MATH 1071 — Calculus for Business & Economics
Lecture Notes. This is NOT meant to be a substitute for coming to lecture or consulting the textbook directly, but rather a helpful resource to review for exams/ review what was discussed in lecture. Each section ends with a Self-Check taken from the in-class activity — try the problem first, then click the button to see the answer.
Going Backwards
We have learned how to take the derivative of many functions. Now let's go backwards: given a derivative, what function did it come from?
We know \(\frac{d}{dx}(x^3) = 3x^2\) and \(\frac{d}{dx}(2x) = 2\), so one answer is
\[ x^3 + 2x. \]Is there more than one possible answer? Yes! \(x^3+2x+1\) and \(x^3+2x-5\) also have derivative \(3x^2+2\), because the derivative of a constant is \(0\). In general, every function of the form
\[ x^3 + 2x + C \qquad (C \text{ any constant}) \]works.
For example, the derivative of \(x^2\) is \(2x\), so an antiderivative of \(2x\) is \(x^2\). Remember that "constants added go away" when we take the derivative:
\[ \frac{d}{dx}\left(x^2+1\right) = 2x, \qquad \frac{d}{dx}\left(x^2+3\right) = 2x, \qquad \frac{d}{dx}\left(x^2+56\right) = 2x. \]So the general antiderivative of \(2x\) is \(x^2 + C\). Graphically, all of these antiderivatives are the same curve shifted up or down — shifting a graph vertically doesn't change its slope anywhere.
Integral Notation
Basic Rules
Each rule below comes from reading a derivative rule backwards. For the power rule: to differentiate \(x^n\) we multiply by the power and subtract 1; to antidifferentiate we do the opposite in reverse order: add 1 to the power, then divide by the new power.
- Rewrite roots as fractional exponents: \(\sqrt x = x^{1/2}\), \(\sqrt[3]{x} = x^{1/3}\).
- Rewrite \(x\)'s in the denominator as negative exponents: \(\frac{6}{x^2} = 6x^{-2}\). (But leave \(\frac1x\) alone — it becomes \(\ln|x|\).)
- Multiply out products and split up fractions. There is no product rule for antiderivatives: \(\int (x+1)(x-1)\,dx\) is not \(\int(x+1)\,dx\cdot\int(x-1)\,dx\).
- \[ \int x^3\,dx = \frac{x^4}{4} + C. \qquad \text{Check: } \frac{d}{dx}\left(\tfrac14x^4 + C\right) = \tfrac44x^3 = x^3. \ ✓ \]
- \[ \int \left(x^4 + 5x\right)dx = \frac{x^5}{5} + 5\cdot\frac{x^2}{2} + C = \frac15x^5 + \frac52x^2 + C. \] Check: \(\frac{d}{dx}\left(\frac15x^5+\frac52x^2+C\right) = x^4 + 5x\). ✓
- \[ \int\left(\frac1x + e^x\right)dx = \ln|x| + e^x + C. \qquad \text{Check: } \frac{d}{dx}\left(\ln|x|+e^x+C\right) = \frac1x + e^x. \ ✓ \]
- Rewrite first: \(\dfrac4x = 4\cdot\dfrac1x\) and \(\dfrac{6}{x^2} = 6x^{-2}\). For the second term, add 1 to the power (\(-2+1 = -1\)) and divide by the new power: \[ \int\left(\frac4x + \frac{6}{x^2}\right)dx = \int\left(4\cdot\frac1x + 6x^{-2}\right)dx = 4\ln|x| + \frac{6x^{-1}}{-1} + C = 4\ln|x| - 6x^{-1} + C. \] Check: \(\frac{d}{dx}\left(4\ln|x| - 6x^{-1}+C\right) = \frac4x + 6x^{-2}\). ✓
- Multiply out first: \[ \int (x+1)(x-1)\,dx = \int\left(x^2-1\right)dx = \frac{x^3}{3} - x + C. \] Check: \(\frac{d}{dx}\left(\frac{x^3}3 - x + C\right) = x^2 - 1 = (x+1)(x-1)\). ✓
Self-Check
From Activity 29: Antiderivatives/ Indefinite Integrals
(a) Compute the following antiderivatives:
\[ \text{(i)}\ \int \left(x^2+2x+1\right)dx \qquad\qquad \text{(ii)}\ \int\left(e^x - 7\sqrt x\right)dx \qquad\qquad \text{(iii)}\ \int\left(\sqrt[3]{x} - \frac2x\right)dx \](b) Knowing that \(\frac{d}{dx}\left(e^{ax}\right) = ae^{ax}\) by the chain rule when \(a\) is a constant, what might you guess is \(\displaystyle\int e^{ax}\,dx\)?
