Mathematics for Science Standard Term 2

Strand 2 Lecture 2

Definite Integrals

Syllabus Reference: 10-2


Recap: From our previous lecture: 

x3  2 x dx 


This is an indefinite integral.

Definite Integrals


If  f  x  dx  F  x   C

 Note: Here we are using the notation the primitive of f  x  is F  x   C 
then we define the definite integral:
b
 b
 f x  dx   F x  a
a
 F b   F a 
where
a and b are called the limits of the integral.
a is the lower limit and b is the upper limit

b

In words: 

f  x  dx is the definite integral from a to b of f  x  , with respect to x .
a


2
Example: Evaluate 

x3  2 x dx .
1


Note: The indefinite integral 

f  x  dx is a function [the primitive function of f  x  ]

b

but the definite integral 

f  x  dx has a numerical value [i.e. it can be evaluated]
a
Further examples

1. Evaluate the following definite integrals:

1

(a)  x4  x  dx
 1

4

(b)  9  2 x dx
0
 0
 x
(c)  dx

 2 x 2  1 
3

3 2
  1
(d)   t   dt
1  t
2. Find the value of the constant k in each of the following:

k
 1
(a)  dx  3
1 2 x

2
(b)
 2
 
 3x  4 x  k dx  30
 1
 6
3. Show that
d
 
x  1 2 x  3  3x  2 . Hence evaluate 

3x  2
dx .
dx 2x  3  2 2x  3

d 
Hint: if
dx
 f x   f x  then  f  x  dx  f  x   C

 Properties of Definite Integrals

a a
  a
 f  x  dx  0 f  x  dx   F  x  
1. 
 a
a a

 F a  F a  0

2

e.g.  2 x dx 
2

b b 2
  
2.  k f  x  dx  k  f x  dx  2 x dx 
a a 1

2

2 x dx 
1

b a 2
  
3.  f  x  dx    f x  dx  2 x dx 
a b 1
1

 2 x dx 
2

b 1 2
 
c

c  
4.  f  x  dx   f x  dx   f  x  dx  2 x dx  2 x dx 
 a 0 1
a b

2

 2 x dx 
0

b 2 2
 
b
 

 f  x  dx 
 g  x  dx 2
 2 x dx   3x dx 

a a 1 1
5.
b

   f  x   g  x   dx
a

2

 2
 2 x  3x dx  
1
Exercise

3

If  f  x  dx  6 , evaluate:
1

1

(a)  f x dx
3

 f x 
3
(b)  7 dx
1

3

(c)  f  x  dx
3

15 3
 
(d)  f  x  dx   f  x  dx
1 15
 3

(e)  4  f  x  dx
1

3

(f)   f  x   x dx
1

Tutorial Guide Exercise: 10-2