MATENA1:

The definite integral

Chapter 5.2 (Stewart Calculus)

Let f be defined for a ⩽ x ⩽ b and let
b−a
∆x = . Let x∗i be a sample point in the
n
i-th subinterval.
The definite integral of f from a to b is
Z b n
!
X
f (x) dx = lim f (x∗i ) · ∆x
a n→∞
i=1
 Let f be defined for a ⩽ x ⩽ b and let
b−a
∆x = . Let x∗i be a sample point in the
n
i-th subinterval.
The definite integral of f from a to b is
Z b n
!
X
f (x) dx = lim f (x∗i ) · ∆x
a n→∞
i=1

The definite integral of f from a to b exists

provided that the limit on the RHS exists. If the
limit (and hence the integral) exists, we say that f
is integrable on [a, b].
Some points about notation
Z b n
X 
∗
f (x) dx = lim f (xi )∆x
a n→∞
i=1
R
▶ the symbol is like a stretched out S
(it was introduced by the mathematician
Gottfried Leibniz because an integral is
a limit of sums);
Xn
▶ the sum f (x∗i )∆x is known as a
i=1
Riemann sum after the mathematician
Bernhard Riemann.
Some points about notation
Z b
f (x) dx
a
What the notation above represents is: the
area between the curve y = f (x) and the
x-axis from x = a to x = b.
Some points about notation
Z b
f (x) dx
a
What the notation above represents is: the
area between the curve y = f (x) and the
x-axis from x = a to x = b.
▶ a < b;
Some points about notation
Z b
f (x) dx
a
What the notation above represents is: the
area between the curve y = f (x) and the
x-axis from x = a to x = b.
▶ a < b;
▶ f (x) is called the integrand, a is the
lower limit and b is the upper limit;
Some points about notation
Z b
f (x) dx
a
What the notation above represents is: the
area between the curve y = f (x) and the
x-axis from x = a to x = b.
▶ a < b;
▶ f (x) is called the integrand, a is the
lower limit and b is the upper limit;
▶ The procedure of calculating an integral
is called integration.
Some more points about notation
Z b
f (x) dx
a
▶ the dx at the end is important. It
indicates that we are integrating with
respect to x.
Some more points about notation
Z b
f (x) dx
a
▶ the dx at the end is important. It
indicates that we are integrating with
respect to x.
▶ This integral exists if a limit exists, in
which case it is just a real number.
Some more points about notation
Z b
f (x) dx
a
▶ the dx at the end is important. It
indicates that we are integrating with
respect to x.
▶ This integral exists if a limit exists, in
which case it is just a real number.
▶ You could also write the integral as
Rb Rb
a f (t) dt or a f (z) dz. (Notice how
the variable changes in both places.)
Definite integral as an area

If f (x) ⩾ 0, then the Riemann sum,

X n
f (x∗i )∆x, is the sum of the areas of the
i=1
rectangles.
Definite integral as an area

RIf bf (x) ⩾ 0, then the definite integral,

a f (x) dx, is the area under the curve
y = f (x) for a to b as we saw in Chapter 5.1.
Definite integral as the net area

If f takes on both positive and negative values, then

the Riemann sum is the sum of the areas of the
rectangles that lie above the x-axis and the
negatives of the areas of the rectangles that lie
below the x-axis.
Definite integral as the net area

If f takes on both positive and negative values, then

a definiteR integral can be interpreted as a net area.
b
That is, a f (x) dx = A1 − A2 ,
where A1 is the area of the region above the x-axis
and below the graph of f ,
and A2 is the area of the region below the x-axis
and above the graph of f .
In Chapter 2.5 we found that most of the
functions we work with are continuous
everywhere on their domains. It turns out
that continuous functions are very well
behaved with respect to integration.
In Chapter 2.5 we found that most of the
functions we work with are continuous
everywhere on their domains. It turns out
that continuous functions are very well
behaved with respect to integration.

