Scribd
Upload
12 views14 pages

Understanding Improper Integrals

Improper integrals are integrals where either the limits of integration or the function itself are infinite. They include integrals with infinite limits, like the area under the curve y=e^-x/2 from 0 to infinity, and integrals where the function is undefined at a point within the limits, like the area under 1/(x-1) from 0 to 2. Some improper integrals converge to a finite value while others diverge to infinity.

Uploaded by

S
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views14 pages

Understanding Improper Integrals

Improper integrals are integrals where either the limits of integration or the function itself are infinite. They include integrals with infinite limits, like the area under the curve y=e^-x/2 from 0 to infinity, and integrals where the function is undefined at a point within the limits, like the area under 1/(x-1) from 0 to 2. Some improper integrals converge to a finite value while others diverge to infinity.

Uploaded by

S
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Improper Integrals

Section 8.7
Improper Integrals
Until now we have been finding integrals of
continuous functions over closed intervals.

Sometimes we can find integrals for functions


where the function or the limits are infinite.
These are called improper integrals.

Examples include integrals like


Infinite Limits of Integration

Consider the infinite region


(unbounded on the right) that lies
under the curve y = e-½x in the first
quadrant (see figure)
Example:

(right hand limit)

We approach the limit from inside


the interval.

This integral diverges.


Integrands with Vertical Asymptotes

The function is
undefined at x = 1 . Can we find
the area under
Since x = 1 is an asymptote, the an infinitely
function has no maximum. high curve?

We could define this integral as:

(left hand limit)

We must approach the limit from


inside the interval.
Rationalize the numerator.
This integral converges
because it approaches a
solution.
Example :

The function
approaches
when .

You might also like