Basic definite integral question

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the average value of a function \( h(x) \) over the interval from 0 to 8 using definite integrals. The user initially attempted to sum the integrals of \( f(\Theta) \) over two segments, leading to an incorrect average value calculation. The correct approach involves using the formula for the average value of a function, which incorporates the integrals of both \( f(x) \) and \( g(x) \) as shown in the provided equations. The final expression for the average value of \( h(x) \) is derived as \( \langle h \rangle = \frac{1}{8}\left[2\int_0^8 f(x) \, dx - \int_0^{10} g(x) \, dx + \int_8^{10} g(x) \, dx\right].

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of definite integrals and their properties
  • Familiarity with the average value of a function formula
  • Knowledge of integration techniques for piecewise functions
  • Basic algebra for manipulating integral expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of definite integrals in calculus
  • Learn about the average value of a function and its applications
  • Explore integration techniques for composite functions
  • Practice problems involving piecewise functions and their integrals
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, educators teaching integral calculus, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of definite integrals and average value calculations.

TheFallen018
Messages
52
Reaction score
0
Hey, I've got this problem I've been doing, but I'm not sure if my approach is right. My textbook has pretty much less than a paragraph on this sort of stuff.

View attachment 8444

My thinking was that since an integral is a sum, in order to get the range from 0 to 8, we should just be able to add or subtract the definite integrals as required. eg. $\int_{0}^{5}f(\Theta )d\Theta + \int_{5}^{8}f(\Theta)d\Theta = \int_{0}^{8}f(\Theta)d\Theta = 3+8=11$

So, following this line of thinking, I found $\int_{0}^{8}h(x)dx$ to be $2*11-5=17$. Then, by dividing by 8, we should get the average value of $h(x)$ to be ($\frac{17}{8}$).

It feels like I'm missing something though. Does this look right? Thanks
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_27.png
    Screenshot_27.png
    8.2 KB · Views: 137
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, you would need to do this:
\begin{align*}
\langle h\rangle&=\frac18\int_0^8h(x)\,dx \\
&=\frac18\int_0^8(2f(x)-g(x))\,dx \\
&=\frac18\left[2\int_0^8f(x)\,dx-\int_0^8g(x)\,dx\right] \\
&=\frac18\left[2\left(\int_0^5f(x)\,dx+\int_5^8f(x)\,dx\right)-\left(\int_0^{10}g(x)\,dx-\int_8^{10}g(x)\,dx\right)\right].
\end{align*}
Then you can plug in what you know. Note: the $\langle h\rangle$ notation means "the average value of $h$."
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K