CHAPTER

5
Multiple Integrals;
Applications of Integration

1. INTRODUCTION
In calculus and elementary physics, you have seen a number of uses for integration
such as finding area, volume, mass, moment of inertia, and so on. In this chapter we
want to consider these and other applications of both single and multiple integrals.
We shall discuss both how to set up integrals to represent physical quantities and
methods of evaluating them. In later chapters we will need to use both single and
multiple integrals.
Computers and integral tables are very useful in evaluating integrals. But to use
these tools efficiently, you need to understand the notation and meaning of integrals
which we will discuss in this chapter. There is another important point here. A
computer will give you an answer for a definite integral, but an indefinite integral
has many possible answers (differing from each other by a constant of integration),
and your computer or integral tables may not give you the form you need. (See
problems below.) If this happens, here are some ideas you can try:

(a) Look in other integral tables, or try to induce your computer to change the
form.

(b) See if some algebra will give the form you want (see Problem 1 below; also see
Chapter 2, Section 15, Example 2).

(c) A simple substitution may give the desired result (see Problem 2 below).

(d) To check a claimed answer, differentiate it (by hand or computer) to see whether
you get the integrand.

PROBLEMS, SECTION 1
Verify each of the following answers for an indefinite integral by one or more of the methods
suggested above.

241
 242 Multiple Integrals; Applications of Integration Chapter 5

Z
1. 2 sin θ cos θ dθ = sin2 θ or − cos2 θ or − 12 cos 2θ. Hint: Use trig identities.

Z “ p ”
dx x
2. √ = sinh−1 or ln x + x2 + a2 . Hint: To find the sinh−1 form,
+ax2
2 a
make the substitution x = a sinh u. Or see Chapter 2, Sections 15 and 17.
Z “ p ”
dy y
3. p = cosh−1 or ln y + y 2 − a2 . Hint: See Problem 2 hints.
y 2 − a2 a
Z p
xp 1
4. 1 + a2 x2 dx = 1 + a2 x 2 + sinh−1 ax or
2 2a
xp 1 “ p ”
1 + a2 x 2 + ln ax + 1 + a2 x2 .
2 2a
Z
K dr Kr
5. √ = sin−1 Kr or − cos−1 Kr or tan−1 √ .
1−K r 2 2 1 − K 2 r2
Hints: Sketch a right triangle with acute angles u and v and label the sides so that
sin u = Kr. Also note that u + v = π/2; then if u is an indefinite integral, so is −v
since they differ by a constant of integration.
Z
K dr K r K K
6. √ = cos−1 or sec−1 or − sin−1 or − tan−1 √ .
r r2 − K 2 r K r r2 − K 2

2. DOUBLE AND TRIPLE INTEGRALS

b
b
Recall from calculus that a y dx = a f (x) dx
gives the area “under the curve” in Figure 2.1.
Recall also the definition of the integral as the
limit of a sum: We approximate the area by
a sum of rectangles as in Figure 2.1; a rep-
resentative rectangle (shaded) has width ∆x.
The geometry indicates that if we increase the
number of rectangles and let all the widths Figure 2.1
∆x → 0, the sum of the areas of the rectan-

b
gles will tend to the area under the curve. We define a f (x) dx as the limit of the
sum of the areas of the rectangles; then we evaluate the integral as an antiderivative,

b
and use a f (x) dx to calculate the area under the curve.
We are going to do something very similar
in order to find the volume of the cylinder in
Figure 2.2 under the surface z = f (x, y). We
cut the (x, y) plane into little rectangles of area
∆A = (∆x) (∆y) as shown in Figure 2.2; above
each ∆x ∆y is a tall slender box reaching up to
the surface. We can approximate the desired
volume by a sum of these boxes just as we ap-
proximated the area in Figure 2.1 by a sum of
rectangles. As the number of boxes increases
and all ∆x and ∆y → 0, the geometry indi-
cates that the sum of the volumes of the boxes
will tend to the desired volume. We define the Figure 2.2
 Section 2 Double and Triple Integrals 243

double integral of f (x, y) over the area

A in the (x, y) plane (Figure 2.2) as the
limit of this sum, and we write it as A f (x, y) dx dy. Before we can use the double
integral to compute volumes, however, we need to see how double integrals are eval-
uated. Even though we may use a computer to do the work, we need to understand
the process in order to set up integrals correctly and find and correct errors. Doing
some hand evaluation is a good way to learn this.

