integration tutorial: analysis

Consider the integral
int e2n + 4 / e3n - 1 dn
This is an indefinite integral, so we need to find the most general antiderivative of the integrand f(n).
To find an antiderivative of f(n), we go through our list of integration methods:
  1. Recognize elementary antiderivatives
  2. Rewrite the integrand to make it easier
  3. Use substitution to reverse the chain rule or simplify the integrand
  4. Use integration by parts
  5. Use inspection to see the value of a definite integral
to find one that works for this integrand. In this case, only one method is appropriate. We can rewrite the integrand: use properties of the exponents to combine the numerator and denominator to give an expression that is more easily integrable. This is shown below.
Rewriting:
Use properties of the exponents to combine the numerator and denominator to rewrite the integral:
e2n + 4 / e3n - 1 = e-n + 5.
Thus,
int e2n + 4 / e3n - 1 dn =inte-n + 5dn
which can be evaluated using substitution, to obtain
inte-n + 5dn = (-e-n + 5) + C.

Explanation for rewritten term(s)
Substitution
Let w = -n + 5. Then w' = -1, so (-1) dw = dn. The integral can therefore be rewritten as
int e-n + 5 dn = int ew (-1) dw = -ew + C
Thus, substituting back for w,
int e-n + 5 dn = -e-n + 5 + C

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integration analysis
Last Modified: Wed Feb 6 13:53:59 EST 2002
Comments to glarose@umich.edu
©2002 Gavin LaRose, UM Math Dept.