Imagine you are tracking the distance a car travels when its speed changes every second. To find the total distance covered, you need to add up all the small distances over time, this is where integrals become very useful. The application of integrals helps in calculating total quantities from varying rates, such as distance, area, volume, and more. In application of integrals class 12, students learn to solve problems using class 12 application of integrals formulas, important questions, and solutions, making it easier to understand how these concepts apply in real-world situations. Application of integrals class 12 notes provide a clear summary of key methods and formulas for quick revision. In this article, we will discuss the main applications of integrals, their formulas, methods, and solved examples to help you master class 12 maths effectively.
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Integration is the reverse process of differentiation. In integration, we determine the function whose derivative is given. Class 12 application of integrals formulas rely on this principle to solve real-life and mathematical problems.
Integrals are based on a limiting process that approximates the area of a curvilinear region by dividing it into thin vertical slabs and summing them up.
For example: $\frac{d}{dx} (\sin x) = \cos x$
$\frac{d}{dx} (x^2) = 2x$
$\frac{d}{dx} (e^x) = e^x$
In these examples, $\cos(x)$ is the derivative of $\sin(x)$. So, $\sin(x)$ is an antiderivative (or integral) of $\cos(x)$. Similarly, $x^2$ and $e^x$ are antiderivatives (or integrals) of $2x$ and $e^x$, respectively.
The derivative of a constant ($C$) is zero. Therefore, we can also write:
$\frac{d}{dx} (\sin x + C) = \cos x$
$\frac{d}{dx} (x^2 + C) = 2x$
$\frac{d}{dx} (e^x + C) = e^x$
This shows that the antiderivatives (or integrals) of a function are not unique. There are infinitely many integrals for each function, obtained by choosing $C$ arbitrarily from real numbers. This principle forms the foundation of many application of integrals class 12 solutions and exercises.
This section provides all essential formulas for indefinite and definite integrals, covering polynomials, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and inverse functions. Mastering these formulas is key for solving application of integrals class 12 problems efficiently.
This section lists all key formulas for indefinite integrals, including polynomials, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, essential for solving class 12 integrals problems.
| Function / Rule | Integral Formula |
|---|---|
| Constant function | $\int 0 ,dx = C$ |
| Constant multiplied | $\int k ,dx = kx + C$ |
| Power function | $\int x^n ,dx = \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + C, \quad n \neq -1$ |
| Reciprocal function | $\int \frac{1}{x} ,dx = \log x + C$ |
| Sine function | $\int \sin x ,dx = -\cos x + C$ |
| Cosine function | $\int \cos x ,dx = \sin x + C$ |
| Secant squared | $\int \sec^2 x ,dx = \tan x + C$ |
| Cosecant squared | $\int \csc^2 x ,dx = -\cot x + C$ |
| Secant × tangent | $\int \sec x \tan x ,dx = \sec x + C$ |
| Cosecant × cotangent | $\int \csc x \cot x ,dx = -\csc x + C$ |
| Exponential $e^x$ | $\int e^x ,dx = e^x + C$ |
| Exponential $a^x$ | $\int a^x ,dx = \frac{a^x}{\log a} + C$ |
| Inverse sine | $\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}} ,dx = \sin^{-1} x + C$ |
| Inverse tangent | $\int \frac{1}{1+x^2} ,dx = \tan^{-1} x + C$ |
| Logarithmic Function | $\int \frac{1}{x} ,dx = \log x + C$ |
Here, you’ll find important formulas for definite integrals to calculate areas, volumes, and accumulated quantities in class 12 application of integrals problems.
| Function / Rule | Definite Integral Formula |
|---|---|
| Constant function | $\int_a^b k ,dx = k(b-a)$ |
| Power function | $\int_a^b x^n ,dx = \frac{b^{n+1} - a^{n+1}}{n+1}, \quad n \neq -1$ |
| Reciprocal function | $\int_a^b \frac{1}{x} ,dx = \log b - \log a$ |
| Sine function | $\int_a^b \sin x ,dx = -\cos b + \cos a$ |
| Cosine function | $\int_a^b \cos x ,dx = \sin b - \sin a$ |
| Secant squared | $\int_a^b \sec^2 x ,dx = \tan b - \tan a$ |
| Cosecant squared | $\int_a^b \csc^2 x ,dx = -\cot b + \cot a$ |
| Secant × tangent | $\int_a^b \sec x \tan x ,dx = \sec b - \sec a$ |
| Cosecant × cotangent | $\int_a^b \csc x \cot x ,dx = -\csc b + \csc a$ |
| Exponential $e^x$ | $\int_a^b e^x ,dx = e^b - e^a$ |
| Exponential $a^x$ | $\int_a^b a^x ,dx = \frac{a^b - a^a}{\log a}$ |
| Inverse sine | $\int_a^b \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}} ,dx = \sin^{-1} b - \sin^{-1} a$ |
| Inverse tangent | $\int_a^b \frac{1}{1+x^2} ,dx = \tan^{-1} b - \tan^{-1} a$ |
Change of variable: $\int_a^b f(x) ,dx = \int_a^b f(t) ,dt$
Reversing limits: $\int_a^b f(x) ,dx = -\int_b^a f(x) ,dx$
Integral over same limits: $\int_a^a f(x) ,dx = 0$
Breaking into parts: $\int_a^b f(x) ,dx = \int_a^c f(x) ,dx + \int_c^b f(x) ,dx$
Even function: $\int_{-a}^a f(x) ,dx = 2 \int_0^a f(x) ,dx, \quad f(-x) = f(x)$
Odd function: $\int_{-a}^a f(x) ,dx = 0, \quad f(-x) = -f(x)$
The application of Integrals class 12 notes includes - the area along the X-axis and Y-axis, the area of piecewise function and the area bounded by two curves.
If the function $f(x) ≥ 0 ∀ x ∈ [a, b]$ then $\int_a^{\infty} f(x) d x$ represents the area bounded by $y = f(x), x-$axis and lines $x = a$ and $x = b$.
If the function $f(x) ≤ 0 ∀ x ∈ [a, b]$, then the area by bounded $4y = f(x)$, x-axis and lines $4x = a$ and $x = b$ is $\int_a^b f(x) d x$.

