CHAPTER 4

SECTION 4.3
RIEMANN SUMS AND DEFINITE
INTEGRALS
 Riemann Sum
1. Partition the interval [a,b] into n subintervals
a = x0 < x1 … < xn-1< xn = b
• Call this partition P
• The kth subinterval is xk = xk-1 – xk
• Largest xk is called the norm, called ||  ||
• If all subintervals are of equal length, the norm is
called regular.
2. Choose an arbitrary value from each
subinterval, call it ci
 Riemann Sum
3. Form the sum
n
Rn  f (c1 )x1  f (c2 )x2  ...  f (cn )xn   f (ci )xi
i 1

This is the Riemann sum associated with

• the function f
• the given partition P
• the chosen subinterval representatives ci
• We will express a variety of quantities in
terms of the Riemann sum
 This illustrates that the size of ∆x is
allowed to vary

y = f (x)

x1* x2* x3* x4* x5*

a x1 x2 x3 x4 x5 Etc…

Then a < x1 < x2 < x3 < x4 ….etc. is a partition of [ a, b ]

Notice the partition ∆x does not have to be the same size
for each rectangle.

And x1* , x2* , x3* , etc… are x coordinates such that

a < x1* < x1, x1 < x2* < x2 , x2 < x3* < x3 , … and are used to
construct the height of the rectangles.
The graph of a typical continuous function y = ƒ(x) over [a, b].
Partition [a, b] into n subintervals a < x1 < x2 <…xn < b. Select any
number in each subinterval ck. Form the product f(ck)xk.
Then take the sum of these products.
n
 f (ck )xk
k 1
This is called the Riemann Sum of the
partition of x.

The width of the largest subinterval of a

partition  is the norm of the partition,
written ||x||.

As the number of partitions, n, gets larger

and larger, the norm gets smaller and
smaller.
As n, ||x|| 0 only if ||x|| are the same
width!!!!
 The Riemann Sum x
4
2x^2-7x+5
9
dx * f(x)
0.9

Calculated 4.1
4.2
9.92
10.88
0.992
1.088
4.3 11.88 1.188
• Consider the function 4.4 12.92 1.292
4.5 14 1.4
2x2 – 7x + 5 4.6 15.12 1.512
4.7 16.28 1.628
• Use x = 0.1 4.8 17.48 1.748
4.9 18.72 1.872
5 20 2
5.1 21.32 2.132

• Let the ci = left edge 5.2

5.3
22.68
24.08
2.268
2.408
of each subinterval 5.4
5.5
25.52
27
2.552
2.7

• Note the sum 5.6

5.7
28.52
30.08
2.852
3.008
5.8 31.68 3.168
5.9 33.32 3.332

Riemann sum = 40.04

 The Riemann Sum
f(x) = 2x2 – 7x + 5

 f (c )x
i 1
i i  40.04

• We have summed a series of boxes

• If the x were smaller, we would have
gotten a better approximation
Finer partitions of [a, b] create more rectangles with shorter bases.

n
 f (ci )xi
i 1

n
lim  f ( ci )xi  L
 0 i 1
 The Definite Integral
n
lim  f  ci  xi
b
I   f ( x)dx 
a  0
k 1
• The definite integral is the limit of the
Riemann sum
• We say that f is integrable when
– the number I can be approximated as accurate
as needed by making ||  || sufficiently small
– f must exist on [a,b] and the Riemann sum must
exist
–   0 is the same as saying n  
 Notation for the definite integral
upper limit of integration

f  x  dx
Integration b
Symbol
 a
integrand
variable of integration
lower limit of integration
Important for AP test [ and mine too !! ]

Recognizing a Riemann Sum as a Definite integral

n
 3i  3
lim  2(1  )  1
i 1  n
n  n
3 ba
1. x   x  dx
n n
3i
2. 1   a  i x so a  1
n
3. b  a  3 so b  4
3i
4. 2(1  )  2x
n
4
5. Thus   (2 x  1) dx
1
Recognizing a Riemann Sum as a Definite integral
2

n
lim  3 
5i  5

n 
 n
i 1 n

5 ba
1. x   x  dx
n n
5i
2. a=0 b  5 since a  ix =
n
5i
3. x =
n
5
4. Thus  
0
( 3 x 2 ) dx
Recognizing a Riemann Sum as a Definite integral

From our textbook

[5c 
2
lim i
 3 ci ] xi over [ 1,4 ]
 0
i 1
4
answer: 1
(5 x 2  3x ) dx

Notice the text uses ∆ instead of ∆x, but it is basically

the same as our ∆x , and ci is our xi *
 Try the reverse : write the integral as a
Riemann Sum … also on AP and my test

 x  x dx
10

3
4 2

10-3 7
1. a  3 b  10 so x= 
n n
7i
2. a  ix  3 
n
 2

n
  7i 
3. Thus lim  4  (3 )  ( 3  )
7i  7
 n
  n 
n  n
i 1

Theorem 4.4 Continuity Implies
Integrability
Relationship between Differentiability, Continuity, and
Integrability

I D C

D – differentiable functions, strongest condition … all Diff ’ble

functions are continuous and integrable.
C – continuous functions , all cont functions are integrable, but not
all are diff ’ble.
I – integrable functions, weakest condition … it is possible they are
not con‘ t, and not diff ‘ble.
 4

