Introduction to the integral of x^-2

In calculus, the integral is a fundamental concept that assigns numbers to functions to define displacement, area, volume, and all those functions that contain a combination of tiny elements. It is categorized into two parts, definite integral and indefinite integral. The process of integration calculates the integrals. This process is defined as finding an antiderivative of a function. 

Integrals can handle almost all functions, such as trigonometric, algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, etc. This article will teach you what is integral to an algebraic function x^2. You will also understand how to compute x^2 integral by using different integration techniques.

What is the integral of x^-2?

The integral of x^(-2) is an antiderivative of x^2 function which is equal to x^3/3. It is also known as the reverse derivative of the function x^-2 which is an algebraic function. It can be calculated by using the power rule of integral. This rule is written as;

$\int x^n dx =\frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1}$

This formula says that the integral of any algebraic function with some exponent, can be calculated by adding 1 in its exponent and dividing by the new exponent i.e n+1.

Integral of x^(-2) formula

The formula of integral of x negative squared contains integral sign, coefficient of integration and the function as x^-2. It is denoted by ∫(x^-2)dx. In mathematical form, the integral of x -2 is;

$\int x^{-2}dx=\frac{-1}{x}+x$

Where c is any constant involved, dx is the coefficient of integration and ∫ is the symbol of integral. 

How to evaluate integral of x^-2 with respect to x?

The integral of x^-2 is its antiderivative that can be calculated by using different integration techniques. In this article, we will discuss how to calculate integral of x to the -2 by using:

1. Power Rule
2. Integration by parts
3. Definite integral

Integral of x power -2 by using power rule

The derivative of a function calculates the rate of change, and integration is the process of finding the antiderivative of a function. The power rule of integration is a method of solving the integral of algebraic functions with the same exponent. Let’s discuss calculating the integral of x^-2 by using the power rule.

Proof of Integral of x^-2 by using power rule

To integrate the function x^-2 using the power rule, we can use the following formula:

$\int x^n dx =\frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1}$

Since we need to calculate integration of x^-2;

$\int x^{-2} dx =\frac{1}{x^2}$

Now integrating by using power rule of integral calculator,

$\int x^{-2} dx =\frac{x^{-2+1}}{-2+1}$

$\int x^{-2} dx =\frac{x^{-1}}{-1}$

Or, we can write it as;

$\int x^{-2} dx =\frac{-1}{x}$

Thus, the calculation of x -2 integral is equal to -1/x. You can also use our integration tool to find out integrals of any function.

Integral of x^-2 by using integration by parts

The derivative of a function calculates the rate of change, and integration is the process of finding the antiderivative of a function. The integration by parts is a method of solving the integral of two functions combined together. Let’s discuss calculating the integral of x^-2 by using integration by parts.

Proof of integral of (x)^-2 by using integration by parts

To integrate the function x^-2 using integration by parts, we can use the following formula:

$I=f(x)\int g(x) dx - \int [f’(x)\int g(x)dx]dx$

Suppose that, 

$f(x) = x^{-2}$

$g(x) =1$ 

Using these values in the above formula, 

$I=x^{-2}\int 1dx - \int [\frac{d}{dx}(x^{-2})\int 1 dx]dx$

Integrating by parts formula calculator, 

$I=x^{-2}.x-\int [\frac{-2}{x^3}\times x]dx$

$I=x^{-1}+2\int x^{-2}dx$

Since,

$I=\int x^{-2}dx$

$I=x^{-1}+2I$

Simplifying,

$I=-x^{-1}=\frac{-1}{x}+x$

Hence the integral of x to the negative square is -1/x +c, where c is a constant known as an integration constant.

Integral of x to the negative square by using definite integral 

The definite integral is a type of integral that calculates the area of a curve by using infinitesimal area elements between two points. The definite integral can be written as:

$\int^b_a f(x)dx=F(b)-F(a)$

Let’s understand the verification of the integral of x^-2 by using the indefinite integral.

Proof of integral of log x by using definite integral

To integrate x^-2 by using a definite integral, we can use the interval from a to b. It means that we can evaluate the definite integral of x square for any value of a and b. Let’s compute it generally from a to b.

$\int^b_a x^{-2}dx =\frac{-1}{x}|^b_a$

Substituting the values of upper and lower bounds.

$\int^b_a x^{-2} dx = \frac{-1}{b}+\frac{1}{a}$

For any value of a and b, we can evaluate the definite integral by using the above formula. You can also use our definite integral calculator to make this calculation simple in just one click.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you integrate x^-2 using the power rule?

To integrate x^-2 by using the power rule, add 1 in the power of x and divide it by the new power of x. Mathematically, 

$\int x^{-2}dx=\frac{x^{-2+1}}{-2+1}=\frac{x{-1}}{-1}+c$

How do you find the integral?

To find the integral, we use the fundamental theorem of calculus. This theorem states that if a function f is continuous on an interval [a, b], then, 

$\int^b_a f(x)dx=F(b)-F(a)$

Which is known as definite integral. Another formula to calculate the integral is the indefinite integral, that is;

$∫f(x)dx=F(x) +c$

What is the integral of x^2?

The integral or antiderivative of x^2 is equal to x^3/3. It can be calculated by using the power rule of integration. Mathematically, the integral of x^2 is written as:

$\int x^2 dx = \frac{x^3}{3}+c$