Additivity of the definite integral combines the adjacent intervals into . For an integer , the power rule gives
For , interpret the indexed sum as an empty sum, equal to zero; the displayed expression also gives zero. This convention resolves the otherwise degenerate endpoint of the stated nonnegative-integer range.
The displayed rational expression has domain ; its value at zero is undefined despite the printed notation. On that domain, the power rule gives
These derivatives are smooth on every interval avoiding zero, including all intervals used below.
On , the power rule for derivatives and the fundamental theorem of calculus give the displayed antiderivative. In particular for , understood as an improper integral when needed. At , the antiderivative on is the natural logarithm .