The Definite
Integral
ST-MATH
𝑏
න 𝑓 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 න 𝑓 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑎
Definite integral vs. Indefinite integral
o A definite integral is a number. An indefinite integral is a family of
functions.
o The definite integral of 𝑓(𝑥) is a number and represents the area under the
curve 𝑓(𝑥) from 𝑥 = 𝑎 to 𝑥 = 𝑏. The indefinite integral of 𝑓(𝑥) is a family of
functions and answers the question, “What functions when differentiated
give 𝑓(𝑥)?”.
o Definite integral: The numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏 are 𝑥-values and are called the limits
of integration; specifically, 𝑎 is the lower limit and 𝑏 is the upper limit.
Definite integral
o The definite integral generalizes the concept of the area under a curve.
o If 𝑓 is continuous and nonnegative on [𝑎, 𝑏], then the area under the graph of 𝑓 from
𝑥 = 𝑎 to 𝑥 = 𝑏 is given by the integral of 𝑓 from 𝑥 = 𝑎 to 𝑥 = 𝑏
𝑏
Area of 𝑆 = න 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
𝑎
Compute the value of each of the following definite
integrals by interpreting it as the measure of the
area of a plane region.
3
න 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0
Compute the value of each of the following definite
integrals by interpreting it as the measure of the
area of a plane region.
3
න 9 − 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
−3
DEFINITION OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL
Thus, a more general expression for the area of S is:
A = lim[ f ( x1*)x + f ( x2 *)x + ... + f ( xn *) x]
n →
The sum is called a Riemann sum. It is named after the German mathematician Bernhard Riemann (1826–1866).
We give this type of limit a special name and notation.
Stewart, J. (2008) Calculus: Early Transcendentals (6th ed) Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning
We know that, if f happens to be positive,
the Riemann sum can be interpreted as a
sum of areas of approximating
rectangles.
𝑏
The definite integral 𝑥𝑑 𝑥 𝑓 𝑎can be
interpreted as the area under the
curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) from a to b
The symbol ∫ was introduced by Leibniz and is
called an integral sign.
• It is an elongated S.
• It was chosen because an integral is a limit of sums.
DEFINITE INTEGRAL
In general, when we write
n
lim f ( xi *) x = f ( x) dx
b
n → a
i =1
we replace:
lim Σ by
𝑥𝑖∗ by 𝑥
∆𝑥 by 𝑑𝑥
n
lim f ( xi *) x = f ( x) dx
b
n → a
i =1
Express n
lim ( xi + xi sin xi )xi
3
n →
i =1
as an integral on the interval [0, π].
Comparing the given limit with the limit in previous slide, we
see that they will be identical if we choose f(x) = x3 + x sin x.
We are given that a = 0 and b = π.
So, we have:
PROPERTIES OF DEFINITE INTEGRAL
EVALUATING DEFINITE INTEGRALS
Preview of next module
References
o Larson, R., & Edwards, B. (2016). Calculus (11th edition). Cengage Learning.
o Salas, S., Hille, E., & Etgen, G. J. (2007). Calculus one and several variables. J.
Wiley.
o Stewart, J. (2008) Calculus: Early Transcendentals (6th ed.) Books/Cole, Cengage
Learning.
o Thompson, S. P. 1., & Gardner, M. (1998). Calculus made easy: being a very-
simplest introduction to those beautiful methods of reckoning which are
generally called by the terrifying names of the differential calculus and the
integral calculus. Newly rev., updated, expanded, and annotated for its 1998 ed.
New York, St. Martin's Press.