Section 8.

1: Improper Integrals, remixed by Jeff Eldridge from work by Dale Hoffman, is licensed under
a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. © Mathispower 4u.
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 1

8.1 Improper Integrals

b
Our original development of the definite integral ⌠
⌡ f(x) dx used Riemann sums and assumed that
a
• the length of the interval of integration [a, b] was finite and
• that f(x) was defined and bounded at every point of the interval [a, b] (including the endpoints).

Sometimes, however, we need the value of an integral which does not satisfy one or both of these
assumptions. In this section we extend the ideas of the definite integral to evaluate two types of
improper definite integrals:
(1) the length of the interval of integration is not finite
(2) the integrand function is not bounded at a point of the interval of integration.

Example 1: Represent each area as an improper definite integral.

(a) The area of the infinite region between
2
f(x) = 1/x and the x–axis for x ≥ 1 (Fig. 1)
(b) The area between g(x) and the x–axis for
0 ≤ x ≤ 4 (Fig. 2)

" 1 4
Solution: (a) # dx (b) # g(x) dx
x 2
1 0

Practice 1: Represent each quantity as an improper definite integral.

!(a) The volume swept out when the infinite region

between f(x) = 1/x and the x–axis is revolved about
the x–axis for x ≥ 4 (Fig. 3)
(b) The area between the curves in Fig. 4 for
1 ≤ x ≤ 3.

General Strategy For Improper Integrals

Our general strategy for evaluating improper integrals is to shrink the interval of integration so we have a
definite integral we can evaluate. Then as we let the interval grow to approach the interval of integration
we want, the value of the integral on the growing intervals approaches the value of the improper integral.
The value of the improper integral is the limiting value of the definite integrals as the interval grows to the
interval we want, provided that the limit exists.
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 2

Infinitely Long Intervals of Integration

We evaluate an improper integral on an infinitely long interval by

• replacing the inifinitely long interval with a finite interval,
• evaluating the integral on the finite interval, and, finally,
• letting the finite interval grow longer and longer, approaching the interval we want.

∞
⌠ 1
Example 2: Evaluate ⌡ 2 dx .
1 x

Solution: The interval [1, ∞) is infinitely long, but we can

evaluate the integral on the finite intervals [1, 2], [1, 10], [1, 1000],
and in general [1, C] (Fig. 5).

2 2
⌠ 1
|1
1
⌡
x
2 dx = – x = ( – 12 ) – ( – 11 ) = 1 – 12 1
= 2 .
1
10 1000
⌠ 1 1 ⌠ 1 1
Similarly, ⌡ 2 dx = 1 – 10 = .9 , ⌡ 2 dx = 1 – 1000 = .999 , and, in general,
1 x 1 x

C C
⌠
⌡ 12 dx = – 1x
1x |1 = ( – C1 ) – ( – 11 ) = 1 – C1 . As the value of C gets larger, the length of the
C ∞
⌠ 1 ⌠ 1
interval [1, C] increases, and the value of ⌡ 2 dx approaches the value of ⌡ 2 dx .
1 x 1 x

∞ C
⌠ 1 ⌠ 1
The value of ⌡ 2 dx is the limit of the values of ⌡ 2 dx as C approaches infinity:
1 x 1 x

∞ C
⌠
⌡ 12 dx = lim { ⌠⌡ 12 dx } = lim { 1 – C1 } = 1 .
1 x C "#
1 x C "#

∞
⌠ 1
improper integral ⌡ 2 !
We say that the ! dx is convergent and converges to 1.
x 1
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 3

If the following limits exist,

∞ C
lim { ⌡ f(x) dx }, and
⌠ ⌠
the value of ⌡ f(x) dx is defined to be the value of
a C "# a

b b
lim { ⌡ f(x) dx } .
⌠ ⌠
the value of ⌡ f(x) dx is defined to be the value of
–∞
! C " #$ C

In each case, first evaluate the proper integral and then take the limit.

!improper integral is convergent.

If the limit is a finite number, we say the

If the limit does not exist or if it is infinite, we say the improper integral is divergent.

