# More general formula for integrals

by echandler
Tags: formula, integrals
 P: 8 I was wondering: Is there an even more general formula for the integral than int(x^k) = (x^(k+1))/(k+1) that accounts for special cases like int(x^(-1)) = ln|x| and possibly u substitutions?
 Mentor P: 10,774 You can combine both in a single formula: "int(x^k) = (x^(k+1))/(k+1) for k!=-1, int(x^(-1))=ln(|x|)" Apart from that... no.
 HW Helper P: 2,149 use limits $$\int \! x^k \, \mathrm{d}x=\lim_{a \rightarrow k+1} \frac{x^a}{a}+\mathrm{Constant}$$ That is a removable singularity. When we write it in terms of usual functions we appear to be dividing by zero, but we could define a new function without doing so. Other examples include sin(x)/x log(1+x)/x (e^x-1)/x (sin(tan(x))-tan(sin(x)))/x^7 going the other way we can define the function of two variables $$\mathrm{f}(x,k)=\int \! x^k \, \mathrm{d}x$$ without any worry about dividing by zero
Mentor
P: 10,774

## More general formula for integrals

 Quote by lurflurf use limits $$\int \! x^k \, \mathrm{d}x=\lim_{a \rightarrow k+1} \frac{x^a}{a}+\mathrm{Constant}$$
For k=-1, that limit is zero for x=0 (which does not fit to the ln), and it is undefined everywhere else. As simple example, consider x=1, where you get the limit of 1/a for a->0.
HW Helper
P: 1,391
 Quote by lurflurf use limits $$\int \! x^k \, \mathrm{d}x=\lim_{a \rightarrow k+1} \frac{x^a-1}{a}+\mathrm{Constant}$$
There was a "-1" missing in the numerator, which I added in the quoted equation above. Note that for ##k \neq -1##, the -1/a term can be absorbed into the integration constant.
 P: 744 This is a funny question ! May be, more intuitive if presented on the exponential forme, such as : Attached Thumbnails
Mentor
P: 10,774
 Quote by Mute There was a "-1" missing in the numerator, which I added in the quoted equation above.
Ah, that makes sense.
 PF Gold P: 1,930 The general definition of the integral that I use is: $$\int_a^b f(x) dx = \lim_{\text{max} \Delta x_k \to 0} \sum_{k=1}^n f(x_k^*) \Delta x_k$$ Not very useful, but it's definitely general.

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