A Maths Revision Notes >>

Integration as reverse of differentiation

Type 1: Use differentiation result directly

Example

(i) Differentiate $ \ln (2x^2 - 3) $ with respect to $x$.

Answer: $ {4x \over 2x^2 - 3} $

Solutions

(ii) Hence, show that $ \int_2^3 {4x \over 2x^2 - 3} \phantom{.} dx = \ln a $, where $a$ is an integer.

Answer: $ a = 3 $

Solutions

Type 2: Use differentiation result with manipulation

Example

(i) Differentiate $ {x \over (x + 1)^2 } $.

Answer: $ {1 - x \over (x + 1)^3 } $

Solutions

(ii) Using the result from (i), find $ \int {3 - 2x \over (x + 1)^3} \phantom{.} dx$.

Answer: $ {4x - 1 \over 2(x + 1)^2} + c $

Solutions

Type 3: Change subject of equation

For this type, the differentiation part of the question usually involves product rule.


Example

(i) Differentiate $ e^{2x} x $ with respect to $x$.

Answer: $ 2x e^{2x} + e^{2x} $

Solutions

(ii) Hence, find $ \int x e^{2x} \phantom{.} dx $.

Answer: $ {1 \over 2}x e^{2x} - {1 \over 4} e^{2x} + c $

Solutions

Past year O level questions

Year & paper Comments
2025 P1 Question 4 Type 3 (Difficult)
2024 P1 Question 2 Type 2
2023 P1 Question 4 Type 3
2022 P2 Question 8c Type 2 (Difficult)
2021 P2 Question 3 Type 1
2020 P2 Question 7 Type 2 (Difficult)
2019 P2 Question 1 Type 3
2018 P2 Question 6 Type 3
2017 P2 Question 2 Type 1
2016 P1 Question 10i, ii Type 3
2015 P1 Question 2 Type 3
2013 P1 Question 12 Type 3 (Link - Subscription required)
2012 P1 Question 3 Type 3 (Link - Subscription required)
2010 P1 Question 6 Type 3 (Link - Subscription required)
2010 P2 Question 10 Type 1
2009 P1 Question 12iii Type 2
2008 P1 Question 4 Type 3
2005 P1 Question 8 Type 2 (Link - Subscription required)
2004 P1 Question 11iv Type 3
2003 P2 Question 9 Type 2 (Link - Subscription required)
2002 P2 Question 7 Type 3


Integration techniques Gradient of curve