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NDA Definite Integrals & Applications

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This page covers NDA Definite Integrals & Applications with complete concept notes, 35 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.

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Concept Notes

Definite Integrals & Applications— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
Think of it this way

if you draw a curve on a graph and want the area trapped between the curve and the x-axis from point a to point b, the definite integral does exactly that job

Notation

Integral from a to b of f(x) dx = F(b) - F(a), where F(x) is the antiderivative of f(x). Here, 'a' is the lower limit and 'b' is the upper limit. --- KEY RULES / PROPERTIES --- 1

Switching limits changes sign

Integral from a to b = -(Integral from b to a) 2. Same limits = zero: Integral from a to a of f(x) dx = 0 3

Splitting

Integral from a to b = Integral from a to c + Integral from c to b (where a < c < b) 4

Even function rule

If f(-x) = f(x), then Integral from -a to a = 2 × Integral from 0 to a 5

Odd function rule

If f(-x) = -f(x), then Integral from -a to a = 0 6. King's Property (MOST IMPORTANT for NDA): Integral from a to b of f(x) dx = Integral from a to b of f(a+b-x) dx ---

Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper

--

Fundamental Theorem: Integral[a to b] f(x) dx = F(b) - F(a)
Area between curve and x-axis = |Integral[a to b] f(x) dx|
Area between two curves = Integral[a to b] [f(x) - g(x)] dx, where f(x) is upper curve

---

Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

--- NDA regularly asks: - Direct evaluation of simple definite integrals (substitution based) - Questions using King's Property to simplify tricky integrals - Even/Odd function questions with symmetric limits - Area under a parabola, line, or circle --- SHORTCUT / TRICK --- TRICK 1 (King's Property): When you see Integral from 0 to pi of [x * sin(x)] or similar, apply King's Property. Replace x with (a+b-x). Add the original and new form. The tricky part cancels out and you solve easily.

This saves 3-4 minutes in the exam. TRICK 2 (Even-Odd Quick Check): If the limits are -a to +a, always check if the function is odd. If yes, answer is ZERO. No calculation needed. NDA uses this trap often. ---

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Let I = Integral[0 to pi] x/(1 + sin x) dx

2
Step 2

Apply King's Property. Replace x with (0 + pi - x) = (pi - x) New form: I = Integral[0 to pi] (pi - x)/(1 + sin(pi - x)) dx Note: sin(pi - x) = sin x, so denominator stays same. New form: I = Integral[0 to pi] (pi - x)/(1 + sin x) dx

3
Step 3

Add both forms of I: 2I = Integral[0 to pi] [x + pi - x]/(1 + sin x) dx 2I = Integral[0 to pi] pi/(1 + sin x) dx 2I = pi × Integral[0 to pi] 1/(1 + sin x) dx

4
Step 4

Multiply top and bottom by (1 - sin x): 1/(1 + sin x) = (1 - sin x)/(1 - sin²x) = (1 - sin x)/cos²x = sec²x - sec x tan x

5
Step 5

Integrate: Integral of sec²x = tan x, Integral of sec x tan x = sec x Evaluate from 0 to pi carefully using limits → Result = 2 So 2I = pi × 2 = 2pi Final Answer: I = pi ---

Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these

--- Students forget that area can NEVER be negative. If the curve goes below the x-axis, the integral gives a negative value. Always take the absolute value (modulus) when finding area.

Also, never confuse the definite integral VALUE with AREA — they are equal only when f(x) is above the x-axis.

Key Points to Remember

  • Definite integral gives a fixed number = area under the curve between two limits a and b.
  • Formula: Integral[a to b] f(x) dx = F(b) - F(a), where F(x) is the antiderivative.
  • King's Property: Integral[a to b] f(x) dx = Integral[a to b] f(a+b-x) dx — most used NDA trick.
  • Odd function over symmetric limits [-a to a] always equals ZERO.
  • Even function over symmetric limits [-a to a] = 2 × Integral[0 to a] f(x) dx.
  • Switching limits reverses sign: Integral[a to b] = -(Integral[b to a]).
  • Area between two curves = Integral[a to b] [upper curve - lower curve] dx.
  • If curve dips below x-axis, take modulus of integral to find actual area.

