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
Answered by Angus L. Maths tutor

70301 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

If I buy a dress at 30% off the original price and I pay £40. How much was the dress originally?


How do you find the volume of a cylinder?


Solve 2x^2 = 162


P has coordinates (3,4), Q has coordinate (a,b), a line perpendicular to PQ has equation 3x+2y=7. Find an expression for b in terms of a


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning