Monday, November 17, 2008

Geometric interpretation of definite integral

the definite integral represents the algebraic sum of the areas of the figures bounded by

the graph of the function y = f(x)
the x axis
the straight line x =a and x = b.

if the curve goes above and below the x axis in the interval a to b, the areas of above the x axis enter this sum with a plus sign, while those below the x axis enter it with a minus sign.

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