An Analytical evaluation of a defined integral

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the evaluation of the defined integral \(\int_{0}^{1} x^2 \, dx\) using Riemann sums. The partition \(P_n\) divides the interval [0,1] into \(n\) equal sub-intervals, leading to the upper sum \(U(P_n)\) and lower sum \(L(P_n)\) both converging to \(\frac{1}{3}\) as \(n\) approaches infinity. The expressions for \(U(P_n)\) and \(L(P_n)\) are derived using the formula for the sum of squares, \(\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}\). The conclusion is that the integral exists and its value is confirmed to be \(\frac{1}{3}\).

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Hummingbird25
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Hi All,

I have been given this example and am trying to explain.

\int_{0}^{1} {x^2} dx

Solve this integral with respect to the definition of the defined integral.


Homework Statement


(1)

Let P_{n} be the partion of the interval [0,1] into n equally sized sub-partions.

Thus must mean that ?

The Attempt at a Solution



Then P_n = \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty } (\sum_{i=1}^{n} f(i/n)) \cdot 1/n


since \triangle x = \frac{1-0}{n} = \frac{1}{n}

Homework Statement


2) Write the expression of the uppersum U(P_n)

The Attempt at a Solution


U(P_n) = [\mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to +\infty } \frac{1}{n} \cdot (\sum_{i=1}^{n} (\frac{i}{n})^2] = [\mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to +\infty } \frac{1}{n} \cdot [\frac{1}{n})^2 + (\frac{2}{n})^2 + \cdots + (\frac{n}{n})^2] = \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to +\infty } (\frac{1}{n^3} \cdot (1^2 + \cdots + n^2))

Then simplify the expressing using 1^2 + \cdots + n^2 = \frac{n \cdot (n+\frac{1}{2})\cdot(n+1)}{3}

By insterting this into the final express for U(P_n) I get U(P_n) = \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to +\infty } (\frac{1}{n^3} \cdot (\frac{n \cdot (n+\frac{1}{2})\cdot(n+1)}{3}) = \frac{1}{3}. That must be the idear about simplifying the expression ;)

Homework Statement


3) Write the Lower sum U(P_n) and simply the expression using 1^2 + \cdots + n^2 = \frac{n \cdot (n+\frac{1}{2})\cdot(n+1)}{3}

Isn't that simply

The Attempt at a Solution



U(P_n) = [\mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to -\infty } \frac{1}{n} \cdot (\sum_{i=1}^{n} (\frac{i}{n})^2] = \cdots = \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to -\infty } (\frac{1}{n^3} \cdot (\frac{n \cdot (n+\frac{1}{2})\cdot(n+1)}{3}) = \frac{1}{3}

?

Homework Statement


4)

Find the limit \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty} U(\mathcal{P}_n) and \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty} L(\mathcal{P}_n)

The Attempt at a Solution


Since n tends to infinity in both the Lower and Upper Limit then \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty} U(\mathcal{P}_n) = \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty} L(\mathcal{P}_n)= \frac{1}{3} ??

Finally show that the original integeral exists and write its value.

Assuming from the above that sup(L(\mathcal{P}_n) \leq imf(U(\mathcal{P}_n) the the orginal integral

\int_{0}^{1} {x^2} dx exists and more over the function x^2 is said to be Riemann integral over the interval [0,1]

and its value being written as \int_{0}^{1} {x^2} dx = sup(L(\mathcal{P}_n)) = imf(U(\mathcal{P}_n)) = \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1}{3}

q.e.d.

Yours truely
Hummingbird
 
Last edited:
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You seem to have exactly the same expressions for Lower sum and Upper sum and that is not right. What exactly is the difference between the Lower sum and Upper sum here?

For example, suppose you divide the interval from 0 to 1 into only 2 equal intervals. That is, your partition points are 0, 1/2, and 1. What are L(P2) and U(P[sub2[/sub])?
 
Changed the result please look again!

First looking at the integral

\int_{0}^{1} x^2 dx

1) Let \mathcal{P}_n be the partion of the interval [0,1] into n-partions of equal size.

That means \mathcal{P}_n: \{0,1/n, 2/n,\ldots, (n-1)/n,1] which can the partioned into the sub-intervals

[(i-1)/n, i/n], where i = 1,2, \ldots, n

The Definition of the upper and lower sum says:

sup_{(x_{i-1},x_i)} f = M_i and imf_{x_{i-1},x_i} f = m_i

\mathcal{U}(f,\mathcal{P}_n}) = \sum_{i=1}^{n} M_i (x_{i} -x_{i-1})

\mathcal{L}(f,\mathcal{P}_n}) = \sum_{i=1}^{n} m_i (x_{i} -x_{i-1})

That leads me to question 2)

Write the \mathcal{U}(f,\mathcal{P}_n}) and simplify it using

(1^2 + 2^2 + \ldots + n^2) = \frac{n(n+1/2)\cdot(n+1)}{3}

First the upper sum \mathcal{U}(f,\mathcal{P}_n}) = \frac{1}{n} \cdot \sum_{i=1}^{n} (\frac{i}{n})^2 = \frac{1}{n^3} \cdot (1^2 + 2^2 + \ldots + n^2) = \frac{1}{2n} \ + \ \frac{1}{6n^2} \ + \ \frac{1}{3} and the later being a more simplified version as required.

3) Write the Expression of the lower sum and simplify it like in the above.

\mathcal{L}(f,\mathcal{P}_n}) = \frac{1}{n} \cdot \sum_{i=1}^{n} (\frac{i-1}{n})^2 = \ldots = \frac{-1}{2n} \ + \ \frac{1}{6n^2} \ + \ \frac{1}{3}

4)

Find the limits \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty} \mathcal{L}(f,\mathcal{P}_n}) and \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty} \mathcal{U}(f,\mathcal{P}_n})

By this
\mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty} \mathcal{L}(f,\mathcal{P}_n}) = \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty} \frac{-1}{2n} \ + \ \frac{1}{6n^2} \ + \ \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1}{3}

and

\mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty} \mathcal{U}(f,\mathcal{P}_n}) = \mathop {\lim }\limits_{n \to \infty} \frac{1}{2n} \ + \ \frac{1}{6n^2} \ + \ \frac{1}{3} = \frac{1}{3}

Finally show that the integral exists and write its value!

Since the limits exists and that and that as shown above \mathcal{L}(f,\mathcal{P}_n}) \leq \mathcal{U}(f,\mathcal{P}_n}) the integral is said to be Riemann integrabel and exists.

The value of the integral is 1/3.

Have I covered what needs to be covered now Hall? Thanks in advanced.

Sincerely yOurs
Hummingbird...
 
Last edited:

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