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Learning Objectives
- Integrate functions involving exponential functions.
- Integrate functions involving logarithmic functions.
Exponential and logarithmic functions are used to model population growth, cell growth, and financial growth, as well as depreciation, radioactive decay, and resource consumption, to name only a few applications. In this section, we explore integration involving exponential and logarithmic functions.
Integrals of Exponential Functions
The exponential function is perhaps the most efficient function in terms of the operations of calculus. The exponential function,
Rule: Integrals of Exponential Functions
Exponential functions can be integrated using the following formulas.
Finding an Antiderivative of an Exponential Function
Find the antiderivative of the exponential function
Solution
Use substitution, setting
Find the antiderivative of the function using substitution:
Solution
A common mistake when dealing with exponential expressions is treating the exponent on
Square Root of an Exponential Function
Find the antiderivative of the exponential function
Solution
First rewrite the problem using a rational exponent:
Using substitution, choose
Then
![A graph of the function f(x) = e^x * sqrt(1 + e^x), which is an increasing concave up curve, over [-3, 1]. It begins close to the x axis in quadrant two, crosses the y axis at (0, sqrt(2)), and continues to increase rapidly.](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/courses-images/wp-content/uploads/sites/2332/2018/01/11204252/CNX_Calc_Figure_05_06_001.jpg)
Find the antiderivative of
Hint
Let
Using Substitution with an Exponential Function
Solution
Here we choose to let
Integrate the expression in
Evaluate the indefinite integral
Solution
Hint
Let
As mentioned at the beginning of this section, exponential functions are used in many real-life applications. The number
A price–demand function tells us the relationship between the quantity of a product demanded and the price of the product. In general, price decreases as quantity demanded increases. The marginal price–demand function is the derivative of the price–demand function and it tells us how fast the price changes at a given level of production. These functions are used in business to determine the price–elasticity of demand, and to help companies determine whether changing production levels would be profitable.
Finding a Price–Demand Equation
Find the price–demand equation for a particular brand of toothpaste at a supermarket chain when the demand is 50 tubes per week at $2.35 per tube, given that the marginal price—demand function,
If the supermarket chain sells 100 tubes per week, what price should it set?
Solution
To find the price–demand equation, integrate the marginal price–demand function. First find the antiderivative, then look at the particulars. Thus,
Using substitution, let
The next step is to solve for C . We know that when the price is $2.35 per tube, the demand is 50 tubes per week. This means
Now, just solve for C :
Thus,
If the supermarket sells 100 tubes of toothpaste per week, the price would be
The supermarket should charge $1.99 per tube if it is selling 100 tubes per week.
Evaluating a Definite Integral Involving an Exponential Function
Evaluate the definite integral
Solution
Again, substitution is the method to use. Let
The integral then becomes
See (Figure) .
![A graph of the function f(x) = e^(1-x) over [0, 3]. It crosses the y axis at (0, e) as a decreasing concave up curve and symptotically approaches 0 as x goes to infinity.](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/courses-images/wp-content/uploads/sites/2332/2018/01/11204254/CNX_Calc_Figure_05_06_002.jpg)
Evaluate
Solution
Hint
Let
Growth of Bacteria in a Culture
Suppose the rate of growth of bacteria in a Petri dish is given by
Solution
We have
Then, at
At time
After 2 hours, there are 17,282 bacteria in the dish.
Fruit Fly Population Growth
Suppose a population of fruit flies increases at a rate of
Solution
Let
There are 122 flies in the population after 10 days.
Suppose the rate of growth of the fly population is given by
Solution
There are 116 flies.
Hint
Use the process from (Figure) to solve the problem.
Evaluating a Definite Integral Using Substitution
Evaluate the definite integral using substitution:
Solution
This problem requires some rewriting to simplify applying the properties. First, rewrite the exponent on
Let
Bringing the negative sign outside the integral sign, the problem now reads
Next, change the limits of integration:
Notice that now the limits begin with the larger number, meaning we must multiply by -1 and interchange the limits. Thus,
Evaluate the definite integral using substitution:
Solution
Hint
Let
Integrals Involving Logarithmic Functions
Integrating functions of the form
Rule: Integration Formulas Involving Logarithmic Functions
The following formulas can be used to evaluate integrals involving logarithmic functions.
Finding an Antiderivative Involving
Find the antiderivative of the function
Solution
First factor the 3 outside the integral symbol. Then use the
See (Figure) .

Finding an Antiderivative of a Rational Function
Find the antiderivative of
This can be rewritten as
Rewrite the integrand in
Then we have
Finding an Antiderivative of a Logarithmic Function
Find the antiderivative of the log function
Solution
Follow the format in the formula listed in the rule on integration formulas involving logarithmic functions. Based on this format, we have
Find the antiderivative of
Solution
Hint
Follow (Figure) and refer to the rule on integration formulas involving logarithmic functions.
(Figure) is a definite integral of a trigonometric function. With trigonometric functions, we often have to apply a trigonometric property or an identity before we can move forward. Finding the right form of the integrand is usually the key to a smooth integration.
Evaluating a Definite Integral
Find the definite integral of
Solution
We need substitution to evaluate this problem. Let
Then
Key Concepts
- Exponential and logarithmic functions arise in many real-world applications, especially those involving growth and decay.
- Substitution is often used to evaluate integrals involving exponential functions or logarithms.
Key Equations
- Integrals of Exponential Functions
- Integration Formulas Involving Logarithmic Functions
In the following exercises, compute each indefinite integral.
1.
2.
Solution
3.
4.
Solution
5.
6.
Solution
7.
8.
Solution
In the following exercises, find each indefinite integral by using appropriate substitutions.
9.
10.
Solution
11.
12.
Solution
13.
14.
Solution
15.
16.
17.
18.
Solution
19.
20.
Solution
21.
22.
Solution
In the following exercises, verify by differentiation that
23.
24.
Solution
25.
26.
Solution
27. Write an integral to express the area under the graph of
28. Write an integral to express the area under the graph of
Solution
In the following exercises, use appropriate substitutions to express the trigonometric integrals in terms of compositions with logarithms.
29.
30.
Solution
31.
32.
Solution
33.
34.
Solution
35.
In the following exercises, evaluate the definite integral.
36.
Solution
37.
38.
Solution
39.
40.
Solution
In the following exercises, integrate using the indicated substitution.
41.
42.
Solution
43.
44.
Solution
45.
46.
Solution
In the following exercises, does the right-endpoint approximation overestimate or underestimate the exact area? Calculate the right endpoint estimate R 50 and solve for the exact area.
47. [T]
48. [T]
Solution
Exact solution:
49. [T]
50. [T]
Solution
Exact solution:
51. [T]
52. [T]
Solution
Exact solution:
In the following exercises,
53.
54.
Solution
55.
56.
Solution
57. Find the area under the graph of the function
58. Compute the integral of
Solution
59. Find the limit, as N tends to infinity, of the area under the graph of
61. Suppose that
62. Use the previous exercise to find the antiderivative of
Solution
23
The following exercises are intended to derive the fundamental properties of the natural log starting from the Definition
64. Use the identity
Solution
We may assume that
65. Use a change of variable in the integral
66. Use the identity
67. Pretend, for the moment, that we do not know that
68. Pretend, for the moment, that we do not know that
Solution
69. The sine integral, defined as
70. [T] The normal distribution in probability is given by
Solution
71. [T] Compute the right endpoint estimates
Hint
Let equal the exponent on .