Introduction to Basic Calculus: Elementary Integration
Starting from the mass integral, this article systematically introduces the concepts of indefinite and definite integrals, commonly used formulas and substitution methods, and demonstrates the practical application of integrals in competition physics through physical examples such as center of gravity calculation, n-dimensional sphere volume derivation, and resistance motion.
Why is finding the integral the process of finding the original function?
∫x0x1f(x)dx=x0∑x1f(x)dx=∑ΔS
And dxdF(x)=f(x), is dF(x)=f(x)dx, so:
∫x0x1f(x)dx=S=∑dF(x)=F(x1)−F(x0)
Noted as: ∫x0x1f(x)dx=F(x)∣x0x1 It is not difficult to see that if the upper and lower limits of the definite integral are exchanged, the result becomes the opposite number.
Example 3
(1) ∫0−1(a+bx2)dx
Original function F(x)=ax+3bx3+C∫0−1(a+bx2)dx=F(−1)−F(0)=−a−3b (2) ∫absin(kt+ϕ0)dt
Original function F(x)=−k1cos(kt+ϕ0)+C∫absin(kt+ϕ0)dt=F(b)−F(a)=... (3) ∫a2a(x+a)21dx
Original function F(x)=−(x+a)−1+C∫a2a(x+a)21dx=F(2a)−F(a)=6a1 (4) ∫15x2+7x+12dx
Write the integrand as a partial fraction: x2+7x+121=x+31+x+41 Original function F(x)=ln(x+3)−ln(x+4)+C∫15x2+7x+12dx=F(5)−F(1)=ln8−ln9−ln4+ln5=ln2−2ln3+ln5 (5) ∫011−x2dx
Use the second type of substitution method:
Let x=cosθ,θ∈[0,2π]
Then ∫011−x2dx=∫2π0sinθd(cosθ)=−∫2π0sin2θ=∫2π02cos2θ−1
Original function F(x)=41sin2x−2x+C∫011−x2dx=F(0)−F(2π)=4π Substitution method: Replace x,dx and the upper and lower limits of the integral.
Example 4
There is a piece of uniform cardboard whose shape is the figure enclosed by y=−x2+4 and the x-axis
(1) Find the total area
(2) Find the area of the center of gravity (xc,yc)
Note: In the integral formula, dx in ∫f(x)dx naturally exists
Note that integral substitution cannot change the range of the original variable, and the new variable should correspond one-to-one to the original variable.
yc=S∫+204x2(4−x2)dx=S(54x5−316x3)∣+20=58
Example 5
Find the surface "area" and "volume" of an n-dimensional sphere
We define that the ball is the set of all points whose distance to point O is less than or equal to R.
It is not difficult to see that a one-dimensional ball is a line segment; a two-dimensional ball is a round cake; and a three-dimensional ball is a ball in the conventional sense.
Next, we define the areas and volumes of these spheres:
The volume of n-dimensional sphere Vn, that is, the ratio of occupied space to unit space
It is not difficult to derive from common sense: V1(R)=2R,V2(R)=πR2,V3(R)=34πR3 But when studying 4- and 5-dimensional balls, our common sense loses its effect.
To solve higher-dimensional problems, we resort to rethinking the lower-dimensional sphere:
From one-dimensional ball to two-dimensional ball
For a two-dimensional ball, cut each one at θ,θ+dθ
Starting from physical problems (such as finding mass and displacement), the article naturally introduces the concepts of indefinite integrals and definite integrals, and then demonstrates the actual operation methods of integrals through a large number of examples.
Main knowledge points
The article covers: the definition of indefinite integral (finding the original function) and definite integral; table of commonly used integral formulas; substitution method (trigonometric substitution, algebraic substitution) and integral by parts; and the geometric intuition of Newton-Leibniz formula.
Example question system
The example questions go from simple to deep, from basic polynomials and trigonometric function integration, and gradually transition to: calculation of the area and center of gravity of parabolic cardboard; recursive derivation of n-dimensional spherical volume (1 to 4 dimensions); physical applications (pole climbing problem, resistance motion problem), among which the resistance motion question naturally leads to the first differential equation.
Style Features
The writing is relaxed (the introduction of "a pig"), and both physical intuition and mathematical derivation are emphasized. It is suitable for students who have a certain foundation in high school mathematics and are preparing for physics competitions.