Calculus - MA2024 - 2020 Batch – University of Moratuwa

Disclaimer: These notes have been prepared for the sole purpose of teaching this course and
have not been subjected to the usual scrutiny reserved for formal publications. They may be
distributed outside this class only with the permission of the instructor. Notes may be updated
periodically with suggestions from students, new ideas etc.

3 Triple Integrals

3.1 Triple Integrals

Definition 3.1.1:
Let 𝐺 be a finite solid. To define the integral of 𝑓 over 𝐺, we first divide the box into
𝑛 "subboxes" by planes parallel to the coordinate planes. Discard subboxes that contain
points outside of 𝐺 and choose an arbitrary point in each of the remaining subboxes. Let
the volume of the 𝑘 𝑡ℎ remaining subbox be Δ𝑉𝑘 and the point for the subbox be (𝑥𝑘∗ , 𝑦𝑘∗ , 𝑧𝑘∗ ).
Then the Riemann sum is
𝑛

∑ 𝑓(𝑥𝑘∗ , 𝑦𝑘∗ , 𝑧𝑘∗ )Δ𝑉𝑘 .

𝑘=1

The limit
𝑛

∭ 𝑓𝑑V = lim ∑ 𝑓(𝑥𝑘∗ , 𝑦𝑘∗ , 𝑧𝑘∗ )Δ𝑉𝑘

n→∞
𝐺 𝑘=1

is called the triple integral of 𝒇 over the region 𝑮.

1
Dr. Supem Samarasiri, Department of Mathematics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Last updated: 10/10/2022 07:31 PM
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Theorem 3.1.1: Properties of Triple Integrals

a) ∭𝐺 𝑐𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 = 𝑐 ∭𝐺 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 ; ∀𝑐 ∈ ℝ.
b) ∭𝐺[𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) + 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)]𝑑𝑉 = ∭𝐺 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 + ∭𝐺 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 .
c) ∭𝐺[𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) − 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)]𝑑𝑉 = ∭𝐺 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 − ∭𝐺 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 .
d) If the region 𝐺 is subdivided into two subregions 𝐺1 and 𝐺2 , then
∭𝐺 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 = ∭𝐺 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 + ∭𝐺 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 .
1 2

Theorem 3.1.1: Fubini’s Theorem

Let 𝐺 be a rectangular box defined by the inequalities 𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏, 𝑐 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝑑,
𝑘 ≤ 𝑧 ≤ 𝑙. If 𝑓 is continuous on the region 𝐺, then
𝑏 𝑑 𝑙

∭ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 .

𝐺
𝑎 𝑐 𝑘

Moreover, the iterated integral on the right can be replaced with any of the five
other iterated integrals that result by alternating the order of integration.

Example: Evaluate ∭𝐵 𝑧 2 𝑦𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑉 , where 𝐵 is the box given by 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1,

1 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2, −1 ≤ 𝑧 ≤ 1.

2
Dr. Supem Samarasiri, Department of Mathematics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Last updated: 10/10/2022 07:31 PM
 Calculus - MA2024 - 2020 Batch – University of Moratuwa

3.2 Triple Integrals over more General Regions

Let 𝐺 be a solid region that is bounded above and below by the surfaces 𝑧 = 𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) and
𝑧 = 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) respectively and let the projection of the solid 𝐺 on the 𝑥𝑦- plane be 𝑅 and assume
that 𝑢 and 𝑣 are continuous on 𝑅 satisfying 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) ≤ 𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) ; ∀(𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅. Such a region is
called a simple 𝑥𝑦-solid region.

Theorem 3.2.1:
Let 𝐺 be a simple 𝑥𝑦-solid with upper surface 𝑧 = 𝑣(𝑥, 𝑦) and lower surface 𝑧 = 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦), and
let 𝑅 be the projection of 𝐺 on the 𝑥𝑦-plane. If 𝑓 is continuous on 𝐺, then
𝑣(𝑥,𝑦)
∭ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉𝑥𝑦𝑧 = ∬ [∫ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑧] 𝑑𝐴𝑥𝑦 .
𝐺 𝑅 𝑢(𝑥,𝑦)

Moreover, if the projection 𝑅 is vertically simple (type I), then for each fixed 𝑥 in
the [𝑎, 𝑏], 𝑦 varies from 𝑔1 (𝑥 ) to 𝑔2 (𝑥 ) and we have
𝑏 𝑔2 (𝑥) 𝑣(𝑥,𝑦)

∭ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉𝑥𝑦𝑧 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 .

