You CAN Ace Calculus

 basics of integrals substitution Definite integrals are usually introduced early in the study of integration after covering the basics and integration by substitution. However, some practice problems on this page require the use of integration by parts, which is a more advanced technique usually introduced in second semester calculus. If you haven't studied integration by parts yet, no worries. You can skip those practice problems and come back later, once you have covered integration by parts.

WikiBooks: Infinite Sums

Wolfram Alpha: The Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Wikipedia: Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (It is interesting that in wikipedia, the first and second fundamental theorems are switched, which is different than is sometimes taught in first semester calculus and discussed in Larson Calculus.)

### Calculus Topics Listed Alphabetically

Single Variable Calculus

 Absolute Convergence Alternating Series Arc Length Area Under Curves Chain Rule Concavity Conics Conics in Polar Form Conditional Convergence Continuity & Discontinuities Convolution, Laplace Transforms Cosine/Sine Integration Critical Points Cylinder-Shell Method - Volume Integrals Definite Integrals Derivatives Differentials Direct Comparison Test Divergence (nth-Term) Test
 Ellipses (Rectangular Conics) Epsilon-Delta Limit Definition Exponential Derivatives Exponential Growth/Decay Finite Limits First Derivative First Derivative Test Formal Limit Definition Fourier Series Geometric Series Graphing Higher Order Derivatives Hyperbolas (Rectangular Conics) Hyperbolic Derivatives
 Implicit Differentiation Improper Integrals Indeterminate Forms Infinite Limits Infinite Series Infinite Series Table Infinite Series Study Techniques Infinite Series, Choosing a Test Infinite Series Exam Preparation Infinite Series Exam A Inflection Points Initial Value Problems, Laplace Transforms Integral Test Integrals Integration by Partial Fractions Integration By Parts Integration By Substitution Intermediate Value Theorem Interval of Convergence Inverse Function Derivatives Inverse Hyperbolic Derivatives Inverse Trig Derivatives
 Laplace Transforms L'Hôpital's Rule Limit Comparison Test Limits Linear Motion Logarithm Derivatives Logarithmic Differentiation Moments, Center of Mass Mean Value Theorem Normal Lines One-Sided Limits Optimization
 p-Series Parabolas (Rectangular Conics) Parabolas (Polar Conics) Parametric Equations Parametric Curves Parametric Surfaces Pinching Theorem Polar Coordinates Plane Regions, Describing Power Rule Power Series Product Rule
 Quotient Rule Radius of Convergence Ratio Test Related Rates Related Rates Areas Related Rates Distances Related Rates Volumes Remainder & Error Bounds Root Test Secant/Tangent Integration Second Derivative Second Derivative Test Shifting Theorems Sine/Cosine Integration Slope and Tangent Lines Square Wave Surface Area
 Tangent/Secant Integration Taylor/Maclaurin Series Telescoping Series Trig Derivatives Trig Integration Trig Limits Trig Substitution Unit Step Function Unit Impulse Function Volume Integrals Washer-Disc Method - Volume Integrals Work

Multi-Variable Calculus

 Acceleration Vector Arc Length (Vector Functions) Arc Length Function Arc Length Parameter Conservative Vector Fields Cross Product Curl Curvature Cylindrical Coordinates
 Directional Derivatives Divergence (Vector Fields) Divergence Theorem Dot Product Double Integrals - Area & Volume Double Integrals - Polar Coordinates Double Integrals - Rectangular Gradients Green's Theorem
 Lagrange Multipliers Line Integrals Partial Derivatives Partial Integrals Path Integrals Potential Functions Principal Unit Normal Vector
 Spherical Coordinates Stokes' Theorem Surface Integrals Tangent Planes Triple Integrals - Cylindrical Triple Integrals - Rectangular Triple Integrals - Spherical
 Unit Tangent Vector Unit Vectors Vector Fields Vectors Vector Functions Vector Functions Equations