Iterated Integrals We now show by some examples the details of evaluating

double integrals.

Figure 2.3 Figure 2.4

Example 1. Find the volume of the solid (Figure 2.3) below the plane z = 1 + y, bounded
by the coordinate


planes and

the vertical plane 2x + y = 2. From our discussion
above, this is A z dx dy = A (1 + y) dx dy, where A is the shaded triangle in the
(x, y) plane [A is shown also in Figure 2.4 (a and b)]. We are going to consider
two ways of evaluating this double integral. We think of the triangle A cut up into
little rectangles ∆A = ∆x ∆y (Figure 2.4) and the whole solid cut into vertical
columns of height z and base ∆A (Figure 2.3). We want the (limit of the) sum
of the volumes of these columns. First add up the columns (Figure 2.4a) for a
fixed value of x producing the volume of a slab (Figure 2.3) of thickness ∆x. This
corresponds to integrating with respect to y (holding x constant, Figure 2.4a) from
y = 0 to y on the line 2x + y = 2, that is y = 2 − 2x; we find

   2−2x
2−2x 2−2x
y 2 
(2.1) z dy = (1 + y) dy = y +
y=0 y=0 2 0
= (2 − 2x) + (2 − 2x)2 /2 = 4 − 6x + 2x2 .

(What we have found is the area of the slab in Figure 2.3; its volume is the area
times ∆x.) Now we add up the volumes of the slabs; this corresponds to integrating
(2.1) with respect to x from x = 0 to x = 1:

 1
5
(2.2) (4 − 6x + 2x2 ) dx = .
x=0 3
244 Multiple Integrals; Applications of Integration Chapter 5

We could summarize (2.1) and (2.2) by writing

 1  2−2x   1  2−2x
(2.3) (1 + y) dy dx or (1 + y) dy dx
x=0 y=0 x=0 y=0
 1  2−2x
or dx dy (1 + y).
x=0 y=0

We call (2.3) an iterated (repeated) integral. Multiple integrals are usually evaluated
by using iterated integrals. Note that the large parentheses in (2.3) are not really
necessary if we are always careful

1 to state the

1 variable in giving the limits on an
integral; that is, always write x=0 , not just 0 .
Now we could also add up the volume z(∆A) by first integrating with respect
to x (for fixed y, Figure 2.4b) from x = 0 to x = 1 − y/2 giving the volume of a
slab perpendicular to the y axis in Figure 2.3, and then add up the volumes of the
slabs by integrating with respect to y from y = 0 to y = 2 (Figure 2.4b). We write

    1−y/2
2 1−y/2 2 
(2.4) (1 + y) dx dy = (1 + y)x dy
y=0 x=0 y=0 x=0
 2
= (1 + y)(1 − y/2) dy
y=0
 2
5
= (1 + y/2 − y 2 /2) dy = .
y=0 3

As the geometry would indicate, the results in (2.2) and (2.4) are the same; we have
two methods of evaluating the double integral by using iterated integrals.
Often one of these two methods is more convenient than the other; we choose
whichever method is easier. To see how

to decide, study the following sketches of
areas A over which we want to find A f (x, y) dx dy. In each case we think of
combining little rectangles dx dy to form strips (as shown) and then combining the
strips to cover the whole area.
Areas shown in Figure 2.5: Integrate with respect to y first. Note that the top
and bottom of area A are curves whose equations we know; the boundaries at x = a
and x = b are either vertical straight lines or else points.

Figure 2.5

We find
   
b y2 (x)
(2.5) f (x, y) dx dy = f (x, y) dy dx.
x=a y=y1 (x)
A
Section 2 Double and Triple Integrals 245

Areas shown in Figure 2.6: Integrate with respect to x first. Note that the sides
of area A are curves whose equations we know; the boundaries at y = c and y = d
are either horizontal straight lines or else points.

Figure 2.6

We find
   
d x2 (y)
(2.6) f (x, y) dx dy = f (x, y) dx dy.
y=c x=x1 (y)
A

Figure 2.7

Areas shown in Figure 2.7: Integrate in either order. Note that these areas all
satisfy the requirements for both (2.5) and (2.6).

