The power rule for integrals

The power rule for integrals allows us to find the indefinite (and later the definite)
integrals of a variety of functions like polynomials, functions involving roots, and
even some rational functions. If you can write it with an exponents, you probably can
apply the power rule.

To apply the rule, simply take the exponent and add 1. Then, divide by that same
value. Finally, don’t forget to add the constant C.
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Integrals of polynomials
Finding the integral of a polynomial involves applying the power rule, along with
some other properties of integrals. Take a look at the example to see how.

Example
Find: ∫2x3+4x2 dx∫2x3+4x2 dx
Solution
We will write out every step here so that you can see the process. After some practice,
you will probably just write the answer down immediately.

First, remember that integrals can be broken up over addition/subtraction and

multiplication by constants. Therefore:

∫2x3+4x2 dx=∫2x3 dx+∫4x2 dx=2∫x3 dx+4∫x2 dx∫2x3+4x2 dx=∫2x3 dx+∫4x

2 dx=2∫x3 dx+4∫x2 dx
Now apply the power rule by adding 1 to each exponent, and then dividing by the
same number. When you do this, the integral symbols are dropped since you have
“taken the integral”.

2∫x3 dx+4∫x2 dx=2(x3+13+1)+4(x2+12+1)+C2∫x3 dx+4∫x2 dx=2(x3+13+1)

+4(x2+12+1)+C
Now, simplify the expression to find your final answer.

==2(x3+13+1)+4(x2+12+1)+C2(x44)+4(x33)+C=x42+4x33+C=2(x3+1
3+1)+4(x2+12+1)+C=2(x44)+4(x33)+C=x42+4x33+C
Now, let’s look at how this kind of integral would be with skipping some of the more
straightforward steps.

Example
Find: ∫−3x2+x–5 dx∫−3x2+x–5 dx
Solution
This one is a little different. We have an xx by itself and a constant. For the xx by
itself, remember that the exponent is 1. For the constant, remember that the integral of
a constant is just the constant multiplied by the variable. For example, the integral of 2
with respect to xx is 2x2x.
Applying the power rule:

∫−3x2+x–5 dx=−3(x33)+x22–5x+C∫−3x2+x–5 dx=−3(x33)+x22–5x+C

Simplifying, the final answer is:

=−x3+x22–5x+C=−x3+x22–5x+C
Integrals of radical functions (functions with
roots)
In order to apply this rule to this type of function, you must remember one very
important idea from algebra.
So, if we can write the function using exponents then we can likely apply the power
rule.

Example
Find: ∫x−−√+4 dx∫x+4 dx
Before applying any calculus, you can rewrite the integral using the rule above. This
way, we have exponents and can apply the power rule.

∫x−−√+4 dx=∫x12+4 dx∫x+4 dx=∫x12+4 dx

Now, applying the power rule (and the rule for integrating constants):

∫x12+4 dx=x12+112+1+4x+C∫x12+4 dx=x12+112+1+4x+C

Simplify to get the final answer:

=x3232+4x+C=23x32+4x+C=x3232+4x+C=23x32+4x+C
Usually, the final answer can be written using exponents like we did here or with
roots. Your teacher or professor may have a preference, so make sure to ask!

Let’s work with one that is a little more messy with the fractions. As you will see, no
matter how many fractions you are dealing with, the approach will stay the same.

Example
Find: ∫12x−−√3+5x3−−√4 dx∫12x3+5x34 dx
Solution
Rewrite using algebra before you apply calculus rules so that you can use the power
rule.

∫12x−−√3+5x3−−√4 dx=∫12x13+5x34 dx∫12x3+5x34 dx=∫12x13+5x34 dx

Apply the power rule:
∫12x13+5x34 dx=12(x13+113+1)+5(x34+134+1)+C∫12x13+5x34 dx=12(x13+11
3+1)+5(x34+134+1)+C
Simplify to get the final answer:

=12(x4343)+5(x7474)+C=12(34x43)+5(47x74)+C=38x43+207x74+C=12(x
4343)+5(x7474)+C=12(34x43)+5(47x74)+C=38x43+207x74+C
Did you notice that most of the work was with algebra? This is true of most calculus
problems. The calculus part is straightforward while the algebra requires you to be
very careful and makes up most of the problem.

Integrals with negative exponents

One more old algebra rule will let us use the power rule to find even more integrals.

Let’s see how we can apply it!

Example
Find: ∫3x5–14x2 dx∫3x5–14x2 dx

Word Problems using Scientific

Notation
Part IV-
Scientific Notation problems involving multiplication and division.
Example 1:

(6 x 106) (2x 103) (2x 103) Calculate the Find the base/exponent = 6 x 10 8
 _________________________ = coefficient: term:
______4 x 10 4 (106) (103) (103)
6x2x2
___________________
___4
____ 10 4
Example 2:

Calculate the Find the

(4 x 106) (2x 103) coefficient: base/exponent term: = 0.5x 1010
__________________ = (106) (103)
4x2 = 5 x 10 9
(8 x 10 -4 )(2x 103) ____________
8x2
(10 -4) (103)
Now Try these:
write your answers in the form of coefficientx10^exponent) If your answer is 3.5 x 10 3 you should
type 3.5x10^3 in the box then click the submit button).
(5 x 106) (2x 103) (3x 103)
_________________________ =

______5 x 10 4

(7 x 106) (2 x 103) (5 x 103)

_________________________
=
______2 x 10 4

(4 x 106) (5x 10-3)

___________________
=
(8 x 10 -4 )(5x 103)

Now Try these:

(write your answers in the form of coefficientx10^exponent) If your answer is 3.5 x 10 3 you should
type 3.5x10^3 in the box then click the submit button). 1) What is the ratio of Milky Way radius to our
solar system radius given that, the distance from pluto to sun is 5.9×10 12 meters and the Milky Way
disk radius is. 3.9×1020 meters. Round the coefficient to the nearest tenth.

2) The speed of light is 3 x 10 8 meters/second. If the sun is 1.5x 1011 meters from earth,
how many seconds does it take light to reach the earth. Express your answer in
scientific notation

3) Using the following data:

the volume of a sphere = (4/3) (pi)R 3
Radius of the earth= 6.3×106 m.
Mass of earth= 5.9742 × 10 24 kilograms
Find the density of the earth in kg/m 3 (Note: this method will only yield an approximate
value for the density of the earth).

kg/m3
4)Given that the average density of water is 1000 kg/m3, what would be the average
density of the earth (closest tenth) in gm/cm3?

gm/cm3