How to Calculate Intergrals

The fundamental theorem of calculus says that derivatives and integrals are the opposite of each other. There is a straightforward way to calculate derivatives but calculating integrals is a much more difficult process. Usually the calculation starts with finding the anti-derivative, but there are some other tricks.

Things You'll Need

  • A good calculus book
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Instructions

    • 1

      Try to apply the fundamental theorem. If derivative (X) = Y, then integral(Y) = X. If you can find an expression whose derivative is the expression you want to take the integral of, you are done. This will be true in only the simplest cases, but it is the first thing to check.

    • 2

      Look at a table of integrals. A good calculus book will have these in an appendix. Often the most common forms are printed on the inside covers. If the function you want to integrate fits one of these forms, you are done.

    • 3

      Learn the techniques needed to extend the basic forms from the table of integrals. These techniques include integration by parts, by change of variables, and dozens more. All of these techniques are explained in a good calculus book.

    • 4

      A really easy way to calculate integrals, that almost always works, is to use one of the symbolic software packages. Two of these that are commonly available are Maple and Mathematica. If you have one of these, the calculation of most integrals is just a few keystrokes away.

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