Definite Integration of

Powers of
(Including Riemann Sums
& Accumulation Functions)
Jamie Frost
www.drfrost.org
@DrFrostMaths

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[email protected]
@DrFrostResource

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Last modified:21st November 2024 charity in England and Wales (no
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Teacher Notes
Prerequisite
Knowledge Future Links
• Differentiation from 1st principles. • Differentiating non-polynomials.
• Differentiation of powers of . • Solving differential equations.
• Antidifferentiation/indefinite
integration of powers of .

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drfrost.org/s/123a
subskill to allow you further Test Your Understanding opportunities. (e.g.
drfrost.org/s/123a)
Skills in this Lesson
525 Evaluating definite integrals for powers of , e.g. to find an area under a curve or
area between curves
525a Evaluate a definite integral where the integrand is a collection of terms in the form
525b Evaluate a definite integral where the integrand is a collection of terms in the form ,
including roots, reciprocals and where splitting of fractions is required.
525c Determine definite integrals by using the areas of basic shapes.
525d Determine the area enclosed between a curve, the -axis and two given bounds.
525e Determine the shaded area enclosed between a curve and the -axis where the limits are
roots.
525f Determine the shaded area enclosed between a curve and the -axis.
525g Determine a definite integral in terms of an algebraic limit.
525h Use a known area enclosed under a curve to determine an unknown bound or an unknown
coefficient.
525i Determine an area enclosed between a curve and the -axis where the curve goes both
above and below the axis.
525j Determine the area of a composite shape using integration, by adding areas.
525k Determine the area between a curve and a line by subtraction of areas.
525l Determine the area enclosed between two curves, where the bounds are given.
Dr Frost Learning is a registered
525m Determine the area enclosed between two curves, where the bounds
charity need to beand Wales (no
in England
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Contents
For lessons covering many concepts, please click the below to navigate
quickly to the relevant part of the lesson.

Riemann Sums

Introducing Integration
Accumulation Functions & Fundamental Theorem of
Calculus
Indefinite Integration

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Recap : Antiderivatives

Recall that the ‘antiderivative’, or ‘indefinite integral’, is the

opposite of differentiation, i.e. finding an expression which would
have differentiated to the given expression.

Given that , determine the

antiderivative , in terms of .

Write roots as
powers of .

is the constant of
integration. This is
because the original
to the index then divide by Constants function may have had a
the new index (equivalent to integrate to constant term which
multiplying by its reciprocal). would have disappeared
when differentiating.
How Can We Approximate An Area Under a
Graph?
What methods can you think of to estimate
the area under the graph between and ? One method is to
divide the interval
into strips (here
𝑦 strips), using points
on the curve to form
trapeziums/trapezo
ids.

This is known as the

trapezium
rule/trapezoid rule,
which we’ll explore in
625.

1 3 5 7
𝑥
Riemann Sums
Suppose we instead keep it simple and use 3
rectangles. What could we use for the heights of
these rectangles? Split the interval
of 1 to 7 into the
𝑦 stated number
of strips. Draw a
vertical line at
each boundary
until it reaches
the curve.

1 3 5 7
𝑥

We could use the value from

the left of each interval. This
is known as the left Riemann
sum.
Riemann Sums
Suppose we instead keep it simple and use 3
rectangles. What could we use for the heights of
these rectangles?
For this particular
𝑦 curve, does this
underestimate or
Can you think overestimate the
of a curve area under the
where the curve?
right Riemann It
sum would overestimates.
underestimat
e instead?

1 3 5 7
𝑥

We could use the value from

the right of each interval. This
is known as the right
Riemann sum.
Riemann Sums
Suppose we instead keep it simple and use 3
rectangles. What could we use for the heights of
these rectangles? Why might the
middle Riemann
𝑦 sum give a
better estimate
of the area?

