Exponential and Logarithmic Integrals

Integrals of Exponential Functions

  • The integration rules for exponential functions are the inverse of their differentiation rules.

  • Simple Exponential Rule: ∫ex dx=ex+C\int e^x \,dx = e^x + C

  • General Exponential Rule: Let uu be a differentiable function of xx. ∫eududx dx=∫eu du=eu+C\int e^u \frac{du}{dx} \,dx = \int e^u \,du = e^u + C

  • Integration Examples:

    • ∫2ex dx=2ex+C\int 2e^x \,dx = 2e^x + C

    • ∫2e2x dx\int 2e^{2x} \,dx: Let u=2xu = 2x, then dudx=2\frac{du}{dx} = 2. Result: e2x+Ce^{2x} + C

    • ∫(ex+x) dx=ex+x22+C\int (e^x + x) \,dx = e^x + \frac{x^2}{2} + C

    • ∫5xe−x2 dx\int 5x e^{-x^2} \,dx: Let u=−x2u = -x^2, then dudx=−2x\frac{du}{dx} = -2x. Factoring out constants yields −52∫eu du=−52e−x2+C-\frac{5}{2} \int e^u \,du = -\frac{5}{2} e^{-x^2} + C

The Log Rule for Integration

  • The Log Rule accounts for cases where the Power Rule for integration fails (n=−1n = -1).

  • General Log Rule: ∫1ududx dx=∫duu=ln⁡∣u∣+C\int \frac{1}{u} \frac{du}{dx} \,dx = \int \frac{du}{u} = \ln|u| + C

  • Integration Example:

    • ∫6xx2+1 dx\int \frac{6x}{x^2 + 1} \,dx: Factoring out a 33 to create the numerator 2x2x (the derivative of x2+1x^2 + 1) results in 3ln⁡(x2+1)+C3 \ln(x^2 + 1) + C.

Rewriting Before Integrating

  • Some integrands must be algebraically manipulated before applying the Exponential or Log Rules:

  • Splitting Fractions: ∫3x2+2x−1x2 dx=∫(3+2x−1x2) dx=3x+2ln⁡∣x∣+1x+C\int \frac{3x^2 + 2x - 1}{x^2} \,dx = \int (3 + \frac{2}{x} - \frac{1}{x^2}) \,dx = 3x + 2 \ln |x| + \frac{1}{x} + C

  • Multiplying by a Conjugate or Factor: To find ∫11+e−x dx\int \frac{1}{1 + e^{-x}} \,dx, multiply the numerator and denominator by exe^x to get ∫exex+1 dx=ln⁡(ex+1)+C\int \frac{e^x}{e^x + 1} \,dx = \ln(e^x + 1) + C.

  • Polynomial Division: For rational functions where the degree of the numerator is greater than or equal to the denominator: ∫x2+x+1x−1 dx=∫(x+2+3x−1) dx=x22+2x+3ln⁡∣x−1∣+C\int \frac{x^2 + x + 1}{x - 1} \,dx = \int (x + 2 + \frac{3}{x - 1}) \,dx = \frac{x^2}{2} + 2x + 3 \ln |x - 1| + C