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Definite Integration — NDA Mathematics

Definite Integration is a high-yield, rising chapter in NDA Maths — 69 PYQs across 2017–2026, ~20% HARD, and built on a small set of powerful tricks rather than brute-force antidifferentiation. The chapter teaches in five movements: (1) Fundamental theorem, periodic integrals, and Leibniz rule — what a definite integral IS and the shortcuts for derivatives, periods, and variable limits; (2) Properties — symmetry, King's property, and odd/even — the heart of the chapter and its HARD pocket, where the 'add the integral to its own reflection' move evaluates integrals you could never antidifferentiate; (3) Integration of absolute value, piecewise, and greatest-integer functions — split at the break-points and integrate each piece; (4) Area under curves — the geometric reading of the integral; (5) Definite integrals in function conditions — recovering unknown coefficients from integral equations. 11 concepts, every PYQ tagged. This chapter assumes you can already find antiderivatives — for substitution, by-parts, and partial fractions, see the Indefinite Integration notes; here the focus is the definite-integral-specific machinery.

The handout has every subtopic, worked example, formula and trap with answers shown. The formula sheet is the chapter’s formulas and traps alone, on one page.

Subtopic notes

Formula & revision sheet

8 formulas · 13 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet

Fundamental Theorem, Periodicity and the Leibniz Rule

Formulas (3)

Watch out for (3)

Properties — King's, Symmetry and Standard Results

Formulas (3)

  • King's property — the reflection trick · King's property and its companions
    ∫0af(x) dx=∫0af(a−x) dx∫abf(x) dx=∫abf(a+b−x) dx∫02af(x) dx=∫0a[f(x)+f(2a−x)] dx∫0af(x)f(x)+f(a−x) dx=a2\int_0^a f(x)\,dx = \int_0^a f(a-x)\,dx \qquad \int_a^b f(x)\,dx = \int_a^b f(a+b-x)\,dx \qquad \int_0^{2a} f(x)\,dx = \int_0^a \big[f(x)+f(2a-x)\big]\,dx \qquad \int_0^a \frac{f(x)}{f(x)+f(a-x)}\,dx = \frac{a}{2}
  • Odd/even symmetry over a symmetric interval · Odd/even symmetry over a symmetric interval
    ∫−aaf(x) dx=0    (f odd)∫−aaf(x) dx=2∫0af(x) dx    (f even)∫−aaf(x)1+cx dx=∫0af(x) dx    (f even)\int_{-a}^{a} f(x)\,dx = 0 \;\;(f\text{ odd}) \qquad \int_{-a}^{a} f(x)\,dx = 2\int_0^a f(x)\,dx \;\;(f\text{ even}) \qquad \int_{-a}^{a} \frac{f(x)}{1+c^{x}}\,dx = \int_0^a f(x)\,dx \;\;(f\text{ even})
  • Standard results and trig reductions · Standard definite-integral results
    ∫0πdx1+sin⁡2x=π2∫01xm(1−x)n dx=m! n!(m+n+1)!∫0π/2sin⁡2x dx=∫0π/2cos⁡2x dx=π4\int_0^{\pi}\frac{dx}{1+\sin^2x} = \frac{\pi}{\sqrt2} \qquad \int_0^1 x^{m}(1-x)^{n}\,dx = \frac{m!\,n!}{(m+n+1)!} \qquad \int_0^{\pi/2}\sin^{2}x\,dx = \int_0^{\pi/2}\cos^{2}x\,dx = \frac{\pi}{4}

Watch out for (5)

Absolute Value, Piecewise and Greatest-Integer Integrals

Formulas (1)

  • Integrating greatest-integer (floor) functions · Greatest-integer (floor) results
    ∫nn+1(x−⌊x⌋) dx=12⌊x⌋+⌊−x⌋=−1    (x∉Z)∫0n⌊x⌋ dx=n(n−1)2\int_n^{n+1}\big(x-\lfloor x\rfloor\big)\,dx = \frac12 \qquad \lfloor x\rfloor + \lfloor -x\rfloor = -1 \;\;(x\notin\mathbb{Z}) \qquad \int_0^{n}\lfloor x\rfloor\,dx = \frac{n(n-1)}{2}

Watch out for (3)

Area Under and Between Curves

Formulas (1)

Watch out for (1)

PYQ weightage by concept

11 concepts · 69 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first

Fundamental Theorem, Periodicity and the Leibniz Rule13 PYQs · 19%
ConceptPYQsShare
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus812%
Integrals of periodic functions34%
The Leibniz rule — differentiating an integral23%
Properties — King's, Symmetry and Standard Results33 PYQs · 48%
ConceptPYQsShare
King's property — the reflection trick1420%
Odd/even symmetry over a symmetric interval812%
Standard results and trig reductions69%
Direct evaluation — simplify, then integrate57%
Absolute Value, Piecewise and Greatest-Integer Integrals17 PYQs · 25%
ConceptPYQsShare
Integrating absolute-value and piecewise functions1014%
Integrating greatest-integer (floor) functions710%
Area Under and Between Curves3 PYQs · 4%
ConceptPYQsShare
Area between curves34%
Recovering a Function from Integral Conditions3 PYQs · 4%
ConceptPYQsShare
Solving for coefficients from integral conditions34%

Test yourself on Definite Integration

15 past NDA questions from this chapter, timed at 19 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.

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