10

CALCULUS:
DEFINITE INTEGRALS

CONTENTS
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus 123
Improper Integrals 126
Area Bounded by a Curve 128
Consumer Surplus and Producer Surplus 129
Cost, Revenue and Profit Functions 132
Frequency Functions and Probability 134
Average Value of a Function 136
Inventory Model 137
Amount of an Annuity 138
Consumption of a Natural Resource 138
Other Economic Applications 139

𝑏
The definite integral is defined as ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥. The numbers a and b are
known as the lower and upper limits of the integral. Definite integrals have
many applications, for example in finding areas bounded by curves and
consumer surplus.

T H E F U ND A M E N T A L T H E O R E M OF C A L C U LU S
The fundamental theorem of calculus, expressed mathematically, states that

𝒃
∫ 𝒇(𝒙)𝒅𝒙 = [𝑭(𝒙)]𝒃𝒂 = 𝑭(𝒃) − 𝑭(𝒂)
𝒂

where[𝐹(𝑥)]𝑏𝑎 indicates that b and a are to be substituted successively for x.

Properties of Definite Integrals

𝑏 𝑎
1) ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = − ∫𝑏 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎
2) ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝐹(𝑎) − 𝐹(𝑎) = 0
𝑐 𝑏 𝑐
3) ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + ∫𝑏 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑏 𝑏
4) ∫𝑎 𝑘𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝑘 ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
124 Olaniyi Evans | University Mathematics

 EXAMPLE 10.1
2
Evaluate ∫ 5𝑥 𝑑𝑥.
−1

S O L U T I O N tips
First perform the integration and use this convention.
2 2
5𝑥 2
∫ 5𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = [ + 𝑐]
−1 2 −1
Let x equal the value at the upper limit, then the value at the lower limit.
2
5(2)2 5(−1)2 5 1
∫ 5𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = [ + 𝑐] − [ + 𝑐] = 10 − = 7
−1 2 2 2 2

 EXAMPLE 10.2
Find
4 8 1
4 −
1 2
a) ∫ (3√𝑥 + ) 𝑑𝑥 b) ∫ (4𝑡 − 1) 3 𝑑𝑡 c) ∫ 𝑥𝑒 4𝑥 −3 𝑑𝑥
1 √𝑥 4 −1

S O L U T I O N tips
4 4
4 1 1
a) ∫ (3√𝑥 + ) 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ (3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 −2 ) 𝑑𝑥
1 √𝑥 1
3 1 4
3𝑥 2 4𝑥 2 3 1 4
=[ + ] = [2𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 2 ]
3 1 1
2 2 1
(2
= (2 ∙ 8 + 8 ∙ 2) − ∙ 1 + 8 ∙ 1) = 22
8 1 1 3 2 8 3 2 3 2
−3
b) ∫ (4𝑡 − 1) 𝑑𝑡 = . [(4𝑡 − 1)3 ] = [(4(8) − 1)3 ] − [(4(4) − 1)3 ] = 1.42
4 4 2 4 8 8

c) Use integration by substitution

𝑑𝑢 1
Let 𝑢 = 4𝑥 2 − 3 then, = 8𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑢
𝑑𝑥 8𝑥
It follows that
1 1 1
2 −3 1 1 1 1
∫ 𝑥𝑒 4𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑥𝑒 𝑢 ( 𝑑𝑢) = ∫ 𝑒 𝑢 𝑑𝑢 = [ 𝑒 𝑢 ]
−1 −1 8𝑥 8 −1 8 0
1 4𝑥2 −3 1 1 4(1)2−3 1 4(0)2−3
=[ 𝑒 ] =[ 𝑒 ]−[ 𝑒 ]
8 0 8 8
−3
𝑒−𝑒
= = 0.33
8

 EXAMPLE 10.3
Find the integrals
1 3
𝑥² + 7𝑥 − 14 4𝑥
a) ∫ 𝑑𝑥 b) ∫ 𝑑𝑥
0 𝑥² + 2𝑥 − 15 1 (2𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 + 1)
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