Theorem: If f is continuous on [a, b], or

if f has only a finite number of jump
discontinuities, then f is integrable on
[a,
R b b]; that is, the definite integral
a f (x) dx exists.
If f is integrable on [a, b], then the limit in
the definition of a definite integral exists and
gives the same value no matter how we
choose the sample points x∗i .
If f is integrable on [a, b], then the limit in
the definition of a definite integral exists and
gives the same value no matter how we
choose the sample points x∗i . To simplify the
calculation of the integral we often take the
sample points to be right endpoints.
If f is integrable on [a, b], then the limit in
the definition of a definite integral exists and
gives the same value no matter how we
choose the sample points x∗i . To simplify the
calculation of the integral we often take the
sample points to be right endpoints.
Theorem. If f is integrable on [a, b],
then Z b n
X
f (x) dx = lim f (xi)∆x
a n→∞
i=1
b−a
where ∆x = and xi = a + i∆x.
n
 n
X cos xi
Example: Express lim ∆x as a
n→∞
i=1
xi
definite integral on [π, 2π].
Solution:
 n
X cos xi
Example: Express lim ∆x as a
n→∞
i=1
xi
definite integral on [π, 2π].
Solution:
n Z 2π
X cos xi cos x
lim ∆x = dx
n→∞
i=1
xi π x
 n
X
Example: Express lim xi ln(1 + x2i )∆x
n→∞
i=1
as a definite integral on [2, 6].
Solution:
 n
X
Example: Express lim xi ln(1 + x2i )∆x
n→∞
i=1
as a definite integral on [2, 6].
Solution:
n
X Z 6
lim xi ln(1+x2i )∆x = x ln(1+x2) dx
n→∞ 2
i=1
Example: Evaluate the integral:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx.
1

Solution:
Example: Evaluate the integral:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx.
1

Solution: From the theorem we have that

Z 4 Xn
(x2+2x−5) dx = lim (x2i +2xi−5)∆x,
1 n→∞
i=1
4−1 3
where ∆x = = and xi = 1 + i∆x.
n n
To evaluate the definite integral, we must
therefore evaluate the limit.
Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1
n
X
= lim (x2i + 2xi − 5)∆x
n→∞
i=1
Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1
n
X
= lim (x2i + 2xi − 5)∆x
n→∞
i=1
n
" 2   # 
X 3i 3i 3
= lim 1+ +2 1+ −5
n→∞
i=1
n n n
Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1
n
X
= lim (x2i + 2xi − 5)∆x
n→∞
i=1
n
" 2   # 
X 3i 3i 3
= lim 1+ +2 1+ −5
n→∞
i=1
n n n
" n  #
6i 9i2

3 X 6i
= lim 1+ + 2 +2+ −5
n→∞ n n n n
i=1
Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1
n
X
= lim (x2i + 2xi − 5)∆x
n→∞
i=1
n
" 2   # 
X 3i 3i 3
= lim 1+ +2 1+ −5
n→∞
i=1
n n n
" n  #
6i 9i2

3 X 6i
= lim 1+ + 2 +2+ −5
n→∞ n n n n
" i=1
n  #
3 X 9 2 12
= lim 2
·i + ·i−2
n→∞ n n n
i=1
 Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1 " n  #
3 X 9 2 12
= lim 2
·i + ·i−2
n→∞ n n n
i=1
 Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1 " n  #
3 X 9 2 12
= lim 2
·i + ·i−2
n→∞ n n n
" i=1 n n n
#
3 9 X
2 12 X X
= lim i + i− 2
n→∞ n n2 n
i=1 i=1 i=1
 Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1 " n  #
3 X 9 2 12
= lim 2
·i + ·i−2
n→∞ n n n
" i=1 n n n
#
3 9 X
2 12 X X
= lim i + i− 2
n→∞ n n2 n
i=1 i=1 i=1
     
3 9 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) 12 n(n + 1)
= lim + −2n
n→∞ n n2 6 n 2
 Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1 " n  #
3 X 9 2 12
= lim 2
·i + ·i−2
n→∞ n n n
" i=1 n n n
#
3 9 X
2 12 X X
= lim i + i− 2
n→∞ n n2 n
i=1 i=1 i=1
     
3 9 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) 12 n(n + 1)
= lim + −2n
n→∞ n n2 6 n 2
     
27 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) 36 n(n + 1)
= lim + 2 −6
n→∞ n3 6 n 2
 Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1      
27 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) 36 n(n + 1)
= lim + 2 −6
n→∞ n3 6 n 2
 Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1      
27 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) 36 n(n + 1)
= lim + 2 −6
n→∞ n3 6 n 2
   
9 (n + 1)(2n + 1) (n + 1)
= lim + 18 −6
n→∞ 2 n2 n
 Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1      
27 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) 36 n(n + 1)
= lim + 2 −6
n→∞ n3 6 n 2
   
9 (n + 1)(2n + 1) (n + 1)
= lim + 18 −6
n→∞ 2 n2 n
 
9 (n + 1) (2n + 1) (n + 1)
= lim + 18 −6
n→∞ 2 n n n
 Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1      
27 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) 36 n(n + 1)
= lim + 2 −6
n→∞ n3 6 n 2
   
