← Back to learning objective

Evaluating a definite integral of a piecewise function using FTC Part 2

Consider the piecewise function f(x)={x20≤x≤26−x2<x≤3f(x) = \begin{cases} x^2 & 0 \le x \le 2 \\ 6-x & 2 < x \le 3 \end{cases}

Evaluate ∫03f(x) dx\int_0^3 f(x)\,dx where f(x)=x2f(x) = x^2 on [0,2][0,2] and f(x)=6−xf(x) = 6-x on (2,3](2,3].

Hint

Split the integral at x=2x=2 into two pieces, since ff has different formulas on [0,2][0,2] and (2,3](2,3]. Apply FTC Part 2 to each piece separately using the appropriate antiderivative, then add the results.

Step-by-step solution

Since ff is defined piecewise with a break at x=2x=2, split the integral as ∫03f(x) dx=∫02x2 dx+∫23(6−x) dx\int_0^3 f(x)\,dx = \int_0^2 x^2\,dx + \int_2^3 (6-x)\,dx. For the first piece, an antiderivative of x2x^2 is F(x)=x33F(x) = \frac{x^3}{3}, so ∫02x2 dx=F(2)−F(0)=83−0=83\int_0^2 x^2\,dx = F(2)-F(0) = \frac{8}{3} - 0 = \frac{8}{3}.

For the second piece, an antiderivative of 6−x6-x is G(x)=6x−x22G(x) = 6x - \frac{x^2}{2}, so ∫23(6−x) dx=G(3)−G(2)=(18−92)−(12−2)=272−10=72\int_2^3 (6-x)\,dx = G(3) - G(2) = \left(18 - \frac{9}{2}\right) - \left(12 - 2\right) = \frac{27}{2} - 10 = \frac{7}{2}. Adding both pieces gives 83+72=166+216=376\frac{8}{3} + \frac{7}{2} = \frac{16}{6} + \frac{21}{6} = \frac{37}{6}.

Related problems

Practice similar Calculus problems interactively.

Start Closing the Gap