Solve an integral in terms of a constant

Taylor V schrieb: How would I go about solving an intergral in terms of an undefined constant, such as ∫(sqrt(a*x)-(x^2)/a)dx from 0 to a, in terms of a? I really have no idea and any help would be appreciated

While you would have to use the symbolic evaluation (because a is unknown at the time of eval) you can make the result a function and use it numerically the "normal" way as you would do with a function you just type in. You may evaluate it at specific points, plot it, take the derivative or whatever.

In the example you have given it helps to tell the symbolic engine in Mathcad that a should be greater than 0 (which I guess is what you want). Otherwise Mathcad has to deal with all possibilities as a could be negative or even complex and has to consider that in its solutions. That often results in rather unhandy, complex and unsuspected sophisticated expressions.

Edit: Sorry, I just see that the function I typed is not exactly the one you specified, but I think you got the point and can change the 2 for an a yourself.