Chapter 7: Problem 5
Find the integrals. Check your answers by differentiation. $$\int e^{-x} d x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The integral is \( -e^{-x} + C \), where \( C \) is a constant.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Form of the Integral
The integral \( \int e^{-x} \, dx \) is a straightforward exponential integral of the form \( \int e^{ax} \, dx \), where the solution is \( \frac{1}{a} e^{ax} + C \). In this case, \( a = -1 \).
02
Solve the Integral
Using the formula for exponential integrals, substitute \( a = -1 \). The integral becomes \( \int e^{-x} \, dx = \frac{1}{-1} e^{-x} + C = -e^{-x} + C \), where \( C \) is the constant of integration.
03
Differentiate to Check the Solution
Differentiate the function \( -e^{-x} + C \) to verify the solution. The derivative of \( -e^{-x} \) is \( e^{-x} \), because the derivative of \( e^{-x} \) is \( -e^{-x} \) and the negative sign switches it back to \( e^{-x} \). The derivative of a constant \( C \) is zero. Hence, the derivative of \( -e^{-x} + C \) is \( e^{-x} \).
04
Confirm the Solution Matches the Original Integrand
Since the derivative \( e^{-x} \) matches the original integrand, \( e^{-x} \), the solution to the integral is confirmed to be correct.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponential Integral
Exponential integrals are a common mathematical function used in calculus involving integrals of exponential functions. The expression used in the exercise, \( \int e^{-x} \, dx \), is a classic example of an exponential integral. When integrating an exponential function of the form \( \int e^{ax} \, dx \), the antiderivative will be \( \frac{1}{a} e^{ax} + C \). Here, \( a \) is a constant that appears as a coefficient in the exponent.
- In our integral \( e^{-x} \), the coefficient \( a \) is \(-1\).
- Applying the formula, we find that the integral evaluates to \( -e^{-x} + C \).
- The function \( e^{-x} \) rapidly decreases as \( x \) increases, a characteristic feature of negative-exponent exponential functions.
Differentiation
Differentiation is the mathematical process used to find the derivative of a function. In calculus, differentiating an integral is a common way to verify its correctness. The derivative provides information about the rate of change of the function.
- To check an integration solution, you differentiate the result and see if you return to the original function inside the integral.
- In the solved exercise, differentiating \( -e^{-x} + C \) yields \( e^{-x} \), precisely the original integrand.
- The process ensures we've correctly found the antiderivative by confirming that when differentiated, it returns to the beginning function.
Constant of Integration
The constant of integration, represented as \( C \), frequently appears in indefinite integrals. It is a placeholder that represents any constant value.
- After integrating, the general solution includes \( C \) because indefinite integrals represent families of functions.
- These families differ by a constant, since differentiating a constant results in zero.
- Thus, regardless of the value of \( C \), the derivative of the integral \(-e^{-x} + C\) will remain \( e^{-x} \).