Exam-Specific Tips

  • King's Property states: Integral from a to b of f(x) dx equals Integral from a to b of f(a+b-x) dx.
  • Integral from 0 to pi of sin x dx = 2 (a standard NDA result to memorise).
  • Integral from 0 to pi/2 of sin x dx = Integral from 0 to pi/2 of cos x dx = 1 (Walli's symmetry result).
  • For an odd function f(x) where f(-x) = -f(x), the definite integral from -a to a is exactly 0.
  • Area of region bounded by parabola y = x² and x-axis from 0 to 1 equals 1/3 square units.
  • The property Integral[0 to a] f(x) dx = Integral[0 to a] f(a-x) dx is a special case of King's Property with lower limit 0.
  • Integral from 0 to 1 of x^n dx = 1/(n+1), valid for all n not equal to -1.
Practice MCQs

Definite Integrals & Applications — Practice Questions

35graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 35

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Practice 1easy

If ∫₀ᵃ f(x) dx = a² - 2a + 3, then f(a) is equal to:

Practice 2easy

Evaluate the definite integral ∫₀^(π/2) sin(x) dx.

Practice 3easy

The area enclosed between the curve y = x and the curve y = x² from x = 0 to x = 1 is:

Practice 4easy

Find the area enclosed between the curve y = x² and the line y = 4 from x = -2 to x = 2.

Practice 5easy

Evaluate ∫₁² (3x² + 2x) dx.

Practice 6easy

The rate of change of the volume of a sphere with respect to its radius is dV/dr. If V = (4/3)πr³, find dV/dr at r = 2.

Practice 7easy

Evaluate ∫₀¹ e^x dx.

Practice 8easy

Find the area enclosed between the curve y = x² and the line y = 2x in the first quadrant.

Practice 9easy

Evaluate ∫₀¹ (e^x) dx.

Practice 10easy

Find the area under the curve y = x² between x = 0 and x = 2.

Practice 11medium

The area of the region bounded by the curve y = e^x, the x-axis, and the lines x = 0 and x = 1 is:

Practice 12medium

The area enclosed between the curve y = x² and the line y = 2x is:

Practice 13medium

If ∫₀^a (3x² + 2x) dx = 10, then the value of a is:

Practice 14medium

Evaluate: ∫₁² (1/x + e^x) dx

Practice 15medium

The value of ∫₀^(π/2) sin³(x) dx is:

Practice 16medium

Evaluate the definite integral ∫₀^(π/2) x·sin(x) dx.

Practice 17medium

The value of ∫₀^(π/4) tan(x) dx is:

Practice 18medium

Find the area enclosed between the curve y = x² and the line y = 2x in the first quadrant.

Practice 19medium

Evaluate ∫₁² (3x² + 2/x) dx.

Practice 20medium

The area under the curve y = e^x from x = 0 to x = ln(2) is:

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60-Second Revision — Definite Integrals & Applications

  • Formula: Integral[a to b] f(x) dx = F(b) - F(a) — always substitute upper limit first, then subtract lower limit.
  • Trick: Limits are -a to +a? Check odd/even first. Odd function = answer is 0 instantly. Even function = double the 0 to a part.
  • King's Property: Replace x with (a+b-x), add to original integral, simplify — use this whenever x appears with trig functions.
  • Trap: Area is ALWAYS positive. If integral gives negative value, take modulus for the final area answer.
  • Remember: Integral[a to a] f(x) dx = 0 always, and swapping limits changes the sign of the answer.
  • Area between two curves: Integrate (top curve minus bottom curve) between the intersection points.
  • Standard result to recall: Integral[0 to pi] sin x dx = 2, Integral[0 to 1] x^n dx = 1/(n+1).
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