Evaluate the following Definite Integral
3xdx
2

First … remember these sums and definitions:

n

 c  cn
n
n(n  1)
1
k  2
1

i x
ba
ci = a + x 
n
 n
3xdx  lim  f (ci )  x i
4
2 n 
i 1
n
6 6
 lim  3( 2  i )
n

 c  cn
n  n n 1
i 1
n
n(n  1)
18 n 6 k 
 lim
n  n

i 1
( 2  i )
n
1 2

ci = a + i  x
18 6 n(n  1)
 lim [ 2n  ( )] x 
ba
n  n n 2 n
1
 lim[ 36  54(1  )]
n  n
 36  54  18
 EXAMPLE Evaluate the definite integral by the limit
definition
n
5i 5
lim  f ( ci )xi  L ci  1 
6

 0i 1 n
x 
n 1
x dx

n
n
 5i  5
n
 5i  5  5 25i 
 f 1  n  n   1      2 
i 1 i 1  n n i 1  n n 

1 n 25 n
 5  2 i
n i 1 n i 1
 Evaluate the definite integral by the
limit definition, continued
n b
lim  f ( ci )xi  L
6
1
x dx
 0 i 1
L   f ( x )dx
a

1 n 25 n 1 25 n( n  1)
 5  2 i   5n   2
n i 1 n i 1 n n 2

25 ( n  1) 25 25 25
 5  5   n  1  5 
n 2 2n 2 2n

6  25 25  35

1
x dx  lim  5 
n

 
2 2n 

2
 b

a
f ( x)dx
The Definite integral above represents the Area
of the region under the curve y = f ( x) ,
bounded by the x-axis, and the vertical lines
x = a, and x = b
y y = f ( x)

a b
Theorem 4.4 Continuity Implies
Integrability
Relationship between Differentiability, Continuity, and
Integrability

I D C

D – differentiable functions, strongest condition … all Diff ’ble

functions are continuous and integrable.
C – continuous functions , all cont functions are integrable, but not
all are diff ’ble.
I – integrable functions, weakest condition … it is possible they are
not con‘ t, and not diff ‘ble.
 Areas of common geometric shapes
3
 xdx
0

Y= x
y

x
0 3
2 3
9 1 9
A  33 
x
A 
2 0
2 2 2

Sol’n to definite integral A = ½ base * height

A Sight Integral ... An integral you should know
on sight

 a 
a 1
2
x 2
dx  a 2
-a 2

-a a

This is the Area of a semi-circle of radius a

 Special Definite Integrals
for f (x ) integrable from a to b

a
1. a
f ( x )dx  0

b a
2.  f ( x)dx    f ( x)dx
a b
EXAMPLE

2
1. 
2
( x  5) dx  0

0 3 9
2. 3 xdx   0 xdx  
2
 Additive property of integrals

If f is integrable over interval [ a , b ],

where a < c < b, then:
b c b
 f ( x)dx   f ( x)dx   f ( x)dx
a a c

a c b
 More Properties of Integrals

For f, g integrable on [ a, b ], and k is a

constant ... , then since kf and f  g
are integrable on [ a, b ], we have :
b b
1.  kf ( x)dx
a
 k  f ( x )dx
a

b b b
2.  [ f ( x)  g ( x)]dx   f ( x)dx
a a
  g ( x)dx
a
 EXAMPLE

2 7 2 3
Given 
1
x dx 
2
3 1 xdx  2
2
Solve:  1
3( x 2  x )dx
2 2
 3 x dx + 3 xdx 
2
1 1

7 3 9 23
 3( ) + 3( )  7  
3 2 2 2
 Even – Odd Property of Integrals

For f ( x ) an even function:

a a
a
f ( x )dx  2  f ( x )dx
0
Even function: f ( x ) = f ( - x ) … symmetric about y - axis

For f ( x ) an odd function:

a
a
f ( x )dx  0
 Finally …. Inequality Properties

If f is integrable and nonnegative on [ a, b ] :

b
0   f(x)dx
a

If f , g are integrable on [a, b ] , and f(x)  g(x) :

b b
 f(x)dx   g( x)dx
a a

END
Example 2:
Rules for definite integrals
Evaluate the using the following values:

x  2  dx
3

2
4 4 4

      dx    2 dx

3 3
x 2 dx x
2 2 2
4 4 4

x  2  dx    x  dx  2 dx
3 3
= 60 + 2(2) = 64
2 2 2
 Using the TI 83/84 to check
your answers
Find the area undery  3 x
on [1,5]

• Graph f(x)

• Press 2nd CALC 7

• Enter lower limit 1
• Press ENTER
• Enter upper limit 5
• Press ENTER.
Set up a Definite Integral for finding the area of the shaded
region. Then use geometry to find the area.

1. f  x   4 2. f  x   x  1
6 6

4 4

2 2

5 5
Use the limit definition to find
3

2
3x dx
1
Set up a Definite Integral for finding the area of the shaded
region. Then use geometry to find the area.

1. f  x   4 2. f  x   x  1
6 6

4 4

2 2

5 5

5 6

A   4 dx A    x  1 dx
1 2

 4  4  3  4  21  4 4
rectangle triangle

 16 un2  20 un 2