The Idea
We want to find the area under the curve \(y = f(x)\) (and above the \(x\)-axis) from \(x = a\) to \(x = b\). Curved regions are hard to measure, but rectangles are easy: area \(=\) base \(\times\) height. So we chop the region into thin vertical strips and replace each strip with a rectangle. Two questions come up:
- How many rectangles? We call this number \(n\).
- How tall should each rectangle be? We use the height of the curve at one point of each strip — usually the left endpoint or the right endpoint of the strip.
- \(R_n\): \(n\) rectangles, heights from the right endpoints.
- \(L_n\): \(n\) rectangles, heights from the left endpoints.
- Find the width \(\Delta x = \frac{b-a}{n}\).
- List the endpoints: start at \(a\) and keep adding \(\Delta x\) until you reach \(b\).
- For \(L_n\), use every endpoint except the last one (\(b\)). For \(R_n\), use every endpoint except the first one (\(a\)).
- Add up the function values at those points and multiply by \(\Delta x\): \(\ \Delta x\big(f(x_1)+\cdots+f(x_n)\big)\).
Notice the rectangles stick out above the curve, so 328 is an overestimate.
Width: \(\Delta x = \frac{1.5-0}{3} = 0.5\). Endpoints: \(0,\ 0.5,\ 1,\ 1.5\), so the right endpoints are \(0.5,\ 1,\ 1.5\).
\[ R_3 = \tfrac12 f\!\left(\tfrac12\right) + \tfrac12 f(1) + \tfrac12 f(1.5) = \tfrac12\Big(f(0.5) + f(1) + f(1.5)\Big). \]| \(x\) | \(0.5\) | \(1\) | \(1.5\) |
|---|---|---|---|
| \(f(x) = e^x+3x\) | \(e^{0.5}+1.5\approx 3.1487\) | \(e+3\approx 5.7183\) | \(e^{1.5}+4.5\approx 8.9817\) |
Width: \(\Delta x = \frac{11-3}{4} = \frac84 = 2\). Endpoints: \(3, 5, 7, 9, 11\). Left endpoints: \(3, 5, 7, 9\) (we do not use 11).
\[ L_4 = 2f(3) + 2f(5) + 2f(7) + 2f(9) = 2\big(29 + 127 + 345 + 731\big) = 2(1232) = 2464. \]This time the rectangles sit below the curve, so 2464 is an underestimate.
- We focus on left and right endpoints, but you can also use midpoints or any other point in each strip.
- If \(f\) is increasing, left endpoints give an underestimate and right endpoints give an overestimate. If \(f\) is decreasing, it's the other way around.
- Using more rectangles (larger \(n\)) gives a better estimate. Using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus later in this unit, we will see that the exact area under \(x^2\) on \([1,9]\) is \(\frac{728}{3}\approx 242.67\), so our \(R_4 = 328\) was quite rough; for comparison \(L_4 = 2(1+9+25+49) = 168\) is too small.
Self-Check
Practice in the style of the lecture examples (there is no in-class activity for this section)
(a) Estimate the area under \(f(x) = x^2+1\) from \(x = 0\) to \(x = 4\) using 4 rectangles, first with left endpoints (\(L_4\)) and then with right endpoints (\(R_4\)).
