Math  /  Calculus

QuestionFind the most general antiderivative by evaluating the following indefinite integral: 6xdx=\int \frac{6}{x} d x= \square
NOTE: The general antiderivative should contain an arbitrary constant.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We need to find the *most general* antiderivative of 6x \frac{6}{x} .
Basically, we're looking for a function whose derivative is 6x \frac{6}{x} , and we need to make sure we include the "+ C"! Watch out! Don't forget about the special case when dealing with 1x \frac{1}{x} !
Its antiderivative isn't a power rule situation.

STEP 2

1. Rewrite the integral
2. Apply the constant multiple rule
3. Integrate

STEP 3

Alright, let's **rewrite** our integral to make it super clear what we're working with.
We can pull that constant 6 right out front!
This makes things easier to see.
6xdx=61xdx \int \frac{6}{x} dx = \int 6 \cdot \frac{1}{x} dx

STEP 4

Why can we do this?
Because it's a *constant* multiple!
Remember, constants just scale things up or down, they don't change the *fundamental nature* of the function.

STEP 5

Now, we can **apply the constant multiple rule**.
This rule says that the integral of a constant times a function is the same as the constant times the integral of the function.
So, we get:
61xdx=61xdx \int 6 \cdot \frac{1}{x} dx = 6 \cdot \int \frac{1}{x} dx

STEP 6

Think of it like this: if you're finding the area under a curve that's 6 times taller than another curve, the total area will be 6 times bigger!

STEP 7

Now for the **main event**: integrating!
The integral of 1x \frac{1}{x} is the natural logarithm of the absolute value of xx, written as lnx\ln|x|.
Why the absolute value?
Because we can't take the logarithm of a negative number!
So, we have:
61xdx=6lnx 6 \cdot \int \frac{1}{x} dx = 6 \cdot \ln|x|

STEP 8

Almost there!
The *most general* antiderivative needs a constant of integration, often denoted as "+ C".
This constant represents the fact that there are infinitely many functions with the same derivative, all differing by a constant value.
So, our **final answer** is:
6lnx+C 6 \cdot \ln|x| + C

STEP 9

6lnx+C 6 \ln|x| + C

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