MIDTERM - CALCULUS 2
Chapter 3: Definite Integrals
The study of definite integrals connects geometry (areas), algebra (summations), and calculus
(limits and antiderivatives). Below is a full discussion, with examples for clarity.
1. Summation Notation & Riemann Sums
A definite integral can be viewed as the limit of a sum of many small rectangular areas under a
curve.
• Divide the interval [𝑎, 𝑏] into 𝑛 equal parts:
𝑏−𝑎
Δ𝑥 = 𝑛 .
• Choose sample points 𝑥𝑖∗ in each subinterval.
• The approximate area is given by the Riemann sum:
𝑆𝑛 = ∑𝑛𝑖=1 𝑓 (𝑥𝑖∗ )Δ𝑥
• As 𝑛 → ∞, the rectangles become infinitely thin, and the sum approaches the true
area.
This motivates the formal definition of the definite integral.
✅ Example 1 (Riemann Sum Approximation)
1
Approximate ∫0 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 using a left Riemann sum with 𝑛 = 4.
• Interval [0,1], Δ𝑥 = 0.25.
• Left endpoints: 𝑥 = 0,0.25,0.5,0.75.
• Function values: 0,0.0625,0.25,0.5625.
So,
𝑆4 = (0 + 0.0625 + 0.25 + 0.5625)(0.25) = 0.21875
Exact value using calculus:
1 1
2
𝑥3 1
∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = [ ] = ≈ 0.3333
0 3 0 3
The approximation underestimates the true area because 𝑥 2 is increasing.
2. Definition of Definite Integrals
Formally, the definite integral is defined as the limit of Riemann sums:
𝑏 𝑛
∫ 𝑓 (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = lim ∑ 𝑓 (𝑥𝑖∗ )Δ𝑥
𝑎 𝑛→∞
𝑖=1
• If 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 0, it represents the area under the curve from 𝑎 to 𝑏.
• If 𝑓(𝑥) takes both positive and negative values, it gives the net area (area above x-
axis minus area below).
3. Properties of Definite Integrals
Definite integrals behave like sums and obey certain rules.
1. Linearity
𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
∫ [𝑐𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑑𝑔(𝑥)] 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑐 ∫ 𝑓 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑 ∫ 𝑔 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
Example:
2 2 2 8
∫0 (3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = 3 ∫0 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 + 2 ∫0 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 3 (3) + 2(2) = 12
2. Additivity over Intervals
𝑐 𝑏 𝑏
∫ 𝑓 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + ∫ 𝑓 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑓 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎
Example:
4 2 4
∫0 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = ∫0 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + ∫2 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 2 + 6 = 8
3. Reversal of Limits
𝑏 𝑎
∫ 𝑓 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = − ∫ 𝑓 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑏
Example:
5 2
27
∫ ( 𝑥 + 1)𝑑𝑥 = − ∫ ( 𝑥 + 1)𝑑𝑥 =
2 5 2
4. Zero Width Interval
𝑎
∫ 𝑓 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝑎
Example:
3
∫ (𝑥 2 + 1) 𝑑𝑥 = 0
3
5. Comparison Property
If 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 𝑔(𝑥) on [𝑎, 𝑏], then
𝑏 𝑏
∫ 𝑓 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 ≤ ∫ 𝑔 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑎
Example: On [0,2], 𝑥 2 ≤ 𝑥 + 1.
2
2
8 2
∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = , ∫ ( 𝑥 + 1)𝑑𝑥 = 4
0 3 0
8
Thus, ≤ 4.
3
4. Mean Value Theorem for Integrals
If 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous on [𝑎, 𝑏], then there exists 𝑐 ∈ [𝑎, 𝑏] such that
𝑏
∫ 𝑓 (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑐)(𝑏 − 𝑎)
𝑎
The average value of a function is:
𝑏
1
𝑓avg = ∫ 𝑓 (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥
𝑏−𝑎 𝑎
Example: Find the average value of 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1 on [0,3].
1 3 1 12
𝑓avg = ∫ ( 2𝑥 + 1) 𝑑𝑥 = [𝑥 2 + 𝑥]30 = =4
3 0 3 3
The function has an average value of 4 somewhere in [0,3].
5. The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (FTC)
The FTC connects integration and differentiation.
Part 1 (Evaluation of Integrals)
If 𝐹 is an antiderivative of 𝑓, then
𝑏
∫ 𝑓 (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝐹(𝑏) − 𝐹(𝑎)
𝑎
Example:
𝜋
∫ sin (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = [−cos𝑥]𝜋0 = (1) − (−1) = 2
0
Part 2 (Derivative of an Integral)
If
𝑥
𝐹(𝑥) = ∫ 𝑓 (𝑡) 𝑑𝑡,
𝑎
then
𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)
Example:
𝑥
𝐹(𝑥) = ∫ (𝑡 2 + 1) 𝑑𝑡 ⇒ 𝐹 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1
0
Summary
• Riemann sums: Approximations using rectangles → motivate integrals.
• Definition: Definite integral = limit of Riemann sums.
• Properties: Linearity, additivity, reversal, zero interval, and comparison guide
computations.
• Mean Value Theorem: Guarantees the function takes its average value
somewhere.
• Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: The ultimate shortcut—connects derivatives
and integrals.