(b) In part (a), which estimate is too big and which is too small? Why?
(c) Estimate the area under \(f(x) = \sqrt{x}\) from \(x = 0\) to \(x = 6\) using 3 rectangles and right endpoints (\(R_3\)). Round to two decimal places.
Notation
When approximating areas, we estimated the area under a curve with rectangles. Now we want the exact (signed) area.
Notice this notation looks a lot like the indefinite integral \(\int 2x\,dx\) (take the antiderivative). That is not an accident — the reason is the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, coming up next. Keep the difference in mind: an indefinite integral \(\int f(x)\,dx\) is a function (plus \(C\)), while a definite integral \(\int_a^b f(x)\,dx\) is a number.
From Estimate to Exact
As we use more and more rectangles, the leftover slivers between the rectangles and the curve get thinner and thinner, and the Riemann sum gets closer to the true area. To get the exact area, we take the limit as the number of rectangles goes to infinity:
Signed Area
What happens if the function is negative? In a Riemann sum, each rectangle contributes \((\text{base})\cdot f(x_i)\). If \(f(x_i)\) is negative, that term is negative. So the definite integral counts area above the \(x\)-axis as positive and area below the \(x\)-axis as negative. This is called signed area or net area:
\[ \int_a^b f(x)\,dx = (\text{area above the } x\text{-axis}) - (\text{area below the } x\text{-axis}). \]Using Geometry
Soon we will use antiderivatives to find these areas. For now, when the graph is made of straight lines, we can find exact values using area formulas from geometry:
\[ \text{Rectangle: } A = bh, \qquad \text{Triangle: } A = \tfrac12 bh. \]This is the area under the line \(y=x\) from \(x=0\) to \(x=3\). That region is a triangle with base 3 and height 3 (since \(y = 3\) when \(x=3\)):
\[ \int_0^3 x\,dx = \tfrac12\cdot 3\cdot 3 = \tfrac92 = 4.5. \]- \(\displaystyle\int_0^5 f(x)\,dx\): a triangle with base 5 and height \(f(0) = 10\), above the axis: \[ \int_0^5 f(x)\,dx = \tfrac12(5)(10) = 25. \]
- \(\displaystyle\int_2^5 f(x)\,dx\): a triangle with base \(5-2 = 3\) and height \(f(2) = 10 - 4 = 6\): \[ \int_2^5 f(x)\,dx = \tfrac12(3)(6) = 9. \]
- \(\displaystyle\int_0^8 f(x)\,dx\): the big triangle above from 0 to 5, minus a triangle below from 5 to 8 with base 3 and height \(|f(8)| = |10-16| = 6\): \[ \int_0^8 f(x)\,dx = 25 - \tfrac12(3)(6) = 25 - 9 = 16. \]
- \(\displaystyle\int_0^{10} f(x)\,dx\): the triangle above (area 25) and the triangle below from 5 to 10 (base 5, height \(|f(10)| = 10\), area 25) cancel: \[ \int_0^{10} f(x)\,dx = \tfrac12(5)(10) - \tfrac12(5)(10) = 0. \] The area above equals the area below.
Break the region into simple shapes:
- \(0\) to \(1\): triangle below the axis, base 1, height 6: area \(\frac12(1)(6) = 3\), counts as \(-3\).
- \(1\) to \(2\): triangle above, base 1, height 6: \(+3\).
- \(2\) to \(4\): rectangle above, base 2, height 6: \(+12\). (From 2 to 3 alone it is \(1\cdot 6 = 6\).)
- \(4\) to \(6\): triangle above, base 2, height 6: \(+6\).
- \(6\) to \(8\): triangle below, base 2, height 6: \(-6\).