1
x

∞ ∞ ∞
⌠ 1 ⌠ 1 ⌠
Example 3: Evaluate (a) ⌡ 2 dx , (b)
⌡ x dx and (c)
⌡ cos(x) dx . (Fig. 6)
0 1+x 1 0
∞ C C
⌠ ⌠
{ { | }
1 1
Solution: (a) ⌡ 2 dx = lim ⌡ 2 dx = lim } arctan(x)
0 1+x C "#
0 1+x C "# 0

= lim {
arctan(C) – arctan(0)
C "#
π
}
= 2 – 0 = 2 .
π

! ∞ !
⌠ 1
so we say that ⌡ 2 dx is convergent.
! 0 1+x

∞ C C
⌠ 1
(b) ⌡ x dx = lim
C "#
{ ⌠⌡ 1x dx } = lim C "#
{ ln(x) | } = lim
C "#
{ ln(C) – ln(1)} = ∞
1 1 1
∞
⌠ 1
so we say the improper integral ⌡ x dx is divergent.
! ! 1 !
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 4

∞ C C
⌠
(c) ⌡ cos(x) dx = lim
C "#
{ ⌡⌠ cos(x) dx } = lim C "#
{ sin(x) | }
0 0 0

= lim
C "#
{ sin(C) – sin(0)} = lim sin(C) .
C "#

! the values of sin(C) oscilate

As C increases ! between –1 and 1 and do not approach a single value
∞
! does not exist and the improper
! ⌠
⌡ cos(x) dx is divergent.
so the last limit integral
1
∞ ∞
⌠
⌡ 13 dx and (b) ⌠
⌡ sin(x) dx .
Practice 2: Evaluate (a)
1 x 0

Functions Undefined At An Endpoint Of The Interval Of Integration

If the function we want to integrate is unbounded at one of the endpoints of an interval of finite length, we
can shrink the interval so the function is bounded at both endpoints of the new, smaller interval, evaluate the
integral over the smaller interval, and finally, let the smaller interval grow to approach the original interval.

1
⌠ 1
Example 4: Evaluate ⌡ dx . (Fig. 7)
x
0

Solution: The function 1/ x is not bounded at x = 0, the lower endpoint of

integration, but the function is bounded on the intervals [.36, 1], [0.09, 1], and,
in general, on the interval [C , 1] for any C > 0.

1 1
⌠ 1
⌡
.36
dx = 2 x
x |.36 = 2 1 – 2 .36 = 2 – 1.2 = 0.8 . Similarly,

1 1 1 1
⌠ 1
⌡
0.09
dx = 2 x
x |0.09 ⌠ 1
= 2 1 – 2 0.09 = 1.4 and ⌡ dx = 2 x
C
x |C =2–2 C .

As C approaches 0 from the right, the interval [C, 1] approaches the interval [0, 1] and the value of

1 1
⌠
⌡ 1 dx converges to 2 and write ⌠
⌡ 1 dx = 2.
2–2 C approaches 2. We say that
x x
0 0
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 5

If f(x) is not bounded (not defined) at x = b,

b C
lim # { ⌡ f(x) dx }
⌠ ⌠
the value of ⌡ f(x) dx is defined to be the value of
a C" b a
if this limit exists.

If f(x) is not bounded (not defined) at x = a,

b
! b
lim + { ⌡ f(x) dx } .
⌠ ⌠
the value of ⌡ f(x) dx is defined to be the value of
a C" a C
if this limit exists.

In each case, first evaluate the proper integral and then take the limit.
!
If the limit is a finite number, we say the improper integral is convergent.

If the limit does not exist or if it is infinite, we say the improper integral is divergent.

10 1
⌠ 1 ⌠ 1
Practice 3: Show that (a) ⌡ dx = 6 and (b) ⌡ x dx is divergent.
10 – x
1 0

If the function is unbounded at one or more points inside the interval of integration, we can split the
original improper integral into several improper integrals on subintervals so the function is unbounded at
one endpoint of each subinterval.