We find
  b  y2 (x)
(2.7) f (x, y) dx dy = f (x, y) dy dx
x=a y=y1 (x)
A
 d  x2 (y)
= f (x, y) dx dy.
y=c x=x1 (y)

An important special case is a double integral over a rectangle (both x and y

limits are constants) when f (x, y) is a product, f (x, y) = g(x)h(y). Then
  b  d
(2.8) f (x, y) dx dy = g(x)h(y) dy dx
x=a y=c
A
   
b d
= g(x) dx h(y) dy .
a c

When areas are more complicated than those shown, we may break them into
two or more simpler areas (Problems 9 and 10).
We have seen how to set up and evaluate double integrals to find areas and
volumes. Recall, however, that we use single integrals for other purposes than
finding areas. Similarly, now that we know how to evaluate a double integral, we
can use it to find other quantities besides areas and volumes.
 246 Multiple Integrals; Applications of Integration Chapter 5

Example 2. Find the mass of a rectangular plate bounded by x = 0, x = 2, y = 0, y = 1,

if its density (mass per unit area) is f (x, y) = xy. The mass of a tiny rectangle
∆A = ∆x ∆y is approximately f (x, y) ∆x ∆y, where f (x, y) is evaluated at some
point in ∆A. We want to add up the masses of all the ∆A’s; this is what we find by
evaluating the double integral of dM = xy dx dy. We call dM an element of mass
and think of adding up all the dM ’s to get M .
  2  1
(2.9) M= xy dx dy = xy dx dy
x=0 y=0
A
 2   1 
1
= x dx y dy =2· = 1.
0 0 2




A triple integral of f (x, y, z) over a volume V , written V f (x, y, z) dx dy dz,
is also defined as the limit of a sum and is evaluated by an iterated integral. If the
integral is over a box, that is, all limits are constants, then we can do the x, y, z
integrations in any order. If the volume is complicated, then we have to consider
the geometry as we did for double integrals to decide on the best order and find the
limits. This process can best be learned from examples (below and Section 3) and
practice (see problems).

Example 3. Find the volume of the solid in Figure 2.3 by using a triple integral. Here
we imagine the whole solid cut into tiny boxes of volume ∆x ∆y ∆z; an element of
volume is dx dy dz. We first add up the volumes of the tiny boxes to get the volume
of a column; this means integrating with respect to z from 0 to 1 + y with x and y
constant. Then we add up the columns to get a slab and the slabs to get the whole
volume just as we did in Example 1. Thus:

(2.10) V = dx dy dz
V
 1  2−2x  1+y   1  2−2x  1+y
= dz dy dx or dz dy dx
x=0 y=0 z=0 x=0 y=0 z=0
 1  2−2x
5
= (1 + y) dy dx = ,
x=0 y=0 3

as in (2.1) and (2.2). Or, we could have used (2.4).

Example 4. Find the mass of the solid in Figure 2.3 if the density (mass per unit volume)
is x + z. An element of mass is dM = (x + z) dx dy dz. We add up elements of
mass just as we add up elements of volume; that is, the limits are the same as in
Example 3.
 1  2−2x  1+y
(2.11) M= (x + z) dz dy dx = 2
x=0 y=0 z=0

where we evaluate the integrals as we did (2.1) to (2.4). (Check the result by hand
and by computer.)
 Section 2 Double and Triple Integrals 247

PROBLEMS, SECTION 2
In the problems of this section, set up and evaluate the integrals by hand and check your
results by computer.
Z 1 Z 4 Z 1 Z 2 Z 2 Z 4
1. 3x dy dx 2. 8xy dx dy 3. dx dy
x=0 y=2 y=−2 x=1 y=0 x=2y
Z 4 Z x/2 Z 1 Z x
e Z 2 Z y2
4. y dy dx 5. y dy dx 6. x dx dy
√
x=0 y=0 x=0 y=x y=1 x= y

In Problems 7 to 18 evaluate the double integrals over the areas described. To find the
limits, sketch the area and compare Figures 2.5 to 2.7.
RR
7. A
(2x − 3y) dx dy, where A is the triangle with vertices (0, 0), (2, 1), (2, 0).
RR
8. A
6y 2 cos x dx dy, where A is the area inclosed by the curves y = sin x, the x axis,
and the line x = π/2.
RR
9. A
sin x dx dy where A is the area shown in Figure 2.8.
RR
10. A
y dx dy where A is the area in Figure 2.8.