Properties of the Definite Integral
Since a definite integral is an area, areas of neighboring pieces add up:
The interval \([2,8]\) is split at 5 into \([2,5]\) and \([5,8]\):
\[ \int_2^5 f(x)\,dx + \int_5^8 f(x)\,dx = \int_2^8 f(x)\,dx \quad\Longrightarrow\quad \int_2^5 f(x)\,dx = 3 - 1 = 2. \]Self-Check
Practice in the style of the lecture examples (there is no in-class activity for this section)
The graph of \(f\) below is made of line segments.
(a) Use geometry to find \(\displaystyle\int_0^2 f(x)\,dx\), \(\ \displaystyle\int_0^4 f(x)\,dx\), \(\ \displaystyle\int_4^8 f(x)\,dx\), and \(\ \displaystyle\int_0^8 f(x)\,dx\).
(b) A different function \(g\) has \(\int_1^4 g(x)\,dx = 7\) and \(\int_1^9 g(x)\,dx = 2\). Find \(\int_4^9 g(x)\,dx\).
Connecting Antiderivatives and Area
We have seen how to find antiderivatives and how to find area under a curve. Now let's connect these ideas.
- Constant speed \(v(t) = 5\) mph for \(t=0\) to \(t=3\) hours. Distance \(=\) rate \(\times\) time \(= 5\cdot 3 = 15\) miles. On the graph, this is the area of the \(5\times 3\) rectangle under \(v(t)\).
- Speed \(6\) mph for the first hour, \(5\) mph for the second hour, and \(4\) mph for the third. Distance \(= 6\cdot1 + 5\cdot 1 + 4\cdot 1 = 15\) miles — again the area under the graph (three rectangles).
- Speed \(v(t) = 5-t\) from \(t=0\) to \(t=5\). The speed changes constantly, but distance is still the area under the graph, here a triangle: \[ \text{distance} = \tfrac12(5)(5) = 12.5 \text{ miles}. \]
Alternate idea. Velocity is the derivative of position: \(v(t) = p'(t)\). So position is an antiderivative of velocity. In (a), \(p'(t) = 5\) gives \(p(t) = 5t + C\), and the distance traveled is
\[ p(3) - p(0) = (15 + C) - (0 + C) = 15. \]In (c), \(p'(t) = 5-t\) gives \(p(t) = 5t - \frac{t^2}{2} + C\), and
\[ p(5) - p(0) = \left(25 - \tfrac{25}{2} + C\right) - (0 + C) = 12.5. \]Same answers! The area under the velocity curve equals the change in an antiderivative. Notice also that the \(C\)'s cancel.
- Rewrite the integrand as powers if needed (roots \(\to\) fractional exponents, multiply out products, split fractions).
- Find an antiderivative \(F(x)\) and write \(F(x)\Big|_a^b\).
- Plug in the top bound, plug in the bottom bound, and subtract: \(F(b) - F(a)\). Use parentheses around each — the minus sign applies to all of \(F(a)\).
This matches geometry: the region is a triangle with base 1 and height 1.
(On an exam it is fine to stop after the line where the numbers are plugged in.)
Be careful distributing the minus sign over the second parentheses. The answer is negative because \(t^2 - 4 \le 0\) on \([-2,2]\): the whole region is below the axis.
First split the fraction and rewrite as powers: \(\dfrac{x-1}{\sqrt x} = \dfrac{x}{x^{1/2}} - \dfrac{1}{x^{1/2}} = x^{1/2} - x^{-1/2}\). The new powers are \(\frac12 + 1 = \frac32\) and \(-\frac12 + 1 = \frac12\).
\[ \begin{aligned} \int_1^9 \left(x^{1/2} - x^{-1/2}\right)dx &= \left(\frac{x^{3/2}}{3/2} - \frac{x^{1/2}}{1/2}\right)\Big|_1^9 = \left(\frac23x^{3/2} - 2x^{1/2}\right)\Big|_1^9\\ &= \left(\frac23\cdot 9^{3/2} - 2\cdot 9^{1/2}\right) - \left(\frac23\cdot 1^{3/2} - 2\cdot1^{1/2}\right)\\ &= \left(\frac23(27) - 2\cdot 3\right) - \left(\frac23 - 2\right) = 12 - \frac23 + 2 = \frac{40}{3}. \end{aligned} \](Recall \(9^{3/2} = \left(\sqrt9\right)^3 = 27\).)
