If you know what \displaystyle \frac{dy}{dx} is then you can figure out what
y was by reversing the rules of differentiation. This
is called integration. Functions can be integrated by application of a set of
rules. Later in advanced mathematics these rules become a
major topic of study. You must use the notation accurately.
Summary/Background
Integration is the
reverse of differentiation. The integral of x^p is
written as \displaystyle\int x^p \, dx , which is read
as "the integral with respect to x" and is given by \displaystyle \frac{1}{p+1}x^{p+1} + c, p \ne -1.
The constant c is known as the "constant of integration", and should always be included when integrating. Omitting the constant of integration is a common error in examinations. You may lose marks in exams if you omit it. You may also find that later parts of a question cannot be completed if this constant was omitted earlier on.
Gottfried Leibniz (1 July 1646 - 14 Nov 1716) was a German mathematician who developed the present day notation for the differential and integral calculus though he never thought of the derivative as a limit. His philosophy is also important and he invented an early calculating machine.
The integral symbol ∫ was first used by Leibniz on October 29, 1675, in an unpublished manuscript. Several weeks later, on Nov. 21, he first placed dx after the integral symbol. Later in 1675, he proposed the use of the symbol in a letter to Henry Oldenburg, secretary of the Royal Society: "Utile erit scribi ∫ pro omnia, ut ∫l = omn. l, id est summa ipsorum l" [It will be useful to write ∫ for omn. so that ∫l = omn. l, or the sum of all the l's.] The first appearance of the integral symbol in print was in a paper by Leibniz in the Acta Eruditorum. The integral symbol was actually a long letter S for "summa."
The constant c is known as the "constant of integration", and should always be included when integrating. Omitting the constant of integration is a common error in examinations. You may lose marks in exams if you omit it. You may also find that later parts of a question cannot be completed if this constant was omitted earlier on.
Gottfried Leibniz (1 July 1646 - 14 Nov 1716) was a German mathematician who developed the present day notation for the differential and integral calculus though he never thought of the derivative as a limit. His philosophy is also important and he invented an early calculating machine.
The integral symbol ∫ was first used by Leibniz on October 29, 1675, in an unpublished manuscript. Several weeks later, on Nov. 21, he first placed dx after the integral symbol. Later in 1675, he proposed the use of the symbol in a letter to Henry Oldenburg, secretary of the Royal Society: "Utile erit scribi ∫ pro omnia, ut ∫l = omn. l, id est summa ipsorum l" [It will be useful to write ∫ for omn. so that ∫l = omn. l, or the sum of all the l's.] The first appearance of the integral symbol in print was in a paper by Leibniz in the Acta Eruditorum. The integral symbol was actually a long letter S for "summa."
Software/Applets used on this page
Glossary
calculus
the study of change; a major branch of mathematics that includes the study of limits, derivatives, rates of change, gradient, integrals, area, summation, and infinite series. Historically, it has been referred to as "the calculus of infinitesimals", or "infinitesimal calculus".
There are widespread applications in science, economics, and engineering.
There are widespread applications in science, economics, and engineering.
constant
a value in a formula or equation that cannot change.
constant of integration
the constant part of the indefinite integral of a given function
derivative
rate of change, dy/dx, f'(x), 
, Dx.
, Dx.differentiation
The process of finding a derivative.
integral
the anti-derivative
integration
the process of finding an integral, the reverse process to differentiation.
limit
the value that a function f(x) approaches as the variable x approaches a value such as 0 or infinity
union
The union of two sets A and B is the set containing all the elements of A and B.
This question appears in the following syllabi:
| Syllabus | Module | Section | Topic | Exam Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus AB (USA) | 4 | Integration | Rules | - |
| AP Calculus BC (USA) | 4 | Integration | Rules | - |
| AQA A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | C1 | Integration | Rules | - |
| AQA AS Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Integration | Integration Basics | - |
| AQA AS/A2 Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Integration | Integration Basics | - |
| CBSE XII (India) | Calculus | Integrals | Reverse process of differentiation | - |
| CCEA A-Level (NI) | C2 | Integration | Rules | - |
| CIE A-Level (UK) | P1 | Integration | Rules | - |
| Edexcel A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | C1 | Integration | Rules | - |
| Edexcel AS Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Integration | Integration Basics | - |
| Edexcel AS/A2 Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Integration | Integration Basics | - |
| I.B. Higher Level | 6 | Integration | Rules | - |
| I.B. Standard Level | 6 | Integration | Rules | - |
| Methods (UK) | M9 | Integration | Rules | - |
| OCR A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | C2 | Integration | Rules | - |
| OCR AS Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Integration | Integration Basics | - |
| OCR MEI AS Maths 2017 | Pure Maths | Integration | Integration Basics | - |
| OCR-MEI A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | C2 | Integration | Rules | - |
| Pre-U A-Level (UK) | 5 | Integration | Rules | - |
| Scottish (Highers + Advanced) | HM2 | Integration | Rules | - |
| Scottish Highers | M2 | Integration | Rules | - |
| Universal (all site questions) | I | Integration | Rules | - |
| WJEC A-Level (Wales) | C2 | Integration | Rules | - |