The
overestimate
on the left is
roughly
counteracted
by the
underestimate
1 3 5 7
𝑥on the right.
Typically, the
We could use the value from the middle of error of the
each interval. This is known as the middle middle
Riemann sum. Riemann sum is
We say we are using the midpoint rule (also half that of the
known as the mid-ordinate rule) left/right sums.
Key Points

 Riemann sums are a way of approximating the area under a

graph using rectangular strips of equal width.
Middle Riemann
Left Riemann Right Riemann sum
𝑦
sum 𝑦
sum 𝑦
/Midpoint Rule

1 7 𝑥 1 7 𝑥 1 7 𝑥

Let’s calculate each with

some examples…
Calculating a Left/Right Riemann Sum
Looking at calculating a left Riemann sum…

𝑦
Decide what
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥) values we want to
use. For the left
Riemann sum, we
use the left of
each interval.
Calculate the
values for each .
𝑓 ( 𝑥3)
𝑓 ( 𝑥 2)
𝑓 ( 𝑥1 )
𝑥1 𝑥2 𝑥3
1 3 5 7
𝑥
Δ𝑥
Calculate the total rectangular area:
First calculate the width of
each strip. The total width
is , so
Examples
! Riemann sum for
A curve has equation . strips between and :
Using 3 strips, estimate the area under the curve
between and using: where
a The left Riemann sum
b The right Riemann sum

Find width of It may help to make a

a 14 −2 strip. table of values using
Δ 𝑥= =4
3
For the left Riemann sum, use the For the right Riemann sum, use the
left of each interval, starting with right of each interval, starting with
the lower bound 2. the lower bound + one interval :

Left Riemann sum Right Riemann sum

Test Your Understanding
1 A curve has equation where .
Using 4 strips, estimate the area under the curve
between and using:
a The left Riemann sum
b The right Riemann sum

a b
20 − 0
Δ 𝑥= =5
4

? ?

Left Riemann sum Right Riemann sum

Calculating a Middle Riemann Sum Using the
Midpoint Rule
A curve has equation .
Using 3 strips, calculate the middle Riemann sum under the
curve between and , using the midpoint/mid-ordinate rule.
It may be helpful to draw
14 −2 a number line to identify
Δ 𝑥= =4
3 the values corresponding
to the middle of each
interval.

𝟒 𝟖 𝟏𝟐
2 6 10 14

Use the usual formula.

Middle Riemann sum

Test Your Understanding
2 A curve has equation where .
Using 4 strips, estimate the area under the curve
between and using the midpoint/mid-ordinate rule.

20 − 0
Δ 𝑥= =5
4

Middle Riemann sum

Comparing Errors of Riemann Sums

𝑦
In our examples we
2 estimated the area
𝑦 =𝑥 under the graph of
using the left, right
and middle Riemann
sums.
How does each
compare to the true
area?
2 14
𝑥
Actual
area
Left Middle Right
Riemann Riemann Riemann
sum sum sum
560 𝟗𝟏𝟐
896 1328
% 39% 2% 46%
error:
What is Integration?
𝑦 ! Integration is the
continuous version
of a summation – in
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥) 2D it’s often used to
find the area under
a curve.
As the strips become
infinitely small, i.e. :

𝑎 𝑏
𝑥
Δ𝑥
is known as an
We saw that if we use integral and is
discrete strips, the area the continuous
is a summation of thin version of
rectangles (a Riemann is the width of each
represents the exact
sum). strip. Whereas
area under the curve
represents “a change”,
between and . The and
represents “an infinitely
are known as bounds of
small change”, so
the integral.
infinitely small strip
Quickfire Integral Notation

How would we refer to the area of the

following shaded regions?

𝑦 𝐶

𝑥 𝑡
2 6 −1 2
𝟔 𝟐

∫𝒇 ( 𝒙 )𝐝 𝒙
?
∫ 𝒇 (𝒕) 𝐝 𝒕
?
𝟐 −𝟏
Example
We wish to find the area of the
region bound by the curve ,
the -axis and -axis.
𝑦
a What is the area of a single
3
𝑦 =8 − 𝑥 rectangle, in terms of a fixed
value of ? Use for the width of
the strip.
b As the strips become infinitely
thin, write an expression for the
Riemann sum, and the actual
total area.

