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Evaluate a definite integral of 1/x using FTC Part 2

Use the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 2, to evaluate the definite integral:

∫1e1x dx\int_1^e \frac{1}{x}\,dx

What is the exact value of this integral?

Hint

Recall that an antiderivative of 1x\frac{1}{x} is ln⁡∣x∣\ln|x|. Apply FTC Part 2 by evaluating this antiderivative at the upper and lower limits and subtracting: F(e)−F(1)F(e) - F(1).

Step-by-step solution

Since ddx[ln⁡x]=1x\frac{d}{dx}[\ln x] = \frac{1}{x}, an antiderivative of f(x)=1xf(x) = \frac{1}{x} is F(x)=ln⁡xF(x) = \ln x. By FTC Part 2, ∫1e1x dx=F(e)−F(1)=ln⁡x∣1e\int_1^e \frac{1}{x}\,dx = F(e) - F(1) = \ln x \Big|_1^e.

Substituting the limits gives ln⁡(e)−ln⁡(1)\ln(e) - \ln(1). Since ln⁡(e)=1\ln(e) = 1 and ln⁡(1)=0\ln(1) = 0, the integral evaluates to 1−0=11 - 0 = 1.

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