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Mathematics LibreTexts

5.6: Integrals Involving Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

  • Gilbert Strang & Edwin “Jed” Herman
  • OpenStax

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Learning Objectives
  • Integrate functions involving exponential functions.
  • Integrate functions involving logarithmic functions.

Exponential and logarithmic functions are used to model population growth, cell growth, and financial growth, as well as depreciation, radioactive decay, and resource consumption, to name only a few applications. In this section, we explore integration involving exponential and logarithmic functions.

Integrals of Exponential Functions

The exponential function is perhaps the most efficient function in terms of the operations of calculus. The exponential function, y=ex, is its own derivative and its own integral.

Rule: Integrals of Exponential Functions

Exponential functions can be integrated using the following formulas.

exdx=ex+Caxdx=axlna+C

Example 5.6.1: Finding an Antiderivative of an Exponential Function

Find the antiderivative of the exponential function ex.

Solution

Use substitution, setting u=x, and then du=1dx. Multiply the du equation by 1, so you now have du=dx. Then,

exdx=eudu=eu+C=ex+C.

Exercise 5.6.1

Find the antiderivative of the function using substitution: x2e2x3.

Hint

Let u equal the exponent on e.

Answer

x2e2x3dx=16e2x3+C

A common mistake when dealing with exponential expressions is treating the exponent on e the same way we treat exponents in polynomial expressions. We cannot use the power rule for the exponent on e. This can be especially confusing when we have both exponentials and polynomials in the same expression, as in the previous checkpoint. In these cases, we should always double-check to make sure we’re using the right rules for the functions we’re integrating.

Example 5.6.2: Square Root of an Exponential Function

Find the antiderivative of the exponential function ex1+ex.

Solution

First rewrite the problem using a rational exponent:

ex1+exdx=ex(1+ex)1/2dx.

Using substitution, choose u=1+ex. Then, du=exdx. We have

ex(1+ex)1/2dx=u1/2du.

Then

u1/2du=u3/23/2+C=23u3/2+C=23(1+ex)3/2+C

A graph of the function f(x) = e^x * sqrt(1 + e^x), which is an increasing concave up curve, over [-3, 1]. It begins close to the x axis in quadrant two, crosses the y axis at (0, sqrt(2)), and continues to increase rapidly.
Figure 5.6.1: The graph shows an exponential function times the square root of an exponential function.
Exercise 5.6.2

Find the antiderivative of ex(3ex2)2.

Hint

Let u=3ex2.

Answer

ex(3ex2)2dx=19(3ex2)3+C

Example 5.6.3: Using Substitution with an Exponential Function

Use substitution to evaluate the indefinite integral 3x2e2x3dx.

Solution

Here we choose to let u equal the expression in the exponent on e. Let u=2x3 and du=6x2dx. Again, du is off by a constant multiplier; the original function contains a factor of 3x2, not 6x2. Multiply both sides of the equation by 12 so that the integrand in u equals the integrand in x. Thus,

3x2e2x3dx=12eudu.

Integrate the expression in u and then substitute the original expression in x back into the u-integral:

12eudu=12eu+C=12e2x3+C.

Exercise 5.6.3

Evaluate the indefinite integral 2x3ex4dx.

Hint

Let u=x4.

Answer

2x3ex4dx=12ex4+C

As mentioned at the beginning of this section, exponential functions are used in many real-life applications. The number e is often associated with compounded or accelerating growth, as we have seen in earlier sections about the derivative. Although the derivative represents a rate of change or a growth rate, the integral represents the total change or the total growth. Let’s look at an example in which integration of an exponential function solves a common business application.

A price–demand function tells us the relationship between the quantity of a product demanded and the price of the product. In general, price decreases as quantity demanded increases. The marginal price–demand function is the derivative of the price–demand function and it tells us how fast the price changes at a given level of production. These functions are used in business to determine the price–elasticity of demand, and to help companies determine whether changing production levels would be profitable.

Example 5.6.4: Finding a Price–Demand Equation

Find the price–demand equation for a particular brand of toothpaste at a supermarket chain when the demand is 50 tubes per week at $2.35 per tube, given that the marginal price—demand function, p(x), for x number of tubes per week, is given as

p(x)=0.015e0.01x.

If the supermarket chain sells 100 tubes per week, what price should it set?

Solution

To find the price–demand equation, integrate the marginal price–demand function. First find the antiderivative, then look at the particulars. Thus,

p(x)=0.015e0.01xdx=0.015e0.01xdx.

