1.

introduction

In calculus an elementary physics, you have seen a number of uses for integration such as
finding area, volume, mass, moment of inertia, and so on. In this chapther we want to consider
this and other applications of both single and multiple integrals. We shall discuss both how to set
up integrals to represent physical quantities and methods of evaluating them. In later chapters we
will need to use both single and multiple integrals. Let us first discuss briefly the meaning and
evaluation of multiple integrals.

2. double and triple integrals

𝑏 𝑏
Recall from calculus that ∫𝑎 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 gives the area ”under the curve” in
Figure 2.1. recall also the definition of the integral as the limit of a sum: We approximate the
area by a sum of the ares of the rectangles as in Figure 2.1; a representative rectangle (shaded)
has width ∆𝑥. The geometry indicates that if we increase the number of rectangles and let all the
widths ∆𝑟 → 0, the sum of the areas of the rectangles will tend to the area under the curve. We
𝑏
define ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 as the limit of the sum of the areas of the rectangles, then we evaluate the
𝑏
integral as an antiderivative., and use ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 to calculate the area under the curve.

We are going to do something very similar in order to find the volume of the cylinder in
Figure 2.2 under the surface z = f(x,y). we cut the (x, y) plane into little rectangles of area ∆𝐴 =
(∆𝑥)( ∆𝑦) as shown in Figure 2.2; above each ∆𝑥 ∆𝑦 is a tall slender box reaching up to the
surface. We vam approximate the desired volume by a suum of these boxes just as we
approximated the area in Figure 2.1 by a sum of rectangles. As the number boxes increases and
all ∆𝑥 and ∆𝑦 → 0, the geometry indicates that the sum of the volumes if the boxes will tend to
the desired volume. We define the double integral of f(x,y) over the area A in the (x, y) plane
(Figure 2.2) as the limit of this sum, and we write it as ∬𝐴 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦. Before we can use the
double integral to compute volumes, however, we have to see how to evaluate double integrals
(just as we had to learn how to evaluate single integrals).

Iterated Integrals We now show by some examples how to evaluate double integrals.

Example 1, find the volume of the solid (Fifure 2.3) below the plane z = 1 + y, bounded by the
coordinate planes and the vertical plane 2x + y = 2. From our discussion above, this is
∬𝐴 𝑧 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = ∬𝐴 (1 + 𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦, where A is the shaded triangle In the (x, y) plane [A is shown
also Figure 2.4 (a and b)]. We are going to consider two ways of evaluating this double integral.
We think of the triangle, A cut up into little rectangles ∆𝐴 = ∆𝑥 ∆𝑦 (Figure 2.4) and the whole
solid cut into vertical columns of height z and base ∆𝐴 (Figure 2.3). we want the (limit of the)
sum of the volumes of these columns. First add up the columns (Figure 2.4a) for a fixed value of
x producing respect to y (holding x constant, Figure 2.4a) from y = 0 to y on the line 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 2,
that is, y = 2 − 2𝑥 ; we find
 2−2𝑥 2−2𝑥 𝑦2
(2.1) ∫𝑦=0 𝑧 𝑑𝑦 = ∫𝑦=0 (1 + 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 = (𝑦 + ) ⎹2−2𝑥
0
2

(2 − 2𝑥)2
= (2 − 2𝑥) + = 4 − 6𝑥 + 2𝑥 2
2
what we have found is the area of the slab Figure 2.3; its volume is the area time ∆𝑟). Now we
add up the volumes of the slabs; this corresponds to integrating (2.10 with respect to x from x =
0 to x = 1:
1 5
(2.2) ∫𝑥=0(4 − 6𝑥 + 2𝑥 2 ) 𝑑𝑥 = 3

We could summarize (2.1) and (2.2) by writing

1 2−2𝑥 1 2−2𝑥 1 2−2𝑥
(2.3) ∫𝑥=0( ∫𝑦=0 (1 + 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 or ∫𝑥=0 ∫𝑦=0 (1 + 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 or ∫𝑥=0 𝑑𝑥 ∫𝑦=0 𝑑𝑦(1 + 𝑦)

We call (2.3) an iterated (repeated) integral. Multiple integrals are usually evaluated by using
iterated integrals. Not that the large parentheses in (2.3) are not really necessary if we are always
1
sareful to state the variable in giving the limits on an integral; that is, always write ∫𝑥=0 , not
1
just ∫0 .

Now we could also add up to the volumes z(∆𝐴) by first integrating with respect to x (for fixed
y, Figure 2.4b) from x = 0 to x = 1 − 𝑦/2 giving the volume of a slab perpendicular to the y axis
in the Figure 2.3, and then add up the volumes of the slab by integrating with repect to y from
y = 0 to y = 2 (Figure 2.4b). we write
𝑦
2 1−
𝑑𝑥) 𝑑𝑦 = ∫𝑦=0( 1 + 𝑦)𝑥⎹𝑥=02 𝑑𝑦
2 1−𝑦/2
(2.4) ∫𝑦=0( ∫𝑥=0 (1 + 𝑦) 𝑦
= ∫𝑦=0 (1 + 𝑦) (1 − 2 ) 𝑑𝑦
2

=
2 𝑦 5
=∫𝑦=0( 1 + 2 − 𝑦 2 /2) 𝑑𝑦 = 3

As the geometr would indicate, the result in 2.2 and 2.4 are the same; we have two methods of
evaluating the double integral by using iterared integrals.

