Calculus Reference & Problem Set

Comprehensive Review of Integration Techniques

Methods of Integration with Detailed Solutions

May 16, 2026

Contents
1 Integration by Substitution 2
1.1 Solved Examples: Substitution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 Integration by Parts 4
2.1 Solved Examples: Integration by Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3 Exponential Functions 6
3.1 Solved Examples: Exponential Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

1
1 Integration by Substitution
1. Integration by Substitution ( )
Core Rule: If u = g(x), then du = g ′ (x) dx:
Z Z
f (g(x))g ′ (x) dx = f (u) du

1.1 Solved Examples: Substitution

Example 1.1: Algebraic Substitution
R √
Find the indefinite integral: x2 x3 + 5 dx

• Step 1: Choose u as the inner function. Let u = x3 + 5.

• Step 2: Find du. du = 3x2 dx =⇒ x2 dx = 1

3 du.

• Step 3: Substitute into the integral:

√
Z   Z
1 1
u· du = u1/2 du
3 3

• Step 4: Integrate with respect to u:

!
1 u3/2 2
+ C = u3/2 + C
3 3/2 9

• Step 5: Substitute back u = x3 + 5:

2 3
(x + 5)3/2 + C
9

Example 1.2: Trigonometric / Rational Substitution

R sin(x)
Find the indefinite integral: cos 3 (x) dx

• Step 1: Let u = cos(x).

• Step 2: Then du = − sin(x) dx =⇒ sin(x) dx = −du.

• Step 3: Substitute into the integral:

−du
Z Z
= − u−3 du
u3

• Step 4: Integrate:
u−2
 
1
− +C = +C
−2 2u2

• Step 5: Substitute back u = cos(x):

1 1
2
+ C = sec2 (x) + C
2 cos (x) 2

Example 1.3: Fractional Linear Substitution

Find the indefinite integral: x2x+9 dx
R

2
• Step 1: Let u = x2 + 9 =⇒ du = 2x dx =⇒ x dx = 1
2 du.

• Step 2: Substitute: Z   Z
1 1 1 1
· du = du
u 2 2 u

• Step 3: Integrate using the natural logarithm rule:

1 1
ln |u| + C = ln(x2 + 9) + C
2 2

3
2 Integration by Parts
2. Integration by Parts ( )
Core Rule: Derived from the product rule for differentiation:
Z Z
u dv = uv − v du

Use the LIATE priority rule to choose u: Logarithmic, Inverse Trig, Algebraic,
Trigonometric, Exponential.

2.1 Solved Examples: Integration by Parts

Example 2.1: Algebraic ×R Trigonometric
Find the indefinite integral: x sin(x) dx

• Step 1: Following LIATE, choose Algebraic over Trigonometric. Let u = x and dv =

sin(x) dx.

• Step 2: Compute du and v:

Z
du = dx and v= sin(x) dx = − cos(x)

• Step 3: Apply the integration by parts formula:

Z Z
x sin(x) dx = (x)(− cos(x)) − (− cos(x)) dx
Z
= −x cos(x) + cos(x) dx

• Step 4: Evaluate the remaining integral:

−x cos(x) + sin(x) + C

Example 2.2: Logarithmic R Functions

Find the indefinite integral: ln(x) dx

• Step 1: Let u = ln(x) (Logarithmic priority) and dv = dx.

• Step 2: Compute du and v:

1
du = dx and v=x
x

• Step 3: Apply the formula:

Z Z  
1
ln(x) dx = (ln(x))(x) − x · dx
x
Z
= x ln(x) − 1 dx

• Step 4: Evaluate:
x ln(x) − x + C

4
Example 2.3: Repeated Integration
R 2 x by Parts
Find the indefinite integral: x e dx

• First Pass: Let u = x2 =⇒ du = 2x dx and dv = ex dx =⇒ v = ex .

Z Z Z
x e dx = x e − 2xe dx = x e − 2 xex dx
2 x 2 x x 2 x

• Second Pass: For xex dx, let u = x =⇒ du = dx and dv = ex dx =⇒ v = ex .