The area by bounded $x = g(y)$ [with $g(y)>0$], $y$-axis and the lines $y = a$ and $y = b$ is $\int_a^b x d y=\int_a^b g(y) d y$
If the graph of the function $f(x)$ is of the following form, then

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then $\int_a^b f(x) d x$ will equal $A_1-A_2+A_3-A_4$ and not $A_1+A_2+A_3+A_4$.
If we need to evaluate $A_1+A_2+A_3+A_1$ (the magnitude of the bounded area) we will have to calculate
$ \underbrace{\int_a^x f(x) d x}_{\mathrm{A}_1}+\underbrace{\left|\int_x^y f(x) d x\right|}_{\mathrm{A}_2}+\underbrace{\int_5^z f(x) d x}_{\mathrm{A}_3}+\underbrace{\left|\int_z^b f(x) d x\right|}_{\mathrm{A}_4} $
The area bounded by the curve when the curve intersects $X$-axis
The graph $y=f(x) \forall x \in[a, b]$ intersects $x-a x i s$ at $x=c$.
If the function $f(x) \geq 0 \forall x \in[a, c]$ and $f(x) \leq 0 \forall x \in[c, b]$ then area bounded by curve and $x$-axis, between lines $x=a$ and $x=b$ is
$ \int_a^b|f(x)| d x=\int_a^c f(x) d x-\int_c^b f(x) d x$

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Area bounded by the curves $y=f(x), y=g(x) $ and the lines $ x = a$ and $x = b$, and it is given that $f(x) ≤ g(x). $

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From the figure, it is clear that,
Area of the shaded region = Area of the region $ABEF$ - Area of the region $ABCD$
$\int_a^b g(x) d x-\int_a^b f(x) d x=\int_a^b(\underbrace{g(x)}_{\begin{array}{c}\text { upper } \\ \text { curve }\end{array}}-\underbrace{f(x)}_{\begin{array}{c}\text { lower } \\ \text { curve }\end{array}}) d x$
Area Bounded by Curves When Intersects at More Than One Point
Area bounded by the curves $y = f(x), y = g(x)$ which intersect each other in the interval $[a, b]$
First find the point of intersection of these curves $y = f(x)$ and $y = g(x)$ by solving the equation $f(x) = g(x)$, let the point of intersection be $x = c $

