May 16, 2004
I've been trying and trying to integrate \(a^x\) but never made it. That is, until a class-mate of mine helped me. The answer was right in front of me, but I didn't see it. Anyway, here goes. We set it up:
$$\int{a^x} dx$$
Next, we transform it a little:
$$\int{e^{\ln a^x}} dx$$
The rest is pretty straight-forward:
$$\int{e^{x \ln a}} dx \\= \frac{1}{\ln a} e^{x \ln a} \\= \frac{1}{\ln a} e^{(\ln a^x)} \\= \frac{1}{\ln a} a^x \\= \frac{a^x}{\ln a}$$