8.

4 Improper Integrals
The definite integral exists if f is defined on finite interval [a, b]. And if f
has an infinite discontinuity at some point in [a, b], then f is not
bounded and therefore not integable.
Ex 1: (the interval is not bounded )
Geometric interpretation: The area of the unbounded region that lies
under the curve , above the x-axis and to the right of the line x = 1.
Ex 2: ( the integrand has an infinite discontinuity at some point in the
interval)
Geom. interp.: The area of the unbounded region that lies under the
curve from x = 0 to x = 1.
These are improper integrals.
Type 1: Improper Integrals with Infinite Limits :

• Defn: Integrals with infinite limits of integration are improper

integrals of Type 1.
Cont…

If the limit is finite then the improper integral converges and that the
limit is the value of the improper integral.
If the limit fails to exist then the improper integral diverges.
Note: In the 3rd integral if one the integrals diverges, the improper
integral diverges.
You can not evaluate improper integral unless you change it to a
‘proper integral’.
If , and the improper integral converges we interpret the improper
integral as an area.
If and the improper integral diverges, we say the area under the
curve is infinite.
Ex 1: Evaluate
Soln:
The graph in Fig (a) shows the area bounded by the curve , the x-axis, and the vertical line x =
To find the area, we introduce a vertical line x = (Fig (b)). This vertical line gives a region with both
upper and lower limits of integration. The area of this region is

Suppose we let the vertical line x = move further and further to the right. i.e. we let Then
(We know that )
This limit is the area of the region shown in Fig (a), so that 2
Ex 2: Determine whether converges or diverges. If it converges, find it’s value.

Soln: By definition of an improper integral

, does not exist.

Since the limit does not exist the improper integral is divergent.
In the figure the shaded region represents the integral
Ex 3: Determine whether converges or diverges. If it converges, find it’s value.

Soln: =
Since the limit exists, the integral converges and the area has a finite value ½.
In this figure the shaded region represents the integral
Ex : Evaluate
We can split the interval as where is arbitrary. Let’s choose =0.

= (converges)

(diverges)
( We know that and )
The improper integral diverges because one of the two integral diverges.
Try:
 Type 2: Integrands with Infinite Discontinuities
Integrand has a Vertical Asymptote – an infinite discontinuity – at a limit of integration or at
some point between the limits of integration.
1. If is continuous on and is discontinuous at then

The following figure shows a plot of having a vertical asymptote at . The shaded region
represents the integral of
Type 2: Integrands with Infinite Discontinuities

2. If is continuous on and is discontinuous at then

The following figure shows a plot of having a vertical asymptote at . The shaded
region represents the integral of
Type 2: Integrands with Infinite Discontinuities

3. If is discontinuous at , where , and is continuous on , then

If the improper integral has finite limit, it converges and the limit is the value of the
improper integral.
If the limit does not exist, improper integral diverges.
Ex: = + (The integrand become undefined
at , vertical asymptote at )
Discontinuity at the left end point of the interval
Ex1: Determine whether converges or diverges. If it converges, find it’s value.
Soln:
The integral is improper because has a vertical asymptote at , discontinuous at the
left end point of the interval .
We have )

The integral diverges.

Discontinuity at the right end point of the interval

Ex2: Determine whether converges or diverges. If it converges, find it’s value.

Soln:
The integral is improper because has a vertical asymptote at , discontinuous at the
right end point of the interval .
We have
]
The integral is convergent and is equal to .
Discontinuity at the mid point of the interval
Ex1: Determine whether converges or diverges. If it converges, find it’s value.
Soln:
The integral is improper because has a vertical asymptote at , since , We have
+

Now (diverges)
The integral diverges.