More Practice from Lecture
- \[ \int_0^3 \left(x^2 + \sqrt x\right)dx = \left(\frac13x^3 + \frac23x^{3/2}\right)\Big|_0^3 = \left(\frac13(3)^3 + \frac23(3)^{3/2}\right) - 0 = 9 + \frac23\cdot3^{3/2} = 9 + 2\sqrt3. \] (Since \(3^{3/2} = 3\sqrt3\), \(\frac23\cdot 3\sqrt3 = 2\sqrt3\). Numerically \(\approx 12.46\).)
- \[ \int_1^5 \left(e^x + \frac1x\right)dx = \Big(e^x + \ln|x|\Big)\Big|_1^5 = \left(e^5 + \ln 5\right) - \left(e^1 + \ln 1\right) = e^5 + \ln 5 - e \approx 147.30, \] using \(\ln 1 = 0\).
- Multiply out first: \((x^2+1)(4x) = 4x^3 + 4x\). \[ \int_3^8 (x^2+1)(4x)\,dx = \int_3^8 \left(4x^3+4x\right)dx = \left(x^4 + 2x^2\right)\Big|_3^8 = \left(8^4 + 2\cdot 8^2\right) - \left(3^4 + 2\cdot 3^2\right) = 4224 - 99 = 4125. \]
Applications: Total Change from a Rate
The theorem says: integrating a rate of change \(F'\) gives the total change in \(F\),
\[ \int_a^b F'(t)\,dt = F(b) - F(a). \]So if we know a marginal function (marginal revenue \(R'\), marginal cost \(C'\), ...), integrating it over an interval gives the total revenue, cost, etc. accumulated over that interval.
Method 1 (find \(R\)). Antidifferentiate: \(R(t) = -\frac{t^3}{3} + 18t^2 + C\). At time 0 nothing has been collected yet, so \(R(0) = 0\), which forces \(C = 0\). Then
\[ R(4) = -\frac{4^3}{3} + 18(4)^2 = -\frac{64}{3} + 288 = \frac{800}{3}\approx 266.67. \]Method 2 (definite integral).
\[ \int_0^4 R'(t)\,dt = R(t)\Big|_0^4 = R(4) - R(0) = \frac{800}{3}\approx 266.67. \]The first week is days 0 to 7, so the second week is from \(t = 7\) to \(t = 14\). Rewrite \(10\sqrt t = 10t^{1/2}\), whose antiderivative is \(10\cdot\frac{t^{3/2}}{3/2} = \frac{20}{3}t^{3/2}\):
\[ \text{Cost} = \int_7^{14} 10\sqrt t\,dt = \frac{20}{3}t^{3/2}\Big|_7^{14} = \frac{20}{3}\left(14^{3/2} - 7^{3/2}\right)\approx \frac{20}{3}(52.383 - 18.520) \approx 225.75. \]The costs for the second week are about $225.75.
Self-Check
Practice in the style of the lecture examples (there is no in-class activity for this section)
Evaluate:
\[ \text{(a)}\ \int_1^4 \left(3x^2 - 2x\right)dx \qquad\qquad \text{(b)}\ \int_1^e \left(\frac2x + 1\right)dx \qquad\qquad \text{(c)}\ \int_0^4 \sqrt x\,(x+1)\,dx \](d) The marginal cost of producing \(x\) items is \(C'(x) = 50 - 0.2x\) dollars per item. How much does the total cost increase when production goes from 100 items to 200 items?
