Lesson 4: Antiderivative of a Function

I. Target Competencies:

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

1. illustrate an antiderivative of a function.
2. compute the general antiderivative of polynomial, radical, exponential, and trigonometric
functions
3. compute the antiderivative of a function using substitution rule.

Activity

Before going through this lesson, answer the activity first.

Find the derivative of the following functions.

1. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟓 − 𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝒙 + 𝟏

2. 2. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑐𝑠𝑐𝑥 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑥

A function 𝑭(𝒙) is an antiderivative of a function 𝒇(𝒙) if 𝑭′ (𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒙), for every 𝑥 in the
domain of 𝑓 (𝑥 ).
The operation or process obtaining an antiderivative is called antidifferentiation. The notation
𝑭′ (𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒙) means the derivative of the antiderivative 𝑭(𝒙) 𝒊𝒔 𝒇(𝒙).

Study the illustrations below.

1. Since the derivative of 𝑥 is 1, then 𝑥 is an antiderivative of 1. Note that (𝑥 + 4) is also an

antiderivative of 1 since the derivative of (𝑥 + 4) is also 1.
Thus, any function of the form 𝑥 + 𝐶, for any constant C, is an antiderivative of 1.

2. Since 8𝑥 7 is the derivative of 𝑥 8 , then 𝑥 8 is the antiderivative of 8𝑥 7 . Any function of the form
𝑥 8 + 𝑐, for an arbitrary constant C, is an antiderivative of 8𝑥 7 .
 The collection of all antiderivatives of f is called the indefinite integral of f with respect to x, denoted
by

∫ 𝒇(𝒙)𝒅𝒙.

The symbol ∫ is an integral sign. The function f is the integrand of the integral and the expression
𝑑𝑥 following the integrand f(x) remind us that the operation with respect to x.

Since the notation for antiderivative ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥, therefore,

∫ 𝒇(𝒙)𝒅𝒙 = 𝑭(𝒙) + 𝑪

In the previous illustrations, we can now write

1. ∫ 𝟏 𝒅𝒙 = 𝒙 + 𝑪

2. ∫ 𝟖𝒙𝟕 𝒅𝒙 = 𝒙𝟖 + 𝑪

Key points to Remember:

1. The notation ∫ 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒅𝒙 is called the indefinite integral of 𝒇(𝒙) with respect to x. An
antiderivative is the same as an indefinite integral.
2. 𝑭(𝒙) + 𝑪 can be interpreted as the family of antiderivatives of 𝒇(𝒙).
3. 𝑭(𝒙) + 𝑪 is called the general antiderivative of 𝒇(𝒙). If a specific value of C is
determined fro given conditions, the we obtain a particular antiderivative.
4. The symbol ∫ is called integral sign and denotes integration
5. f(x) is called the integrand. C is called the constant of integration.
6. The differential dx is always written as part of the integrand. This identifies the
variable used in antidifferentiation or integration.
 Basic Integration Rules

1. Constant Rule
∫ 𝒌 𝒅𝒙 = 𝒌𝒙 + 𝑪, 𝒌 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
2. Power
𝒏
𝒙𝒏+𝟏
∫ 𝒙 𝒅𝒙 = + 𝑪, 𝒏 ≠ −𝟏
𝒏+𝟏
3. Integral of 𝒆𝒙
∫ 𝒆𝒙 𝒅𝒙 = 𝒆𝒙 + 𝑪
4. Integral of 𝒙−𝟏
𝟏
∫ 𝒅𝒙 = 𝒍𝒏|𝒙| + 𝑪
𝒙
5. Integral of Exponential Function
𝟏 𝒌𝒙
∫ 𝒆𝒌𝒙 𝒅𝒙 = 𝒆 +𝑪
𝒌

Study the following examples.

Example 1: Find the following antiderivatives.

1. ∫ 𝟓 𝒅𝒙
2. ∫ 𝒙𝟓 𝒅𝒙
𝟓
3. ∫ 𝒙𝟐 𝒅𝒙
4. ∫ 𝒆𝟐𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝟏
5. ∫ 𝒆𝟒𝒙 𝒅𝒙
Solutions:
1. Apply the constant rule.
∫ 𝟓 𝒅𝒙 = 𝟓𝒙 + 𝑪
2. Apply the power rule with exponent 𝑛 = 5.
5
𝑥 5+1 𝒙𝟔
∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = +𝐶 = +𝑪
5+1 𝟔
 5
3. Apply the power rule with 𝑛 = 2.
5
5 𝑥 2+1
∫ 𝑥2 𝑑𝑥 = +𝐶
5
+ 1
2
7
𝑥2
= +𝐶
7
2
𝟐 𝟕
= 𝒙𝟐 + 𝑪
𝟕
4. Apply the integral of Exponential Function.
𝟏 𝟐𝒙
∫ 𝑒 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝒆 +𝑪
𝟐
5. Apply the integral of Exponential Function.

