INTEGRAL CALCULUS
Complete Study Notes for DCET Exam
■ Exam Date: May 23, 2026
Topic Coverage
1. Standard Integrals & Basic Rules Formulae + Examples
2. Integrals of Simple Functions & Combinations Techniques + Practice
3. Methods of Integration Substitution, Parts, Partial Fractions
4. Definite Integrals Concept, Properties, Evaluation
5. Applications of Definite Integrals Area, Volume
1. Standard Integrals & Basic Rules of Integration
What is Integration?
Integration is the reverse process of differentiation. If d/dx[F(x)] = f(x), then the integral of f(x) with respect
to x is F(x) + C, where C is the constant of integration.
Notation:
∫ f(x) dx = F(x) + C
Basic Rules
Rule Formula
Power Rule ∫ x^n dx = x^(n+1) / (n+1) + C [n ≠ -1]
Constant Rule ∫ k dx = kx + C
Constant Multiple ∫ k·f(x) dx = k · ∫ f(x) dx
Sum / Difference ∫ [f(x) ± g(x)] dx = ∫f(x)dx ± ∫g(x)dx
Standard Integral Formulae Table
f(x) ∫ f(x) dx
x^n (n≠-1) x^(n+1)/(n+1) + C
1/x (or x^-1) ln|x| + C
e^x e^x + C
a^x a^x / ln(a) + C
sin x -cos x + C
cos x sin x + C
tan x ln|sec x| + C
cot x ln|sin x| + C
sec x ln|sec x + tan x| + C
cosec x ln|cosec x - cot x| + C
sec^2 x tan x + C
cosec^2 x -cot x + C
sec x · tan x sec x + C
cosec x · cot x -cosec x + C
1/sqrt(1-x^2) sin^-1(x) + C
1/(1+x^2) tan^-1(x) + C
1/(x·sqrt(x^2-1)) sec^-1(x) + C
2. Evaluation of Integrals of Simple Functions & Their Combinations
2.1 Polynomial Functions
Integrate each term separately using the power rule:
Example: ∫ (3x^2 + 2x - 5) dx
= 3·x^3/3 + 2·x^2/2 - 5x + C
= x^3 + x^2 - 5x + C
2.2 Trigonometric Combinations
Example: ∫ (sin x + cos x) dx = -cos x + sin x + C
Example: ∫ (sec^2 x - cosec^2 x) dx = tan x + cot x + C
2.3 Exponential + Algebraic
Example: ∫ (e^x + 1/x) dx = e^x + ln|x| + C
2.4 Key Identity Tricks
• sin^2 x = (1 - cos 2x) / 2
• cos^2 x = (1 + cos 2x) / 2
• tan^2 x = sec^2 x - 1
• cot^2 x = cosec^2 x - 1
• (a+b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2 → useful to expand then integrate
TIP: Always simplify the integrand using algebra/trig identities BEFORE integrating.
3. Methods of Integration
3.1 Integration by Substitution
Use when the integrand contains a function and its derivative. Let u = g(x), then du = g'(x) dx.
Steps:
1. Choose u = g(x) (inner function)
2. Find du/dx, express dx = du / g'(x)
3. Substitute and integrate in terms of u
4. Back-substitute to get answer in x
Example: ∫ 2x · (x^2 + 1)^5 dx
Let u = x^2 + 1 ■ du = 2x dx
= ∫ u^5 du = u^6/6 + C = (x^2+1)^6 / 6 + C
Example: ∫ sin(3x) dx
Let u = 3x ■ du = 3 dx ■ dx = du/3
= (1/3)∫ sin u du = -cos(3x)/3 + C
3.2 Integration by Parts
Used when the integrand is a product of two different types of functions.
Formula: ∫ u · v dx = u · ∫v dx - ∫ [u' · (∫v dx)] dx
LIATE Rule — choose u in this priority order:
L — Logarithmic (ln x, log x)
I — Inverse Trig (sin^-1 x, tan^-1 x)
A — Algebraic (x^n, polynomials)
T — Trigonometric (sin x, cos x)
E — Exponential (e^x, a^x)
Example: ∫ x · e^x dx
u = x, dv = e^x dx ■ du = dx, v = e^x
= x·e^x - ∫ e^x dx = x·e^x - e^x + C = e^x(x-1) + C
Example: ∫ ln x dx
u = ln x, dv = dx ■ du = (1/x)dx, v = x
= x·ln x - ∫ x·(1/x) dx = x·ln x - x + C
3.3 Partial Fractions
Decompose a rational function P(x)/Q(x) into simpler fractions. Used when degree of P(x) < degree of
Q(x).