Testing For Convergence: The Comparison Test and P–Test

Sometimes the only thing that matters about an improper integral is whether or not it converges to a finite
number. There are ways to determine its convergence even though we may not be able to or may not want
to determine the exact value of the integral. In the remainder of this section we consider two methods for
testing the convergence of an improper integral. Neither method gives us the value of the improper
integral, but each enables us to determine whether some improper integrals are convergent. The
Comparison Test For Integrals enables us to determine the convergence (or divergence) of some integrals
by comparing them with some integrals we already know converge or diverge. The Comparison Test,
however, requires that we know the convergence or divergence of the integrals we compare against, and the
P–Test provides examples of known convergent and divergent integrals to use for this comparison.

We start with the P–Test in order to have some examples to use when we consider the Comparison Test.
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 6

P–Test for Integrals

∞  converges if p > 1
⌠
⌡ 1p dx 
For any a > 0, the improper integral
a x
 diverges if p ≤ 1

Proof: It is easiest to consider three cases: p = 1, p > 1, and p < 1.

∞ ∞ C
⌠ 1 ⌠ 1
Case p = 1: Then ⌡ p dx = ⌡ x dx = lim
x C "#
{ ⌠⌡ 1x dx }
a a a
C ∞
= lim { ln(x) | } = lim { ln(C) – ln(a)} ⌠ 1
= ∞ so ⌡ p dx diverges.
C "# a
!
C "#
a x
∞ C C
⌠ 1
For the other two cases, p ≠ 1, so ⌡ p dx = lim
x
{ ⌠⌡ 1p dx } ⌠ –p
= lim { ⌡ x dx }
! ! a
C "#
a x C "#
a
C
|a
1 .x1–p
= lim
C "#
{ 1–p } = lim
C "#
{ C1–p – a1–p }.
! !
Case p > 1: Then 1 – p < 0 so lim C1–p = 0 and
C "#
∞ 1–p 1–p
⌠
⌡ 1p dx! = lim 1
{ C1–p – a1–p!} = – 1a – p = pa – 1 , a finite number.
a x C "# 1$ p
! ∞
1–p ⌠
⌡ 1p dx diverges.
Case p < 1: Then 1 – p > 0 so lim C = ∞ and
C "#
a x
!
∞ ∞ 8
⌠ 1 ⌠ 1 ⌠ 1
Example 5: convergence or divergence of (a) ⌡ 2 dx , (b) ⌡
Determine the ! dx and (c) ⌡ 1/3 dx .
x x x
5 1 1
∞
⌠
⌡ 12 dx matches the form for the P–Test with p = 2 > 1, so the integral is convergent.
Solution: (a)
5 x
∞ ∞
⌠ 1 ⌠ 1
(b) ⌡ dx = ⌡ 1/2 dx matches the form for the P–Test with p = 1/2 < 1 so the integral is divergent.
x
1 1 x

8
⌠ 1
(c) ⌡ 1/3 dx does not match the form for the P–Test because the interval [1, 8] is finite.
1 x
8 8 8
⌠ ⌠ –1/3
|1
1 3 2/3 3 3 9
⌡ 1/3 dx = ⌡ x dx = 2 x = 2 { 82/3 – 1
2/3
} = 2 {4–1} = 2 .
1 x 1
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 7

The following Comparison Test enables us to determine the convergence or divergence of an improper
integral of a new positive function by comparing the new function with functions whose improper integrals
we already know converge or diverge.

Comparison Test for Integrals of Positive Functions

(a) If the new integral is smaller than one we know converges, then the new integral converges (Fig. 8):

∞ ∞
⌠ ⌠
if 0 ≤ f(x) ≤ g(x) and ⌡ g(x) dx converges, then ⌡ f(x) dx converges.
a a

(b) If the new integral is larger than one which diverges, then the new integral diverges (Fig. 9):

∞ ∞
⌠ ⌠
if f(x) ≥ g(x) ≥ 0 and ⌡ g(x) dx diverges, then ⌡ f(x) dx diverges.
a a

(c) If the new integral is larger than a convergent integral or smaller than a divergent integral,
then we can draw no immediate conclusion about the new integral –– the new integral
may converge or diverge (Fig. 10).

