ∫ sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑥

REFERENCE: Differential & Integral Calculus by Feliciano and Uy

Integral Calculus | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 2