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Understanding the Proofs of Common Integration Formulas

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How to Prove Standard Integration Formulas with Examples

If a student aspires to become a successful engineer, then he or she should have a strong knowledge of integration. Integration is important in every step of engineering, from measuring cable lengths to planning long projects, integration is an integral part of Mathematics and very much important in this field of career. 

There are many significant integration formulas that are used for integrating many of the standard integrals. All the different Integration methods have their own merits and play a vital role in yielding proper end results. In this section, we will look at the different integrals of the typical functions. 


What is Integration? What is the Basic Formula of Integration?

Integration is generally the mixing of items that got separated earlier. If we consider the figure ∫ f(x)dx = F(x) + C, if F′(x)=f(x), ∫ is the integral symbol there. F(x) is the integrand, x is the variable, and C remains the constant of integration. 


How can one Differentiate Between Definite and Indefinite Integral?

When there are integrals with a specified upper limit and lower limit, then it is referred to as a definite integral. It is also called definite because it provides a precise answer at the end of every problem that is stated. As the definite integral exists on the curve and x-axis over a specified interval, it is obtained as positive, otherwise negative when below or above the x-axis.


While when we talk about the indefinite integral, it is specified in the general terms. It is in contrast to the referred integration form. The indefinite integral is considered as functions antiderivative, as its interpretation is not possible by the state of nature. The area of an interval cannot be judged easily depending on the general nature of integration.


Check out Some Integration Formulas Below.

  1. \[\int \frac{dx}{(x^{2} - a^{2})}\] = \[\frac{1}{2a}\] log |\[\frac{(x – a)}{(x + a)}\]| + C

  2. \[\int \frac{dx}{(a^{2} - x^{2})}\] = \[\frac{1}{2a}\] log |\[\frac{(a - x)}{(a + x)}\]| + C

Proofs of Integration Formulas Below:

1:  \[\int \frac{1}{(x^{2} - a^{2})}\] = \[\frac{1}{2a}\] log |\[\frac{(x - a)}{(x + a)}\]| + C

We know that,

\[\frac{1}{(x^{2} - a^{2})} = \frac{1}{(x - a)(x + a)} = \frac{1}{2a} [\frac{(x + a) - (x - a)}{(x - a)(x + a)}]\]

 Therefore, \[\frac{1}{2a}\] [1/(x – a) – 1/(x + a)]

Therefore it goes like,

\[\int \frac{dx}{(x^{2} – a^{2})} = \frac{1}{2a}\] [ \[\int \frac{dx}{(x – a)} – \int \frac{dx}{(x + a)}\]]

= \[\frac{1}{2a}\] [log |(x – a) – log |(x + a)] + C

= \[\frac{1}{2a}\] log |(x – a) / (x + a)| + C


2: \[\int \frac{1}{(a^{2} - x^{2})}\] = \[\frac{1}{2a}\] log |\[\frac{(a - x)}{(a + x)}\]| + C

We know,

\[\frac{1}{(a^{2} - x^{2})} = \frac{1}{(a - x)(a + x)} = \frac{1}{2a} [\frac{(a + x) + (a - x)}{(a - x)(a + x)}]\]


= \[\frac{1}{2a}\] [1/(a – x) + 1/(a + x)]

Hence,

\[\int \frac{dx}{(a^{2} - x^{2})} = \frac{1}{2a}\] [ \[\int \frac{dx}{(a - x)} - \int \frac{dx}{(a + x)}\]]

= \[\frac{1}{2a}\] [– log |(a – x) + log |(a + x)] + C

= 1/2a log |(a + x) / (a – x)| + C.