1
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑒 −4𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑒 4𝑥
𝟏 𝟏
= ∫ − 𝒆−𝟒𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒐𝒓 ∫ − 𝟒𝒙 + 𝑪
𝟒 𝟒𝒆

Sum or Difference Rule

For any two continuous functions f(x) and g(x),

a. ∫[𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)] 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒅𝒙 + ∫ 𝒈(𝒙) 𝒅𝒙

b. ∫[𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)] 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒅𝒙 − ∫ 𝒈(𝒙) 𝒅𝒙

Note the following:

• Unlike in differentiation, there are no properties for determining the antiderivative of a

product of two functions or the antiderivative of the quotient of two functions.
• Antiderivatives of polynomial functions can be determined using the sum or difference
rule.

Example 2:
Evaluate ∫(𝟕𝒙𝟑 − 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑) 𝒅𝒙

Solution:
Apply the sum and difference rules.
∫(7𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 3) 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 7𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥 − ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 + ∫ 3 𝑑𝑥
 = 7 ∫ 𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥 − ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 + 3 ∫ 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 3+1 𝑥 2+1
= 7( )− + 3𝑥 + 𝐶
3+1 2+1
𝟕 𝟏
= 𝒙𝟒 − 𝒙𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝑪
𝟒 𝟑

Example 3: 𝟏
Find ∫ (𝟑𝒆−𝟐𝒙 + 𝒙 − 𝟐𝒙) 𝒅𝒙

Solution:
1
= ∫ 3𝑒 −2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 − ∫ 𝑑𝑥
2𝑥
1 1
= 3 ∫ 𝑒 −2𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 − ∫ 𝑑𝑥
2 𝑥
2
1 𝑥 1
= 3 (− ) (𝑒 −2𝑥 ) + − 𝑙𝑛|𝑥 | + 𝐶
2 2 2
𝟑 −𝟐𝒙 𝟏 𝟐 𝟏
=− 𝒆 + 𝒙 − 𝒍𝒏|𝒙| + 𝑪
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

Example 4: (𝒙𝟐 −𝟏)(𝟐𝒙+𝟑)

Find ∫ [ ] 𝒅𝒙.
𝒙

Solution:
Simplify first the expression, and then apply the appropriate rules of antidifferentiation.

(𝑥 2 − 1)(2𝑥 + 3) 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3
∫[ ] 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 𝑥2
2 3
= ∫ (2𝑥 + 3 − − 2 ) 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 𝑥
1 1
= 2 ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 3 ∫ 𝑑𝑥 − 2 ∫ 𝑑𝑥 − 3 ∫ 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 𝑥
2 −2+1
𝑥 𝑥
= 2 ( ) + 3𝑥 − 2𝑙𝑛|𝑥 | − 3 ( )+𝐶
2 −2 + 1
= 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟐 𝒍𝒏|𝒙| + 𝟑𝒙−𝟏 + 𝑪
 Integration by Substitution
If 𝑢 = 𝑔(𝑥) is a differentiable function whose range is an interval I, and if f is a function defined
on I, then
∫ 𝒇(𝒈(𝒙)) 𝒈′ (𝒙) 𝒅𝒙 = ∫ 𝒇(𝒖)𝒅𝒖

Guidelines for making a Change of Variables

• Choose a new variable u: a common choice is the innermost expression or

“inside” term of a composition function.
• Compute 𝒅𝒖 = 𝒈′ (𝒙)𝒅𝒙.
• Replace all terms in the original integrand with expressions involving u and du.
• Evaluate the resulting (u) integral. If still you cant evaluate the integral, try a
different choice of u.
• Replace each occurrence of u in the antiderivative with the corresponding
expression in x.

Example 5: Evaluate ∫ √2𝑥 + 1 𝑑𝑥

Solution:
We use the appropriate substitution 𝒖 = 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏 for the “inner function”. Then calculate the
𝒅𝒖
differential du to be 𝒅𝒖 = 𝟐 𝒅𝒙. Now, using √𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏 = 𝒖 and 𝒅𝒙 = , substitute to obtain
𝟐

1
∫ √2𝑥 + 1 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ √𝑢 ( 𝑑𝑢)
2
1 1
= ∫ 𝑢2 𝑑𝑢
2
1
1 𝑢2+1
= ( )+𝐶
2 1+1
2
3
1 𝑢2
= ( )+𝐶
2 3
2
1 3
= 𝑢2 + 𝐶
3
𝟏 𝟑
= (𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏)𝟐 + 𝑪
𝟑
 Example 6: Evaluate ∫ 𝑥 2 (𝑥 − 4)8 𝑑𝑥.

