L/Unit 6: evaluation of improper integrals; Applications of

integrals in Analysis, science and engineering.

Objectives

By the end of this learning unit students should be able to:

• evaluate improper integrals.

• determine whether the given improper integral converges or diverges.

• state and analyze applications of definite integrals

IMPROPER INTEGRALS
Definition: Improper integral is one of which one of its limits is not a real number.

Z ∞ Z a
Examples: f (x)dx and f (x)dx, for a ∈ R
a −∞

Definitions:

(i) If f is continuous on [a, ∞), then:

Z ∞ Z t
f (x)dx = lim f (x)dx
a t−→∞ a

provided that the limit exists.

(ii) If f is continuous on (−∞, a], then:
Z a Z a
f (x)dx = lim f (x)dx
−∞ t−→−∞ t

provided that the limit exists.

(iii) An improper integral is said to converge if the limit exists, and diverges if the limit
does not exist.
(iv) Let f be continuous for every x. If a is any real number, then:

Z ∞ Z a Z ∞
f (x)dx = f (x)dx + f (x)dx
−∞ −∞ a

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provided both the improper integrals on the right converge.

Example: Test whether the following integrals converge or diverge.

Z ∞ Z ∞
1 1
(a) dx (b) dx
2 (x − 1)2 a x−1

By using the definitions of improper integrals it can be shown that the integral in part
(a) exists and its value is 1. Therefore it converges.

The limit of integral in part (b) does not exist. Therefore it diverges.

Z ∞
1
Exercise: Evaluate dx
−∞ (1 + x2 )

Hint : It can be shown that the integral converge and its value is π.

Integrals with discontinuous Integrands

Definitions
(i) If f is continuous on [a, b) and discontinuous at b. then:

Z b Z t
f (x)dx = lim− f (x)dx
a t−→b a

provided that the limit exists.

(ii) If f is continuous on (a, b] and discontinuous at a. then:

Z b Z b
f (x)dx = lim+ f (x)dx
a t−→a t

provided that the limit exists.

(iii) If f has discontinuity at a number c in the open interval (a, b) but it is continuous

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elsewhere on [a, b], then:

Z b Z c Z b
f (x)dx = f (x)dx + f (x)dx
a a c

provided that both integrals on the right converge. Z b

If both converge, then the value of the improper integral f (x)dx is the sum of the two
a
values. Z 3
1
Example 1: Evaluate √ dx
0 3−x
Solution: Here the integrand has infinite discontinuity at x = 3.
By definition (i) above:

Z 3 Z t
1 1
√ dx = lim−
dx √
0 3−x t−→3 0 3−x
 √ t
= lim− −2 3 − x 0
t−→3
h √ √ i
= lim− −2 3 − t + 2 3
t−→3
√ √
= 0+2 3=2 3

Therefore the improper integral converge.Z

1
1
Example 2: Does the improper integral dx converge or diverge?
0 x
Solution: The integrand is undefined at x = 0.

Z 1 Z 1
1 1
dx = lim+ dx
0 x t−→0 t x

= lim+ [lnx]1t
t−→0

= lim [0 − lnt] = ∞
t−→0+

Since the limit does not exist, the improper

Z 4 integral diverges.
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Example 3: Does improper integral 2
dx converge or diverge?
0 (x − 3)
Solution: The integrand is undefined at x = 3. Since 3 is within the open interval (0, 4),

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we use definition (iii), with c = 3:

Z 4 Z 3 Z 4
1 1 1
dx = dx + dx
0 (x − 3)2 0 (x − 3)2 3 (x − 3)2

For an integral to the left to converge, both integrals on the right must converge. Now it
follows that:

Z 3 Z t
1 1
dx = lim− dx
0 (x − 3)2 t−→3 0 (x − 3)
2

 t
−1
= lim−
t−→3 x−3 0
 
−1 1
= lim− − =∞
t−→3 t−3 3

Thus the given improper

Z integral diverges.
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1
Example 4: Evaluate 2 dx
−2 (x + 1) 3
Solution: Here the integrand has discontinuity at x = −1. It follows that:

Z 7 Z −1 Z 7
1 1 1
2 dx = 2 dx + 2 dx
−2(x + 1) 3 −2 (x + 1) 3 −1 (x + 1) 3

Now let us investigate each integral on the right hand side:

Z −1 Z t
1 1
2 dx = lim − 2 dx
−2 (x + 1) 3 t−→−1 −2 (x + 1) 3

t
lim − 3(x + 1)1/3 −2

=
t−→−1

lim − 3(t + 1)1/3 − 3(−1)1/3

=
t−→−1

= 0+3=3

The second integral can be evaluated as follows:

Z 7 Z 7
1 1
2 dx = lim + 2 dx
−1 (x + 1) 3 t−→−1 t (x + 1) 3

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 7
lim + 3(x + 1)1/3 t

=
t−→−1

lim + 3(8)1/3 − 3(t + 1)1/3

=
t−→−1

= 6−0=6

Since both integrals converge, the given integral converges and has the value 3 + 6 = 9.
In case of an improper integral that has both a discontinuity in the integrand and an
infinite limit of integration, we express it as sum of two or more integrals, where by the
upper and the lower limits of those integrals is any number greater than the lower limit
of the given original improper
Z ∞ integral.
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Example 5: Evaluate √ dx
0 x
Solution: The integral can be written as:
Z ∞ Z 1 Z ∞
1 1 1
√ dx = √ dx + √ dx
0 x 0 x 1 x

It can be shown that the first integral on the right side of equation converges and the
second diverges. By the definition of improper integrals, then the given integral diverges.
Theorem: (Comparison Test)
Suppose that f and g are continuous on [a, ∞) and 0 ≤ f (x) ≤ g(x), for all x ∈ [a, ∞)
then: Z
∞ Z ∞
(i) If g(x)dx converges, then f (x)dx converges, also.
a a
Z ∞ Z ∞
(ii) If f (x)dx diverges, then g(x)dx diverges, also.
a a
Example:
Z ∞ Determine Zwhether the following integrals converge or diverge:
∞
−x3 1
(a) e dx (b) dx
1 2 lnx
3
Solution: (a) Here we have to examine the bigger function. Since 0 ≤ eZ−x ≤ e−x ,
∞
3
−x
then the bigger function is e . By using definitions of improper integrals, e−x dx,
1
Z ∞
3
converges so e−x dx also converge.
1
Z ∞ Z ∞
1 1 1 1
Likewise in part (b), 0 ≤ ≤ for [2, ∞). But dx diverges, so dx also
lnx x 2 x 2 lnx
diverges.

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APPLICATION OF INTEGRALS
1. AREA BETWEEN CURVES
If a function f is continuous on [a, b] and f (x) ≥ 0, then the area under the curve y = f (x)
is given by:
n
X Z b
A = lim f (ci )∆x = f (x)dx.
n−→∞ a
i=1

Area between two curves

If two functions f and g are both continuous on [a, b] and f (x) ≥ g(x), then the area
between the two curves is given;

n
X Z b
A = lim [f (ci ) − g(ci )]∆x = [f (x) − g(x)]dx.
n−→∞ a
i=1

Example: Find the area bounded by the graphs of y = 3 − x and y = x2 − 9

Solution: Let f (x) = 3 − x and g(x) = x2 − 9. Sketching the graphs f (x) and g(x) in
the same plane and shading the region bounded by the two curves, we find that f (x) ≥
g(x). The x-coordinates are given by points of intersection and they will be the limits of
integration. To find the points of intersection;
3 − x = x2 − 9 or 0 = x2 + x − 12 = (x − 3)(x + 4). Thus , the curves intersect at x = −4
and x = 3.
Z 3
A = [(3 − x) − (x2 − 9)]dx.
−4

3  3 3
x2
Z
2 x
= (−x − x + 12)dx = − − + 12x
−4 3 2 −4
 3
32 (−4)3 (−4)2
  
3 343
= − − + 12(3) − − − + 12(−4) = .
3 2 3 2 6

Exercise 1: Find the area bounded by the graphs of y = x2 and y = 2 − x2 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2.

Hint First sketch the region bounded by the two curves. Secondly find the point of in-
tersection which is inside the interval of interest. The area will be the sum of the two

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regions.
Exercise 2: Find the area bounded by the graphs of y = x2 , y = 2 − x2 and y = 0
Hint: Sketch the region of interest and perform integration with respect to both x and y.

