How can you find the integral of x^-1

The traditional rule for integration of a variable raised to a power is to raise the power by 1 and divide the answer by that new exponent. However, this rule leads to an answer of x^0 = 1, which can't be right. It's not. The integral of x^-1 = 1/x is the natural logarithm of x, or lnx. Likewise, the derivative of lnx is x^-1, and this is an especially important rule to remember for things like differential equations in the future. 

AL

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

15/7 + 5/4


Expand and simplify 3(x-2) -2(x+2)


A solution to the equation 2x^2-3x-17=0 lies between 2&3 use method of trail and improvement to find the solution


The Diagram shows the Triangle PQR. PQ = x cm. PR = 2x cm. Angle QP^R = 30 degrees. The area of the triangle PQR = A cm^2. Show that x = (Squared Root){2A