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Integrating An Absolute Value

The document summarizes the steps to integrate an absolute value function from 0 to 4. It explains that the integral is split based on where the expression inside the absolute value is positive or negative. The intervals are identified and the integral is evaluated by applying the definition of absolute value and using antiderivatives over each interval. The final solution is presented as 74/12.

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Siegfred Sicat
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284 views1 page

Integrating An Absolute Value

The document summarizes the steps to integrate an absolute value function from 0 to 4. It explains that the integral is split based on where the expression inside the absolute value is positive or negative. The intervals are identified and the integral is evaluated by applying the definition of absolute value and using antiderivatives over each interval. The final solution is presented as 74/12.

Uploaded by

Siegfred Sicat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Integrating an Absolute Value

Z 4
|x3 − 5x2 + 6x| dx
0
There is no anti-derivative for an absolute value; however, we know it’s definition.

x if x ≥ 0
|x| =
−x elsewise
Thus we can split up our integral depending on where x3 − 5x2 + 6x is non-negative.
x3 − 5x2 + 6x ≥ 0.
x(x2 − 5x + 6) ≥ 0.
x(x − 2)(x − 3) ≥ 0.
After testing the intervals (−∞, 0), (0, 2), (2, 3), and (3, ∞) we discover x3 − 5x2 + 6x ≥ 0 when x ∈
(0, 2) ∪ (3, ∞). Now we can integrate.

Z 4
|x3 − 5x2 + 6x| dx = applying the definition of absolute value
0
Z 2
x3 − 5x2 + 6x dx +
0
Z 3
−(x3 − 5x2 + 6x) dx +
2
Z 4
x3 − 5x2 + 6x dx = using anti-derivative
3
2
1 4 5 3 2

x − x + 3x +
4 3 0
3
1 5
− x4 + x3 − 3x2 +

4 3 2
4
1 4 5 3 2
8 5 37
x − x + 3x = + +
4 3 3 3 12 12
74
= .
12

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