Often one of these two methods is more convenient than the other; we choose whichever
method is easier. To see how to decide, study the following sketches os areas A over which we
want to find ∬ 𝐴 f(x,y) dx dy. in each case we think of combining little rectangles dx dy to form
strips (as shown) and then combining the strips to cover the whole area.
 Areas shown in Figure 2.5: integrate with respect to y first. Note that the top and bottom
of area A are curves whose equations we know; the boundaries at x = a and x = b are either
vertical straight lines or else points

We find

𝑏 𝑦2(𝑥)
(2.5) ∬ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = ∫𝑥=𝑎( ∫𝑦=𝑦1(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦)𝑑𝑥.

Areas shown in Figure 2.6: integrate with respect to x first. Note theat the sides of area A are
curves whose equations we know: the boundaries at y = c and y = d areceither horizontal
straight lines or else points.

We find

𝑑 𝑥2(𝑦)
(2.6) ∬ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = ∫𝑦=𝑐( ∫𝑥=𝑥1(𝑦) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝑥)𝑑𝑦.

Areas shown in figure 2.7: integrate in either order. Note that these areas all satisfy the
requirements for both 2.5 and 2.6

We find

𝑏 𝑦2(𝑥)
(2.7) ∬ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = ∫𝑥=𝑎 ∫𝑦=𝑦1(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥.

𝑑 𝑥2(𝑦)
=∫𝑦=𝑐 ∫𝑥=𝑥1(𝑦) 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦.

An important special case is a double integral over a rectangle (both x and y limitsare constant)
when 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is a product, 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ(𝑦). Then

𝑏 4
(2.8) ∬ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = ∫𝑥=𝑎 ∫𝑦=𝑐 𝑔(𝑥)ℎ(𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥.

𝑏 4
= (∫𝑎 𝑔(𝑥)𝑑𝑥) (∫𝑐 ℎ(𝑦)𝑑𝑦)

When areas are more complicatetd than those shown, we may break them into two or more
simpler areas (problem 9 and 10).

We have considered a double integral as a volume just as we often think of single definite
integral as an areas. However, we also use single integrals for other purposes than finding areas.
Similarly, now that we know how to evaluate a double integral, we can use it to find other
questions beside volume.
Example 2. Find thhe mass of a rectangular plate bounded by x = 0, x = 2, y = 0, y = 1, if its
density (mass per unit area) is f(x, y) = xy. the mass of tiny rectangle ∆A = ∆𝑥 ∆𝑦 is
approximately f(x, y) ∆𝑥 ∆𝑦, where f(x, y) is evaluated at some point in ∆A. we want to add up
the masses of all the ∆A’s; this is what we find by evaluating the double integral of dM = xy dx
dy. We call dM an element of mass and think of adding up all dM’s to get M.
2 1
(2.9) 𝑀 = ∬ 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = ∫𝑥=0 ∫𝑦=0 𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦

2 1 1
= (∫0 𝑥 𝑑𝑥) (∫0 𝑦 𝑑𝑦) = 2 . 2 = 1

A triple integral of f(x, y, z) over a volume V, written ∭ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧, is also
defined as the limit of the sum and is evaluated by an iterated integral. If the is over a box, that
is, all limits all constant, than we can do the x, y, z integrations in any order. Id the volume is
complicated, then we have to consider the geometry as we did to decide on the best order and
find the limits. This process cant best be learned from examples (below and section 30 and
practice (see problems)

Examples 3. Find the volume of the solit in figure 2.3 by using a triple integral. Here we
imagine the whole solid cut into tiny boxes of volume ∆𝑟 ∆𝑦 ∆𝑧; an elementof volume is dx dy
dz. We first add up the volumes of the tiny boxes to get the volume of a column; this means
integrating with respect to z from 0 to 1 + y with x and y constant. Then we add up the columns
to get a slab and the slabs to get the whole volume just as we did in Example 1. Thus;

(2.10) V = ∭ 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧

1 2−2𝑥 1+𝑦 1 2−2𝑥 1+𝑦

= ∫𝑥=0 ∫𝑦=0 (∫𝑧=0 𝑑𝑧) 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧 or ∫𝑥=0 ∫𝑦=0 ∫𝑧=0 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥

1 2−2𝑥 5
=∫𝑥=0 ∫𝑦=0 (1 + 𝑦) 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 3,

As in2.1 and 2.2. or, we could have used 2.4

Examples 4. find the mass of the solid in figure 2.3 if the density (mass per unit volume) is x +
z. an element of mass is dM = (x + z) dx dy dz. We add up elements of mass just as we add up
elements of volume; that is, the limits are the same as in Example 3.

1 2−2𝑥 1+𝑦
(2.11) M = ∫𝑥=0 ∫𝑦=0 ∫𝑧=0 (𝑥 + 𝑧) 𝑑𝑧 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥

1 2−2𝑥 𝑧2 1+𝑦
= ∫𝑥=0 ∫𝑦=0 (𝑥𝑧 + ) ⎹𝑧=0 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
2

1 2−2𝑥
=∫𝑥=0 ∫𝑦=0 [𝑥(1 + 𝑦) + (1 + 𝑦)2 /2] 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
 1 𝑥(1+𝑦)2
=∫𝑥=0 [ + (1 + 𝑦)3 /6] ⎹2−2𝑥
𝑦=0 𝑑𝑥
2

1 𝑥 1
=∫0 {2 [(3 − 2𝑥)2 − 1] + 6 [(3 − 2𝑥)3 − 1]} 𝑑𝑥

1 1
=3 ∫0 (13 − 15𝑥 + 2𝑥 3 )𝑑𝑥 = 2