(HIGHER ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS)

INTRODUCTION
Double integrals are sometimes easier to evaluate when we change the order of integration or
when we change to polar coordinates, over regions whose boundaries are given by polar
equations. General change of variables involves evaluation of multiple integrals by substitution.
The aim of substitution is to replace complicated integrals by one that are easier to evaluate.
Change of variables simplifies the integrand, the limits of integration or both. Evaluation of triple
integral is simplified by the use of cylindrical or spherical coordinates in problems of physics,
engineering or geometry involving a cylinder, cone, or sphere. Dirichlet’s integral is useful in the
evaluation of certain double and triple integrals by expressing them in terms of beta and gamma
functions.
Multiple integral is a natural extension of an (ordinary) definite integral to a function of two
variables (double integral) or three variables (triple integral) or more variables. Double and triple
integrals are useful in evaluating area, volume, mass, centroid and moments of inertia of plane
and solid regions.
7.1 DOUBLE INTEGRAL
Let D be a closed∗ and bounded∗∗ domain in the XY -plane bounded by a simple closed curve c.
Let f (x, y) be a given continuous function in D. Divide D into n parts and form the sum
n

∑ f (Pi)∆ Si
i=1

where f (Pi) is the value of f at an arbitrary point Pi of the subdomain whose area is Si. Double
integral of f (x, y) over the domain D is the limit of the above sum as n → ∞ and is denoted by ID
as
ID = D f (P) ds = D f (x, y) dx dyss
n
=lim ∑ f ( Pi) ∆ Si (1)
∆ Si 0 i=1

Here D is known as the domain (region) of integration.

The following properties of double integrals follow from the definition (1).
Properties of Double Integral

1.∬ D af (x, y) dS = a∬ D f (x, y) dS, a = constant

2. ∬ D [f (x, y) + g (x, y)]dS = ∬ D f (x, y)dS. + + ∬ D g (x, y) dS

3. ∬ D f (x, y)dS = ∬ D1 f (x, y)dS + ∬ D2 f (x, y)dS

where D is the union of disjoint domains D1 and D2.