𝑥𝑖 𝑥 a ( 8 −( 𝑥𝑖)3) Δ 𝑥
8
b
The considers the sum
across strips. The indicates
we are considering the limit
of this expression as the
strips become infinitely
thin, i.e. as .
Looking Ahead

In skill 677, we’ll look at volumes of

𝑦 The volume of each
infinitely thin cylinder revolution, which are 3D solids
is
formed by revolving the curve
around the axis.
So, noting that can be
used to ‘sum infinitely thin
things’, the volume will be:
𝑦

𝑎 𝑏𝑥
The key point is that integration,
fundamentally, is a continuous
version of summation, i.e.
𝑑𝑥 summing infinitely thin
things.

Integration can be used to find

area but is not restricted to that.
Looking Ahead

So, is this integration?

1 3
∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥= 3 𝑥 + 𝑐
2

In skills 521-522 we looked at In the next section, we’ll look

finding antiderivatives, i.e. at accumulation functions,
the reverse of which deal with area, and see
differentiation. But we used why there’s a strong
the ‘’ integral symbol connection between such
(without bounds) and areas and antiderivatives
described this as ‘integrating’ (hence why we can also call
. antidifferentiation
But didn’t we just say that ‘integration’).
integration is about
summing infinitely thin
The Idea of Accumulation

Age
Frequenc
y
Cumulati
ve
Frequenc
y You may be familiar with the concept
of cumulative frequency (skill 398),
which is the running total of
frequency up to a particular value
(in this case age).

In skill 548 we explore discrete random variables,

where probabilities are associate with outcomes.
is the cumulative distribution function which
finds the running total of the probability, i.e.
The Accumulation Function

𝑦 is known the accumulation

function, which finds the
running total of area under a
graph up to the value of
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥)
Because is the area
between and , we
can define it as:

𝐹 (𝑥)
𝑎 𝑥 𝑥
The reason a
Because the domain of the different variable is
used here is to
function might extend down to ,
avoid confusing it
we have some arbitrary with the in the
starting point where we’re bound.
finding the area from. This
ensures the area is finite.
Example

𝑦 The graph shows a sketch of

𝑦 =𝑥 where ,
Determine, by reasoning about
areas, and using the accumulation
function , the value of:
a
b in terms of

𝐹 (3 )
𝑥
3
This means
a the area b
under the
graph
between 0
and
This 3.
area is a
triangle with
base 3 and
height 3.
Test Your Understanding
1 𝑦 The graph shows a sketch of , where
and .
Let be the accumulation function.
Calculate
a Calculate
𝑦 =3
b Explain why i.e. the area
between and ,
c
𝐹 (6 ) is

𝑥
6
c is the area up to 7 and is
the area up to 3. The area
6 It’s the area between and is the
𝐹 ( 6 )=∫ 3?𝑑𝑥
a of a by difference between these
rectangle.
areas:
0 ?
𝑥 𝑭 ( 𝟕)
b
𝐹 ( 𝑥 )=∫ 3? 𝑑𝑡 𝑭 ( 𝟑) 𝑭 ( 𝟕) − 𝑭 ( 𝟑)
0
0 3 7
Further Test Your Understanding
2 𝑦 For :
𝑥
𝐹 ( 𝑥 )=∫ 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
0

1 ?
6 ¿
2
×𝑥× 𝑥
1 2
¿ 𝑥
2
𝐹 (𝑥)
For :

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
6 1
𝐹 ( 𝑥 )= ×?6 × 6 +∫ 6 𝑑 𝑡
2 6

¿ 18+ 6 ×( 𝑥 − 6)
The graph shows a sketch of

{
Let be the accumulation function.
1 2
Determine in terms of . 𝑥 0 ≤𝑥≤6
𝐹 ( 𝑥 )= 2 ?
You may wish to use a piecewise
function to distinguish between 18+ 6 ( 𝑥 − 6 ) 𝑥 >6
the cases where and .
Reminder of Differentiation From 1st
Principles
Suppose we wanted to differentiate from 1st
principles. To approximate the gradient of the
tangent to the curve, we consider a
point a small amount further up the
𝟐 curve, then calculate the gradient This is the change
𝒚 =𝒙 using those two points.
in the
value/function
output.
( 𝑥 +h , ( 𝑥+ h )2 ) 𝑑𝑦 ( 𝑥+ h )2 − 𝑥And
2
=lim this is the change

