[AP Calculus] The Ultimate Integration Review

(includes original Practice problems)

February 2023

1 Basics

Figure 1: Visual Representation (Not my image. Subject to copyright©).

• Most of calculus is the analysis of function’s properties over an infinitesimally small

changes to x (What happens to the y value when you nudge the x value a tiny amount
over).

• What it means to evaluate the integral of a function is to find the area under the curve
between the curve and the x-axis bounded by the lower and upper bound.

• To find an anti-derivative is the same as finding the derivative backwards or finding

the original function given the derivative.

• Integration is also called the Anti-differentiation.

• You’re accumulating all the areas between the bounds (definite) — you’re integrating
the area function.

1
2 Notation
Riemann Summation Notation of Definite Integrals
ˆ b n
X b−a b−a
f (x)dx = lim f (a + · i)( )
a n→∞
i=1
n n

Leibniz’s Notation for Integration is the most common and only one you need to know
right now in AP Calculus (Other types of notation is included just for fun).
ˆ upperbound
(integrand)dx
lowerbound
¨ upperbound
(integrand)dx
lowerbound

Notations Leibniz Lagrange Euler Newton (with respect to time)

dn y
Derivative dxn
f (x) f ′ (x) Dxn f (x) f˙(x)

´b p
Integral a
f (x)dx f −n (x) Dx−n f (x) f (x)

3 The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
ˆ b
f (x)dx = F (b) − F (a)
a

F(x) is the anti-derivative of f(x)

f(x) is the derivative of F(x)
F(b) is the final position/value
F(a) is the initial position/value

Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

ˆ u
d
f (t)dt = u′ · f (u)
dx a
a is a constant
u is some function of x

2
4 Integration Rules
(k is a constant)
(a is the lower bound of the definite integral)
(b is the upper bound of the indefinite integral)

Zero rule: If the lower bound and upper bound is equal, the whole integral evaluates to
Zero. ˆ a
f (x)dx = 0
a

Constant Multiple rule: A constant that is multiplied to a function (integrand) is brought

outside of the integral. ˆ b ˆ b
k · f (x)dx = k · f (x)dx
a a

Order of Integration: If the bounds are flipped (lower bound is bigger than upper bound),
you have to negate the integral expression.
ˆ b ˆ a
f (x)dx = − f (x)dx
a b

Sum and Difference of Integrals: If there are multiple expression being ADDED or
SUBTRACTED as the integrand, you can separate them into two integral expression.
ˆ b ˆ b ˆ b
(f (x) ± g(x))dx = f (x)dx ± g(x)dx
a a a

Additivity rule: If b is in between a and c, integral from a to b plus integral from b to c

is equal to integral from a to c.
ˆ c ˆ b ˆ c
f (x)dx = f (x)dx + f (x)dx
a a b

given that a < b < c

3
 Practice Problem 1. Evaluate the Integrals (Use the First FToC).
ˆ 9
dx
√
4 x
ˆ 2
(2x − 3)6 dx
1
ˆ π
sec2 (x)dx
π
4

Practice Problem 2. Find f(x) (Use the Second FToC).

ˆ x
′
f (x) = sin(t)dt
2

ˆ x3
′
f (x) = t2 dt
0
ˆ sin(x)
f ′ (x) = cos(t)dt
0

Practice Problem 3. Evaluate the Integrals given f(x) (Remember Integration Rules
and leave answer in terms of π if applicable).

f (x) = 4x3 + 3x2 + 6x + π

ˆ
f (x)dx
ˆ
(f (x) + 3) dx
ˆ
5 · f (x)dx
ˆ 3
f (x)dx
3

´5 ´3
if 2
g(x)dx = 15 and 5
g(x)dx = −5, Evaluate the following integral.
ˆ 3
g(x)dx
2

4
5 Integration techniques
• “Reverse” Power Rule

• Integration by Substitution (U-Substitution)

• Integration by Parts

• DI method (tabular method)

• Partial Fractions Decomposition

**+C (integration constant, or arbitrary constant, is necessary for indefinite integral with
no bounds because derivative of any constant is zero, so we are finding the general solution
for all values of the constant.)

