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5: Investigating Integrals

  • Page ID
    175484
    • Gilbert Strang & Edwin “Jed” Herman
    • OpenStax

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    • 5.1: Antiderivatives and Indefinite Integrals
      This section introduces antiderivatives and indefinite integrals, explaining the process of reversing differentiation to find the original function. It covers basic integration rules, notation, and the concept of the constant of integration. Examples demonstrate finding antiderivatives for various functions, establishing foundational skills for solving integral problems.
    • 5.2: Approximating Areas
      This section introduces methods for approximating the area under a curve, such as the Left and Right Riemann Sums. It explains how these methods estimate area by dividing the region into shapes with easily computed areas, which improve accuracy as the number of subdivisions increases. Examples illustrate applying each technique to approximate integrals.
    • 5.3: The Definite Integral
      This section introduces the definite integral, which calculates the accumulated value of a function over an interval. It explains the formal definition using limits of Riemann sums and connects the definite integral to the area under a curve. Examples illustrate how to compute definite integrals and interpret their results in various contexts, establishing their significance in Calculus.
    • 5.4: The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
      This section explains the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, which connects differentiation and integration. It has two parts: the first establishes that the definite integral of a function can be computed using its antiderivative, while the second states that the derivative of an integral function returns the original function. Examples illustrate how this theorem simplifies evaluating definite integrals and links key concepts in calculus.
    • 5.5: The Net Change Theorem, Distances, and Symmetry
      This section introduces the Net Change Theorem, which states that the definite integral of a rate of change gives the net change over an interval. It applies this concept to calculate distances traveled and analyze symmetry in integrals. Examples include interpreting integrals in terms of physical motion, accounting for both positive and negative changes, and leveraging symmetry to simplify computations.
    • 5.6: Integration by Substitution
      This section introduces integration by substitution, a method used to simplify integrals by making a substitution that transforms the integral into a more manageable form. It explains how to identify the substitution, change variables, and adjust the limits of integration for definite integrals. Examples illustrate its application to a variety of functions, highlighting its role as the reverse process of the chain rule in differentiation.
    • 5.7: Chapter 5 Review Exercises


    This page titled 5: Investigating Integrals 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.