Calculating an integral involves finding the area under a curve described by a function.

Integrals can be classified into two main types: indefinite integrals and definite integrals.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to calculate them:

1. Indefinite Integrals

An indefinite integral represents the family of all antiderivatives of a function. It’s written as:

∫f(x) dx\int f(x) \, dx∫f(x)dx

Steps to Calculate:

1. Identify the function f(x)f(x)f(x).

2. Determine the antiderivative: Find a function F(x)F(x)F(x) such that F′(x)=f(x)F'(x)
= f(x)F′(x)=f(x).
3. Add the constant of integration CCC.

Example:

∫3x2 dx\int 3x^2 \, dx∫3x2dx

 The antiderivative of 3x23x^23x2 is x3x^3x3 because the derivative of x3x^3x3 is

3x23x^23x2.
 Thus, ∫3x2 dx=x3+C\int 3x^2 \, dx = x^3 + C∫3x2dx=x3+C.

2. Definite Integrals

A definite integral represents the area under the curve of a function between two limits aaa
and bbb. It’s written as:

∫abf(x) dx\int_{a}^{b} f(x) \, dx∫abf(x)dx

Steps to Calculate:

1. Identify the function f(x)f(x)f(x) and the limits of integration aaa and bbb.
2. Find the antiderivative F(x)F(x)F(x).
3. Evaluate the antiderivative at the upper limit bbb and lower limit aaa.
4. Subtract the lower limit value from the upper limit value.

∫abf(x) dx=F(b)−F(a)\int_{a}^{b} f(x) \, dx = F(b) - F(a)∫abf(x)dx=F(b)−F(a)