What is the difference between definite and indefinite integrals?

Definite integrals produces a numerical answer. It is asking the question: what is the area under the curve f(x) between x=a and x=b.

Indefinite integrals produces a function. It is asking the question: what function F(x), when differentiated, gives f(x). The answer is a function of x + c (where c is an arbitrary constant)

SH

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain the chain rule of differentiation


How do you integrate (sinx)^2?


Prove that √2 is irrational


Find the equation of the tangent to the curve y^3 - 4x^2 - 3xy + 25 = 0 at the point (2,-3).