R

Z Z
xe dx = xe − ex dx = xex − ex
x x

• Combine Results:
Z
x2 ex dx = x2 ex − 2(xex − ex ) + C = ex (x2 − 2x + 2) + C

5
3 Exponential Functions
3. Exponential Functions ( )
Core Rules:
ax
Z Z Z
f (x) ′
ex dx = ex + C, e f (x) dx = e f (x)
+ C, ax dx = +C
ln(a)

3.1 Solved Examples: Exponential Functions

Example 3.1: Linear Power R Rule
Find the indefinite integral: e4x−3 dx

• Solution: Using the chain rule shortcut ekx+b dx = k1 ekx+b + C:

R

Z
1
e4x−3 dx = e4x−3 + C
4

Example 3.2: Base a withR Linear Exponent

Find the indefinite integral: 32x dx

• Step 1: Rewrite the integrand or use substitution. Let u = 2x =⇒ du = 2 dx =⇒

dx = 21 du.

• Step 2: Substitute into the base a formula:

Z   Z  u 
1 1 1 3
3u · du = 3u du = +C
2 2 2 ln(3)

• Step 3: Substitute back u = 2x:

32x
+C
2 ln(3)

Example 3.3: Exponential combined with Rational Function

R 1/x
Find the indefinite integral: ex2 dx

• Step 1: Let u = 1
x = x−1 .

• Step 2: Then du = −x−2 dx = − x12 dx =⇒ 1

x2
dx = −du.

• Step 3: Substitute and evaluate:

Z Z
e (−du) = − eu du = −eu + C
u

• Step 4: Substitute back:

−e1/x + C

article
Integration Practice Problem Set Calculus Exercises with Hints & Solutions May 16, 2026

6
Practice Exercises: Integration by Substitution
Exercise 1.1 (Trigonometric Power): Evaluate cos4 (x) sin(x)dx.
R

R for Solution: Let u = cos(x), then du = − sin(x)dx. The integral reduces to

Hint
− u4 du = −1/5 cos5 (x) + C.
R √
Exercise 1.2 (Advanced Polynomial Shift): Evaluate x x − 1dx.
Hint for Solution: Let u = x − 1,R which means x = u + 1 and dx = du. The integral
expands into (u + 1)u du = (u + u1/2 )du = 2/5(x − 1)5/2 + 2/3(x − 1)3/2 + C.
1/2 3/2
R

Exercise 1.3 (Logarithmic Core): Evaluate (ln(x))3 /xdx.

R

Hint
R 3 for Solution: Let u = ln(x), then du = 1/xdx. The integral scales directly to
4
u du = 1/4(ln(x)) + C.

Exercise 1.4 (Trigonometric Argument): Evaluate x sec2 (x2 )dx. R

R

Hint for Solution: Let u = x2 , then du = 2xdx. This evaluates easily to 1/2 sec2 (u)du =
1/2 tan(x2 ) + C.

Practice Exercises: Integration by Parts

Exercise 2.1 (Logarithmic Product): Evaluate x3 ln(x)dx.
R

Hint for Solution: Choose u = ln(x) and dv = x3 dx. RThis leads to du = 1/xdx
and v = 1/4x4 . The solution steps yield 1/4x4 ln(x) − 1/4x3 dx = 1/4x4 ln(x) −
1/16x4 + C.
R
Exercise 2.2 (Inverse Trigonometric): Evaluate arctan(x)dx.
Hint for Solution: Let u = arctan(x) andR dv = dx, giving du = 1/(1 + x2 )dx and
v = x. Applying parts gives x arctan(x) − x/(1 + x2 )dx. The second piece is solved
via substitution, yielding x arctan(x) − 1/2 ln(1 + x2 ) + C.

Exercise 2.3 (Trigonometric Power Component): Evaluate x sec2 (x)dx.

R

Hint for Solution: Let u = x and dv = sec2 (x)dx,

R which implies du = dx and v =
tan(x). The statement simplifies to x tan(x)− tan(x)dx = x tan(x)−ln | sec(x)|+C.

Exercise 2.4 (The Classic Cyclical Integral): Evaluate ex cos(x)dx.

R

Hint for Solution: Apply integration by parts twice. You will obtain the original
integral on the right-hand side. Grouping like terms yields 1/2ex (sin(x)+cos(x))+C.

Practice Exercises: Exponential Functions

Exercise 3.1 (Trigonometric Exponent): Evaluate esin(x) cos(x)dx.
R

Hint
R u for Solution: Let u = sin(x), then du = cos(x)dx. The integral becomes
e du = e sin(x) + C.