9 (n + 1)(2n + 1) (n + 1)
= lim + 18 −6
n→∞ 2 n2 n
 
9 (n + 1) (2n + 1) (n + 1)
= lim + 18 −6
n→∞ 2 n n n
      
9 1 1 1
= lim 1+ 2+ + 18 1 + −6
n→∞ 2 n n n
 Solution continued:
Z 4
(x2 + 2x − 5) dx
1      
27 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) 36 n(n + 1)
= lim + 2 −6
n→∞ n3 6 n 2
   
9 (n + 1)(2n + 1) (n + 1)
= lim + 18 −6
n→∞ 2 n2 n
 
9 (n + 1) (2n + 1) (n + 1)
= lim + 18 −6
n→∞ 2 n n n
      
9 1 1 1
= lim 1+ 2+ + 18 1 + −6
n→∞ 2 n n n
9
= (1 + 0)(2 + 0) + 18(1 + 0) − 6 = 21
2
 Z 1p
Example: Evaluate 1 − x2 dx by
0
interpreting it in terms of area.
Solution:
 Z 1p
Example: Evaluate 1 − x2 dx by
0
interpreting it in terms of area.
Solution: Interpret this
√ integral as the area
under the curve y = 1 − x2 from 0 to 1.
Since y 2 = 1 − x2, we get x2 + y 2 = 1.
Hence, the graph of f is the quarter-circle
with radius 1.
Solution continued:

Recall that the area of a circle with radius r

is πr2. So for a quarter circle we have 14 πr2.
Z 1p
1 π
∴ 1 − x2 dx = π(1)2 = .
0 4 4
 Z 3
Example: Evaluate (x − 1) dx by
0
interpreting it in terms of area.
Solution:
 Z 3
Example: Evaluate (x − 1) dx by
0
interpreting it in terms of area.
Solution: The graph of y = x − 1 is the
line with slope 1 shown in the figure below.
We compute the integral as the difference of
the areas of the two triangles:
 Solution continued:

Recall that the area of a triangle is 12 bh.

For the triangle above the x-axis we have
b = 3 − 1 = 2 and h = 2.
For the triangle below the x-axis we have
b = 1 − 0 = 1 and h = | − 1| = 1.
Z 3
1 1 3
(x − 1) dx = A1 − A2 = (2)(2) − (1)(1) = .
0 2 2 2
 Z 4
Example: Evaluate (1 − x) dx by
2
interpreting it in terms of area.
Solution:
 Z 4
Example: Evaluate (1 − x) dx by
2
interpreting it in terms of area.
Solution: The graph of y = 1 − x is the line
with slope −1 shown in the figure below.
Solution continued:

The integral can be interpreted as the area of

the trapezoid (or rectangle plus triangle)
below the x-axis. Because the area is below
the x-axis, the integral is negative.
Z 4
1
(1 − x) dx = −(2 × 1 + (2)(2)) = −4.
2 2
Properties of the definite integral
Rb
Earlier when talking about a f (x) dx, we
assumed that a < b because we were
thinking of the integral
R b as the area under a
curve. If we think of a f (x) dx purely as
the limit-based definition then we get:
Z a Z b
f (x) dx = − f (x) dx
b a
and Z a
f (x) dx = 0.
a
 Properties of the Integral We assume f
and g are continuous. Then
Z b
1. c dx = c(b − a) for c any constant
a
Z b 
Z b Z b
2. f (x) + g(x) dx = f (x) dx + g(x) dx
a a a
Z b Z b
3. cf (x) dx = c f (x) dx for c any constant
a a
Z b 
Z b Z b
4. f (x) − g(x) dx = f (x) dx − g(x) dx
a a a
Z c Z b Z b
5. f (x) dx + f (x) dx = f (x) dx
a c a
Properties of the Integral
Z b
c dx = c(b − a) for c any constant
a
The area under a constant function
f (x) = c is simply the area of a rectangle
with height c and base b − a.
 Properties of the Integral
Z b 
Z b Z b
f (x) + g(x) dx = f (x) dx + g(x) dx
a a a

The following diagram illustrates this

property.
Properties of the Integral
Z c Z b Z b
f (x) dx + f (x) dx = f (x) dx
a c a
This property says that we can break an area
into two pieces at some intermediate x value.
Properties of the Integral
Z c Z b Z b
f (x) dx + f (x) dx = f (x) dx
a c a
This property says that we can break an area
into two pieces at some intermediate x value.