Differentiation Formulas

Integration Formulas

1. \[\frac{d}{dx} (x)\] = 1

1. \[\int 1dx\] = x + C

2. \[\frac{d}{dx} (ax)\] = a

2. \[\int adx\] = ax + C

3. \[\frac{d}{dx} (x^{n}) = nx^{n-1}\]

3. \[\int x^{n}dx = \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1}\] + C, n ≠ -1

4. \[\frac{d}{dx} (cosx)\] = -sinx

4. \[\int sinx dx\] = -cosx + C

5. \[\frac{d}{dx} (sinx)\] = cosx

5. \[\int cosx dx\] = sinx + C

6. \[\frac{d}{dx} (tanx) = sec^{2}x\]

6. \[\int sec^{2}xdx\] = tanx + C

7. \[\frac{d}{dx} (cotx) = -csc^{2}\]

7. \[\int csc^{2}xdx\] = - cotx + C

8. \[\frac{d}{dx} (secx)\] = secx tanx

8. \[\int secx(tanx)dx\] = secx + C

9. \[\frac{d}{dx} (cscx)\] = -cscx(cotx)

9. \[\int cscx(cotx)dx\] = - cscx + C

10. \[\frac{d}{dx} (ln x) = \frac{1}{x}\]

10. \[\int \frac{1}{x} dx\] = ln |x| + C 

11. \[\frac{d}{dx} (e^{x}) = e^{x}\]

11. \[\int e^{x} dx = e^{x}\] + C

12. \[\frac{d}{dx} (a^{x}) = (ln a)a^{x}\]

12. \[\int a^{x} dx = \frac{a^{x}}{ln a}\] + C, a > 0, a≠ 1

13. \[\frac{d}{dx} (sin^{-1}x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^{2}}}\]

13. \[\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^{2}}} dx = sin^{-1}x\] + C

14. \[\frac{d}{dx} (tan^{-1}x) = \frac{1}{1+x^{2}}\]

14. \[\int \frac{1}{1+x^{2}} dx = tan^{-1}x\] + C

15. \[\frac{d}{dx} (sec^{-1}x) = \frac{1}{|x|\sqrt{x^{2} - 1}}\]

15. \[\int \frac{1}{|x|\sqrt{x^{2}-1}} dx = sec^{-1}x\] + C


After looking at the integration formulas & proof we will solve an example now. 

Example 1:

Find out the integral of \[\frac{(x + 3)}{\sqrt{(5 – 4x + x^{2})}}\] with respect to x.

Solution:

We say,

W x + 3 = \[A\frac{d}{dx} \sqrt{(5 - 4x + x^{2})}\] + B = A (– 4 – 2x) + B 

After equating the coefficient we get,

A = – ½ and B = 1

So, \[\frac{(x + 3)}{\sqrt{(5 – 4x + x^{2})}}\]dx = – ½ \[\int (- 4 - 2x){\sqrt{(5 - 4x + x^{2})}}\] dx + \[\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{(5 - 4x + x^{2})}}\]


= – ½ I1 + I2 … (a)


Solving I1

We can substitute,

(5 – 4x + x2) = t, 

So, (– 4 – 2x) dx = dt. 

Hence
I1 = \[\int \frac{(– 4 – 2x)}{\sqrt{(5 – 4x + x^{2})}}\] dx = \[\int \frac{dt}{\sqrt{t}} = 2 \sqrt{t}\] + C1

= 2 \[\sqrt{(5 – 4x + x^{2})}\] + C1 … (b)

Solving I2

I2 = \[\frac{dx}{\sqrt{(5 – 4x + x^{2})}}\] = \[\int \frac{dx}{[9 – (x + 2)^{2}]}\]

After substituting,

(x + 2) = t, 

So, dx = dt.

Hence,

I2 = \[\int \frac{dt}{\sqrt{(3^{2} – t^{2})}}\] = sin–1 (t/3) + C2

= sin–1 [(x + 2) / 3] + C2 … (c)

After substituting (b) and (c) we can get,

\[\frac{(x + 3)}{\sqrt{(5 – 4x + x^{2})}}\]dx = – ½ I1 + I2

= – \[\sqrt{(5 – 4x + x^{2})}\] + sin–1 [(x + 2) / 3] + C … 

Where, C = C2 = C1/2.

After concentrating on the example let us look at some of the commonly asked questions on integration formulas.