Exercise 3: Find the area bounded by the graphs of x = y 2 and x = 2 − y 2 .

2. A VOLUME OF A SOLID OF REVOLUTION.

The volume from cross sectional areas is given by:
Z b
V = A(x)dx.
a

where by A(x) is an area of numerous measurements.

If solids in which the cross sections are circular disks formed by revolving a curve about
the line then, those solids are called solid of revolution.
If y = f (x), for a ≤ x ≤ b, is revolved about x-axis then the volume of the solid will be
given by: Z b
V = π[f (x)]2 dx.
a

Likewise, if x = g(y), for c ≤ y ≤ d, is revolved about y-axis then the volume of the solid
will be given by: Z d
V = π[g(y)]2 dx.
c

x
Example 1: The line segment y = 1+ , 0 ≤ x ≤ 12, is rotated about x-axis to formulate
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the solid called megaphone. Compute the volume of this solid.
Solution: The volume will be given by :
Z 12  Z 12 
2x x2

x 2
V = π 1+ dx = π 1+ + dx
0 3 0 3 9
12
x2 x3

= π x+ + = π(12 + 48 + 64) = 124π.
3 27 0
The volume of the solid generated by the region bounded by vertical lines x = a and
x = b, and by the graphs of two continuous functions f and g with f (x) ≥ g(x) ≥ 0 for

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every x in [a, b] and being revolved about x-axis is given by:
Z b
π (f (x))2 − (g(x))2 dx.
 
V = (1)
a

Example 2: The region is bounded by the graphs of the equations x2 = y − 2 and

2y − x − 2 = 0, and by the vertical lines x = 0 and x = 1 is revolved about x-axis. Find
the volume of resulting solid.
Sketch the region bounded by two graphs. Use equation (1) and the fact that
1
f (x) ≥ g(x) ≥ 0, where by f (x) = x2 + 2 and g(x) = x + 1.
2
Z 1
1 79π
V = π[(x2 + 2)2 − ( x + 1)2 ]dx = ≈ 12.4.
0 2 20

Exercise: Find the volume of the solid generated by revolving the region described in
Example 2 above about the line y = 3.
3.ARC LENGTH AND SURFACES OF REVOLUTION
DEFINITION 1: Let the function f is smooth on the closed interval [a, b]. The arc
length of the graph of f from A(a, f (a)) to B(b, f (b)) is:
Z bq
Lba = 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx
a

DEFINITION 2: If f is smooth and non-negative on [a, b]. then the area S of the
surface generated by revolving the graph of f about the x-axis is:
Z b q
S= 2πf (x) 1 + [f 0 (x)]2 dx
a

Example 1: A cable is to be hung between two poles of equal height that are 20 ft apart.
It can be shown that such a hanging cable assumes the shape of catenary. In this case
suppose that the cable takes the shape of y = 5(ex/10 + e−x/10 ), −10 ≤ x ≤ 10. How long
is the cable ?
Solution: From DEFINITION 1, the arc length of the curve is given by:
s 2
10
ex/10 e−x/10
Z 
s = 1+ − dx
−10 2 2

8
 Z 10
r
1 x/5
= (e − 2 + e−x/5 )dx
1+
−10 4
= ≈ 23.504f eet. (2)

Example 2: Find the surface area generated by revolving y = x4 , for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, about

the x-axis.
Solution: Using DEFINITION 2 we find that:

Z 1 q Z 1 q
2
S= 4 3
2πx 1 + (4x ) dx = 2πx 1 + (16x6 )2 dx ≈ 3.4365
4
0 0

where by numerical method has been used to approximate the value of the integral.
4. MOMENTS AND CENTER OF MASS OF A LAMINA
DEFINITION 1: Let the function f be continuous and nonnegative on [a, b]. If the
homogenous lamina of the area density ρ has the shape of the region under the graph of
f from a to b, then: Z b
(i) the mass of the lamina is m = δ f (x)dx, where δ = mass per unit area.
a
(ii) the moments Mx and My of the lamina are:
Z b Z b
1
Mx = δ f (x).f (x)dx and My = δ x.f (x)dx
a 2 a
(iii) the center of mass(or center of gravity) of the lamina is the point P (x̄, ȳ) such
that:
mx̄ = My and mȳ = Mx .
Substituting (i) and (ii) into (iii) of the definition 1 above and solving for x̄ and ȳ gives
us: Rb Rb
My δ a x.f (x)dx Mx δ a 12 f (x).f (x)dx
x̄ = = Rb , ȳ = = Rb .
m δ a f (x)dx m δ a f (x)dx
This is to show that δ can be canceled and the center of mass is independent of the density
δ. It depends only on the shape of lamina and not density. For this reason the center of
mass of a region in the plane is reffered as the centroid of the region. We can obtain
formulas for moments of centroid by letting δ = 1.
Example 1: Find the coordinates of the centroid of the region bounded by the graphs

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of y = x2 + 1, x = 0, x = 1, and y = 0.
Solution: Sketch the region and use definition 1 (i) and (ii), with δ = 1:
Z 1  1
1 4
m = (x + 1)dx = x3 + x
2
=
0 3 0 3
1
1 1 4
Z Z
2 2
Mx = (x + 1).(x + 1)dx = (x + 2x2 + 1)dx
0 2 0
 1
1 5 2 3 14
= x + x +x =
5 3 0 15
Z 1 Z 1
2
My = x(x + 1)dx = (x3 + x)dx
0 0
 1
1 4 1 2 3
= x + x =
4 2 0 4
Hence by definition 1 (iii);
My 3/4 9 Mx 14/15 7
x̄ = = = ȳ = = = .
m 4/3 16 m 4/3 10
Exercise 2: Find the coordinates of the centroid of the region bounded by the graphs of
y + x2 = 6, y + 2x − 3 = 0.
Solution: Make y the subject to each function to get the functions of x. Sketch the region
bounded by the two curves. Label the functions, i.e: f (x) = 6 − x2 and g(x) = 3 − 2x.
Here we find that f (x) > g(x). It follows that;
Z b
Mx = δ [f (x) + g(x)].[f (x) − g(x)]dx
a
Z b
1
= δ {[f (x)]2 − [g(x)]2 }dx
a 2
Similarly, Z b
My = δ x[f (x) − g(x)]dx
a
The formula in definition 1 (iii) may be used to find x̄ and ȳ. With δ = 1 and solving
points of intersections, we find that;
Z 3
32
m = [(6 − x2 ) − (3 − 2x)]dx = .
−1 3

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 Z 3
Mx = [(6 − x2 ) + (3 − 2x)][(6 − x2 ) − (3 − 2x)]dx
−1
Z 3
= [(6 − x2 )2 − (3 − 2x)2 ]dx
−1
Z 3
416
= (x4 − 16x2 + 12x + 27)dx =
−1 15
Hence,
Mx 416/15 13
ȳ = = =
m 32/3 5
At the same time;
Z 3
My = x[(6 − x2 ) − (3 − 2x)]dx
−1
Z 3
= x(3 − x2 + 2x)dx
−1
Z 3
32
= (3x − x3 + 2x2 )dx =
−1 3
Thus;
My 32/3
x̄ = = = 1.
m 32/3
The coordinates
  of the centroid of the region bounded by two graphs are
13
(x̄, ȳ) = 1, .
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1.4: Review/ Summary

In this module we concentrated on the following main issues:

• Integral theorems

• Techniques of integrations.

• integration involving powers of trigonoetric functions.

• improper integrals

• application of integrations in Science and Engineering.

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We tried our level best to discuss various techniques of integration. We also explained how
improper integrals can be evaluated. We finally described some application of integration
in Science and engineering.
1.5: Discussion activities

1. Discuss at least five practical applications of definite integrals.

2. Discuss various techniques of integrations.

Activity 1.6

1. Integrate the following functions with respect to x:

1
(a) f (x) = √ .
8 + 2x − x2
1
(b) g(x) = √ .
x2 + 8x + 25
1.6: Resources/ References

(a) Smith, R.T., Minton, R.B., Single Variable Calculus, 2nd edition, Mc Graw-
Hill, 2002. pp.402-465, pp.604-621

(b) Swokowski, E.W., Calculus with Analytical Geometry, 2nd alternate edition,
PWS-KENT Publishing company, 1989.pp. 229-319, pp. 433-443

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