Solution:
Let 𝒖=𝒙−𝟒
𝒅𝒖 = 𝒅𝒙
Since we have an “outer function” 𝑥 2 , we need to transform this into terms of u.
𝒖= 𝒙−𝟒
𝒙 =𝒖+𝟒

Replace the integrand in terms of u. Then, multiply and apply the properties and rules of
integration.
∫ 𝑥 2 (𝑥 − 4)8 𝑑𝑥 = ∫(𝑢 + 4)2 𝑢8 𝑑𝑢

= ∫(𝑢2 + 8𝑢 + 16) 𝑢8 𝑑𝑢

= ∫(𝑢10 + 8𝑢9 + 16𝑢8 ) 𝑑𝑢

= ∫ 𝑢10 𝑑𝑢 + 8 ∫ 𝑢9 𝑑𝑢 + 16 ∫ 𝑢8 𝑑𝑢
𝑢10+1 𝑢9+1 𝑢8+1
= + 8( ) + 16 ( )+𝐶
10 + 1 9+1 8+1
𝑢11 𝑢10 𝑢9
= + 8 ( ) + 16 ( ) + 𝐶
11 10 9
𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟎
(𝒙 − 𝟒) 𝟒 ( 𝒙 − 𝟒) 𝟏𝟔(𝒙 − 𝟒)𝟗
= + + +𝑪
𝟏𝟏 𝟓 𝟗
𝟑𝒙
Example 7: Evaluate ∫ 𝒙𝟐 −𝟏𝟎 𝒅𝒙.

Solution:
Let 𝒖 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎
Then, 𝒅𝒖 = 𝟐𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝒅𝒖
= 𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝟐
𝟏
Write the integrand in term of u then use the integral of 𝒙−𝟏 𝒐𝒓 𝒙.

3𝑥 𝑥𝑑𝑥
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = 3 ∫
𝑥 2 − 10 𝑥2 − 1
𝑑𝑢
= 3∫ 2
𝑢
𝑑𝑢 1
= 3∫ ( )
2 𝑢
 3 1
= ∫ 𝑑𝑢
2 𝑢
3
= 𝑙𝑛 |𝑢| + 𝐶
2
𝟑
= 𝐥𝐧|𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎| + 𝑪
𝟐

Below are the formulas for integrals involving trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric
functions, exponential, and logarithmic functions.

Table of Integrals
 Let us apply some of the formulas in the following examples.

Example 8 Find ∫ 𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑) 𝒅𝒙.

Solution:
Use the appropriate substitution to transform the integrand in terms of u and use Formula 2 to
integrate cosine.
Let 𝒖 = 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑
𝒅𝒖 = 𝟐𝒅𝒙
𝒅𝒖
= 𝒅𝒙
𝟐

Substitute these in the given integrand.

𝑑𝑢
∫ 𝑐𝑜𝑠(2𝑥 + 3) 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ cos 𝑢 ( )
2
1
= ∫ cos 𝑢 𝑑𝑢
2
1
= sin 𝑢 + 𝑐
2
𝟏
= 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑) + 𝑪
𝟐
𝒆𝒙
Example 9 Evaluate ∫ 𝒅𝒙.
𝟑𝟐𝒙 +𝟏

Solution:
𝒆𝒙
The integrand can be written as ∫ (𝒆𝒙 )𝟐 +𝟏𝟐 𝒅𝒙. Use Formula 15 by using the substitution 𝒖 = 𝒆𝒙
and 𝒂 = 𝟏.

Let 𝒖 = 𝒆𝒙
𝒅𝒖 = 𝒆𝒙 𝒅𝒙

Substitute these in the integrand.

𝑒𝑥 𝑑𝑢
∫ 𝑥 2 2
𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 2
(𝑒 ) + 1 𝑢 + 𝑎2
1 𝑢
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( ) + 𝐶
1 1
𝑥
𝑒
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( ) + 𝐶
1
= 𝒕𝒂𝒏−𝟏 (𝒆𝒙 ) + 𝑪
 𝝅 𝝅
Example Evaluate ∫ 𝟒 𝒔𝒆𝒄 (𝟑 𝒙) 𝒕𝒂𝒏 ( 𝟑 𝒙) 𝒅𝒙.
10
Solution:
By looking at the table of integrals, we can say that the given integrand is closely resembles
Formula 7. Use an appropriate substitution to transform the integrand in terms of u.

𝝅
Let 𝒖 = 𝟑𝒙
𝝅
𝒅𝒖 = 𝒅𝒙
𝟑
𝟑
𝒅𝒖 = 𝒅𝒙
𝝅

Substitute these in the integrand.

𝜋 𝜋 3
∫ 4 𝑠𝑒𝑐 ( 𝑥) 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( 𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = 4 ∫ sec (𝑢) tan (𝑢) ( 𝑑𝑢)
3 3 𝜋
12
= ∫ sec (𝑢) tan (𝑢) 𝑑𝑢
𝜋
12
= (sec 𝑢) + 𝐶
𝜋
𝟏𝟐 𝝅
= [𝒔𝒆𝒄 ( 𝒙)] + 𝑪
𝝅 𝟑