How should we think of the integral `int_a^b f(x) dx` geometrically? It is basically "area under the curve,"
but there are some caveats... Some authors call the integral signed area.
In the applet above you can move the blue points on the `x`-axis, and you can even click
and drag the function graph around. You can type in your own function in the input
box below the applet. Remember, you can Shift + Click and Drag the applet background
to move it around.
Explore
- The first and most important thing to do with this applet is play.
Take a few minutes and try to get a rough sense of how the integral relates to the shaded area,
and how these are affected by the position of `a` and `b`.
- Reset the applet, and consider its initial settings.
The shaded area represents the integral of `-0.05x^2 + 2` from `1` to `2`.
Confirm that the shaded area is just under `2`.
- As `b` is increased from `2` to `6`, the function `f` decreases.
Will the integral from `1` to `b` increase or decrease? Make your guess first,
then try the applet. Write a sentence or two explaining why the
integral behaves the way it does.
- What "strange" thing happens to the integral when `a = 9` and `b = 10`?
Write a rule for how the integral behaves in this situation.
- Find values for `a` and `b` where `a < b` but the integral of `f(x)` from
`a` to `b` is zero. Explain what is happening.
- Find new values for `a` and `b` so that the integral is not zero.
Now what happens if you switch the order of `a` and `b`?
- Let `f(x) = 2`, make `a = 0` and make `b = 1`.
- If `b` increases at a steady rate, does the integral increase at a steady rate?
- Confirm that if `b` decreases and `b` is positive, then the integral decreases.
Does this continue to be true even if `b` is negative? Explain why
the results you see occur.
Let `f(x) = .5 x`, make `a = 0` and make `b = 1`.
- If `b` increases at a steady rate, the integral does not increase at a steady rate.
Descibe what happens, and explain why it happens.
- Confirm that if `b` decreases and `b` is positive, then the integral decreases.
Does this continue to be true even if `b` is negative?
Descibe what happens, and explain why it happens.