Using substitution, let u=0.01x and du=0.01dx. Then, divide both sides of the du equation by 0.01. This gives

0.0150.01eudu=1.5eudu=1.5eu+C=1.5e0.01x+C.

The next step is to solve for C. We know that when the price is $2.35 per tube, the demand is 50 tubes per week. This means

p(50)=1.5e0.01(50)+C=2.35.

Now, just solve for C:

C=2.351.5e0.5=2.350.91=1.44.

Thus,

p(x)=1.5e0.01x+1.44.

If the supermarket sells 100 tubes of toothpaste per week, the price would be

p(100)=1.5e0.01(100)+1.44=1.5e1+1.441.99.

The supermarket should charge $1.99 per tube if it is selling 100 tubes per week.

Example 5.6.5: Evaluating a Definite Integral Involving an Exponential Function

Evaluate the definite integral 21e1xdx.

Solution

Again, substitution is the method to use. Let u=1x, so du=1dx or du=dx. Then e1xdx=eudu.

Next, change the limits of integration. Using the equation u=1x, we have:

When x=1,u=1(1)=0,

and when x=2,u=1(2)=1.

The integral then becomes

21e1xdx=10eudu=01eudu=eu|01=e0(e1)=e1+1.

See Figure 5.6.2.

A graph of the function f(x) = e^(1-x) over [0, 3]. It crosses the y axis at (0, e) as a decreasing concave up curve and symptotically approaches 0 as x goes to infinity.
Figure 5.6.2: The indicated area can be calculated by evaluating a definite integral using substitution.
Exercise 5.6.4

Evaluate 20e2xdx.

Hint

Let u=2x.

Answer

1240eudu=12(e41)

Example 5.6.6: Growth of Bacteria in a Culture

Suppose the rate of growth of bacteria in a Petri dish is given by q(t)=3t, where t is given in hours and q(t) is given in thousands of bacteria per hour. If a culture starts with 10,000 bacteria, find a function Q(t) that gives the number of bacteria in the Petri dish at any time t. How many bacteria are in the dish after 2 hours?

Solution

We have

Q(t)=3tdt=3tln3+C.

Then, at t=0 we have Q(0)=10=1ln3+C, so C9.090 and we get

Q(t)=3tln3+9.090.

At time t=2, we have

Q(2)=32ln3+9.09017.282.

After 2 hours, there are 17,282 bacteria in the dish.

Exercise 5.6.5

From Example, suppose the bacteria grow at a rate of q(t)=2t. Assume the culture still starts with 10,000 bacteria. Find Q(t). How many bacteria are in the dish after 3 hours?

Hint

Use the procedure from Example 5.6.6 to solve the problem

Answer

Q(t)=2tln2+8.557.Q(3)20,099

So there are 20,099 bacteria in the dish after 3 hours.

Example 5.6.7: Fruit Fly Population Growth

Suppose a population of fruit flies increases at a rate of g(t)=2e0.02t, in flies per day. If the initial population of fruit flies is 100 flies, how many flies are in the population after 10 days?

Solution

Let G(t) represent the number of flies in the population at time t. Applying the net change theorem, we have

G(10)=G(0)+1002e0.02tdt=100+[20.02e0.02t]100=100+[100e0.02t]100=100+100e0.2100122.

There are 122 flies in the population after 10 days.

Exercise 5.6.6

Suppose the rate of growth of the fly population is given by g(t)=e0.01t, and the initial fly population is 100 flies. How many flies are in the population after 15 days?

Hint

Use the process from Example 5.6.7 to solve the problem.

Answer

There are 116 flies.

Example 5.6.8: Evaluating a Definite Integral Using Substitution

Evaluate the definite integral using substitution: 21e1/xx2dx.

Solution

This problem requires some rewriting to simplify applying the properties. First, rewrite the exponent on e as a power of x, then bring the x2 in the denominator up to the numerator using a negative exponent. We have

21e1/xx2dx=21ex1x2dx.

Let u=x1, the exponent on e. Then

du=x2dx

du=x2dx.

Bringing the negative sign outside the integral sign, the problem now reads

eudu.

Next, change the limits of integration:

u=(1)1=1

u=(2)1=12.

Notice that now the limits begin with the larger number, meaning we can multiply by 1 and interchange the limits. Thus,

1/21eudu=11/2eudu=eu|11/2=ee1/2=ee.

Exercise 5.6.7

Evaluate the definite integral using substitution: 211x3e4x2dx.

Hint

Let u=4x2.

Answer

211x3e4x2dx=18[e4e].

