What is an integral?

An integral is the area that lies below a graphed line and the x-axis, an indefinite integral is when an interval is not used, and so is often infinite, as it covers the entire area under a graph, and not just a small section.
When an interval is used, the integral will usually be finite, e.g.
The integral of x between 0 and 2 is equal to [x2/2]2 which is equal to 22/2-02/2=2
If you think of this as the line y=x, and simply take the line from x=0 to x=2, then you can see that the graph forms a right angled triangle with base and height 2, calculate the area and you can see that it is also equal to 2, as expected.

Answered by James B. Maths tutor

3879 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you find an angle in a right-angled triangle when you are given two of its side's lengths?


If y = (1+3x)^2, what is dy/dx?


2 log(x + a) = log(16a^6) where a is a positive constant. How do I find x in terms of a?


Differentiate (x^2)cos(3x) with respect to x


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences