M&S Ch 9 Definite Integration S6/KC

9.1 Definite Integrals

∫ f (x )dx ,
b

In geometric meaning, integral, of a function is to find the sum of areas bounded between
a

y = f (x) and y = 0 from x = a to x = b. The area found can be negative if the function is negative.

∫ g ( y )dy , means the area bounded between x = g(y) and x = 0 from y = c and y = d.
d
 Similarly,
c

The detail will be discussed in the Section 9.4.

9.1.1 The limit of a Sum

 (1) Let y = f (x) be a continuous function defined in the closed interval [a, b].
 (2) Then cut the intervals into n equal sub-intervals
b−a b−a
x0 = a, x1 = a + , x2 = a + 2 × ,..., x n = b
n n
So the definite integral of f (x) from a to b is defined as a limit of sum
n
f (x )dx = lim ∑ f (ξ i )( xi − xi −1 )
b
 ∫a n →∞
i =1
where xi −1 ≤ ξ i ≤ xi

Sum of the area of rectangular scripts

∫ f (x )dx
b

9.1.2 Notation
a

 f (x ) is called the integrand

∫ f (x )dx will give number rather than expression.

b
 a is called the lower limit
a
 b is called the upper limit

 ∫ is called the integral sign

 So the relationship between definite and indefinite integrals is shown as below

∫ f (x ) = [F (x )] = F (b ) − F (a ) , for b > a
b b
a
a

∫ f (x )
b
 If b > a and f (x) > 0, then > 0 [The function f(x) is above the x-axis. (i.e. f(x) > 0)]
a

∫ f (x )
b
If b > a and f (x) < 0, then < 0 [The function f(x) is below the x-axis. (i.e. f(x) < 0)]
a

∫ f (x )
b
 If b < a and f (x) > 0, then < 0 [Reverse the upper and the lower limit.]
a

∫ f (x )
b
If b < a and f (x) < 0, then > 0 [Double reversing.]
a

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Example 9.1.1
1
2 3  2 3 2 3 2
x dx =  x 2  = (1) 2 − (0 ) 2 =
1
 ∫ [The standard substitution.]
3 0 3 3 3
0

Example 9.1.2

dx = [ln x ]− 3 = ln − 1 − ln − 3 = − ln 3
−1 1 −1
 ∫ −3 x
 Note:
b 1 1
∫ a x
dx is undefined if a and b have opposite signs. As
0
is undefined, when you goes from a to

b, it must pass through zero which the integrand is undefined as x = 0. Make sure the sign of the
limits should be the same.

Example 9.1.3
d   x  1 2 1
 Show that  ln  =
dx   1 + x  x(1 + x )
. Hence evaluate ∫ x(1 + x )dx .
1

 [ (1) Show the equations first ]

d   x  d 1 1 1
 ln  = [ln (x ) − ln(1 + x )] = − =
dx   1 + x  dx x 1 + x x(1 + x )
[ (2) Make use of the reversibility of integration and differentiation. ]
2
2 1   x  2 1 4
∫1 x(1 + x )
dx = ln  = ln − ln = ln
  1 + x  1 3 2 3

9.2 Properties of the Definite Integral

Some of the properties of indefinite integrals can be applied here.

k ⋅ f ( x )dx = k ∫ f ( x )dx
b b
 (1) For any constant k, ∫a a
[The constant k can be extracted out.]

∫ [ f (x ) ± g (x )]dx = ∫ f (x )dx ± ∫ g (x )dx

b b b
(2)
a a a

[Unless it is multiplication or division, the integration can be do it separately.]

∫ f (x )dx = F (a ) − F (a ) = 0
a
(3)
a

f ( x )dx = F (b ) − F (a ) = −[F (a ) − F (b )] = − ∫ f ( x )dx

b a
(4) ∫a b

f (x )dx = ∫ f (x )dx + ∫ f (x )dx , a < c < b

b c b
(5) ∫a a c

f ( x )dx = ∫ f (u )du
b b
(6) ∫a a

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Example 9.2.1 (property (2))

a x4 +1 9
 If a > 1 and ∫
1 x 3
dx = , find a.
8
a
a x4 +1 9 a 1   x2 1 
 ∫1 x 3
dx = =
8 1∫  x + 3
x 
 dx =  + 2
 2 2 x 1

 a2 1   12 1  9
 + 2  −  + =
 2 2(1)2  8 Sub x = a and x = 1 into the function.
 2 2a   

 a 4 + 1 9
 2 
 −1=
 2a  8

4a 4 − 17 a 2 + 4 = 0
( )(
4a 2 − 1 a 2 − 4 = 0 )
(2a − 1)(2a + 1)(a − 2)(a + 2) = 0
[Check the necessary condition given in the question!]
1 −1
a= (rejected) or a= (rejected) or a=2 or a = −2 (rejected)
2 2
∴ a=2

Example 9.2.2 (Property (5), different range with different function)

1
 Evaluate ∫−1
x dx .

 x, x ≥ 0 Separate the function into positive and

 Since x =  negative according to the domain.
− x , x < 0
0 1
− x2   x2 
x dx = ∫ (− x )dx + ∫ xdx = 
1 0 1
∫ −1 −1 0  +   =1
 2  −1  2  0

9.3 Substitution in Definite Integration

The idea is similar to the “Indefinite Integration by substitution”. The ONLY difference is that the
definite integration gives number .(Because of the upper and lower limits are provided.)

There are two ways to evaluate the definite integral
 (1) Find the indefinite integral of the function first,
and then substitute the upper and the lower limits.
 (2) apply the method of integration by substitution directly to the definite integral
 Change the limits of the integration when we change dx to du

If u = g ( x ) , du = g ′( x )dx ,
g (b )
When performing the substitution, both
∫ f (g (x ))g ′(x )dx = ∫ ( ) f (u )du
b
then with the upper the integrand and the limits needs to be
a g a

changed with respect the letting function.

and lower limits changes !

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Example 9.3.1

∫ (2 x + 1)
0.5 5
 Evaluate dx
0

 Method (1) [First, ignore the limits and perform the Indefinite integration, then sub the limits.]

(2 x + 1) dx = ∫ 1 u 5 du = 1 u 6 + C = (2 x + 1) + C
6
u = 2x + 1
∫
5

2 12 12 du = 2dx

 (2 x + 1)6 
0.5 1
21 du = dx
(2 x + 1) dx = 
0.5
∫
5
Thus, + C = 2
 12 4
0
0

 Method (2) [Making use of integration be substitution, change the integrand and the limits.]
2
u5 u 6  21 u = 2x + 1
∫ (2 x + 1)

0.5 5
dx = ∫
2
du =   = When u = 2x + 1;
0 1 2  12  1 4 du = 2dx x = 0, u = 1;
1 x = 0.5, u = 2
du = dx
2

Example 9.3.2

Given f ( x ) is even, then f ( x )dx = 2∫ f ( x )dx ; and f ( x ) is odd, then ∫ f (x )dx = 0 .

a a a
 ∫−a 0 −a

∫ ( x + x )dx .
1
5
Evaluate
−1

 Since x is an even function Even function

= Symmetric graph with respect to y-axis.
and x5 is an odd function,
Odd function
∫ ( x + x )dx = ∫
1 1 1 1
5
x dx + ∫ x dx = 2∫ xdx + 0 = 1
5
= the graph at x < 0 is the negation of the
−1 −1 −1 0
graph at x > 0, so that then can be
cancelled out

Example 9.3.3
1
1 dx
 Using the substitution x = , or otherwise, evaluate
y ∫ 1
2

x2 1− x2
.
3

1
dx
 ∫ 1
2

x 2
1− x 2 x=
1
y 1
3
When x = , y= 2
− dy 2
=∫
2 − dy dx = 2
y 1
3
1 When x = , y= 3
1− 3
y2 − y dx = dy
2

ydy dx
− = dy
3
=∫
2
y2 −1 x2

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 M&S Ch 9 Definite Integration S6/KC

2 du u = y2 −1
=∫ When y = 2 , u = 1
1
2 u du = 2 ydy
2
 12  When y = 3 , u = 2
= u  = 2 − 1
 1
 Similar to indefinite integral, the method of substitution can be applied more then once.

9.4 Plane Areas

∫ f (x )dx
b

From the definition of definite integration at 9.1, is the sum of areas bounded
a

If f ( x ) is a continuous non-negative over an interval a ≤ x ≤ b , then the area bounded by the curve,
x-axis and x = a, x = b is a positive value

Area = ∫ f ( x )dx
b

a

If f ( x ) is negative, then ∫ f (x )dx

b

is also negative
a

∫ f (x )dx
b
 Hence, Area =
a

Example 9.4.1
 Find the area between y = e − x and the x-axis from x = 0 to x = 1.
 [Since the function is positive at ]
−1
1
Area = ∫ e − x dx = − e − x
0
[ ]
1
0 =
e
+1

Sign of the Area

∫ f (x )dx
b
 In general, is the algebraic sum of the areas provided that the area above the x-axis is
a

taken as positive and the area below as negative.

 So the area bounded by the curve should be the area above the x-axis minus the area below the
x-axis.
 Example 9.4.2
 Find the total area bounded by the curve
 y = 2x – x2, the x=axis and the ordinates for which
x = -1, x = 3.
So the range should be cut into three parts:
−1 ≤ x < 0 , 0 ≤ x < 2 , 2 ≤ x < 3

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 Area bounded
0 2 3
= − ∫ ydx + ∫ ydx − ∫ ydx  Absolute value can be
−1 0 2

0
( ) 2
( )
= − ∫ 2 x − x 2 dx + ∫ 2 x − x 2 dx − ∫ 2 x − x 2 dx
−1 0
3

2
( )
0 2 3
 x3   x3   x3 
= − x 2 −  +  x 2 −  −  x 2 − 
 3  −1  3 0  3 2

− 4 4 − 4
= − + − =4
 3  3  3 

Area with the y-axis

 Sometimes, it is better to find the area with respect to function of y.
 E.g. Find the area bounded by the function and the x = 0.

∫ f ( y )dy , which mean the area bounded the curve

d
 The definite integral will be represented by
c

x = g ( y ) , the y-axis and the line y = c and y = d.

 The area to the right of the y-axis is taken as positive, and that to the left of the y-axis as negative.
 Example 9.4.3
 Find the area bounded by the curve x = y2 – 3y and the y-axis.
 [Sketch a rough diagram first.]
The area bounded

∫ (y )
3
= 2
− 3 y dy
0

3
 y3 3y2 
=  − 
3 2 0
9
=
2

Area between two curves

 If y = f ( x ) and y = g ( x ) are continuous function on the close interval [a, b] and f ( x ) ≥ g ( x )
within the interval, then the area bounded by the two curves and the line x = a and x = b is given

∫ [ f (x ) − g (x )]dx
b
by A =
a

 Be aware of the kind of function, i.e. y = f ( x ) or x = g ( y ) .

Make both of them have the same subject.
 Example 9.4.4
 Find the area of the region bounded by y 2 = x and
x − y =2.
 [1. Sketch the graph;
2. Obtain the intersection points]

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 M&S Ch 9 Definite Integration S6/KC

 x − y = 2 − −(1)
[2]   Change both of them have the same
 x = y − − − (2)
2

Sub (2) into (1), y 2 − y = 2

When y = -1, x = 1
When y = 2, x = 4

The Area is
2
 y2 y3 
∫( )
2 9
2 + y − y dx = 2 y +
2
−  =
−1 2 3  −1 2

 Choose x as the subject because of the ease of solving.
 If y is chosen to be the subject, then the integration is separated into two parts.

9.5 The Trapezoidal Rule

It is a kind of Numerical Integration, which means an approximation
value of the bounded area for a definite integral.

Approximate the function f ( x ) in the interval [a, b] by a straight line
through the end points by the area of a trapezium.

 (upper _ base + lower _ base ) × height 

 Area = 
 2 

This is called Trapezoidal Rule.

For better approximation, Composite Trapezoidal Rule should be used, which means the interval is
b−a
divided into n subintervals with h = .
n
The bounded area is composted many trapezoidal scripts.
b−a 2(b − a )
 x 0 = a, x1 = a + , x2 = a + ,..., x n = b
n n
i (b − a )
xi = a + ,0 ≤ i ≤ n
n
h
[( y 0 + y1 ) + ( y1 + y 2 ) + ... + ( y n −2 + y n −1 ) + ( y n −1 + y n )]
b

Hence I = ∫ ydx ≈
a 2

=
h
[ y 0 + 2( y1 + ... + y n−1 ) + y n ], h = b − a  group the doubled terms together.
2 n
 If f ( x ) is concave downwards on [a, b], then it is under-estimated of the function []
 If f ( x ) is concave upwards, then it is over-estimated of the function

 Larger the number of the subintervals, better the approximation it is.

∫ f (x )dx when f ( x ) is a linear polynomial.

b
 It will give exact value of
a

Or when n → ∞ , approximation will tend to exact.

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Example 9.5.1
1 dx
 Use the trapezoidal rule with 5 subintervals to estimate the definite integral ∫ .
0 1+ x

Hence, find the percentage error when the integral is evaluated directly.
 [Create a tabulate]
1− 0
h= = 0 .2
5
x 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
1 5 5 5 5 1
1
1+ x 6 7 8 9 2
1 dx 1 1 5 5 5 5 1
 ∫ 1 + x ≈ 5 ⋅ 2 1 + 2 6 + 7 + 8 + 9  + 2  ≈ 0.6956
0

 When the integral is evaluated directly,

∫ 1 + x = [ln 1 + x ]
1 dx 1
0
= ln 2 ≈ 0.6931
0

0.6957 − 0.6931
The percentage error is × 100% = +0.3683%
0.6931
[As the percentage error is positive, so it is called over-estimated.
6
It can be proved by sketching the graph, f ′′( x ) = > 0,0 ≤ x ≤ 1
(1 + x )3
As f ′′( x ) > 0 , which means the function is concave upward, so the approximation give the
over-estimate of I.]

Example 9.5.2

 (a) Using the binomial theorem to expand 1 + x 3 ( )10

in ascending powers of x up to and

including the term in x 9 .

(b) Hence estimate I, where I = ∫

0.2

0
(1 + x )3 10
dx , to three decimal places.

(c) Make another estimate of I, again to three decimal places, by using the trapezoidal rule with 5
ordinates.

 (a) (1 + x ) 3 10
= 1 + 10x 3 + 45x 6 + 120x 9 + ...

 (b) I =∫
0
0.2
(1 + x )
3 10
dx = ∫
0
0.2
(1 + 10 x 3
+ 45 x 6 + 120 x 9 + ...)dx

10
= (0.2 ) + (0.2)4 + 45 (0.2)7 + 12(0.2)10 + ... = 0.2041
4 7
 (c) [Create a tabulate first]
0 .2 − 0
h= = 0.05
4

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 M&S Ch 9 Definite Integration S6/KC

x 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

(1 + x )3 10
1 1.0013 1.0100 1.0343 1.0829

By the trapezoidal rule,

0.05
I= [1 + 2(1.0013 + 1.0100 + 1.0343) + 1.0829] = 0.2044
2
[ It is over-estimated as
(i) the answer in (c) > in (b);
(ii) this graph is concave upward within the interval]

9.6 Applications of Definite Integrals

Example 9.6.1
 Suppose that over the next 10 years the resale value of LP-gas taxi changes at the rate of t-10
thousand dollars per year. Find the amount of change in the resale value over the period beginning
two years from now and ending fours from now.
 [ 1. Find the integrand
2. Define the limits of the range.]
4
t 2 
I = ∫ (t − 10 )dt =  − 10t  = −14
4

2
2 2
The resale drops $14000.

Example 9.6.2
 The probability that the life-span x (in years) of an electrical applicance lies within interval
a ≤ x ≤ b is denoted by P(a ≤ x ≤ b ) , which can be interpreted as the area under the curve f ( x )

known as the probability density function in x. Suppose f ( x ) = 2 xe − x , determine

2

(a) the probability that a randomly chosen applicance will last between 1 year and 1.5 years.
(b) the probability that a randomly chosen applicance will greater than 2 years.
 The required P(a ≤ x ≤ b ) is the area under the curve y = f ( x )

P(1 ≤ x ≤ 1.5) = ∫ 2 xe − x dx
1.5 2
(a) 2
u = e− x
1

2
e −2.25
= ∫ −1 (− du ) du = −2 xe − x
2
u = e −1.5
e
x = 1.5,
= [− u ]
e − 2.25 2
e −1 x = 1, u = e −1
= 0.2625

P( x > 2) = 1 − ∫ 2 xe − x dx = 0.0184
2 2
(b)
0

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