Further Maths - Improper Integrals

Pearson Edexcel Further Mathematics 2022


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When an integral is improper

What two things mean an integral is improper?

  • One or both of its limits are infinite
  • It is undefined anywhere in $[a, b]$.

What do you call an improper integral that exists (has a defined value)?

Convergent.

What do you call an improper integral that does not exist?

Divergent.

Rewriting with a limit

\[\int^\infty _ 0 e^{-x} dx\]

What would you write instead to see if it has a defined value?

\[\lim _ {t \to \infty} \int^t _ 0 e^{-x}dx\]
\[\int^{5} _ {0} \frac{2}{(2-x)^\frac{1}{3}} \text{d}x\]

How would you write this with limits as it is an improper integral?

\[\lim _ {\alpha \to 2^{-}} \int^{\alpha} _ {0} \frac{2}{(2-x)^\frac{1}{3}} \text{d} x + \lim _ {\beta \to 2^{+}} \int^{5} _ {\beta} \frac{2}{(2-x)^\frac{1}{3}} \text{d} x\]