𝐺
𝑎 𝑔1 (𝑥) 𝑢(𝑥,𝑦)

3
Dr. Supem Samarasiri, Department of Mathematics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
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Likewise, if the projection 𝑅 is horizontally simple (type II), then for each fixed
𝑦 in [𝑐, 𝑑 ], 𝑥 varies from ℎ1 (𝑦) to ℎ2 (𝑦) and we have
𝑑 ℎ2 (𝑦) 𝑣(𝑥,𝑦)

∭ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉𝑥𝑦𝑧 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 .

𝐺
𝑐 ℎ1 (𝑦) 𝑢(𝑥,𝑦)

Remark: Iterated integrals can be formulated in a similar manner even if 𝐺 is

projected on to the 𝑦𝑧 – plane or the 𝑧𝑥 – plane.

Examples:
1. Evaluate ∭𝐷 𝑥 𝑑𝑉 , where 𝐷 is the solid region in the first octant bounded by
the cylinder 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4 and the plane 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 4 .
2. Find the volume of the tetrahedron 𝑇 bounded by the plane 2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 6
and the coordinate planes 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑧 = 0.
3. Find the volume of the solid 𝐷 bounded below by the paraboloid
𝑧 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 and above by the plane 2𝑥 + 𝑧 = 3 .

4
Dr. Supem Samarasiri, Department of Mathematics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Last updated: 10/10/2022 07:31 PM
 Calculus - MA2024 - 2020 Batch – University of Moratuwa

3.3 Triple Integrals in Cylindrical Coordinates

Definition 3.3.1: Triple Integrals in Cylindrical coordinates

In cylindrical coordinates, the triple integral of a continuous function 𝑓 over a solid
region 𝐺 is defined as
𝑛

∭ 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉𝑟𝜃𝑧 = lim ∑ 𝑓(𝑟𝑘∗ , 𝜃𝑘∗ , 𝑧𝑘∗ )Δ𝑉𝑘 .

𝑛→∞
𝐺 𝑘=1

5
Dr. Supem Samarasiri, Department of Mathematics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Last updated: 10/10/2022 07:31 PM
 Calculus - MA2024 - 2020 Batch – University of Moratuwa

Theorem 3.3.1: Let 𝐺 be a solid region whose upper surface has the equation 𝑧 = 𝑣(𝑟, 𝜃)
and whose lower surface has the equation 𝑧 = 𝑢(𝑟, 𝜃) in cylindrical coordinates. If the
projection of the solid on the 𝑥𝑦-plane is a simple polar region 𝑅, and if 𝑓 is continuous on G,
then
𝑣(𝑟,𝜃)
∭ 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉𝑟𝜃𝑧 = ∬ [∫ 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃, 𝑧) 𝑑𝑧] 𝑑𝐴𝑟𝜃 ;
𝐺 𝑅 𝑢(𝑟,𝜃)
where the double integral over 𝑅 is evaluated in polar coordinates.
Moreover, if the projection 𝑅 is as shown in the figure in the previous note(show
note), then the integral can be expressed as
𝛽 𝑟2 (𝜃) 𝑣(𝑟,𝜃)

∭ 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉𝑟𝜃𝑧 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑓(𝑟, 𝜃, 𝑧) 𝑟 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝜃 .

𝐺
𝛼 𝑟1 (𝜃) 𝑢(𝑟,𝜃)

Theorem 3.3.2: A triple integral in rectangular coordinates can be expressed as an iterated

integral in cylindrical polar coordinates as follows:
∭ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑉𝑥𝑦𝑧 = ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑓(𝑟 cos 𝜃, 𝑟 sin 𝜃, 𝑧) 𝑟 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝜃 .
𝐺 appropriate limits

Examples:
1. Find the volume of the solid in the first octant that is bounded by the
cylinder 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 2𝑦 , the half-cone 𝑧 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 and the 𝑥𝑦 − plane.
1 √1−𝑥 2 √2−𝑥 2 −𝑦 2
2. Convert the integral 𝐼 = ∫−1 ∫−√1−𝑥 2 ∫𝑥 2+𝑦2 𝑧 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 .

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Dr. Supem Samarasiri, Department of Mathematics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Last updated: 10/10/2022 07:31 PM