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$=\int_a^c\{f(x)-g(x)\} d x+\int_c^b\{g(x)-f(x)\} d x$
When two curves intersects more than one point
Area bounded by the curves $y=f(x), y=g(x)$ which intersect each other at three points at $x = a, x = b$ and $x = c. $
To find the point of intersection, solve $f(x) = g(x). $
For $x ∈ (a, c), f(x) > g(x)$ and for $x ∈ (c, b),g(x) > f(x).$
Area bounded by curves,
$\begin{aligned} A & =\int_a^b|f(x)-g(x)| d x \\ & =\int_a^c(f(x)-g(x)) d x+\int^b(g(x)-f(x)) d x\end{aligned}$
Now, let us summarize and recall the application of integrals class 12 formulas.
Application of integrals class 12 formulas include the formulas for the topics area along the X-axis and Y-axis, area of piecewise function, and are bounded by two curves.
If the function $f(x) ≥ 0 ∀ x ∈ [a, b]$ then $\int_a^{\infty} f(x) d x$ represents the area bounded by $y = f(x), x-$axis and lines $x = a$ and $x = b$.
If the function $f(x) ≤ 0 ∀ x ∈ [a, b]$, then the area by bounded $4y = f(x)$, x-axis and lines $4x = a$ and $x = b$ is $\int_a^b f(x) d x$.
The area by bounded $x = g(y)$ [with $g(y)>0$], $y$-axis and the lines $y = a$ and $y = b$ is $\int_a^b x d y=\int_a^b g(y) d y$
If the function $f(x) \geq 0 \forall x \in[a, c]$ and $f(x) \leq 0 \forall x \in[c, b]$ then area bounded by curve and $x$-axis, between lines $x=a$ and $x=b$ is
$ \int_a^b|f(x)| d x=\int_a^c f(x) d x-\int_c^b f(x) d x$
Area bounded by the curves $y=f(x), y=g(x) $ and the lines $ x = a$ and $x = b$, and it is given that $f(x) ≤ g(x). $
Area bounded by the curves = $\int_a^b g(x) d x-\int_a^b f(x) d x=\int_a^b(\underbrace{g(x)}_{\begin{array}{c}\text { upper } \\ \text { curve }\end{array}}-\underbrace{f(x)}_{\begin{array}{c}\text { lower } \\ \text { curve }\end{array}}) d x$
This section lists all essential topics on integrals from NCERT that are frequently asked in JEE Main, helping you focus on important areas.
Here, you’ll find the best books and reference materials to strengthen your understanding of integrals and practice effectively for exams.
Book Title | Author / Publisher | Description |
NCERT Class 12 Mathematics | NCERT | Official textbook with fundamental theory and exercises on integrals. |
Mathematics for Class 12 | R.D. Sharma | Detailed explanations, solved examples, and practice on integration techniques. |
Objective Mathematics | R.S. Aggarwal | Provides practice problems and objective questions on integrals. |
Arihant All-In-One Mathematics | Arihant | Comprehensive theory and unsolved/specially solved integration problems for JEE and board exams. |
Integral Calculus | M.L. Khanna | Advanced textbook covering integral calculus concepts and applications. |
This section highlights NCERT textbooks and reference material that clearly explain integrals, forming the foundation for solving problems.
NCERT Maths Notes for Class 12th Chapter 8 - Applications of Integrals
NCERT Maths Solutions for Class 12th Chapter 8 - Applications of Integrals
NCERT Maths Exemplar Solutions for Class 12th Chapter 8 - Applications of Integrals
Explore subject-wise NCERT resources that cover notes, solutions and exemplar problems, supporting structured and focused learning.
Subject | NCERT Notes Link | NCERT Solutions Link | NCERT Exemplar Link |
Mathematics | |||
Physics | |||
Chemistry |
This section provides important practice questions and exercises based on integrals to improve problem-solving skills and exam readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The area is calculated as $\int_a^b |f(x) - g(x)| , dx$, where $f(x)$ and $g(x)$ are the functions forming the boundaries
They are used to calculate total revenue, total cost, consumer and producer surplus, and accumulated profit over time.
Integrals are used to find areas under curves, volumes of solids, total distance from velocity, work done by a force, and accumulated quantities.
No, there will be no negative area between the two curves. This is due to the fact that the area between the two curves differs from the region beneath the curve. As a result, the area between the two curves must be positive at all times.
A definite integral between two locations can be used to compute the area under a curve that exists between them. To get the area under the curve y = f(x) between x = a and x = b, integrate y = f(x) between a and b's limits.
A polar curve is a form that is created with the use of the polar coordinate system. They are distinguished by the presence of points at varying distances from the pole or origin.