Integrals Involving Logarithmic Functions

Integrating functions of the form f(x)=x1 result in the absolute value of the natural log function, as shown in the following rule. Integral formulas for other logarithmic functions, such as f(x)=lnx and f(x)=logax, are also included in the rule.

Rule: Integration Formulas Involving Logarithmic Functions

The following formulas can be used to evaluate integrals involving logarithmic functions.

x1dx=ln|x|+Clnxdx=xlnxx+C=x(lnx1)+Clogaxdx=xlna(lnx1)+C

Example 5.6.9: Finding an Antiderivative Involving lnx

Find the antiderivative of the function 3x10.

Solution

First factor the 3 outside the integral symbol. Then use the u1 rule. Thus,

3x10dx=31x10dx=3duu=3ln|u|+C=3ln|x10|+C,x10.

See Figure 5.6.3.

A graph of the function f(x) = 3 / (x – 10). There is an asymptote at x=10. The first segment is a decreasing concave down curve that approaches 0 as x goes to negative infinity and approaches negative infinity as x goes to 10. The second segment is a decreasing concave up curve that approaches infinity as x goes to 10 and approaches 0 as x approaches infinity.
Figure 5.6.3: The domain of this function is x10.
Exercise 5.6.8

Find the antiderivative of 1x+2.

Hint

Follow the pattern from Example 5.6.9 to solve the problem.

Answer

1x+2dx=ln|x+2|+C

Example 5.6.10: Finding an Antiderivative of a Rational Function

Find the antiderivative of 2x3+3xx4+3x2.

Solution

This can be rewritten as (2x3+3x)(x4+3x2)1dx. Use substitution.

Let u=x4+3x2, then du=(4x3+6x)dx. Alter du by factoring out the 2. Thus,

du=(4x3+6x)dx=2(2x3+3x)dx

12du=(2x3+3x)dx.

Rewrite the integrand in u:

(2x3+3x)(x4+3x2)1dx=12u1du.

Then we have

12u1du=12ln|u|+C=12lnx4+3x2+C.

Example 5.6.11: Finding an Antiderivative of a Logarithmic Function

Find the antiderivative of the log function log2x.

Solution

Follow the format in the formula listed in the rule on integration formulas involving logarithmic functions. Based on this format, we have

log2xdx=xln2(lnx1)+C.

Exercise 5.6.9

Find the antiderivative of log3x.

Hint

Follow Example 5.6.11 and refer to the rule on integration formulas involving logarithmic functions.

Answer

log3xdx=xln3(lnx1)+C

Example 5.6.12 is a definite integral of a trigonometric function. With trigonometric functions, we often have to apply a trigonometric property or an identity before we can move forward. Finding the right form of the integrand is usually the key to a smooth integration.

Example 5.6.12: Evaluating a Definite Integral

Evaluate the definite integral ∫^{π/2}_0\dfrac{\sin x}{1+\cos x}\,dx.\nonumber

Solution

We need substitution to evaluate this problem. Let u=1+\cos x so du=−\sin x\,\,dx.

Rewrite the integral in terms of u, changing the limits of integration as well. Thus,

\begin{align*} u &= 1+\cos(0)=2 \\[4pt] u &=1+\cos \left(\dfrac{π}{2}\right)=1.\end{align*}

Then

\begin{align*}∫^{π/2}_0\dfrac{\sin x}{1+\cos x} &=−∫^1_2 u^{−1}\,du \\[4pt] &=∫^2_1u^{−1}\,du \\[4pt] &=\ln |u|\,\bigg|^2_1 \\[4pt] &=[\ln 2−\ln 1]=\ln 2 \end{align*}

Key Concepts

  • Exponential and logarithmic functions arise in many real-world applications, especially those involving growth and decay.
  • Substitution is often used to evaluate integrals involving exponential functions or logarithms.

Key Equations

  • Integrals of Exponential Functions

∫e^x\,dx=e^x+C \nonumber

\int a^x\,dx=\dfrac{a^x}{\ln a}+C \nonumber

  • Integration Formulas Involving Logarithmic Functions

∫x^{−1}\,dx=\ln |x|+C \nonumber

∫\ln x\,dx=x\ln x−x+C=x(\ln x−1)+C \nonumber

∫\log_a x\,dx=\dfrac{x}{\ln a}(\ln x−1)+C \nonumber


This page titled 5.6: Integrals Involving Exponential and Logarithmic Functions is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gilbert Strang & Edwin “Jed” Herman (OpenStax) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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