Warm-Up: The Chain Rule
Recall the chain rule: to differentiate a function of an "inside" function, take the derivative of the outside (leaving the inside alone), then multiply by the derivative of the inside.
| \(f(x)\) | \(f'(x)\) |
|---|---|
| \((3x+4)^6\) | \(6(3x+4)^5\cdot 3 = 18(3x+4)^5\) |
| \((8x^3+6x)^5\) | \(5(8x^3+6x)^4(24x^2+6) = 30(8x^3+6x)^4(4x^2+1)\) |
| \(\frac18 e^{4x^2+3}\) | \(\frac18 e^{4x^2+3}\cdot 8x = xe^{4x^2+3}\) |
| \(\ln(8x+3x^2+5)\) | \(\dfrac{8+6x}{8x+3x^2+5}\) |
What do we see in these derivatives? Each one looks like
\[ f(\text{inside})\cdot(\text{derivative of inside}), \]where the derivative of the inside may be off by a constant multiple (like the \(4x^2+1\) instead of \(24x^2+6\), or the \(x\) instead of \(8x\)).
The Method of Substitution
The method of substitution is used to take the antiderivative of functions where the chain rule was used for the derivative. We look for integrals of the form
\[ \int f(\text{inside})\cdot(\text{derivative of inside})\,dx, \]where the derivative of the inside only needs to be there up to multiplication by a constant.
- Let the inside be \(u\).
- Find \(du\): take the derivative, \(\frac{du}{dx} = u'\), and write \(du = u'\,dx\).
- Solve for \(dx\): \(\ dx = \frac{du}{u'}\).
- Plug back in and cancel all the \(x\)'s. (If some \(x\)'s won't cancel, try a different \(u\).)
- Take the antiderivative with respect to \(u\).
- Plug back in what \(u\) was in terms of \(x\).
This matches the warm-up: the derivative of \((3x+4)^6\) was \(18(3x+4)^5\).
Let \(u = 8x^3 + 6x\). Then \(du = (24x^2+6)\,dx\), so \(dx = \dfrac{du}{24x^2+6}\).
\[ \int 5u^4\,(24x^2+6)\cdot\frac{du}{24x^2+6} = \int 5u^4\,du = u^5 + C = (8x^3+6x)^5 + C. \]Let \(u = 4x^2+3\). Then \(du = 8x\,dx\), so \(dx = \dfrac{du}{8x}\).
\[ \int x\,e^u\cdot\frac{du}{8x} = \int \frac18 e^u\,du = \frac18e^u + C = \frac18e^{4x^2+3} + C. \]Here the derivative of the inside (\(8x\)) was only present up to a constant (we had \(x\)); the leftover \(\frac18\) just comes out front.
Let \(u = 8x + 3x^2+5\) (the denominator). Then \(du = (8+6x)\,dx = 2(3x+4)\,dx\), so \(dx = \dfrac{du}{2(3x+4)}\).
\[ \int\frac{3x+4}{u}\cdot\frac{du}{2(3x+4)} = \frac12\int\frac1u\,du = \frac12\ln|u| + C = \frac12\ln\left|8x+3x^2+5\right| + C. \]Substitution with Definite Integrals
Same basic idea, but we have to be careful about the bounds: the original bounds are \(x\)-values, not \(u\)-values. We can either
- change the bounds into \(u\)-values (and then never change back to \(x\)), or
- keep the bounds as \(x\)-values, writing "\(x = \)" on them all the way through, and change back to \(x\) before plugging in.
Let \(u = x^2+1\), so \(du = 2x\,dx\) and \(dx = \dfrac{du}{2x}\). Convert the bounds:
\[ x = 1 \ \Rightarrow\ u = 1^2+1 = 2, \qquad x = 3\ \Rightarrow\ u = 3^2 + 1 = 10. \] \[ \int_{u=2}^{u=10} x\,e^u\cdot\frac{du}{2x} = \int_2^{10}\frac12e^u\,du = \frac12e^u\Big|_2^{10} = \frac12e^{10} - \frac12e^2. \]Which do you prefer? Both give the same answer.
Let \(u = x^2+4x+1\). Then \(du = (2x+4)\,dx = 2(x+2)\,dx\), so \(dx = \dfrac{du}{2(x+2)}\).
