NDA Maths · Teaching notes
Indefinite Integration — NDA Maths
Indefinite Integration is a pure-technique chapter: there is no theory to memorise, only a toolbox of methods and the judgement to pick the right one. 40 PYQs span 2017–2026, and only 6 of them are EASY — the NDA reliably makes you simplify, substitute, or decompose before a standard formula appears. The notes teach in four movements, easiest tool first: (1) Foundations & Standard Forms — what an antiderivative is, the +C, the standard-formula table, the exponential/logarithm laws that collapse a scary integrand to a one-liner, and the recurring eˣ-pattern and paired-integral shapes; (2) Integration by Substitution — the single highest-yield method (17 PYQs), built on the reverse chain rule and the f′(x)/f(x) → ln pattern; (3) Integration by Parts — LIATE, the ∫ln x family, and the (ln x)⁻ⁿ cancellation; (4) Integration by Partial Fractions — the recurring 1/(x(xⁿ+1)) shape, substitute-then-decompose, and the express-the-numerator trick. Every PYQ is tagged — learn the pattern, drill the bank, recover the marks.
Subtopic notes
Foundations & Standard Forms
13 PYQsIntegration is differentiation run backwards: given a rate of change, recover the function — plus an unknown constant C that no derivative can pin down.
Open note
Integration by Substitution
17 PYQsSubstitution is the reverse chain rule: rename an inner function as u so that its derivative is already sitting in the integrand, collapsing the integral to a standard form in u.
Open note
Integration by Parts
3 PYQsIntegration by parts is the product rule run backwards: it trades an integral of a product for a simpler one, choosing which factor to differentiate by the LIATE order.
Open note
Integration by Partial Fractions
7 PYQsPartial fractions break a single rational function into a sum of simpler fractions, each of which integrates to a logarithm or an arctangent.
Open note
PYQ weightage by concept
22 concepts · 40 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
PYQ weightage by concept
22 concepts · 40 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cyclic and Paired Integrals of e-to-the-x Times Trig | 4 | 10% |
| Simplify the Integrand First | 3 | 8% |
| Exponential Bases — a to the x | 2 | 5% |
| The e-to-the-x Times f-plus-f-prime Pattern | 2 | 5% |
| Completing the Square for Quadratic Denominators | 1 | 3% |
| Properties of an Antiderivative | 1 | 3% |
| Antiderivative and the Constant of Integrationfoundation | — | — |
| The Standard-Formula Tablefoundation | — | — |
| Linearity — Integrate Term by Termfoundation | — | — |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Trigonometric Substitutions and Identity Reductions | 8 | 20% |
| Spotting a Hidden Derivative | 3 | 8% |
| Algebraic and Composite Substitutions | 2 | 5% |
| The f-prime-over-f to Log Pattern | 2 | 5% |
| Rationalising a Surd Denominator | 2 | 5% |
| Why Substitution Works — the Reverse Chain Rulefoundation | — | — |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Products and Telescoping Cancellations | 2 | 5% |
| Integrating a Lone Logarithm | 1 | 3% |
| The By-Parts Formula and LIATEfoundation | — | — |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The Recurring 1 over x times x-to-the-n-plus-1 Family | 3 | 8% |
| Substitute First, Then Decompose | 2 | 5% |
| Express the Numerator via the Denominator and Its Derivative | 2 | 5% |
| Decomposition and the Cover-Up Methodfoundation | — | — |
Formula & revision sheet
21 formulas · 22 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Formula & revision sheet
21 formulas · 22 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Formulas (8)
- Antiderivative and the Constant of Integration · Indefinite integral
- The Standard-Formula Table · Power rule (the most-used row)
- Linearity — Integrate Term by Term · Linearity of the integral
- Simplify the Integrand First · The collapse identity
- Exponential Bases — a to the x · Exponential base rule
- Completing the Square for Quadratic Denominators · Arctan standard form
- The e-to-the-x Times f-plus-f-prime Pattern · Reverse product rule
- Cyclic and Paired Integrals of e-to-the-x Times Trig · The matched pair
Watch out for (9)
- Never drop the +C on an indefinite integral→ Antiderivative and the Constant of Integration
- The power rule excludes→ The Standard-Formula Table
- You cannot split a product or a quotient like a sum→ Linearity — Integrate Term by Term
- Resolve the exponent/log BEFORE you integrate→ Simplify the Integrand First
- Divide by , not by→ Exponential Bases — a to the x
- Factor out the leading coefficient first→ Completing the Square for Quadratic Denominators
- The whole bracket must be→ The e-to-the-x Times f-plus-f-prime Pattern
- du/dx is the integrand, not the other integral→ Cyclic and Paired Integrals of e-to-the-x Times Trig
- Two true facts can still give a false link→ Properties of an Antiderivative
Formulas (6)
- Why Substitution Works — the Reverse Chain Rule · Substitution rule
- Algebraic and Composite Substitutions · Power-times-derivative shape
- The f-prime-over-f to Log Pattern · Log pattern
- Trigonometric Substitutions and Identity Reductions · The divide-by-cos-squared move
- Rationalising a Surd Denominator · Conjugate clears the surd
- Spotting a Hidden Derivative · The x-to-the-x derivative
Watch out for (6)
- Every x must disappear before you integrate in u→ Why Substitution Works — the Reverse Chain Rule
- Carry the sign from du→ Algebraic and Composite Substitutions
- Adjust by a constant, never by a variable→ The f-prime-over-f to Log Pattern
- A square root forces an absolute value→ Trigonometric Substitutions and Identity Reductions
- Do not lose the 1 over (a minus b) factor→ Rationalising a Surd Denominator
- x-to-the-x is neither a power nor an exponential→ Spotting a Hidden Derivative
Formulas (3)
Watch out for (3)
- Choosing u backwards makes it worse→ The By-Parts Formula and LIATE
- ln x has no naive antiderivative→ Integrating a Lone Logarithm
- Simplify disguised factors before applying parts→ Products and Telescoping Cancellations
Formulas (4)
- Decomposition and the Cover-Up Method · Linear-factor decomposition
- The Recurring 1 over x times x-to-the-n-plus-1 Family · Closed form for the family
- Substitute First, Then Decompose · Trig-to-rational substitution
- Express the Numerator via the Denominator and Its Derivative · Numerator as denom + derivative
Watch out for (4)
- Decompose only a PROPER fraction→ Decomposition and the Cover-Up Method
- The 1 over n out front is easy to lose→ The Recurring 1 over x times x-to-the-n-plus-1 Family
- Carry the minus from du, and the chain factor→ Substitute First, Then Decompose
- Watch the sign in the denominator's derivative→ Express the Numerator via the Denominator and Its Derivative