FAQs on Understanding the Proofs of Common Integration Formulas

1. What is the proof of the power rule of integration?

The power rule of integration states that for n ≠ −1, ∫xn dx = xn+1/(n+1) + C.

The proof follows from differentiation:

  • Assume F(x) = xn+1/(n+1).
  • Differentiate: d/dx [xn+1/(n+1)] = xn.
  • Since differentiation returns the original function, the integral must be xn+1/(n+1) + C.
This proof is based on the inverse relationship between differentiation and integration.

2. Why is the integral of 1/x equal to ln|x| + C?

The integral of 1/x is ln|x| + C because the derivative of ln|x| is 1/x.

Proof idea:

  • Let F(x) = ln|x|.
  • Differentiate: d/dx [ln|x|] = 1/x for x ≠ 0.
  • Since differentiation of ln|x| gives 1/x, its integral must be ln|x| + C.
This is a special case where the power rule does not apply because n = −1.

3. How is the integration by parts formula proved?

The integration by parts formula is derived from the product rule of differentiation and is ∫u dv = uv − ∫v du.

Proof:

  • Start with the product rule: d(uv)/dx = u dv/dx + v du/dx.
  • Rewrite in differential form: d(uv) = u dv + v du.
  • Integrate both sides: ∫d(uv) = ∫u dv + ∫v du.
  • Simplify: uv = ∫u dv + ∫v du.
  • Rearrange to get ∫u dv = uv − ∫v du.
This formula is widely used in solving integrals involving products of functions.

4. How do you prove the substitution rule in integration?

The substitution rule is proved using the chain rule of differentiation and states that ∫f(g(x))g'(x) dx = ∫f(u) du.

Proof outline:

  • Let u = g(x).
  • Then du/dx = g'(x), so du = g'(x) dx.
  • Substitute into the integral: ∫f(g(x))g'(x) dx = ∫f(u) du.
This proof directly follows from reversing the chain rule.

5. What is the proof of the integral of ex?

The integral of ex is ex + C because the derivative of ex is itself.

Proof:

  • Let F(x) = ex.
  • Differentiate: d/dx [ex] = ex.
  • Since differentiation returns the same function, ∫ex dx = ex + C.
This unique property makes ex fundamental in calculus.

6. How is the integral of sin x proved?

The integral of sin x is −cos x + C because the derivative of −cos x equals sin x.

Proof steps:

  • Let F(x) = −cos x.
  • Differentiate: d/dx [−cos x] = sin x.
  • Since differentiation gives sin x, the integral must be −cos x + C.
This result follows directly from standard trigonometric derivatives.

7. What is the proof of the definite integral formula using limits?

The definite integralab f(x) dx is defined as the limit of Riemann sums: limn→∞ Σ f(xi)Δx.

Proof idea:

  • Divide [a, b] into n equal subintervals of width Δx.
  • Form rectangles with height f(xi).
  • Add areas: Σ f(xi)Δx.
  • Take the limit as n → ∞.
This establishes integration as the exact area under a curve.

8. Why does the constant of integration appear in indefinite integrals?

The constant of integration C appears because differentiation of any constant is zero.

Explanation:

  • If F'(x) = f(x), then (F(x) + C)' = f(x).
  • Different constants give the same derivative.
  • Therefore, the general solution must include +C.
This ensures all possible antiderivatives are represented.

9. How is the integral of cos x proved?

The integral of cos x is sin x + C because the derivative of sin x equals cos x.

Proof:

  • Let F(x) = sin x.
  • Differentiate: d/dx [sin x] = cos x.
  • Hence, ∫cos x dx = sin x + C.
This follows from basic trigonometric differentiation rules.

10. What is the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and how is it proved?

The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus states that if F'(x) = f(x), then ∫ab f(x) dx = F(b) − F(a).

Proof outline:

  • Define F(x) = ∫ax f(t) dt.
  • Using limits, show F'(x) = f(x).
  • Evaluate from a to b to obtain F(b) − F(a).
This theorem connects differentiation and definite integration into one unified concept.