The proof is a straightforward application of the definition of the value of an improper integral and facts
about limits.

Example 6: Determine whether each of these integrals is convergent by comparing it with an appropriate
integral which you know converges or diverges.

∞ ∞ ∞
⌠ 7 ⌠ 3 + sin(x) ⌠ 9
(a) ⌡ 3 dx (b) ⌡ 2 dx (c) ⌡ dx
x–5
1 x +5 1 x 6
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 8

7 1 1
Solution: (a) The dominant power of 3 is 3 so we should compare with 3 .
x +5 x x

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
⌠
⌡ 7 ⌠
⌡ 7 ⌠
⌡ 1 ⌠
⌡ 1
3 dx < 3 dx = 7 3 dx . We know 3 dx is convergent
1 x +5 1 x 1 x 1 x
∞
⌠
⌡ 7
by the P–Test (p = 3 > 1), so we can conclude that 3 dx is convergent.
1 x +5

1 1
(b) We know 0 < 3 + sin(x) ≤ 4 and the dominant term is 2 so we should compare with 2 .
x x
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
⌠ 3 + sin(x)
⌡ ⌠ 4 ⌠ 1 ⌠ 1
2 dx ≤ ⌡ 2 dx = 4 ⌡ 2 dx . We know ⌡ 2 dx is convergent
1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x
∞
⌠ 3 + sin(x)
⌡
by the P–Test (p = 2 > 1), so we can conclude that 2 dx is convergent.
1 x

9 1 1
(c) The dominant power of is so we should compare with 1/2 .
x–5 x x

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
⌠
⌡ 9 ⌠
⌡ 9 dx = 9 ⌠ 1
⌡ 1/2 ⌠ 1
dx > dx . We know ⌡ 1/2 dx is divergent
x–5 x x x
6 1 1 1
∞
⌠
⌡ 9
by the P–Test (p = 1/2 < 1), so we can conclude that dx is divergent.
x–5
6

PROBLEMS

In 1–21, use the definition of an improper integral to evaluate the given integral.

∞ ∞ ∞
⌠ 1 ⌠ 5 ⌠ 2
1. ⌡ 3 dx 2. ⌡ . 2 dx 3. ⌡ 2 dx
x x ln(x) 1+x
10 e 3

∞ ∞ ∞
4. ⌠ 2x dx
⌡ 5. ⌠ 5 dx
⌡ 6. ⌠
⌡
x
2 dx
e x.ln(x) 1+x
1 e 0

∞ ∞ ∞
⌠ 1 ⌠ 1 ⌠ 1
7. ⌡ x – 2 dx 8. ⌡ 2 dx 9. ⌡ 3 dx
(x – 2) (x – 2)
3 3 3

∞ ∞ ∞
1 1 1
10. ⌠
⌡ x + 2 dx 11. ⌠
⌡ 2 dx 12. ⌠
⌡ 3 dx
(x + 2) (x + 2)
3 3 3
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 9

4 8 16
⌠ 1 ⌠ 1 ⌠ 1
13. ⌡ x dx 14. ⌡ 3 dx 15. ⌡ 4 dx
x x
0 0 0
2 2 2 2
⌠ 1 ⌠ 1 ⌠ 3x
16. ⌡ 2 – x dx 17. ⌡ 2
dx 18. ⌡ 3
dx
4–x 8–x
0 0 0

∞ ∞ π/2
19. ⌠
⌡ sin(x) dx 20. ⌠
⌡ sin(x) dx 21. ⌠
⌡ tan(x) dx
–2 π 0
C
⌠ 1
22. Example 3(b) showed that ⌡ x dx grew arbitrarily large as C grew arbitrarily large, so no finite
1
amount of paint would cover the area bounded between the x–axis and the graph of f(x) = 1/x for x >
1 (Fig. 11a). Show that the volume obtained when the area in Fig. 11a is revolved about the
x–axis (Fig. 11b) is finite so the 3–dimensional trumpet–shaped region can be filled with a finite
amount of paint. Is there a contradiction here?

