Using the Integral Mean Value Theorem

Use the integral mean value theorem to estimate or relate integrals to function values.

Example

Example: Estimate ∫01e−x2dx\int_0^1 e^{-x^2} dx
Because e−x2e^{-x^2} is continuous and decreasing, there exists ξ∈[0,1]\xi\in[0,1] such that the integral equals e−ξ2(1−0)e^{-\xi^2}(1-0). Hence e−1≤∫01e−x2dx≤1e^{-1}\le \int_0^1 e^{-x^2} dx \le 1.


Exercises

Exercise 1

Use the integral mean value theorem to estimate ∫02cos⁡x dx\int_0^2 \cos x \, dx.

integral mean value theoremdefinite integral

Approach: Since cos⁡x\cos x is continuous on [0,2][0,2], the integral mean value theorem guarantees some ξ∈[0,2]\xi\in[0,2] with ∫02cos⁡x dx=cos⁡ξ⋅(2−0)\int_0^2 \cos x \, dx = \cos \xi \cdot (2-0). Pin down cos⁡ξ\cos \xi by evaluating the integral exactly and dividing by the length of the interval.

Steps:

  1. Apply the theorem: ∫02cos⁡x dx=cos⁡ξ⋅2\int_0^2 \cos x \, dx = \cos \xi \cdot 2 for some ξ∈[0,2]\xi\in[0,2].
  2. Evaluate the true value: [sin⁡x]02=sin⁡2≈0.909[\sin x]_0^2 = \sin 2 \approx 0.909.
  3. Divide by the interval length: cos⁡ξ=sin⁡22≈0.4546\cos\xi = \tfrac{\sin 2}{2} \approx 0.4546.

Answer: There exists ξ∈[0,2]\xi\in[0,2] with cos⁡ξ≈0.4546\cos\xi \approx 0.4546; the integral is approximately 0.9090.909.


Summary

Symbols Used in This Article

SymbolTypePronunciation/ExplanationMeaning in This Article
ξ\xiGreek letterXi(ksee)The point where the mean value is attained
∫\intmathematical symbolintegralDefinite integral sign
e−x2e^{-x^2}mathematical symbole to the minus x squaredThe continuous decreasing integrand that is estimated
e−ξ2e^{-\xi^2}mathematical symbole to the minus xi squaredThe integrand evaluated at the mean-value point
e−1e^{-1}mathematical symbole to the minus oneThe lower bound of the estimated integral
11constantoneThe upper bound of the estimated integral
cos⁡x\cos xmathematical symbolcosine of xThe integrand of the exercise, evaluated exactly to pin down ξ\xi
[0,1][0, 1]intervalclosed intervalThe interval over which the example integral is estimated
[0,2][0, 2]intervalclosed intervalThe interval over which the exercise mean value is sought
b−ab-amathematical symbolb minus aThe length of the interval, multiplying the attained mean value
dxdxmathematical symboldifferential of xThe differential element of the integration variable xx

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