(𝑥 ,𝑥 )
2 𝑑𝑥 h→0 h in the value. Recall
that gradient is
¿…
We’d consider a
¿2 𝑥 The limit means we want
to consider the ‘limiting’
value of the gradient as
small change the green point gets
in the value. closer and closer to the
black point, i.e. is getting
Then consider how smaller and smaller.
that affects the Because the closer the
function. points are, the more
More generally, accurate the gradient.
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
What does the accumulation function differentiate
to? Let’s differentiate from 1st principles!

Using the formula for 1st principles:

𝑦
How can we simplify ? Let’s
consider areas…
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥)

𝐹 (𝑥) 𝑓 ( 𝑥)

𝑎 𝑥𝑥+ h 𝑥
If is small, this area is
The area up to is and the area up approximately rectangular, with
to is . height (i.e. the value of the curve)
The purple area, which is the and width .
difference between these areas, is
therefore . Thus, as ,
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

𝑦
i.e. the derivative of the accumulation
function is the function it is based on,
𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥) and conversely, the antiderivative of is

𝐹 (𝑥) 𝑓 ( 𝑥)

𝑎 𝑥𝑥+ h 𝑥
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

! The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus states that the

derivative of the accumulation function , is , i.e.

Reflections:

• If , and is the derivative of , then conversely, is the

antiderivative of .
• In the previous skill, we explored how to find antiderivatives
of functions (i.e. the reverse of differentiation) and know how
to do this using indefinite integration.
• Because relates to areas under the graph, the
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, in a nutshell,
establishes the link between the area under a graph
and finding the antiderivative of the function.
Determining an Area Under the Graph
Between Bounds
𝑦

𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥)

𝐹 (𝑏 )
𝐹 ( 𝑎)
𝑥
𝑎 𝑏
Suppose we want to calculate the area under
the curve between and . How could we use
the accumulation function to do this?

Start with area up to , which is .

Subtract the area up to , which is .
The remaining is the desired area, which is
Determining an Area Under the Graph
Between Bounds
𝑦

𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥)

𝐹 (𝑏 )
𝐹 ( 𝑎)
𝑥
𝑎 𝑏
We have determined the area under the curve
between and is .
How does the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
enable us to calculate ?

The FToC proved that and thus we can find by

integrating . Once we’ve done this, we calculate
Indefinite vs Definite Integration

Indefinite Definite
Integration Integration

∫ 𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) 𝒅𝒙=𝑭 (
e.g.
𝒙 ) ∫ 𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) 𝒅𝒙 = 𝑭 ( 𝒃 ) − 𝑭 ( 𝒂 )
𝒂
e.g.

Indefinite integration is also Definite integration finds the

known as area under the graph of
antidifferentiation. between bounds and .
It uses the indefinite integral
It does the opposite of to calculate this (in ).
differentiation to find a 𝑦
function given its
derivative. 𝑏
We explored this in skills ∫ 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) 𝑑𝑥
521-522. 𝑎
𝑥
𝑎 𝑏
Example
If , determine the antiderivative by
Calculate using indefinite integration.
The notational convention here is to
𝑦 write with the bounds on the right.
𝑦 =4 𝑥 3
5

? ∫4𝑥 3
[𝑥 ]
𝑑𝑥=¿ 4 5
1
𝑥 1
1 5

Note that we don’t write the As per earlier, the definite integral
constant of integration when (and therefore the area under the
doing ‘definite integration’ graph) can be calculated using
(i.e. with bounds). This is where and are the two bounds (in
because it would cancel in the this case, 1 and 5).
next step when calculating
Write and substitute each of your
bounds into .
Further Example

Calculate

Use of brackets
here is important
to avoid sign
errors.
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 525a
s/

1 Calculate

[ ]
1 1
1 2 1 3
∫ ( 𝑥−𝑥 ) 𝑑𝑥= 2 𝑥 − 4 𝑥
3
?

