MA103 Lab Notes
Antiderivatives (Text: 4.9)
A function F is called an antiderivative of the continuous function f on interval I if F ′ (x) = f (x) for all x ∈ I.
d
For example, the general antiderivative of f (x) = 2x is F (x) = x2 + C, where C is a constant, as x2 + C =
dx
2x.
Also note, by definition of antiderivative, if f ′ (x) is known, then its antiderivative is f (x) + C.
The following is a brief table of antidifferentiation formulae:
General General
Function Function
Antiderivative Antiderivative
af (x) (a is constant) aF (x) + C cos x sin x + C
f (x) ± g(x) F (x) ± G(x) + C sin x − cos x + C
a (a is constant) ax + C sec2 x tan x + C
n+1
x
xn (n ̸= −1) +C sec x tan x sec x + C
n+1
1 1
ln |x| + C √ sin−1 x + C
x 1 − x2
1 ax −1
eax e +C √ cos−1 x + C
a 1 − x2
ax 1
ax +C tan−1 x + C
ln a 1 + x2
Area Under a Curve (Text: 5.1)
When the function y = f (x) ≥ 0 is continuous on [a, b], we can approximate the area between the x-axis and
the graph of f over [a, b] as follows: divide [a, b] into a partition of n ≥ 1 equal subintervals, using the
values xi , 0 ≤ i ≤ n, where x0 = a, xn = b and xi = a + ∆x · i, ∆x = b−a n ; over [xi−1 , xi ] construct a
rectangle with height f (xi ) [i.e. using the right endpoint of each subinterval] so that the ith rectangle has area
f (xi ) · (xi − xi−1 ) = f (xi ) · ∆x; add the areas of the n rectangles. This sum is called a Riemann Sum.
Pn (b − a) i
Riemann Sum: A ≃ Rn = f (xi ) · ∆x, where xi = a +
i=1 n
(b − a)(i − 1)
Note: to use the left endpoints, take xi = a + for 1 ≤ i ≤ n in the above formula.
n
If we increase the number of approximating rectangles used, we obtain more accurate approximations to the area. By
Pn
allowing n to approach infinity we obtain the exact area A under f over [a, b]; that is, A = lim f (xi ) · ∆x.
n→∞ i=1
One can show that the height of the approximating rectangles can be taken to be f (x∗i ) where x∗i is any number
in the subinterval [xi−1 , xi ] – not necessarily the right endpoint – without changing the value of A. For instance,
the Midpoint Rule approximates an area by choosing x∗i to be the midpoint of interval [xi−1 , xi ].
n
f (xi ) · ∆x, where xi = 12 (xi−1 + xi )
P
The Midpoint Rule: A ≃ Mn =
i=1
It can also be shown that we can use subintervals that are not of equal length, but then great care must be used in
handling the corresponding limit.
The Definite Integral (Text: 5.2)
Suppose function f is continuous and positive on the closed interval [a, b]. Then the definite integral of f from a
Rb
to b, denoted by a f (x) dx, represents the area between the curve y = f (x) and the x-axis from x = a to x = b.
Rb
Thus an approximation to a f (x) dx can be calculated by partitioning the interval [a, b] into n subintervals and
using either a Riemann Sum Rn or the Midpoint Rule Mn . Often, we make use of a Riemann Sum, allowing n,
1
the number of subintervals used in a regular partition, to approach infinity, to obtain the exact value of the definite
integral. Thus, we have the following limit definition for a definite integral:
Rb
n
n
P b−a P (b − a) i
f (x) dx = lim ∆x · f (xi ) = lim · f a+
a n→∞ i=1 n→∞ n i=1 n
Helpful Sums and Expansions For Lab:
n n n n
X n2 (n + 1)2 X 2 n(n + 1)(2n + 1) X n(n + 1) X
i3 = , i = , i= , c = cn for c ∈ R.
i=1
4 i=1
6 i=1
2 i=1
Properties of Definite Integrals
Assuming all of the integrals below exist,
Ra Rb Ra
f (x) dx = 0 f (x) dx = − f (x) dx
a a b
Rb Rb Rb Rb Rb
[f (x) ± g (x)] dx = f (x) dx ± g (x) dx c f (x) dx = c f (x) dx, c constant
a a a a a
Rb Rc Rb Rb Rb
f (x) dx = f (x) dx + f (x) dx f (x) dx ≤ |f (x)| dx
a a c a a
Rb Rb Rb
dx = 1dx = b − a c dx = c (b − a), c constant
a a a
Lab Preparation
1. Complete recommended homework found on course outline.
2. Complete WeBWorK homework assignment (link found on MyLearningSpace).
3. Review the Maple Worksheet.
