Improper Integrals
What are improper integrals?
- An improper integral is a definite integral where one or both of the limits is either:
- Positive or minus infinity
- A point where the function is undefined
- Consider the graph of
- It is undefined at the point x = 0
- The integral of with a limit of zero would be an improper integral
- Examples include:
How do we find the value of an improper integral?
- Use algebra to replace the limit which cannot be found with a variable
- E.g. let the undefined limit of zero be a or the infinite limit be b
- Evaluate the integral and substitute your chosen variable into the expression
- Consider what will happen to your answer as the value of your chosen variable tends towards the limit
- E.g. what happens as a gets closer to zero or as b gets closer to infinity?
- Your final answer will be the value you get if you substitute this into your answer
- E.g. as a tends to zero a2 tends to zero and so this part of your solution will be zero
- It is useful to remember as a tends to infinity then tends to 0
Examiner Tip
- Be careful if a limit of your integral is zero, always check to see if the function is defined at zero and if not treat it as an improper integral.
- Infinite limits will always be treated as improper integrals.
Worked example
Find the following improper integrals, give your answers as exact values,
a)
b)