This will be useful for integrating piecewise

defined functions!
 Comparison Properties of the Integral
Z b
6. If f (x) ⩾ 0 for a ⩽ x ⩽ b, then f (x) dx ⩾ 0.
a

7. If f (x) ⩾ g(x) for a ⩽ x ⩽ b, then

Z b Z b
f (x) dx ⩾ g(x) dx.
a a

8. If m ⩽ f (x) ⩽ M for a ⩽ x ⩽ b, then

Z b
m(b − a) ⩽ f (x) dx ⩽ M (b − a).
a
Comparison Properties of the Integral

If f (x) ⩾ 0 for a ⩽ x ⩽ b, then

Z b
f (x) dx ⩾ 0.
a

If the y-values of the function f are all

non-negative on the interval [a, b], then you
are guaranteed that the integral of f over
that interval will be non-negative.
Comparison Properties of the Integral

If f (x) ⩾ g(x) for a ⩽ x ⩽ b, then

Z b Z b
f (x) dx ⩾ g(x) dx.
a a

This property says that if one function has

larger (or equal) y-values than another
function on [a, b], then the integral of the
function with the larger y-values will be
greater than (or equal to) the integral of the
other function.
Comparison Properties of the Integral
If m ⩽ f (x) ⩽ M for a ⩽ x ⩽ b, then
Z b
m(b − a) ⩽ f (x) dx ⩽ M (b − a).
a
Consider the following diagram:
Comparison Properties of the Integral
Consider the following diagram:

The area under the graph of f is greater

than the area of the rectangle with height m
and less than the area of the rectangle with
height M .
Example: If it is known that
R8 R 10
f (x) dx = 12 and 8 f (x) dx = 5, find
R010
0 f (x) dx.
Solution:
Example: If it is known that
R8 R 10
f (x) dx = 12 and 8 f (x) dx = 5, find
R010
0 f (x) dx.
Solution: By Property 5, we have
Z 8 Z 10 Z 10
f (x) dx + f (x) dx = f (x) dx.
0 8 0

Z 10 Z 8 Z 10
∴ f (x) dx = f (x) dx + f (x) dx
0 0 8
= 12 + 5 = 17.
Example:
R5 R5
If 1 f (x) dx = 12 and 4 f (x) dx = 3.6,
R4
find 1 f (x) dx.
Solution:
Example:
R5 R5
If 1 f (x) dx = 12 and 4 f (x) dx = 3.6,
R4
find 1 f (x) dx.
Solution: Using Property 5 we see that
Z 4 Z 5 Z 5
f (x) dx + f (x) dx = f (x) dx.
1 4 1

So Z 4
f (x) dx = 12 − 3.6 = 8.4.
1
Example: Use Comparison Property 8 to
Z 4
√
estimate the value of x dx.
1
Solution:
Example: Use Comparison Property 8 to
Z 4
√
estimate the value of x dx.
1
Solution:
We know that for 1 ⩽ x ⩽ 4 we have
√
1 ⩽ x ⩽ 2. Therefore by property 8 we
have
Z 4
√
1(4 − 1) ⩽ x dx ⩽ 2(4 − 1)
1
Z 4√
∴ 3⩽ x dx ⩽ 6.
1
 Z 2
Examples: Calculate |x| dx.
−1
Solution:
 Z 2
Examples: Calculate |x| dx.
−1
Solution: First sketch the area we are
trying to calculate.
 Z 2
Examples: Calculate |x| dx.
−1
Solution: First sketch the area we are
trying to calculate.

Calculate the area of the two triangles:

1 1
2 bh = 2 (1)(1) = 12 and 21 (2)(2) = 2.
R2
∴ −1 |x| dx = 12 + 2 = 52 .
Example: For the function f whose graph is
shown, list the following quantities in
increasing order, from smallest to largest.

R8 R3
(a) 0 f (x) dx (b) 0 f (x) dx
R8 R8
(c) 3 f (x) dx (d) 4 f (x) dx
Solution:
Solution:

R3
▶ 0 f (x) dx is clearly negative and therefore has
the smallest value.
Solution:

R3
▶ 0f (x) dx is clearly negative and therefore has
the smallest value.
▶ 08 f (x) dx is the difference between the area
R
above the x-axis and the area below the
x-axis. It is therefore the second smallest.
Solution:

R8
▶ 4f (x) dx is only an area below the curve
above the x-axis, but not that entire area.
Hence, it is second largest.
Solution:

R8
▶ 4f (x) dx is only an area below the curve
above the x-axis, but not that entire area.
Hence, it is second largest.
▶ 38 f (x) dx is the largest as it is the the entire
R
area above the x-axis and below the curve.
 Solution:

Z 3 Z 8 Z 8 Z 8
f (x) dx < f (x) dx < f (x) dx < f (x) dx.
0 0 4 3
Question: How can we make definite
integrals easier to calculate?

Answer: With antiderivatives!

Prescribed tut problems
▶ Chapter 5.2:
1, 19, 29, 47, 25, 41, 44, 51, 52, 53, 57,
71