Differential Equations

 Boundary Value Problems Bernoulli Equation Cauchy-Euler Equation Chebyshev's Equation Chemical Concentration Classify Differential Equations Differential Equations Euler's Method Exact Equations Existence and Uniqueness Exponential Growth/Decay
 First Order, Linear Fluids, Mixing Fourier Series Inhomogeneous ODE's Integrating Factors, Exact Integrating Factors, Linear Laplace Transforms, Solve Initial Value Problems Linear, First Order Linear, Second Order Linear Systems
 Partial Differential Equations Polynomial Coefficients Population Dynamics Projectile Motion Reduction of Order Resonance
 Second Order, Linear Separation of Variables Slope Fields Stability Substitution Undetermined Coefficients Variation of Parameters Vibration Wronskian

### Search Practice Problems

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17calculus > integrals > definite integrals

Since the definite integral is so closely tied to summations, we start with a discussion of summations and the associated notation. Then we cover the fundamental theorems of calculus.
If you want a complete lecture on this topic, we recommend this video.

### Prof Leonard - Calculus 1 Lecture 4.4: The Evaluation of Definite Integrals [30mins-54secs]

video by Prof Leonard

Summation Notation

The first thing you need to be comfortable with in order to understand definite integrals is summation notation. This notation is just a compact way to write a list of numbers or terms that are added together. The notation looks like this.
$$\displaystyle{ \sum_{i=1}^{n}{a_n} }$$

If you haven't seen this before or you need a refresher on what all this means, here is a good video explaining it. This is a good overview of summation notation. In this video, he starts by explaining the general notation and then he works several examples.

### PatrickJMT - Summation Notation [10min-15secs]

video by PatrickJMT

Summation and the Definite Integral

The general sum $$\displaystyle{ \sum_{i=1}^{n}{[f(x_i) \cdot \Delta x_i]} }$$ is an approximation to the area under the curve $$f(x)$$. Let's look more closely at this sum and get an idea of what is going on.

For each $$i$$, we calculate the area of a rectangle on the interval $$[a,b]$$. The height of the rectangle is $$f(x_i)$$ and the width is $$\Delta x_i$$. If the same area is broken into more and more rectangles, we can get a better and better approximation of the area.

To get the actual area, we can take the limit of the above sum as follows.
$$\displaystyle{ \lim_{n \to \infty}{ \left[ \sum_{i=1}^{n}{(f(x_i) \cdot \Delta x_i)} \right] } = \int_{a}^{b}{f(x)~dx} }$$
Let's break down the equation. When taking the limit we get

$$\Delta x_i ~~~ \to ~~~ dx$$

$$\displaystyle{ \lim_{n \to \infty}\sum_{i=1}^{n}{} ~~~ \to ~~~ \int_{a}^{b}{} }$$

The idea is that the width of each interval goes to $$dx$$. The limit of the sum goes to $$\int_{a}^{b}{}$$. You can think of the integrand, $$f(x)$$, being swept from $$a$$ to $$b$$.

Okay, time for a video. Here is a good video on the definition of the definite integral. It will give you an intuitive understanding what it means and how the notation works.

### PatrickJMT - The Definite Integral - Understanding the Definition [9min-13secs]

video by PatrickJMT

Before we actually evaluate the Reimann sum with limits, let's see how to approximate the value of a definite integral. This is a great video with explanation of an example.

### PatrickJMT - Approximating a Definite Integral Using Rectangles [9min-49secs]

video by PatrickJMT

From the first video in this section, you know that the limit given above is the definition of the definite integral using Reimann Sums. Here is an example showing how to calculate a definite integral using this definition. The example is worked in two consecutive videos.

### PatrickJMT - Calculating a Definite Integral Using Riemann Sums (1) [6min-15secs]

video by PatrickJMT

### PatrickJMT - Calculating a Definite Integral Using Riemann Sums (2) [8min-30secs]

video by PatrickJMT

Before we go on, let's work some practice problems to make sure we understand these ideas.

