Definite Integrals and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
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# Definite Integrals and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus ## 🎯 Learning Objectives By the end of this topic, you will be able to: 1. **Define** the definite integral as the limit of Riemann sums 2.

Definite Integrals and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this topic, you will be able to:
- Define the definite integral as the limit of Riemann sums
- State the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (Parts 1 and 2)
- Evaluate definite integrals using the FTC
- Compute the area between curves
- Apply properties of definite integrals
📋 Prerequisites
- Indefinite Integrals — anti-derivatives, basic integration
📖 Core Content
16.1 Intuition: Accumulation of Area
The definite integral ∫abf(x)dx computes the signed area between f(x) and the x-axis from x=a to x=b. Area above the axis is positive; area below is negative.
Imagine tracking the total distance traveled by a car whose speed varies: speed v(t) at time t, total distance = ∫abv(t)dt, the area under the speed curve.
💡 Why this matters: Definite integrals compute accumulated quantities: total distance from velocity, total charge from current, total probability from density, expected value in statistics.
16.2 Riemann Sums
Divide [a,b] into n subintervals of width Δx=(b−a)/n. Choose a sample point xi∗ in each subinterval. Then:
16.3 Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (FTC)
Part 1 (FTC1): If F′(x)=f(x), then ∫abf(x)dx=F(b)−F(a).
Part 2 (FTC2): If g(x)=∫axf(t)dt, then g′(x)=f(x).
FTC1 connects anti-derivatives to areas. FTC2 says differentiation undoes integration (and vice versa).
16.4 Properties of Definite Integrals
| Property | Formula |
|---|---|
| Reverse limits | ∫abf(x)dx=−∫baf(x)dx |
| Zero width | ∫aaf(x)dx=0 |
| Constant multiple | ∫abcf(x)dx=c∫abf(x)dx |
| Sum | ∫ab[f(x)+g(x)]dx=∫abf(x)dx+∫abg(x)dx |
| Additivity | ∫acf(x)dx=∫abf(x)dx+∫bcf(x)dx |
| Comparison | If f(x)≤g(x) on [a,b] , then ∫abf(x)dx≤∫abg(x)dx |
16.5 Area Between Curves
Area between y=f(x) (top) and y=g(x) (bottom) from x=a to x=b:
16.6 Worked Examples
Example 1.1 (FTC): Evaluate ∫02x2dx.
Example 1.2: Evaluate ∫1ex1dx.
Example 1.3 (Area between curves): Find the area between y=x and y=x2 from x=0 to x=1.
Area=∫01(x−x2)dx=[2x2−3x3]01=21−31=61
Example 1.4: Find ∫02∣x−1∣dx.
📐 Key Formulas — Summary Table
| Concept | Formula |
|---|---|
| FTC | ∫abf(x)dx=F(b)−F(a) where F′=f |
| Area between curves | ∫ab[f(x)−g(x)]dx (top minus bottom) |
| Average value | b−a1∫abf(x)dx |
| Additivity | ∫ab+∫bc=∫ac |
| Piecewise | Split integral at piece boundaries |
⚠️ Common Pitfalls
Pitfall 1: Forgetting to Subtract F(a)
∫abf(x)dx=F(b)−F(a), NOT F(b) alone.
Pitfall 2: Confusing Definite and Indefinite
Definite integrals have limits and produce a NUMBER. Indefinite integrals have no limits and produce a FAMILY of functions.
Pitfall 3: Area For Absolute Value
For ∫∣f(x)∣dx, split at points where f(x)=0 and integrate each piece separately.
📝 Practice Questions
Q1: Evaluate ∫132xdx.[x2]13=9−1=88 Q2: Evaluate ∫0πsinxdx.[−cosx]0π=−(−1)−(−1)=1+1=22 Q3: Find area under y=ex from x=0 to x=1.∫01exdx=[ex]01=e−1e−1 Q4: Find the area between y=x2 and y=x+2.Intersection: x2=x+2→x2−x−2=0→(x−2)(x+1)=0→x=−1,2 ∫−12[(x+2)−x2]dx=[2x2+2x−3x3]−12=294.5 Q5: Evaluate ∫02(x3−2x)dx.[4x4−x2]02=(4−4)−0=00 Q6: Find ∫−11∣x∣dx.2∫01xdx=2[2x2]01=11 Q7: Evaluate ∫14x1dx.∫14x−1/2dx=[2x]14=2(2)−2(1)=22 Q8: Find ∫011+x21dx.[arctanx]01=4π−0=4π4π Q9: Average value of f(x)=x2 on [0,3].31∫03x2dx=31[3x3]03=31⋅9=33 Q10: Find ∫01e2xdx.[2e2x]01=2e2−21=2e2−12e2−1
🔗 Cross-References
- Previous: Indefinite Integrals
- Next: Integration Techniques
- Across courses: BSMA1002 Stats 1 (probability density functions → areas under curves) Join Discord Previous9.1 Indefinite IntegralsNext9.3 Integration Techniques