Form of Q(x) Partial Fraction Form
(x-a)(x-b) A/(x-a) + B/(x-b)
(x-a)^2 A/(x-a) + B/(x-a)^2
(x-a)(x^2+bx+c) A/(x-a) + (Bx+C)/(x^2+bx+c)
Example: ∫ 1/[(x-1)(x+2)] dx
1/[(x-1)(x+2)] = A/(x-1) + B/(x+2)
Solving: A = 1/3, B = -1/3
= (1/3)·ln|x-1| - (1/3)·ln|x+2| + C = (1/3)·ln|(x-1)/(x+2)| + C
4. Concept of Definite Integrals
Definition
A definite integral has specific upper and lower limits. It gives a numerical value (the net signed area under
the curve between the limits).
∫[a to b] f(x) dx = F(b) - F(a) [Fundamental Theorem of Calculus]
Evaluation Steps
1. Find the indefinite integral F(x) (ignore C)
2. Substitute upper limit b: compute F(b)
3. Substitute lower limit a: compute F(a)
4. Answer = F(b) - F(a)
Example: ∫[1 to 3] (x^2 + 2) dx
F(x) = x^3/3 + 2x
F(3) = 27/3 + 6 = 9 + 6 = 15
F(1) = 1/3 + 2 = 7/3
Answer = 15 - 7/3 = 45/3 - 7/3 = 38/3
Important Properties of Definite Integrals
Property Formula
P1 ∫[a to b] f(x)dx = -∫[b to a] f(x)dx
P2 ∫[a to a] f(x)dx = 0
P3 ∫[a to b] f(x)dx = ∫[a to c] f(x)dx + ∫[c to b] f(x)dx
P4 ∫[a to b] f(x)dx = ∫[a to b] f(a+b-x)dx
P5 ∫[0 to a] f(x)dx = ∫[0 to a] f(a-x)dx
P6 ∫[-a to a] f(x)dx = 2∫[0 to a]f(x)dx if f(x) is EVEN
P7 ∫[-a to a] f(x)dx = 0 if f(x) is ODD
TIP: P6 and P7 (even/odd functions) are very commonly tested in DCET. Always check if the function is
even or odd first!
5. Applications of Definite Integrals
5.1 Area Under a Curve
The area bounded by the curve y = f(x), the x-axis, and the lines x = a and x = b is:
Area = ∫[a to b] |f(x)| dx
• If f(x) ≥ 0 for all x in [a,b]: Area = ∫[a to b] f(x) dx
• If f(x) ≤ 0 for all x in [a,b]: Area = -∫[a to b] f(x) dx (take magnitude)
• If f(x) changes sign: Split at zeros and add absolute areas
Example: Area under y = x^2 from x=0 to x=3
Area = ∫[0 to 3] x^2 dx = [x^3/3] from 0 to 3 = 27/3 - 0 = 9 sq units
5.2 Area Between Two Curves
Area between y = f(x) [upper] and y = g(x) [lower] from x = a to x = b:
Area = ∫[a to b] [f(x) - g(x)] dx [where f(x) ≥ g(x)]
Steps: 1) Find intersection points (solve f(x) = g(x)) 2) Determine which curve is on top 3) Integrate the
difference
5.3 Volume of Solid of Revolution
When a curve y = f(x) is rotated about the x-axis between x = a and x = b:
Volume = π · ∫[a to b] [f(x)]^2 dx (Disc Method)
Example: Volume when y = sqrt(x) rotated about x-axis, x=0 to x=4
V = π∫[0 to 4] x dx = π · [x^2/2] from 0 to 4 = π·8 = 8π cubic units
Quick Revision Cheat Sheet
Method When to Use Key Formula
Substitution f(g(x))·g'(x) pattern u=g(x), du=g'(x)dx
By Parts Product of two diff types ∫u·v dx = u∫v dx - ∫u'(∫v dx)dx
Partial Fractions Rational fn, deg P < deg Q Decompose → integrate each term
Even/Odd Property Symmetric limits [-a,a] Even: 2∫[0,a]; Odd: 0
Area formula Area under/between curves ∫[a,b]|f(x)|dx or ∫[f-g]dx
Volume (Disc) Rotation about x-axis π∫[a,b][f(x)]^2 dx
DCET Exam Tips
■ Memorize ALL standard integral formulae — many direct questions come from the table.
■ Practice substitution daily — it's the most commonly tested method.
■ For definite integrals: always check even/odd first to save time.
■ In area problems: always sketch a rough graph to identify upper/lower curves.
■ Show each step clearly — partial marks are awarded in DCET.
■ Common mistake: forgetting +C in indefinite integrals — never skip it!
■ Time management: standard integral and substitution questions first, then harder ones.
Best of luck for your DCET exam on May 23! You've got this! ■