How do you integrate the natural logarithm?

We already know that the derivative of ln(x) is 1/x, so how can this be used for integration?Recall integration by parts uses knowledge of the derivative of one of the parts in the formula.int(u v' dx) = uv - int(u' v dx)We now set the integrand to ln(x) * 1 and set u = ln(x) and v' = 1, so now we only need to differentiate ln(x), which we know how to do.Now differentiate u and integrate v' to get u' and v: u' = 1/x and v = x.Finally we can plug the results into the integration by parts formula:int(ln(x) dx) = ln(x)*x - int(1/x * x dx)int(ln(x) dx) = xln(x) - int(1 dx)int(ln(x) dx) = xln(x) - x + C

JL
Answered by Josh L. Maths tutor

2760 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why do I have to add +c when I integrate?


Integrate 2x/(x^2+3) using the substitution u=x^2+3


Find the stable points of the following function, determine wether or not they are maxima or minima. y= 5x^3 +9x^2 +3x +2


Find the general solution of 2 dy/dx - 5y = 10x


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning