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Lesson 2 Definite Integrals

The document defines and explains definite integrals. A definite integral ∫ba f(x)dx is defined as the anti-derivative F(x) evaluated between the limits of integration a and b, or F(b) - F(a). This gives a definite numeric answer without a constant of integration. Some examples are provided to demonstrate evaluating definite integrals using antiderivatives and limits of integration. Learning outcomes include defining definite integrals, distinguishing their properties, and evaluating definite integrals.

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Karl Patrick Siega
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50 views

Lesson 2 Definite Integrals

The document defines and explains definite integrals. A definite integral ∫ba f(x)dx is defined as the anti-derivative F(x) evaluated between the limits of integration a and b, or F(b) - F(a). This gives a definite numeric answer without a constant of integration. Some examples are provided to demonstrate evaluating definite integrals using antiderivatives and limits of integration. Learning outcomes include defining definite integrals, distinguishing their properties, and evaluating definite integrals.

Uploaded by

Karl Patrick Siega
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson 2

Definite Integrals

This lesson deals with the definite integral. It explains how it is defined, how it is calculated and
some of the ways in which it is used. We shall assume that you are already familiar with the process
of finding indefinite integrals or primitive functions (sometimes called anti-differentiation) and are
able to ‘antidifferentiate’ a range of elementary functions. If you are not, you should work through
Introduction to Integration lesson 1: Anti-Differentiation, and make sure you have mastered the
ideas in it before you begin work on this lesson.

When you were first introduced to integration as the reverse of differentiation, the integrals you
dealt with were indefinite integrals. The result of finding an indefinite integral is usually a function
plus a constant of integration. In this lesson we introduce definite integrals, so called because the
result will be a definite answer, usually a number, with no constant of integration. Definite integrals
have many applications, for example in finding areas bounded by curves, and finding volumes of
solids.

Leaning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you must be able to:
1. Define and interpret definite integral.
2. Identify and distinguish the different properties of the definite integrals.
3. Evaluate definite integrals.

Warm Up!

What is definite integral?


How are definite integrals related to indefinite integrals?

Now, we explore!
Notational Notes: The numbers a and b are called the limits of integration: a is the lower limit of
integration and b is the upper limit of integration. The limits of integration form an interval [ a, b ].
This interval is referred to as the interval of integration. The function f(x) is called the integrand.
The symbol, dx, the differential of x, plays the same role as it did for the indefinite integral. (See the
discussion of the significance of dx.) The symbol, dx, tells us that x is the variable of integration. The
variable of integration is a dummy variable. The variable of integration tells us what variable the
integrand is a function of; otherwise, the actual letter has no significance. For example, each of the
integrals is the same as all the others: ∫b a f(x) dx = ∫ba f(s) ds = ∫ba f(t) dt = ∫ba f(u) du

Definite integrals
We saw in the previous Section that ∫ f(x) dx = F(x) + C
where F(x) is that function which, when differentiated, gives f(x).

That is, dF/ dx = f(x).


For example, ∫ sin (3x) dx = − cos (3x)/ 3 + C
Here, f(x) = sin (3x) and F(x) = − 1/ 3 cos (3x)
We now consider a definite integral which is simply an indefinite integral but with numbers
written to the upper and lower right of the integral sign. The quantity ∫ ba f(x) dx is called the
definite integral of f(x) from a to b.
The numbers a and b are known as the lower limit and upper limit respectively of the
integral.
We define ∫ba f(x) dx = F(b) − F(a)
so that a definite integral is usually a number.
The meaning of a definite integral will be developed in later. For the present we concentrate
on the process of evaluating definite integrals.

Evaluating definite integrals


When you evaluate a definite integral the result will usually be a number.
To see how to evaluate a definite integral consider the following example.
Example:
Find the definite integral of X2 from 1 to 4; that is, find ∫ 4 1 X2 dx
Solution ∫ X2 dx = 1 /3 X3 + C
Here f(x) = X2 and F(x) = 1/3 X3 .
Thus, according to our definition ∫ 4 1 X2 dx = F(4) − F(1) = 43/ 3 – 13/ 3 = 21

Writing F(b) − F(a) each time we calculate a definite integral becomes laborious so we
replace this difference by the shorthand notation [ F(x) ] ba .
Thus [ F(x) ]ba ≡ F(b) − F(a) Thus, from now on, we shall write ∫ba f(x) dx = [ F(x) ]ba so that,
for example ∫41 x2 dx = [x3/3]41 =43/3 – 13/ 3 = 21

Your turn!
Use antiderivatives to compute the definite integral.
1. ∫94 (3/√x) dx
2. ∫10 (t-t2) dt
3. ∫50 (1/√x + 1/√2) dx
4. ∫10 (x2 – 1)(x2 + 1) dx
5. ∫82 (4/x + x2 + x) dx
6. ∫42 (e3x) dx
7. ∫41 (2/ x+3) dx

Summary

We define definite integral of the function f(x) with respect to x from a to b to be

∫ba f(x)dx = F(x) Iba = F(b) - F(a);

where F(x) is the anti-derivative of f(x). We call a and b the lower and upper limits of integration
respectively. The function being integrated, f(x), is called the integrand.
Note the minus sign! And the integration constants are not written in definite integral of the
function f(x) with respect to x from a to b to be ∫ba f(x)dx = F(x) Iba = F(b) - F(a).
nite integral of the function f(x) with respect to x from a to b to be Z b a f(x)dx =
F(x) b a = F(b) F(a); where F(x) is the anti-derivative of f(x). We call a and b the lower
and upper limits of integration respectively. The function being integrated, f(x), is called
the integrand. Note the minus sign! Note integration constants are not written in de

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