Integration of Rational Functions

Summary

because integration is the same process as anti-differentiation it follows that   = ln ixi + c.

the absolute (positive) value of x is used because the function y = ln x is only defined for positive values of x.

more complex functions are integrated by inspection.

rational functions are often made easier to integrate by dividing first.

 

Key Skills

  • integrate rational functions by inspection
  • integrate rational functions by first dividing the function

Vocabulary

rational functionsintegration, logarithmic functionanti-differentiation.