0 0
Definite Integration On a Calculator
Calculate

Press the Catalog button 2 Choose Integration

1 and choose Func Analysis.

Use the button to input the 4 Read off the

3
expression , also using the button answer.
for the power. Use the arrow keys
to move to the bounds. Press EXE
Example Test Your
Understanding
Deal with roots and 2 [CTMUA 2021 P2 Q1]
reciprocals in the usual Find the value of
way.
Calculate

( )
Write root as

4
∫ 3 √ 𝑥+ 𝑥2 𝑑𝑥
a power of .

Split
the ?
fraction
I.ntegrate
.
1
Find

drfrost.org/ 525b
s/
Determining Definite Integrals Using Basic
Shapes
𝑦
The diagram shows a
6

𝑨
graph of .
Calculate .

𝑥
3 7 10 12
𝑩
−3
The region between 0 and 10 (on
the -axis) is a trapezium. Its
formula is:

where and are the lengths of the

parallel sides and the
perpendicular distance between
them.
Note that any regions below the -
axis count as a negative area
within an integration. We will
explore why later.
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 525c
s/

3 The diagram shows a 𝑦

graph of .
Calculate the exact value
of .
6
Triangles:

Rectangle: 𝑥
4 6 10
Quarter circle:
−4

?
Example Test Your
Understanding
Recall to find the area bound 4 Determine the area bound
under and between and , between , the -axis, the -axis
evaluate and
𝑦
Determine the area bound
between , the -axis, and

𝑦 𝑥

𝑥
?
Use
the
correct
bounds
Evaluate
.
directly on a
drfrost.org/ 525d
calculator if s/
Identifying Roots to Find Area Under a
Graph
You may need to identify the bounds yourself by calculating
roots.
We aren’t told the bounds,
Determine the area bound so we’ll need to work this
between , and the -axis. out. Sketch the graph.

Determine the
𝑦 roots (-
intercepts) of the
graph by making
zero.

𝑥 Now we know the

−3 2 bounds, calculate
the definite
integral.
Graph has an ‘hill shape’
(Note that we state
due to negative coefficient what integrals
of . We want all the area evaluate to directly for
under the graph between the remainder of these
and . slides, but your exam
board may require full
working)
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 525e
s/

5 Determine the area of the finite region bound

between
, and the -axis.

?
Area Between the Curve & -axis

Given that the area between and the -axis can be found using , we
can similarly find the area between and the -axis using , i.e. with
the roles of and swapped around.

The diagram shows the curve 𝑦

and the line . 4
Find by integration the exact area of the
shaded region enclosed between the
curve, the -axis and the line . 𝑥

Since we want the area under

the curve in the -axis direction
rather than -axis direction, get
in terms of .

Determine using the bounds

for rather than for .
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 525f
s/

6 [OCR C2 June 2011 Q4i/ii]

The diagram shows the curve
and the line .
a Show that can be rearranged as
Hence find by integration the
b exact area of the shaded region
enclosed between the curve, the -
axis and the line .
(5 marks)

a b
3

? ∫ ( 𝑦 +2 𝑦− 3 ) 𝑑𝑦
2
?
1
Example Test Your
Understanding
You can find an area in terms 7 [OCR C2 Jan 2011 Q6bi]
of a constant that is used in Find, in terms of , the value of
the limit.
where is a constant greater
Evaluate the following in than 2.
terms of (where ): (3 marks)

𝑎
Integrate
as you
normally
∫6𝑥 −4
? d𝑥
would.
2
Leave your expression in terms
of . Obviously it’s not possible
to use your calculator for the
integral!
drfrost.org/ 525g
s/
Determining a Bound Using a Known Area
We can use a known area to determine an unknown
bound.

Given that
determine the value of the constant .