Exercise 3.2 (Fractional Rational Base): Evaluate ex /(ex + 4)dx.

R

Hint for Solution: Let u = ex + 4, then du = ex dx. This is a natural log integration
structure resulting in ln(ex + 4) + C.
2
Exercise 3.3 (Polynomial Exponent Multiplication): Evaluate xe−x dx.
R

Hint for
R uSolution: Let u = −x2 , then du = −2xdx. The adjustment generates
−x2
−1/2 e du = −1/2e + C.

7
 Exercise 3.4 (Hyperbolic Components): Evaluate (ex + e−x )2 dx.
R

Hint for Solution: First expand the integrand algebraically: (ex + e−x )2 = e2x + 2 +
e−2x . Integrating term by term yields 1/2e2x + 2x − 1/2e−2x + C.

article
Detailed Solutions for Integration Practice Set Calculus Step-by-Step Solutions May 16,
2026

Solutions: Integration by Substitution

cos4 (x) sin(x)dx.
R
Solution for Exercise 1.1: Evaluate

• Let u = cos(x). Taking the derivative yields du = − sin(x)dx, which implies

sin(x)dx = −du.
• Substitute u and du into the integral:
Z Z
u4 (−du) = − u4 du

• Integrate using the power rule:

u5
− +C
5

• Substitute back u = cos(x) to get the final answer:

1
− cos5 (x) + C
5
R √
Solution for Exercise 1.2: Evaluate x x − 1dx.

• Let u = x − 1, which means dx = du. Rearranging for x gives x = u + 1.

• Substitute these into the integral to express everything in terms of u:
√
Z Z
(u + 1) udu = (u + 1)u1/2 du

• Distribute u1/2 inside the parentheses:

Z
(u3/2 + u1/2 )du

• Integrate each term using the power rule:

u5/2 u3/2 2 2
+ + C = u5/2 + u3/2 + C
5/2 3/2 5 3

• Substitute back u = x − 1:
2 2
(x − 1)5/2 + (x − 1)3/2 + C
5 3

Solution for Exercise 1.3: Evaluate (ln(x))3 /xdx.

R

• Let u = ln(x). Taking the derivative gives du = 1/xdx.

• Rewrite the integral to see the substitution clearly: (ln(x))3 · (1/x)dx.
R

8
 • Substitute u and du: Z
u3 du

• Integrate using the power rule:

u4
+C
4
• Substitute back u = ln(x):
1
(ln(x))4 + C
4
Solution for Exercise 1.4: Evaluate x sec2 (x2 )dx.
R

• Let u = x2 . Taking the derivative gives du = 2xdx, which means xdx = 1/2du.
• Substitute into the integral:
Z   Z
1 1
sec2 (u) · du = sec2 (u)du
2 2

• Since the integral of sec2 (u) is tan(u), we get:

1
tan(u) + C
2

• Substitute back u = x2 :
1
tan(x2 ) + C
2

Solutions: Integration by Parts

x3 ln(x)dx.
R
Solution for Exercise 2.1: Evaluate

• Using the LIATE rule, we choose the logarithmic function for u. Let u = ln(x)
and dv = x3 dx.
• Compute du and v:
1 x4
du = dx and v=
x 4
• Apply the Integration by Parts formula ( udv = uv − vdu):
R R

x4
Z 4 
x4
 Z
x 1 1
ln(x) − · dx = ln(x) − x3 dx
4 4 x 4 4

• Evaluate the remaining integral:

x4 1 x4
 
1 1
ln(x) − + C = x4 ln(x) − x4 + C
4 4 4 4 16
R
Solution for Exercise 2.2: Evaluate arctan(x)dx.

• Let u = arctan(x) and dv = dx.