Changing bounds: \(x=0\Rightarrow u = 1\) and \(x = 1 \Rightarrow u = 1+4+1 = 6\).
\[ \int_1^6\frac{x+2}{u}\cdot\frac{du}{2(x+2)} = \int_1^6\frac12\cdot\frac1u\,du = \frac12\ln|u|\Big|_1^6 = \frac12\ln 6 - \frac12\ln 1 = \frac12\ln 6. \]Keeping bounds:
\[ \int_{x=0}^{x=1}\frac12\cdot\frac1u\,du = \frac12\ln|u|\Big|_{x=0}^{x=1} = \frac12\ln\left|x^2+4x+1\right|\Big|_{x=0}^{x=1} = \frac12\ln 6 - \frac12\ln 1 = \frac12\ln 6. \]Split it into two integrals. Only the first needs substitution; the second we can do directly:
\[ \int_5^8\left(e^{8x}-\frac1x\right)dx = \int_5^8 e^{8x}\,dx - \int_5^8\frac1x\,dx. \]First integral: \(u = 8x\), \(du = 8\,dx\), \(dx = \frac{du}{8}\); bounds \(x = 5\Rightarrow u = 40\), \(x=8\Rightarrow u = 64\).
\[ \int_{40}^{64}e^u\,\frac{du}{8} = \frac18e^u\Big|_{40}^{64} = \frac18e^{64} - \frac18e^{40}. \]Second integral: \(\displaystyle\int_5^8\frac1x\,dx = \ln|x|\Big|_5^8 = \ln 8 - \ln 5\). Altogether,
\[ \int_5^8\left(e^{8x}-\frac1x\right)dx = \left(\frac18e^{64} - \frac18e^{40}\right) - \left(\ln 8 - \ln 5\right). \]Self-Check
From the Final Exam Review (part a), plus practice in the style of the lecture examples (there is no in-class activity for this section)
(a) Evaluate \(\displaystyle\int_3^8\frac{5e^x + \frac5x}{\left(e^x + \ln x\right)^3}\,dx\).
(b) Find \(\displaystyle\int x^2\left(x^3+1\right)^4dx\).
(c) Evaluate \(\displaystyle\int_0^1\frac{2x}{x^2+1}\,dx\).
Top Minus Bottom
We know how to find the area under a curve. Now we want to find the area between two curves.
The area under the top curve \(y = x\) includes the shaded region plus the area under the bottom curve \(y = x^2\). So subtract:
\[ \int_0^1 x\,dx - \int_0^1 x^2\,dx = \int_0^1\left(x - x^2\right)dx = \left(\frac{x^2}{2} - \frac{x^3}{3}\right)\Big|_0^1 = \frac12 - \frac13 = \frac16. \]On \([0,1]\), the line is on top (e.g. at \(x = 0\): \(1 > -1\)).
\[ \begin{aligned} \int_0^1\Big((x+1) - (x^2-1)\Big)dx &= \int_0^1\left(x + 1 - x^2 + 1\right)dx = \int_0^1\left(x - x^2 + 2\right)dx\\ &= \left(\frac{x^2}{2} - \frac{x^3}{3} + 2x\right)\Big|_0^1 = \frac12 - \frac13 + 2 = \frac{13}{6}. \end{aligned} \]Careful: distribute the minus sign to every term of the bottom function.
Finding the Bounds
When a problem asks for the area of the region bounded by two curves (with no interval given), the bounds are where the curves meet. To find them, set the two functions equal and solve.
Points of intersection:
\[ x + 1 = x^2 - 1 \;\Longrightarrow\; x^2 - x - 2 = 0 \;\Longrightarrow\; (x+1)(x-2) = 0 \;\Longrightarrow\; x = -1,\ x = 2. \]When the Curves Cross
If the curves cross inside the interval, the top and bottom curves switch. Then we must split the integral at each crossing point and use "top minus bottom" on each piece.
