Definition of the definite integral

If f is a function defined for a ≤ x ≤ b, we divide the interval [a, b] into

n subintervals of equal width ∆x = (b − a)/n. We let
x0 (= a), x1 , x2 , . . . , xn (= b) be the end points of these subintervals and
we let x1∗ , x2∗ , . . . , xn∗ be any sample points in these subintervals, xi∗ lies
in the i-th subinterval [xi−1 , xi ]. Then the definite integral of f from a
to b is
Z b Xn
f (x) dx = lim f (xi∗ )∆x
a n→∞
i=1

provided this limit exists and gives the same value for all possible choices
of sample points.
If it does exist we say that f is integrable on [a, b].
How to evaluate integrals

These are the methods at our disposal so far:

b
b3
Z
1 Use the definition: we used this to find x 2 dx = and
0 3
Z 5
(4 − 2x) dx = −9
2
2 Use simple geometry: we used this to find
Z 0 p 9π
(1 + 9 − x 2 ) dx = 3 +
−3 4
3 Today: learn some properties of the integral and use them in
conjunction with the two above.
A Property of the definite integral
If we exchange the roles of a and b in the definition of the definite
integral, then
Z b n  
X b−a
f (x) dx = lim f (xi ) def of integral
a n→∞ n
i=0
n  
X −(a − b)
= lim f (xi ) algebra
n→∞ n
i=0
n  
X a−b
= lim (−1)f (xi ) algebra
n→∞ n
i=0
n  
X a−b
= lim (−1) f (xi ) prop of Σ
n→∞ n
i=0
n  
X a−b
= (−1) lim f (xi ) prop of lim
n→∞ n
i=0
Z a
=− f (x) dx def of integral
b
Exercise

Z 1 p √ Z 0 p
Given that 3x x 2 + 4 dx = 5 5 − 8 what is 3u u 2 + 4 du
0 1
Solution: The name of the independent variable does not matter, so
these two integrals are the same except the upper and lower limits of
integration are swapped. By the above property, we conclude that
Z 0 p √
3u u 2 + 4 du = −(5 5 − 8)
1
Another property of the definite integral

If we take a = b in the definition of the definite integral, then ∆x = 0

and
Z a n  
X a−a
f (x) dx = lim f (xi ) def of integral
a n→∞ n
i=0
n  
X 0
= lim f (xi ) algebra
n→∞ n
i=0
n
X
= lim 0 algebra
n→∞
i=0
= lim 0 prop of Σ
n→∞
=0 prop of lim
Exercise

Z π
Evaluate sin2 x cos4 x dx
π
Solution:
Z π Since a = b = π in the definition of the integral, we conclude
that sin2 x cos4 x dx = 0
π
Some more properties

Property of summation Corresponding prop of integration

Xn Z b
c = cn c dx = c(b − a)
i=1 a
n
X n
X Z b Z b
can = c an cf (x) dx = c f (x) dx
i=1 i=1 a a
Xn n
X n
X Z b
[an + bn ] = an + bn [f (x) + g (x)] dx =
i=1 i=1 i=1 a
Z b Z b
f (x)dx + g (x)dx
a a
n
X n
X n
X Z b
[an + bn ] = an + bn [f (x) − g (x)] dx =
i=1 i=1 i=1 a
Z b Z b
f (x)dx − g (x)dx
a a
Exercises

Exercise: Use the properties and calculation from last time

Z b Z 1
2 b3
x dx = to evaluate the integral (5 − 6x 2 )dx.
0 3 0
Solution:
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
2
(5 − 6x )dx = 5 dx − 6x 2 dx
0 0 0
Z 1
= 5(1 − 0) − 6 x 2 dx
0
1
=5−6 =5−2=3
3
Exercises

Z 9 Z 9
Exercise: If f (x) dx = 37 and g (x) dx = 16, find
Z 9 0 0

[2f (x) + 3g (x)]dx

0
Solution:
Z 9 Z 9 Z 9
[2f (x) + 3g (x)]dx = 2f (x) dx + 3g (x) dx
0 0 0
Z 9 Z 9
=2 f (x) dx + 3 g (x) dx
0 0
= 2(37) + 3(16)
= 122
Exercises
Exercise: Each of the regions A, B, and C bounded by the graph of f
and the x-axis has area 3. Find the value of
Z 2
[f (x) + 2x + 5]dx
−4

Solution:
Z 2 Z 2 Z 2 Z 2
[f (x) + 2x + 5]dx = f (x)dx + 2 x+ 5 dx
−4 −4 −4 −4
= (−3) + 2(−8 + 2) + 5(2 − (−4)) = 15
Another property of integrals

The following can be deduced using the interpretation of the integral as

net area under or over the graph of f . One can combine integrals over
adjacent intervals:
Z c Z b Z b
f (x) dx + f (x) dx = f (x) dx
a c a
Exercises

Z b
Exercise: Write as a single integral in the form f (x) dx:
a
Z 2 Z 5 Z −1
f (x) dx + f (x) dx − f (x) dx
−2 2 −2

Solution:
Z 5
f (x) dx
−1
Comparison properties for the integral

And one can estimate the size of an integral using the area of shapes
that are easy to calculate:
Z b
1 If f (x) ≥ 0 for a ≤ x ≤ b, then f (x) dx ≥ 0.
a
Z b Z b
2 If f (x) ≥ g (x) for a ≤ x ≤ b, then f (x) dx ≥ g (x) dx.
a a
3 If m ≤ f (x) ≤ M for a ≤ x ≤ b, then
Z b
m(b − a) ≤ f (x) dx ≤ M(b − a)
a
Example

Z 2
1
Exercise: Estimate the value of the integral dx
0 1 + x2
Solution: By looking at the graph of f (x) = 1/(1 + x 2 ) on the interval
[0, 2], we conclude that 1/5 ≤ f (x) ≤ 1. Hence
Z 2
1 1
(2 − 0) ≤ dx ≤ 1(2 − 0)
5 0 1 + x2
or
Z 2
2 1
≤ dx ≤ 2
5 0 1 + x2
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Suppose f is a continuous function on [a, b].

Z x
1 If g (x) = f (t)dt, then g 0 (x) = f (x).
a
Z b
2 f (x)dx = F (b) − F (a) where F is any antiderivative of f , that
a
is, F 0 = f .
Next time on Math 3...

More the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (Parts I and II)!

Indefinite integrals and net change.