Conversion Between A-B-C Level (or 1-2-3) and New Numbered Practice Problems

Please note that with this new version of 17calculus, the practice problems have been relabeled but they are MOSTLY in the same order. Here is a list converting the old numbering system to the new.

Definite Integrals - Practice Problems Conversion

[1-879] - [2-880] - [3-881] - [4-882] - [5-888] - [6-883] - [7-884] - [8-885] - [9-886]

[10-887] - [11-1746] - [12-889]

Please update your notes to this new numbering system. The display of this conversion information is temporary.

GOT IT. THANKS!

$$\displaystyle{\sum_{k=1}^{6}{\frac{1}{k^2}}}$$

Problem Statement

$$\displaystyle{\sum_{k=1}^{6}{\frac{1}{k^2}}}$$

Solution

### 879 video

video by Krista King Math

Write$$\displaystyle{\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{8}+}$$ $$\displaystyle{\frac{1}{16}+\frac{1}{32}+\frac{1}{64}}$$ in summation notation.

Problem Statement

Write$$\displaystyle{\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{8}+}$$ $$\displaystyle{\frac{1}{16}+\frac{1}{32}+\frac{1}{64}}$$ in summation notation.

Solution

### 880 video

video by Krista King Math

$$\displaystyle{\sum_{r=1}^{8}{(r-1)(r+2)}}$$

Problem Statement

$$\displaystyle{\sum_{r=1}^{8}{(r-1)(r+2)}}$$

Solution

### 881 video

video by Krista King Math

$$\displaystyle{\sum_{i=1}^{4}{(-1)^i i^2}}$$

Problem Statement

$$\displaystyle{\sum_{i=1}^{4}{(-1)^i i^2}}$$

Solution

### 882 video

video by PatrickJMT

The (First) Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus allows us to integrate a function between two points by finding the indefinite integral and evaluating it at the endpoints. The equation is
$$\displaystyle{\int_{a}^{b}{f(x)~dx} = \left. F(x) \right|_{a}^{b} = F(b) - F(a)}$$ where $$F' = f$$.

Okay, let's take a few minutes and watch a couple of videos explaining the proof of this theorem.

video by MIP4U

### MIP4U - Proof of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (2) [6min-26secs]

video by MIP4U

Before we go on, let's work some basic integrals using this theorem.

$$\displaystyle{\int_{1}^{3}{(x+2)~dx}}$$

Problem Statement

$$\displaystyle{\int_{1}^{3}{(x+2)~dx}}$$

Solution

### 888 video

video by PatrickJMT

The Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

The Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

For a continuous function $$f$$ on an open interval $$I$$ containing the point $$a$$,
then the following equation holds for each point in $$I$$ $f(x) = \frac{d}{dx} \left[ \int_{a}^{x}{f(t)~dt} \right]$

The Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus shows that integration can be reversed by differentiation. There are several key things to notice in this integral.
- The integral has a variable as an upper limit rather than a constant.
- The variable is an upper limit (not a lower limit) and the lower limit is still a constant.
- The upper limit, $$x$$, matches exactly the derivative variable, i.e. $$dx$$.
The theorem itself is simple and seems easy to apply. But you need to be careful how you use it. If one of the above keys is violated, you need to make some adjustments. Here are some variations that you may encounter.

If the variable is in the lower limit instead of the upper limit, the change is easy. Just use this result.
$$\displaystyle{ \int_{a}^{b}{f(t)dt} = -\int_{b}^{a}{f(t)dt} }$$

If the upper limit does not match the derivative variable exactly, use the chain rule as follows.
Given $$\displaystyle{\frac{d}{dx} \left[ \int_{a}^{g(x)}{f(t)dt} \right]}$$
Letting $$u = g(x)$$, the integral becomes $$\displaystyle{\frac{d}{du} \left[ \int_{a}^{u}{f(t)dt} \right] \frac{du}{dx}}$$

Finally, another situation that may arise is when the lower limit is not a constant. One way to handle this is to break the integral into two integrals and use a constant $$a$$ in the two integrals, For example,
$$\displaystyle{\int_{g(x)}^{h(x)}{f(t)dt} = \int_{g(x)}^{a}{f(t)dt} + \int_{a}^{h(x)}{f(t)dt}}$$
Then evaluate each integral separately and combine the result.

