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 ▸

If y=5x+4x^3, find dy/dx.


What is differentiation and how is it done?


Show that the line with equation ax + by + c = 0 has gradient -a/b and cuts the y axis at -c/b?


How would the integral ∫x^2sin2xdx be solved using integration by parts?