6 Applications of Integration

Chapter Introduction

We begin this chapter with a reminder of a few key concepts from Chapter 5. Let f be a continuous function on [a,b] which is partitioned into n equally spaced subintervals as

a=x0<x1<<xn-1<xn=b.

Let Δx=(b-a)/n denote the length of the subintervals, and let ci be any x-value in the i th subinterval. Definition 5.3.1 states that the sum

i=1nf(ci)Δx

is a Riemann Sum. Riemann Sums are often used to approximate some quantity (area, volume, work, pressure, etc.). The approximation becomes exact by taking the limit

limni=1nf(ci)Δx.

Theorem 5.3.2 connects limits of Riemann Sums to definite integrals:

limni=1nf(ci)Δx=abf(x)𝑑x.

Finally, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus states how definite integrals can be evaluated using antiderivatives.

This chapter employs the following technique to a variety of applications. Suppose the value Q of a quantity is to be calculated. We first approximate the value of Q using a Riemann Sum, then find the exact value via a definite integral. We spell out this technique in the following Key Idea.

Key Idea 6.0.1 Application of Definite Integrals Strategy

Let a quantity be given whose value Q is to be computed.

  1. (a)

    Divide the quantity into n smaller “subquantities” of value Qi.

  2. (b)

    Identify a variable x and function f(x) such that each subquantity can be approximated with the product f(ci)Δx, where Δx represents a small change in x. Thus Qif(ci)Δx.

  3. (c)

    Recognize that Qi=1nQi=i=1nf(ci)Δx, which is a Riemann Sum.

  4. (d)

    Taking the appropriate limit gives Q=abf(x)𝑑x

This Key Idea will make more sense after we have had a chance to use it several times. We begin with Area Between Curves.

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