TOPIC: SOLVING PROBLEMS BY INDEFINITE INTEGRATION

Solve separable differential equations using antidifferentiations

Solving geometric and practical using indefinite integrals

A Differential equation is an equation that relates an unknown function and one or more of its derivatives. The
ORDER of a differential equation is the order of the HIGHEST DERIVATIVE that occurs in the equation.

A First – order differential equation is an equation which relates an independent variable, x , a

dependent variable , y and the derivative dy/ dx

𝑑𝑦
Consider the First – order differential equation = 2x
𝑑𝑥

Integrating both sides with respect to x, we have

𝑑𝑦
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥

∫ 𝑑𝑦 = ∫ 2𝑥 𝑑𝑥

2𝑥 1+1
y= +𝐶 ( Using Power Rules of Integration)
1+1

2𝑥 2
y= +𝐶
2

y = x2 + C, where C is an arbitratry constant

𝑑𝑦
We say that y = x2 + C is the general solution of = 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥
If we sketch the graphs of y = x2 + C for various value of C, we would obtain a family of
𝑑𝑦
curves called SOLUTION CURVES, each of which has the property of = 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥

A separable differential equation can be solved by using the method of separation of

variables. This type of differential equation can be written as ∫ 𝑔(𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥

In real life situations, we often encounter problems involving the use of equations with
derivatives. Now, we will see how indefinite integration helps us solve these problems.

APPLICATION IN GEOMETRY

Indefinite integral is used to find the antiderivative function from the known derivative,
therefore, using indefinite integral, we can find the equation of a curve from the equation of
the slope of its tangent.

EXAMPLE:
𝑑𝑦
Given that the equation of the slope of the tangent to the curve y = f(x) at (x, y) is = 9x2 -4x. if (1, 2) is a
𝑑𝑥
point on the curve, find the equation of the curve.
SOLUTION:

y = ∫(9𝑥 2 − 4𝑥)𝑑𝑥

= 9 ∫ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 − 4 ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥

9𝑥 2+1 4𝑥 1+1
= − +𝐶
2+1 1+1

9𝑥 3 4𝑥 2
= − +𝐶
3 2

Y = 3x3 – 2x2 + C , C is an constant

Since the curve passes through (1, 2)

Y = 3x3 – 2x2 + C
2 = 3( 1)3 – 2 (1)2 + C ( Substitute the value of x and y)

C=1

Therefore, the equation of the curve that satisfies the condition is

Y = 3x3 -2x2 + 1

If we graph y = 3x3 – 2x2 + C represents the family of curves with the same slope function 𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
=
9x2 -4x.
From the family of curves shown from the picture above , Y = 3x3 -2x2 + 1 is one of the curves that passes
through (1,2).

Application in Science
In Science, there are a lot of examples related to rate of change, including the growth rate of certain
𝑑𝑦
organisms. In calculus, the rate of change is represented by , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, we can apply integration to find the
𝑑𝑥
primitive function from the given rate of change.

EXAMPLE

A biologist is studying the reproduction of some butterflies in a certain region. After investigation, he discovers
that the increase in the number of the butterflies can be modeled by the formula
1
𝑑𝑁
= 7𝑡 2 , 0 ≤ t ≤ 12, where N is the number of butterflies and t is the number of months after December 31,
𝑑𝑡
2015. It is given that there are 400 butterflies on December 31, 2015.

a. Express N in terms of t
 b. Find the number of butterflies on September 30, 2016

SOLUTION

1
𝑑𝑁
a. = 7𝑡 𝑑𝑡 2
𝑑𝑡
1
+1
7𝑡 2
= 1 +C ( Power Rule of Integration)
+1
2

3
𝑡2
=7 3 +C
2

3
7
= 3 𝑡2 + C
2

3
14
N = 𝑡2 + 𝐶 Where C is any constant
3

When t = 0 N = 400 → C = 400

14 3
Therefore N = 𝑡 2 + 400.
3

b. On September 30, 2016 , t = 9 ( December to September is 30 is equivalent to 9 months)

14 3
N= 𝑡 2 + 400.
3

3
14
N= (9)2 + 400.
3

N = 526

Thus, there are 526 butterflies.

 Application in Economics and Social Sciences

There are wide applications for the definite integrals in economics and social
science. Including population growth and product promotion. We can apply the
concept of indefinite integral to deal with anything that involves finding the primitive
function from its derivative. Now, we are going to review the problem.

EXAMPLE
A consultant is hired by the theme park to design a promotion campaign to increase the daily number of
visitors. The consultant announces that the growth rate in the number of visitors after t weeks of the campaign
1
𝑑𝑣 1
can be represented by: = 𝑛𝑡 3
𝑑𝑡 10

Where v is the number of visitors and n is the number of visitors at the beginning of the campaign. If the
number of visitors at the beginning is 14,000, how many days are needed so that the number of visitors can
reach 30,000?

1
1
V=∫ (14,000)𝑡 3
10
1
1
(14,000) ∫ 𝑡 3
10
1
1, 400 ∫ 𝑡 3

1
+1
𝑡3
= 1400 1
+1
3

4
= 1050 𝑡 3 + 𝐶

When t = 0 , v = 14,000 → C = 14, 000

4
V =1050 𝑡 3 + 14, 000

When v = 30, 000

 4
30, 000 = 1050 𝑡 3 + 14, 000
4
30,000−14,000 16,000 320
Thus, 𝑡 3 = = =
1050 1050 21
4
320 4 3
𝑡3 = ( multiply by its reciprocal ( ) so that t is raised to 1)
21 3 4

4 3 320 3
𝑡 (3)4 = ( )4
21
320 3 4 320 3
t=( )4 can be written as √( )
21 21

Therefore t = 7.7126 weeks

7 days In a week x 7.7126 = 54 days are needed for the number of visitors to
reach 30, 000