NDA Maths · Free notes
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
Fundamental Theorem, Periodicity and the Leibniz Rule
13 PYQsA definite integral is the change in an antiderivative across the limits; periodic integrands repeat over each period, and the Leibniz rule differentiates an integral with a variable limit.
Properties — King's, Symmetry and Standard Results
33 PYQsThe properties of definite integrals — above all King's property and odd/even symmetry — evaluate integrals you could never antidifferentiate, by adding an integral to its own mirror image.
Absolute Value, Piecewise and Greatest-Integer Integrals
17 PYQsWhen the integrand changes formula across the interval — an absolute value, a piecewise rule, or a greatest-integer function — split the integral at every break-point and integrate each piece on its own.
Area Under and Between Curves
3 PYQsArea is the integral of the gap between curves; use the absolute value (or split at intersections) so every piece counts positively, and exploit symmetry to halve the work.
Recovering a Function from Integral Conditions
3 PYQsWhen an unknown function has parameters and you are given several integral or derivative conditions, each condition becomes one linear equation — solve the system for the parameters.
Formula & revision sheet
8 formulas · 13 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Formula & revision sheet
8 formulas · 13 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Formulas (3)
Watch out for (3)
- Integrating a derivative is not always trivial→ The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
- Use the function's period, not the trig argument's→ Integrals of periodic functions
- Don't forget the chain-rule factor→ The Leibniz rule — differentiating an integral
Formulas (3)
Watch out for (5)
- Add the reflected form — don't just substitute and stop→ King's property — the reflection trick
- King's reflection only works with the matching limits→ King's property — the reflection trick
- Check parity of the WHOLE integrand→ Odd/even symmetry over a symmetric interval
- Reduce the power BEFORE integrating→ Standard results and trig reductions
- Transform the limits when you substitute→ Direct evaluation — simplify, then integrate
Watch out for (3)
- Find the zeros first — don't drop the absolute value→ Integrating absolute-value and piecewise functions
- Split |x| at 0, even when 0 is interior to the interval→ Integrating absolute-value and piecewise functions
- ⌊x⌋ on [−1, 0) is −1, not 0→ Integrating greatest-integer (floor) functions
Watch out for (1)
- Area is unsigned — use the absolute value→ Area between curves
Watch out for (1)
- One condition, one equation — match the counts→ Solving for coefficients from integral conditions
PYQ weightage by concept
11 concepts · 69 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
PYQ weightage by concept
11 concepts · 69 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus | 8 | 12% |
| Integrals of periodic functions | 3 | 4% |
| The Leibniz rule — differentiating an integral | 2 | 3% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| King's property — the reflection trick | 14 | 20% |
| Odd/even symmetry over a symmetric interval | 8 | 12% |
| Standard results and trig reductions | 6 | 9% |
| Direct evaluation — simplify, then integrate | 5 | 7% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Integrating absolute-value and piecewise functions | 10 | 14% |
| Integrating greatest-integer (floor) functions | 7 | 10% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Solving for coefficients from integral conditions | 3 | 4% |
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.