Figure 2.8
RR
11. A
x dx dy, where A is the area between the parabola y = x2 and the straight line
2x − y + 8 = 0.
RR
12. y dx dy over the triangle with vertices (−1, 0), (0, 2), and (2, 0).
RR
13. 2xy dx dy over the triangle with vertices (0, 0), (2, 1), (3, 0).
RR 2 x2y
14. x e dx dy over the area bounded by y = x−1 , y = x−2 , and x = ln 4.
RR
15. dx dy over the area bounded by y = ln x, y = e + 1 − x, and the x axis.
RR
16. (9 + 2y 2 )−1 dx dy over the quadrilateral with vertices (1, 3), (3, 3), (2, 6), (6, 6).
RR
17. (x/y) dx dy over the triangle with vertices (0, 0), (1, 1), (1, 2).
RR −1/2
18. y dx dy over the area bounded by y = x2 , x + y = 2, and the y axis.

In Problems 19 to 24, use double integrals to find the indicated volumes.

19. Above the square with vertices at (0, 0), (2, 0), (0, 2), and (2, 2), and under the plane
z = 8 − x + y.
20. Above the rectangle with vertices (0, 0), (0, 1), (2, 0), and (2, 1), and below the
surface z 2 = 36x2 (4 − x2 ).
21. Above the triangle with vertices (0, 0), (2, 0), and (2, 1), and below the paraboloid
z = 24 − x2 − y 2 .
22. Above the triangle with vertices (0, 2), (1, 1), and (2, 2), and under the surface
z = xy.
23. Under the surface z = y(x + 2), and over the area bounded by x + y = 0, y = 1,
√
y = x.
24. Under the surface z = 1/(y +2), and over the area bounded by y = x and y 2 +x = 2.
248 Multiple Integrals; Applications of Integration Chapter 5

In Problems 25 to 28, sketch the area of integration, observe that it is like the areas
in Figure 2.7, and so write an equivalent integral with the integration in the opposite
order. Check your work by evaluating the double integral both ways. Also check that your
computer gives the same answer for both orders of integration.
Z 1 Z 3−3x Z 2 Z 1
25. dy dx 26. (x + y) dx dy
x=0 y=0 y=0 x=y/2

Z 4 Z √
x √ Z 1 Z √1−y 2
27. y x dy dx 28. y dx dy
x=0 y=0 y=0 x=0

In Problems 29 to 32, observe that the inside integral cannot be expressed in terms of
elementary functions. As in Problems 25 to 28, change the order of integration and so
evaluate the double integral. Also try using your computer to evaluate these for both
orders of integration.
Z π Z π Z 2 Z 2
sin x 2
29. dx dy 30. e−y /2 dy dx
y=0 x=y x x=0 y=x
Z ln 16 Z 4 Z 1 Z 1
dy dx ex
31. 32. √ dx dy
x=0 y=ex/2 ln y y=0 x=y 2 x

33. A lamina covering the quarter disk x2 + y 2 ≤ 4, x > 0, y > 0, has (area) density
x + y. Find the mass of the lamina.
34. A dielectric lamina with charge density proportional to y covers the area between
the parabola y = 16 − x2 and the x axis. Find the total charge.
35. A triangular lamina is bounded by the coordinate axes and the line x + y = 6. Find
its mass if its density at each point P is proportional to the square of the distance
from the origin to P .
36. A partially silvered mirror covers the square area with vertices at (±1, ±1). The
fraction of incident light which it reflects at (x, y) is (x − y)2 /4. Assuming a uniform
intensity of incident light, find the fraction reflected.

In Problems 37 to 40, evaluate the triple integrals.

Z 2 Z 2x Z y−x Z 2 Z 2 Z z
37. dz dy dx 38. dy dx dz
x=1 y=x z=0 z=0 x=z y=8x
Z 3 Z 2 Z 2y+z Z 2 Z 2x Z 1/z
39. 6y dx dz dy 40. z dy dz dx.
y=−2 z=1 x=y+z x=1 z=x y=0

41. Find the volume between the planes z = 2x + 3y + 6 and z = 2x + 7y + 8, and over
the triangle with vertices (0, 0), (3, 0), and (2, 1).
42. Find the volume between the planes z = 2x + 3y + 6 and z = 2x + 7y + 8, and over
the square in the (x, y) plane with vertices (0, 0), (1, 0), (0, 1), (1, 1).
43. Find the volume between the surfaces z = 2x2 + y 2 + 12 and z = x2 + y 2 + 8, and
over the triangle with vertices (0, 0), (1, 0), and (1, 2).
44. Find the mass of the solid in Problem 42 if the density is proportional to y.
45. Find the mass of the solid in Problem 43 if the density is proportional to x.
46. Find the mass of a cube of side 2 if the density is proportional to the square of the
distance from the center of the cube.