# Using reinmann sum

can we use rienmann sum to calculate the area that is enclosed between a part of a function and the Ox axes in the interval [a,b) if the function is not defined at b ?

uart
Yes. An isolated point cannot change the value of the area under a function.

For that matter neither can a large number or even a countably infinite number of isolated points change the value of an integral. (assuming of course that's there's no nasties like the Dirac Delta "function" involved).

matt grime
Homework Helper
Riemann sum. Not Reinmann. Adn to expand on Uart's post. The Riemann integral is the limit as epsilon tends to zero of the integrals [a,b-epsilon], when it exists.

can we use rienmann sum to calculate the area that is enclosed between a part of a function and the Ox axes in the interval [a,b) if the function is not defined at b ?

Yes you can, if the function is bounded on [a, b). And it is equal to the integral of the function [a,b].

For that matter neither can a large number or even a countably infinite number of isolated points change the value of an integral.

This is not true for the Reimann integral, which is why the Reimann integral is utterly worthless, in favor of Lebesgue.

For example, the function:

f(x) = {0 if x is irrational, 1 if x is rational}

has only countably many discontinuities, but it not reimann integrable

For example, the function:

f(x) = {0 if x is irrational, 1 if x is rational}

has only countably many discontinuities, but it not reimann integrable

No, I'm pretty sure that function is discontinuous everywhere.

matt grime