23. In the Lifting a Payload discussion in Section 5.3, we determined that the amount of work needed to
lift a payload from the surface of a moon to an altitude of A above the moon's surface was
R+A 2
work = ⌡ ⌠ R 2P dx.
x
R
(a) Calculate the amount of work required to lift the payload to an altitude of R miles and 2R miles.
(b) Calculate the amount of work needed to lift the payload arbitrarily high. (Calculate the limit of
the work integral as "A → ∞.")

In problems 24–32, determine whether the improper integral is convergent or divergent. Do not evaluate
the integral.

∞ ∞ ∞
⌠ 7 ⌠ 1 ⌠ 1
24. ⌡ 2 dx 25. ⌡ 3 dx 26. ⌡ x – 2 dx
x +5 x +x
3 3 7

∞ ∞ ∞
27. ⌠ x + 7ln(x) dx
⌡ 28. ⌠
⌡ 2
1
dx 29. ⌠ 1 + cos(x)
⌡ 2 dx
x –1 x
3 3 7
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 10

30. The volume obtained when the area between the

sin(x)
x–axis for x ≥ 1 and the graph of f(x) = x

(Fig. 12) is revolved about the x–axis.

31. (a) The volume obtained when the area between the
positive x–axis (x≥0) and the graph of
1
f(x) = 2 (Fig. 13a) is revolved about the x–axis.
x +1
(b) The volume obtained when the area between the positive x–axis (x≥0) and the graph of
1
f(x) = 2 (Fig. 13b) is revolved about the y–axis. (Use the method of "tubes" from section 5.5.)
x +1

32. (a) The volume obtained when the area between the positive x–axis (x≥0) and the graph of
1
f(x) = x is revolved about the x–axis.
e
(b) The volume obtained when the area between the positive x–axis (x≥0) and the graph of
1
f(x) = x is revolved about the y–axis. (Use the method of "tubes" from section 5.5.
e
A A–1
1 1
33. (a) Use Fig. 14a to help determine which is larger: ⌡ x dx or ∑ k .
⌠
k=1
1
A A
1 1
⌠
(b) Use Fig. 14b to help determine which is larger: ⌡ x dx or ∑ k .
k=2
1
8.1 Improper Integrals Contemporary Calculus 11

A A–1
1 1
34. (a) Use Fig. 15a to help determine which is larger: ⌡ 2 dx or ∑ k2 .
⌠
x k=1
1
A A
1 1
(b) Use Fig. 15b to help determine which is larger: ⌠
⌡ 2 dx or ∑ 2 .
x k=2 k
1

Section 8.1 Practice Answers

∞ 3
⌠
⌡ 1 2 ⌠
Practice 1: (a) V = π ( x ) dx (b) A = ⌡ g(x) – f(x) dx
4 1

∞ A A
1 1
Practice 2:
⌠ 1
(a) ⌡ 3 dx = lim
1 x A "#
$
1 x 3 A "#
1
dx = lim { – 2 }
2x 1
| = lim
A "#
1 1
– 2 = 2 .
2 2A
∞ A A
⌠
(b) ⌡ sin(x) dx = lim
0 A "#
$ sin(x)
1
dx = lim { –cos(x) }
A "#
|0 = lim { 1 – cos(A) } DNE.
A "#
! !
∞ !
⌠
⌡ sin(x) dx is DIVERGENT (or DIVERGES).
0 ! !
!
10 A A
1
Practice 3:
⌠
(a) ⌡
1
1
10 – x
dx = lim
A "10 #
$
1 10 # x
dx = lim# { –2(10 – x)1/2 }
A "10 1
|
= lim# { –2(10 – A)1/2 + 2(10 – 1)1/2 } = lim# { 6 + 2(10 – A)1/2 } = 6.
A "10 A "10

! !
1 1 1
1
⌠ 1
(b) ⌡ x dx = lim+
!0 B "0
#
B x
dx = lim+ { ln(x) }
B "0 ! B B "0
|
= lim+ { ln(1) – ln(B) } = – ( –∞ ) = ∞.

1
⌠
⌡ 1x dx is DIVERGENT (or DIVERGES).
0
! ! !