Power Rule for Anti-differentiation

ˆ
K
Kxn dx = · xn+1 + C
n+1
Differentiation cheat sheet to help you “work backwards” (Trigs, Logs, and Exponentials)

d d d
dx
sin(x) = cos(x) dx
cos(x) = − sin(x) dx
tan(x) = sec2 (x)

d d d
dx
csc(x) = − csc(x) cot(x) dx
sec(x) = sec(x) tan(x) dx
cot(x) = − csc2 (x)

d 1 d u′ d a′
dx
ln x = x dx
ln u = u dx
logb a = a·ln(b)

´
d x
dy
a = ax · x′ · ln(a) 1
x
dx = ln |x| + C

d ′ ′ u′
arcsin u = √u d
arccos u = −1 · √u d
arctan u =
dx 1−u2 dx 1−u2 dx 1+u2

d ′ ′ u′
arccsc u = −1 · √u d
arcsec u = √u d
arccot u = −1 ·
dx |u| u2 −1 dx |u| u2 −1 dx 1+u2

1 1 1 cos x
csc x = sin x
sec x = cos x
cot x = tan x
= sin x

5
 U-Substitution is an integration by substitution technique that helps us change an
unfamiliar integral into a familiar one we can evaluate. In general (not always), it is used to
solve integrals of composite function (chain rule).
ˆ ˆ ˆ
′ ′ du
f (g(x)) · g (x)dx = f (u) · g (x) · ′ = f (u)du = F (u) + C
g (x)

1. Find U. Usually, U would be the inner function which have a derivative other than
one. Substitute in U for whatever you set U equal to into the original function (like
this: f(u)).
du
2. Find dx

3. Isolate dx

4. Put it together ˆ
(step1)(step3)

Integration by parts for indefinite integral (no bounds) allows us to integrate by

separating a hard function into smaller functions that are easier to deal with. Generally, it is
considered the reverse of the Product Rule. The Acronym LIPET helps us remember which
is U and which is dV.

1. Logs

2. Inverse Trig

3. Polynomials or Monomials

4. Exponential

5. Trigonometric functions

ˆ ˆ
udv = uv − vdu

1. Of the two function in the integral (multiplied together), whichever one comes first in
LIPET is U, and other one is dV.

2. Find dU by differentiating U.

3. Find V by integrating (anti-differentiating) dV.

4. Put it together into the formula and if all goes right, you should now have an easier
integral to solve.

6
 Sometimes, an integral requires multiple integration by parts, and that is very tedious and
prone to mistake. We can make a table and use what is commonly called the DI method,
or tabular integration.
The premise of Integration by parts is to get two separate parts which one of them
we differentiate and one we integrate.

1. Make a two column table/T-chart with left being the D column and right being the I
column.

NOTE D column should always end up as Zero eventually (Polynomials).

NOTE On the left side of the table, Put a + − + − + − +− for each row going down.

2. First row of D column should be the polynomial in the integral.

3. First row of the I column should be the Trig or Exponential in the integral.

4. Going down the D column, Keep differentiating until it is zero.

5. Going down the I column, Keep integrating until you are at the same row as the zero
on the D column.

6. starting at the first row, D column, go diagonally down to the right and multiply, each
time you multiply, you add them all together to get the final answer.
ˆ
ex] x4 e−2x dx

D I
−2x
+ x4 e dx
− 4x3 − 12 e−2x
1 −2x
+ 12x2 4
e
− 24x − 18 e−2x
1 −2x
+ 24 16
e
1 −2x
− 0 − 32 e
1 1 1 1 1
(x4 )(− e−2x ) − (4x3 )( e−2x ) + (12x2 )(− e−2x ) − (24x)( e−2x ) + (24)(− e−2x )
2 4 8 16 32
Simplification is trivial and it is left as an exercise for the reader.

Sometimes, none of the above techniques works. Rational functions are especially tricky,
and it is common to separate them into two simpler fraction to integrate. This is called
Partial fractions decomposition.
It is easier to show an example and show step by step, than to explain by words. Given
the following equation, we cannot evaluate this integral any other way.
ˆ
x−4
dx
x2 − 4x + 3

7
Let’s decompose (factor) the bottom

+
(x − 3) (x − 1)

Then, (A and B is an arbitrary variable name convention)

A B x−4
+ = 2
(x − 3) (x − 1) x − 4x + 3
To solve for A and B, we should get this out of the fraction. Multiply all terms on both sides
by the Common Denominator (x − 3)(x − 1)

A(x − 1) + B(x − 3) = (x − 4)

To solve for A and B, let’s be smart and choose x = 1 and x = 3 to plug in, so one of them
cancels out.
when we plug in for x = 1, we get that B = 23
when we plug in for x = 3, we get that A = − 21
Plug in the A and B value and integrate it so we have decomposed the original integral.
ˆ ˆ
1 3 x−4
(− + )dx = 2
dx
2(x − 3) 2(x − 1) x − 4x + 3
Rearrange a little and use the Integration Rule on page 3.
ˆ ˆ
1 1 3 1
− dx + dx
2 x−3 2 x−1
d 1
To solve we need to remember dx
ln(x) = x

1 3
= − ln |x − 3| + ln |x − 1| + C
2 2
Using the Log Properties (If you need a refresher, click here), you can simplify this
equation. I will leave that as an exercise for you to do.
To sum it up...
1. When you see a rational function to integrate, do not try partial fraction decomposi-
tion immediately, try U-Substitution first. Try working backwards (natural log). Try
Integration by parts.

