Salam Academy
Paper 1 · Module

Integration

14 subtopics≈ 580 min in total
  1. Indefinite integration

    Integration as differentiation in reverse: integrating powers of xx, why there is always a +c+c, and how one point pins down the exact curve.

    ≈ 40 min
  2. Definite integrals

    What ∫abf(x) dx\displaystyle\int_a^b f(x)\,dx means and how to evaluate it, why there is no +c+c, how to find an unknown limit, and how some integrals with an infinite limit still give a finite answer.

    ≈ 40 min
  3. Areas under and between curves

    Using definite integrals to find areas: under a curve, regions below the axis, between a curve and a line, between two curves, and against the yy-axis.

    ≈ 50 min
  4. Integrating (ax + b)ⁿ

    How to integrate a power of a linear bracket in one step by reversing the chain rule: raise the power, divide by the new power, and divide by the coefficient of xx.

    ≈ 35 min
  5. Integrating eˣ, 1/x and trigonometric functions

    Reversing the new derivatives: ∫eax+b dx\int e^{ax+b}\,dx, ∫1ax+b dx\int\dfrac{1}{ax+b}\,dx (the missing case n=−1n=-1), and ∫sin⁡\int\sin, cos⁡\cos and sec⁡2\sec^2, always remembering to divide by aa.

    ≈ 40 min
  6. Integration using trigonometric identities

    Some trigonometric expressions can't be integrated as they stand. Rewriting them with identities, such as cos⁡2x=12(1+cos⁡2x)\cos^2x=\tfrac12(1+\cos2x) and tan⁡2x=sec⁡2x−1\tan^2x=\sec^2x-1, turns them into standard integrals.

    ≈ 40 min
  7. Exact definite integrals and logarithms

    Evaluating definite integrals exactly when the answer involves ee, ln⁡\ln or π\pi; simplifying logarithmic answers; spotting f′(x)f(x)\dfrac{f'(x)}{f(x)}; and integrating with partial fractions.

    ≈ 45 min
  8. Integration by substitution

    The reverse of the chain rule: replace part of the integrand by uu, change dxdx into dudu, change the limits, and turn a hard integral into an easy one.

    ≈ 50 min
  9. Integration by parts

    The reverse of the product rule: ∫udvdx dx=uv−∫vdudx dx\displaystyle\int u\frac{dv}{dx}\,dx=uv-\int v\frac{du}{dx}\,dx. How to choose uu, when to use it twice, and the trick for ∫ln⁡x dx\int\ln x\,dx.

    ≈ 50 min
  10. The trapezium rule

    When an integral can't be found exactly, estimate it: replace the curve by straight lines, add up the trapezia, and use the shape of the curve to say whether the answer is too big or too small.

    ≈ 35 min
  11. Forming differential equations

    Turn words about change into mathematics. "Grows in proportion to", "decreases at a rate inversely proportional to", "flows in and leaks out": each becomes an equation for a derivative, ready to solve.

    ≈ 30 min
  12. Separating the variables

    Gather every yy with dydy on one side and every xx with dxdx on the other, integrate, and add one constant. The method that solves almost every Paper 3 differential equation.

    ≈ 35 min
  13. Particular solutions with harder integrals

    Exam differential equations are integration questions in disguise. Once the variables are separated, one side often needs partial fractions, integration by parts or a trigonometric identity. Bring all of Paper 3 integration to bear, then pin down the constant.

    ≈ 45 min
  14. Modelling with differential equations

    Populations, cooling drinks, draining tanks and spreading rumours. Solve the equation, use two pieces of data to fix the constants, and then ask the real questions: when, how much, and what happens in the long run?

    ≈ 45 min