252 Areas, Riemann sums and definite integrals (class handout)

(Riemann sums are named for Bernhard Riemann, 1826-1866)

b−a
Riemann sum : Is the sum of the areas of n rectangles of width ∆x = over an interval [a, b].
n
For example, the right-end points sum is:
n
Rn = ∑ f ( xi )∆x , where xi = a + i∆x and f ( xi ) is the height of a rectangle.
i =1

The definite integral of f is defined as the limit of the Riemann sums as n → ∞ ,

b n

∫ f ( x)dx = lim ∑ f ( xi )∆x

a n→∞
i =1
*If f has only finite jump discontinuities, this limit exists (see what would happen to Fitz if the
functions was discontinuous between a and b).

* If the function f is positive over the interval [a, b], then the Riemann sums give approximations
of the area under the curve, and the definite integral gives the exact value of such area.
n b n
Area ≈ Rn = ∑ f ( xi )∆x ; and Area = ∫ f ( x)dx = lim ∑ f ( xi )∆x
a n →∞
i =1 i =1
(We saw this with the distance problem)
b
*If f is always negative then Area ≈ − Rn ; and Area = − ∫ f ( x)dx
a

* If the function is not always positive or not always negative, the Riemann sums will give
approximate values of the “signed areas” over the intervals where f is either always positive or
always negative.

Do in class activity.

Other Properties of Definite Integrals: read boxes in p368, 373-375. You must know those
properties.

Examples
8 1
1. If ∫ f ( x)dx = 15 then what is ∫ f ( x)dx
1 8
equal to?
8 8 5
2. If ∫ f ( x)dx = 15 and ∫ f ( x) dx = 7 , what is ∫ f ( x)dx equal to?
1 5 1
a
3. What can you say about ∫
−a
f ( x)dx if f is an even function? What if f is an odd function?

y
4. Use areas and the comparison properties to find upper and 6
2
lower bounds for ∫ ( x 2 − 4 x + 6) dx
0
4

1 2
CLASS ACTIVITY:
Name:_____________________

1. Getting used to the sigma notation. Write all the terms of the following sums and evaluate
the sum.
6
a) ∑ (i + 1) =
i =2
6
b) If c is a constant, ∑c =
i =2

2. Let f ( x) = x − 2 , 1 ≤ x ≤ 6 . Find the Riemann sum with n = 5 correct to 5 decimal

places, taking the mid-points for sample points. What does the Riemann sum represent?

3. Evaluating integrals:
2
a) Set up an expression for ∫ (1 + e − x )dx as the limit of a Riemann sum.
0

b) Use your calculator program to estimate this integral by taking a sufficiently large number
of intervals.

4. Evaluate the following by interpreting as areas:

a) 5−

6
b) ∫ (5 − x)dx
0

0
c) ∫
−2
4 − x 2 dx