Sometimes when you don't know how to integrate, it helps to derive them if they're simple functions. ESPECIALLY true of exponentials.
Derivative: (x-1)' * ln(3) * 3^(x-1) = ln(3) * 3^(x-1).
Thus the integral would probably be the opposite, or 3^(x-1)/ln(3).
I say this because in a test when you forget, it really helps to know ways to 'guess' the answer with a high degree of accuracy and speed.
-----------------------------------------------------
If I were vds, I'd be showing you how to derive it using this method, personally (implicit differentiation - 4 unit technique, but a great tool to learn, and very easy, and clearer):
y=3^(x-1)
Convert x to a function of y using the natural logarithmic function:
ln(y) = (x-1)*ln(3)
Take derivative w.r.t. x:
d(ln(y))/dx = ln(3)*(x-1)/dx
y'/y = ln(3) (remember d(ln(f(x)))/dx = f'(x)/f(x) because y is a function of x - chain rule)
y'=ln(3)y
y'=ln(3)*3^(x-1)
or shorter:
y=3^(x-1)
ln(y) = ln(3)*(x-1)
y'/y = ln(3)
y'=ln(3)*y
y'=ln(3)*3^(x-1)
Although, vds is actually implicitly using
implicit differentiation anyway, which is a bit of a mind fuck - because they're actually both equivalent to the
chain rule. The benefit to his method I guess is that I
think you get taught his '
derivative of an inverse function' method in normal 2 unit maths.
Also, if you know the integral of 3^x but not 3^(x-1), use 'integration by substitution' (a 3 unit technique which is the reverse chain rule)).
let u=x-1
then d(u)/dx = d(x-1)/dx = 1
but it's easier to just go: du = 1 dr, or du=dx
thus y=3^u
hence integral Int 3^(x-1) dx becomes Int 3^u du
answer: 3^u/ln(3)
sub in u=x-1:
final answer: Int y = 3^(x-1)/ln(3)
it's based on the fact that: dy/dx = du/dx * dy/du (chain rule again).
E.g.:
chain rule:
y=(x^2+1)^7
let u=x^2+1, u'=2x
y=u^7
y'=7*u'*u^6 (u is a function of x)
y' = 14x(x^2+1)^6
Or more formally:
dy/dx = dy/du * du/dx
dy/dx = 7u^6 * u' = 7(x^2+1)^6 * 2x = 14x(x^2+1)^6
inverse chain rule:
y = 14x(x^2+1)^6
Int y dx = Int 14x(x^2+1)^6 dx
let u = x^2+1, du/dx = 2x, du = 2x dx
so Int 14x(x^2+1)^6 dx = Int 7 * u^6 * du
answer = u^7 = (x^2+1)^7
short version:
Int 14x(x^2+1)^6 dx
u=x^2+1, du=2x dx
Int 7u^6 dx = u^7
= (x^2+1)^7