- Set the functions equal to find where they cross.
- Split \([a,b]\) at the crossing points that lie inside it.
- On each piece, decide which function is on top (sketch, or plug in a test point).
- Integrate top minus bottom on each piece, and add the results.
Where do they cross?
\[ x^2 - 1 = x + 5 \;\Longrightarrow\; x^2 - x - 6 = 0 \;\Longrightarrow\; (x+2)(x-3) = 0 \;\Longrightarrow\; x = -2,\ x = 3. \]Test points: at \(x = -3\), \(x^2-1 = 8 > 2 = x+5\); at \(x = 0\), \(x + 5 = 5 > -1\); at \(x = 4\), \(x^2 - 1 = 15 > 9\). So
\[ \text{Area} = \int_{-5}^{-2}\Big((x^2-1) - (x+5)\Big)dx + \int_{-2}^{3}\Big((x+5) - (x^2-1)\Big)dx + \int_3^5\Big((x^2-1)-(x+5)\Big)dx. \]Each integrand is \(\pm\left(x^2 - x - 6\right)\), and an antiderivative of \(x^2 - x - 6\) is \(F(x) = \frac{x^3}{3} - \frac{x^2}{2} - 6x\). We need
\[ F(-5) = -\frac{145}{6}, \qquad F(-2) = \frac{22}{3}, \qquad F(3) = -\frac{27}{2}, \qquad F(5) = -\frac56. \] \[ \begin{aligned} A_1 &= F(-2) - F(-5) = \frac{44}{6} + \frac{145}{6} = \frac{189}{6} = \frac{63}{2},\\ A_2 &= -\big(F(3) - F(-2)\big) = \frac{27}{2} + \frac{22}{3} = \frac{81}{6} + \frac{44}{6} = \frac{125}{6},\\ A_3 &= F(5) - F(3) = -\frac56 + \frac{27}{2} = -\frac56 + \frac{81}{6} = \frac{76}{6} = \frac{38}{3}. \end{aligned} \] \[ \text{Area} = \frac{189}{6} + \frac{125}{6} + \frac{76}{6} = \frac{390}{6} = 65. \]Crossings: \(-x = 2 - x^2 \Rightarrow x^2 - x - 2 = 0 \Rightarrow (x+1)(x-2) = 0\), so \(x = -1\) and \(x = 2\). Only \(x=-1\) is strictly inside \([-2,2]\), so we split there.
On \([-2,-1]\) (test \(x = -1.5\): \(-x = 1.5\), \(2-x^2 = -0.25\)) the line is on top. On \([-1,2]\) (test \(x=0\): \(2 > 0\)) the parabola is on top.
\[ \begin{aligned} \int_{-2}^{-1}\Big((-x) - (2-x^2)\Big)dx &= \left(-\frac{x^2}{2} - 2x + \frac{x^3}{3}\right)\Big|_{-2}^{-1} = \left(-\frac12 + 2 - \frac13\right) - \left(-2 + 4 - \frac83\right) = \frac76 + \frac23 = \frac{11}{6},\\ \int_{-1}^{2}\Big((2-x^2) - (-x)\Big)dx &= \left(2x - \frac{x^3}{3} + \frac{x^2}{2}\right)\Big|_{-1}^{2} = \left(4 - \frac83 + 2\right) - \left(-2 + \frac13 + \frac12\right) = \frac{10}{3} + \frac76 = \frac92. \end{aligned} \] \[ \text{Area} = \frac{11}{6} + \frac92 = \frac{11}{6} + \frac{27}{6} = \frac{38}{6} = \frac{19}{3}. \]Self-Check
Practice in the style of the lecture examples (there is no in-class activity for this section)
(a) Find the area of the region bounded between \(y = 2x\) and \(y = x^2\).
(b) Find the area between \(y = x\) and \(y = x^3\) on \([-1,1]\). (Hint: where do they cross, and which is on top on each piece?)