Okay, so let's watch a video clip explaining this idea in more detail. Warning: Do not make this any harder than it appears. As this video explains, this is very easy and there is no trick involved as long as you follow the rules given above.

### PatrickJMT - Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 1 [9min-25secs]

video by PatrickJMT

Even though this appears really easy, it is easy to get tripped up. So make sure you work these practice problems.

Basic Problems

For $$\displaystyle{g(x)=\int_{1}^{x}{(t^2-1)^{20}~dt}}$$, find $$g'(x)$$.

Problem Statement

For $$\displaystyle{g(x)=\int_{1}^{x}{(t^2-1)^{20}~dt}}$$, find $$g'(x)$$.

Solution

### 883 video

video by PatrickJMT

For $$\displaystyle{h(x)=\int_{x}^{2}{[\cos(t^2)+t]~dt}}$$, find $$h'(x)$$.

Problem Statement

For $$\displaystyle{h(x)=\int_{x}^{2}{[\cos(t^2)+t]~dt}}$$, find $$h'(x)$$.

Solution

### 884 video

video by PatrickJMT

Intermediate Problems

For $$\displaystyle{g(x)=\int_{1}^{\sqrt{x}}{\frac{s^2}{s^2+1}~ds}}$$, find $$g'(x)$$.

Problem Statement

For $$\displaystyle{g(x)=\int_{1}^{\sqrt{x}}{\frac{s^2}{s^2+1}~ds}}$$, find $$g'(x)$$.

Solution

### 885 video

video by PatrickJMT

For $$\displaystyle{g(x)=\int_{\tan(x)}^{x^2}{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2+t^4}}~dt}}$$, find $$g'(x)$$.

Problem Statement

For $$\displaystyle{g(x)=\int_{\tan(x)}^{x^2}{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2+t^4}}~dt}}$$, find $$g'(x)$$.

Solution

### 886 video

video by PatrickJMT

$$\displaystyle{\int_0^1{ \frac{t^7-1}{\ln t}~dt }}$$

Problem Statement

$$\displaystyle{\int_0^1{ \frac{t^7-1}{\ln t}~dt }}$$

Hint

Let $$\displaystyle{g(x) = \int_0^1{ \frac{t^x-1}{\ln t}~dt }}$$ and notice that our integral is $$g(7)$$. Calculate $$g'(x)$$. Integrate the result to get $$g(x)$$ and then find $$g(7)$$.
Note: This is a very unusual procedure that you will probably not see in your class or textbook.

Problem Statement

$$\displaystyle{\int_0^1{ \frac{t^7-1}{\ln t}~dt }}$$

$$3\ln 2$$

Problem Statement

$$\displaystyle{\int_0^1{ \frac{t^7-1}{\ln t}~dt }}$$

Hint

Let $$\displaystyle{g(x) = \int_0^1{ \frac{t^x-1}{\ln t}~dt }}$$ and notice that our integral is $$g(7)$$. Calculate $$g'(x)$$. Integrate the result to get $$g(x)$$ and then find $$g(7)$$.
Note: This is a very unusual procedure that you will probably not see in your class or textbook.

Solution

### 2215 video

$$3\ln 2$$

Trapezoidal and Simpson's Rules

At this time, we do not cover the Trapezoidal Rule and Simpson's Rule on this site. However, here are some videos that might help if you are studying these topics.

### PatrickJMT - Approximating Integrals: Simpsons Rule

video by PatrickJMT

### PatrickJMT - Approximating Integrals: Simpsons Rule Error Bound

video by PatrickJMT

### PatrickJMT - Approximating Integrals: Trapezoid Rule

video by PatrickJMT