Ch. 4 - Applications of the Derivative

Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition

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Briggs 3rd Edition

Ch. 4 - Applications of the Derivative

Problem 4.9.5

Chapter 4, Problem 4.9.5

Give the antiderivatives of xᵖ . For what values of p does your answer apply?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Recall the general formula for the antiderivative of a power function xᵖ. The antiderivative of xᵖ is given by: ∫xᵖ dx = (1/(p+1)) * x^(p+1) + C, where C is the constant of integration.

Step 2: Identify the condition under which this formula is valid. The formula applies when p ≠ -1, because dividing by (p+1) would result in division by zero if p = -1.

Step 3: For the special case where p = -1, the antiderivative of x⁻¹ is ∫x⁻¹ dx = ∫(1/x) dx = ln|x| + C. This is derived from the natural logarithm function.

Step 4: Summarize the result. The antiderivative of xᵖ is (1/(p+1)) * x^(p+1) + C for p ≠ -1, and ln|x| + C for p = -1.

Step 5: Ensure clarity by emphasizing that the constant of integration, C, must always be included in the final expression for the antiderivative.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Antiderivative

An antiderivative of a function is another function whose derivative is the original function. In calculus, finding the antiderivative is a fundamental operation, often referred to as integration. For example, the antiderivative of x^p is (x^(p+1))/(p+1), provided p is not equal to -1.

Power Rule for Integration

The Power Rule for Integration states that the integral of x raised to a power p is given by (x^(p+1))/(p+1) + C, where C is the constant of integration. This rule applies when p is not equal to -1, as the case p = -1 leads to the natural logarithm function, ln|x|, instead.

Domain of the Antiderivative

The domain of the antiderivative refers to the values of p for which the antiderivative formula is valid. Specifically, the formula (x^(p+1))/(p+1) applies for all real numbers p except p = -1, where the function x^p becomes x^(-1) and its antiderivative is ln|x|, indicating a different behavior at that point.

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