Integrate
as normal
and
simplify.
This is a quadratic in terms
of . Either factorise directly
or make a substitution to
Let
turn into a quadratic.

Square rooting a real

number can’t give a
negative number.
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 525h
s/

8 [Edexcel AS Oct 2020 P1 Pure Q7]

Using algebra, find any values of the
constant such that
(4 marks)

Let

?
What Happens When The Curve Goes
Below -Axis?
Sketch the curve
𝑦 (which expands to give ).
Now calculate .
Why is this result surprising?

𝑥
1 2 The total ‘area’ is 0!
What Happens When The Curve Goes
Below -Axis?
Recall that integration
𝑦 works by considering the
area of infinitely thin
rectangles.

𝑓 (𝑥 𝑖 ) For each rectangle we

calculate width height:

However, for any

𝑑𝑥 rectangles below the -
𝑥 axis, will be negative,
𝑑𝑥 1 2 and therefore will be
negative.
This integral of the red
𝑓 (𝑥 𝑗 ) region will be the correct
area under the curve, but a
negative area. This
negative area cancels the
positive area, giving an
overall ‘area’ of 0.
Example
We resolve this problem by separately integrating regions
above and below the -axis, and always treating each area
as a positive value.
Find the total area bound between the curve
and the -axis.
𝑦

𝑥
1 2
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 525i
s/

9 [WJEC AS Level Summer 2019 Unit 1

Q16]
The diagram below shows a curve with
equation .
Calculate the total area of the two
shaded regions.
(8 marks)

Roots are

Total area
?
Area Between A Curve & A Line

The sketch shows a curve with equation 𝑦

2
and the line with equation 𝑦 =2 𝑥+5 − 𝑥
. 𝑥+ 𝑦 =5
Determine the area of the region bound
between the curve and the line. 𝑥

Points of intersection: Determine points

𝑦 of intersection so
that we have the
bounds of the

#
𝑥+ 𝑦 =5 ( 0 ,5 )
𝑦 =2 𝑥+5 − 𝑥
2 integral.

5 ( 3 , 2)
3 2 𝑥
where and are
Area under curve: the parallel
We could start with the area under
lengths.
the curve between the points of
intersection… Area of trapezium:
…and then subtract the area of the
trapezium/trapezoid under the straight Area between lines:
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 525k
s/

10 [WJEC AS Level June 2018 Unit 1 Q6]

The sketch shows the curve with
equation and line with equation .
Calculate the area enclosed by and .
(6 marks)

Area under curve:

Area of triangle:
?
Required area:

Note that is an alternative method that involves first

subtracting the two functions before integrating,
Further Harder Example
What areas should
𝑦 we subtract this
time?
Start with the area of the
triangle and subtract the
𝑦 =3 𝑥 𝐶 area under the curve
within it.
𝑂 𝑥
𝐴 𝐵
2
𝑦 =𝑥 − 4 𝑥
Points of intersection: Area of triangle:

Area under curve:

Shaded area:
Area Between Two Curves

Suppose we want to find the

𝑦 = 𝑓 ( 𝑥) area bound between two
curves.

𝑦 =𝑔 ( 𝑥 )

How do we find the What expression should

bounds for our we integrate?
integration?
These are the points of We integrate/sum over the area
intersection of the of the infinitely thin rectangles.
curves, so solve Each has width:𝐝 𝒙
And height: 𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) − 𝒈( 𝒙 )
Suppose the solutions
are and Therefore, the integral is:
Example
! The area bound between two
Two curves have equations:
curves and , where is at the
top, is
Determine the -
a coordinates of the points
at which they intersect.
Hence, using integration,
b determine the area bound Equate
values to find
between the two curves. points of
intersection.
The negative
𝑦 quadratic is
𝑦 = 𝑥 2+ 1 at the top in
the red
region, so
𝑦 =− 𝑥 2 +2 𝑥+5 should go
first.

𝑥
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 525l
s/
525m

11 [OCR Additional Maths June 2009 Q11ii]

The shape below represents a leaf.
The curve has equation .
The curve has equation .

Find the area of the leaf.

(7 marks)