Saturday, September 5, 2009

`int_-1^2 2^x dx` Evaluate the definite integral

 Recall the First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus:


 If f is continuous on closed interval [a,b], we follow:


  `int_a^bf(x)dx` = F(b) - F(a)


 where F is the anti-derivative of f on [a,b].



This shows that we need to solve first the indefinite integral F(x) to be able to apply the difference of values F based on the given boundary limit of a and b.


 The resulting value will be the definite integral.



For the given problem `int_(-1)^(2)2^xdx` , the integrand function`f(x) = 2^x`


 which is in a form of a exponential function.


The basic integration formula for exponential function follows:


`int a^u du = a^u/(ln(a))`  


By comparison: `a^u` vs `2^x` , we may let:


`a=2` , `u=x` and then` du= dx`


Then applying the formula, we get:


`int 2^x dx = 2^x/(ln(2))`


indefinite integral function` F(x) = 2^x/(ln(2))`


Applying the formula:` int_a^(b) f(x) dx = F(b)-F(a)` :


Based on the given problem: `int_(-1)^(2)2^x dx` , the boundary  limits are:


lower limit:`a= -1` and upper limit:`b = 2`


Plug-in the boundary limits in ` F(x) =2^x/(ln(2)) ` one at a time, we get: 


`F(a) = F(-1)= (2^(-1))/ln(2)`


 `F(a) F(-1)=1/(2ln(2))`


`F(b) =F(2)= 2^2/(ln(2))`


`F(b)=4/(ln(2))`



Solving for the definite integral:


`F(b)-F(a) = F(2) - F(-1)`


              `= 4 /(ln(2)) - 1/(2ln(2))`


             ` = 4 *1/(ln(2)) -(1/2)*1/(ln(2))`


             ` = (4 - 1/2) *1/(ln(2))`


              `= 7/2*1/(ln(2))`


              or  `7/(2ln(2)) `   as the Final Answer.

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