• Compute du and v:
1
du = dx and v=x
1 + x2

9
 • Apply the formula: Z
x
x arctan(x) − dx
1 + x2
• To solve the remaining integral, use substitution. Let w = 1 + x2 =⇒ dw =
2xdx =⇒ xdx = 1/2dw:
Z Z  
x 1 1 1 1
2
dx = dw = ln |w| = ln(1 + x2 )
1+x w 2 2 2
• Combine everything for the final result:
1
x arctan(x) − ln(1 + x2 ) + C
2
x sec2 (x)dx.
R
Solution for Exercise 2.3: Evaluate
• Following LIATE, choose the algebraic function for u. Let u = x and dv =
sec2 (x)dx.
• Compute du and v:
du = dx and v = tan(x)
• Apply the formula: article
Detailed Solutions for Specific Integration Exercises Calculus Step-by-Step So-
lutions May 16, 2026

Solution for Exercise 2.4 (The Classic Cyclical Integral)

Question: Evaluate ex cos(x)dx.
R

– Let I = ex cos(x)dx. We will use Integration by Parts. Following the

R

LIATE priority rule, we choose the trigonometric function for u.

– Let u = cos(x) and dv = ex dx.
This implies: du = − sin(x)dx and v = ex .
R R
– Apply the Integration by Parts formula ( udv = uv − vdu):
Z Z
I = ex cos(x) − ex (− sin(x))dx = ex cos(x) + ex sin(x)dx

– For the new integral ex sin(x)dx, we must apply parts a second time.
R

Let u = sin(x) and dv = ex dx.

This implies: du = cos(x)dx and v = ex .
– Substitute this second pass back into our equation for I:
 Z 
x x x
I = e cos(x) + e sin(x) − e cos(x)dx

– Notice that the original integral I has reappeared on the right side:
I = ex cos(x) + ex sin(x) − I
– Add I to both sides to group the identical integrals together:
2I = ex cos(x) + ex sin(x)
– Divide by 2 and add the constant of integration C to get the final answer:
1
I = ex (cos(x) + sin(x)) + C
2

10
Solution for Exercise 3.1 (Trigonometric Exponent)
esin(x) cos(x)dx.
R
Question: Evaluate
– We use Integration by Substitution because the derivative of the exponent
is present in the integrand.
– Let u = sin(x). Taking the differential gives du = cos(x)dx.
– Substitute u and du directly into the original integral:
Z
eu du

– RThe basic integration rule for the natural exponential function states that
eu du = eu + C:
eu + C
– Replace u with its original definition (u = sin(x)) to finish:

esin(x) + C

Solution for Exercise 3.2 (Fractional Rational Base)

ex
R
Question: Evaluate ex +4 dx.
– This is a classic rational function involving exponentials where the numer-
ator is the exact derivative of the denominator. We use substitution.
– Let u = ex + 4. Taking the derivative yields du = ex dx.
– Substitute these values into the integral:
Z
1
du
u
– The integral of 1/u is the natural logarithm function:

ln |u| + C

– Substitute back u = ex + 4. Since ex > 0 for all real numbers, ex + 4 is

always positive, allowing us to safely remove the absolute value bars:

ln(ex + 4) + C

Solution for Exercise 3.3 (Polynomial Exponent Multiplication)

2
xe−x dx.
R
Question: Evaluate
– The exponent contains a polynomial of degree 2, and the algebraic term
outside is of degree 1 (its derivative component). We use substitution.
– Let u = −x2 . Taking the derivative gives du = −2xdx.
– Isolate the terms matching our integral: xdx = − 12 du.
– Substitute these parts back into the expression:
Z   Z
u 1 1
e − du = − eu du
2 2

11
 – Integrate the remaining standard exponential term:
1
− eu + C
2
– Return to the original variable by replacing u with −x2 :
1 2
− e−x + C
2

Solution for Exercise 3.4 (Hyperbolic Components / Binomial

Expansion)
Question: Evaluate (ex + e−x )2 dx.
R

– Before attempting to integrate, expand the squared binomial algebraically

using the identity (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 :

(ex + e−x )2 = (ex )2 + 2(ex )(e−x ) + (e−x )2

– Simplify each term using the laws of exponents (ex · e−x = e0 = 1):

e2x + 2(1) + e−2x = e2x + 2 + e−2x

– Now, rewrite the integral as a term-by-term summation:

Z Z Z
e dx + 2dx + e−2x dx
2x

– Apply the linear exponential integration rule ( ekx dx = k1 ekx ) to the first
R

and third terms, and the constant rule to the second:

1 2x 1 −2x
e + 2x + e +C
2 −2
– Adjust the negative sign for the final neat formatting:
1 2x 1
e + 2x − e−2x + C
2 2

12