Mathematical Techniques
Topic 5 – Lecture 3: Introduction to Integral
Calculus
Applying Integral Calculus
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.2
Scope and Coverage
This topic will cover:
• Applications of integration to find the area under a curve
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.3
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this topic students will be able to:
• Apply integral calculus to solve a range of mathematical
problems relating to the area under a curve
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.4
Applying the Area Under a Curve
• We have looked so far at calculating the area under a curve
and the area bound between a straight line and a curve. Both
of these can be calculated by applying integral calculus.
• Other applications of integration also include calculating
- Distance Travelled
- Velocity of a moving object
- Acceleration of a moving object
• It is also possible to calculate the volume of complex shapes
using integration
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.5
Velocity, Acceleration & Distance
When we looked at differentiation we were able to determine that if
an object travels s metres in a time of t seconds then the velocity (v)
of the body can be expressed in terms of
ds
V
dt
This equation can however be expressed through integration to
determine the distance travelled by an object in relation to time and
velocity.
This equation is given as s = +c
v dt
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.6
Velocity and Acceleration
This approach can also be applied to determine the velocity of an
object in respect of its acceleration.
If we consider that the acceleration of a body is expressed as
dv
a
dt
Then we can integrate to find the velocity by v a dt c
If we plot relationships graphically we find that the area under a
velocity-time graph represents the distance travelled by an object.
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.7
Velocity and Acceleration
The area under an acceleration time graph represents the velocity of
the object.
Areas under curves – a job for integration.
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.8
Applying the Area Under a Curve - 1
• Example
- The velocity of a body, v metres per second, after a time t
seconds is given by v = t2+1. Find the distance travelled at the
end of 2 seconds.
- When t = 0 the distance travelled will be 0 metres.
- Hence the distance travelled at the end of 2 seconds is found
by integrating the expression for v between the limits of 2 and
0.
- This now gives us a means of expressing the information as an
equation.
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.9
Applying the Area Under a Curve - 2
ds
Remember our equation for velocity given as can be v
represented in terms of distance (s) by integration dt
s v dt c
Our equation for velocity v = now becomes
Therefore we can perform integration using the limits
2
of 0 and 2 to calculate distance travelled t 2 1 s (t 2 1)dt
0
metres
2
t3
23
t 2 4 2
3
3 0 3
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.10
Acceleration - 1
Example
The acceleration of a moving body at the end of t seconds from the
commencement of motion is (9 – t) metres per second.
Find the velocity and the distance travelled at the end of 2 seconds if
the initial velocity is 5 metres per second.
As we know that the equation for acceleration is v a dt c
Then we can express acceleration as (9 t)dt c
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.11
Acceleration - 2
By doing so it is then possible through integration to get the
t2
following equation for the velocity v 9t c
2
The initial velocity is the velocity when t = 0. However in order to
calculate velocity we first need to calculate the constant of
integration.
Hence when t = 0, v = 5
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.12
Acceleration - 2
Therefore 5 = 9 x 0 – 0 + c or put another way c = 5
t2
Our equation for velocity is therefore v 9t 5
2
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.13
Acceleration - 3
22
When t = 2, v = 9 x 2 - =5 21 metres per second
2
t2
Given that distance s = v=
dt (9t 2 5)dt c
9t 2 t 3
Integrating gives 5t c
2 6
Unless information is given to the contrary it is always assumed that s
= 0 when t = 0 therefore c = 0
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.14
Acceleration - 4
9t 2 t 3
As distance s = 5t
2 6
When t = 2, we can substitute into the equaton and calculate our
distance
9 2 2 23
s= 5 2 26metres
2
3
2 6
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.15
Solids of Revolution
• As we know from our previous experience of integration
we can use this technique to calculate the area under a
curve.
• If the area under a curve is rotated about the x-axis, the
solid which results is called a solid of revolution. Any
section of this solid by a plane perpendicular to the x-
axis is a circle.
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.16
Solids of Revolution
This diagram illustrates that if we rotate the shape formed by
The area under the curve we get a solid of revolution
y
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.17
Applying the Area Under a Curve - 1
• Once this relationship is established it is possible to
calculate the volume of a range of solid objects that
would otherwise be very difficult or impossible to do.
• Example
- The area between the curve y = x2, the x-axis and the ordinates
at x = 1 and x = 3 is rotated about the x-axis.
- Calculate the volume of the solid generated.
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.18
Applying the Area Under a Curve - 2
As we are already in possession of the equation for calculating the
volume of a solid of rotation and also have our upper and lower limits
(x = 1 and x = 3) it is simply a process of integration using these
limits, thus:
3 3 3
v y dx ( x ) dx x 4 dx
2 2 2
1 1 1
We can now calculate the volume by applying the limits
3
x
5
243 1
48.4cubic units
5 1 5 5
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Introduction to Integral Calculus 3 Topic 5 - 3.19
Topic 5 - Introduction to Integral Calculus 3
Any Questions?
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