2. If none of the methods work, See if the denominator is factor-able with real numbers.
If so, factor the denominator and separate the fraction with numerator of two smaller
fraction being a variable to solve for and set it equal to the original fraction.

3. Solve for the numerators by plugging in the zeros of the denominators for X.

4. Plug in to the equation and integrate the two fractions.

8
 5.1 Definite integrals
• when an integral is bounded, it has what is called the limit of integration—or also
called the bounds.

• You must use the First Fundamental theorem of Calculus to solve definite integrals.

• All the above techniques works just the same way except for one key difference: you
have bounds to plug in.

• You must make sure your bounds are in the same variable as the function.
´3 ´6
NOTE For example, in 0 f (x)dx the bounds 0 and 3 are in terms of x; in 1 f (u)du the
bounds 1 and 6 are in terms of u.

• If your bounds do not match the anti-derivative, you must not plug it in.

U-Substitution works the same way as with indefinite integrals with no bounds, you just
need to be careful with the bounds.
Either get rid of u by substituting back in, or you can change the bounds to be in terms of
u by simply doing a table like this.
ˆ 2
2x
ex] 2
dx
0 x +3

x u = x2 + 3
a 0 3
b 2 7
ˆ 7
1
du
3 u
To summarize, Make sure you always have the bounds corresponds with the function’s vari-
ables.

Integration by parts also works the same way as with indefinite integrals. However,
remember the bounds also applies uv.
ˆ b ˆ b
b
udv = (uv)|a − vdu
a a

Use the First Fundamental theorem of Calculus to solve definite integrals

9
 Now that we have reviewed the integration techniques, Let’s try some practice problems!
Answer Key at the end.

Practice Problem 4. Evaluate the Integrals using the reverse Power Rule or working
backwards. ˆ
2 6
x dx
7
ˆ
e2x dx
ˆ
53x dx

Practice Problem 5. Evaluate the Integrals using U-Substitution.

ˆ
3
ex · x2 dx

ˆ
x2
√ dx
5x3 + 1
ˆ
x sin x2 dx

Practice Problem 6. Evaluate the Integrals using Integration by Parts.

ˆ
x3 · ln(x2 )dx
ˆ
arcsin xdx

Practice Problem 7. Evaluate the Integral using the DI method/Tabular integration.

ˆ
3x3 · cos(x)dx

Practice Problem 8. Evaluate the Integral using Partial Fractions decomposition.

ˆ
x−3
dx
x2 − 7x + 10

Need more practice or help? Visit Khan Academy and try AP Calculus AB/BC video
lessons and exercises! (Also, don’t forget about AP Classroom videos and progress checks.)

10
6 Miscellaneous
• Average Value ˆ b
1
f (x)dx
b−a a

• Area Accumulation (Accumulation of Change)

ˆ x
f (x)dx
a
ˆ x
F (b) = F (a) + f (x)dx
a

– a is initial x-value and x is some value

– F(a) is the initial position/value and F(b) is the final position
• Total Distance vs Displacement/Net Area

ˆ
|f (x)|dx

Total Distance
ˆ
f (x)dx

Net Area

graph of sin(x)|π−π

ˆ π ˆ π
sin(x)dx = 0 | sin(x)dx| = 2
−π −π

• Area Approximation/Riemann Summation

The Full Riemann Summation notation of the definite integral is shown in the Notation
section on page 2.
– Left end-point (Rectangular) Riemann Sum (LRAM)
– Right end-point (Rectangular) Riemann Sum (RRAM)
– Midpoint (Rectangular) Riemann Sum (MRAM)
– Trapezoidal Area Approximation Method (TAM)
LRAM +RRAM
– 2
= T AM

11
(a) LRAM (b) RRAM

(c) MRAM (d) TAM

Figure 2: Area Approximation

12
Answer Key to the practice problems

13
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