MathLab with Mr. Ahmed
MathLab with Mr. Ahmed is a math learning website by Ahmed Amasha, a mathematics teacher teaching the American curriculum. Explore Algebra 2, Precalculus, Calculus, and SAT and PSAT Math Prep through lessons, focused practice and printable resources.
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Ideas in this lesson
Idea 1 of 3
Antiderivatives and the integration constant
An indefinite integral describes a family of functions differing by a constant. Differentiate to check an antiderivative.
Worked example 1
Let F′(x)=2x and F(0)=1. Find F(1). - F(x)=22x2+C
- F(0)=C=1
- F(1)=22+1=2
Answer: 2
Worked example 2
Let F′(x)=3x2 and F(0)=2. Find F(1). - F(x)=33x3+C
- F(0)=C=2
- F(1)=33+2=3
Answer: 3
Idea 2 of 3
Reverse the power rule
Raise the power and divide by the new power when the exponent is not −1. The exponent −1 uses a logarithm.
Worked example 1
Evaluate ∫02xdx. - F(x)=2x2
- F(2)−F(0)=222−0=2
Answer: 2
Worked example 2
Evaluate ∫03x2dx. - F(x)=3x3
- F(3)−F(0)=333−0=9
Answer: 9
Idea 3 of 3
Trigonometric antiderivatives
Remember the signs: an antiderivative of sinx is −cosx, and an antiderivative of cosx is sinx.
Worked example 1
Evaluate ∫0π1sinxdx. - F(x)=−1cosx
- F(π)−F(0)=1−(−1)=2
Answer: 2
Worked example 2
Evaluate ∫02π2cosxdx. - F(x)=2sinx
- F(2π)−F(0)=2−0=2
Answer: 2
Resource alignment: Larson & Edwards, Calculus of a Single Variable, Tenth Edition, §4.1,p. 244. Explanations, diagrams and numerical practice variants are original MathLab content aligned to this section.