Applying Properties of Definite Integrals

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AP Calculus BC › Applying Properties of Definite Integrals

Questions 1 - 10
1

Given $\int_{1}^{4} f(x),dx=7$ and $\int_{1}^{2} f(x),dx=3$, what is $\int_{2}^{4} f(x),dx$?

$10$

$4$

$-4$

$7$

$-10$

Explanation

This problem tests the properties of definite integrals, specifically the additivity over adjacent intervals. The $\int_{1}^{4} f(x) , dx$ equals the $\int_{1}^{2} f(x) , dx$ plus the $\int_{2}^{4} f(x) , dx$. Given the total from 1 to 4 is 7 and from 1 to 2 is 3, subtract to find from 2 to 4: $7 - 3 = 4$. Therefore, the value is 4. A tempting distractor is 10, which might result from adding the given integrals instead of subtracting. Remember this transferable checklist for definite integral properties: verify interval additivity, apply linearity for constants and sums, reverse limits with a negative sign, and consider even or odd function symmetries when applicable.

2

If $\int_{-2}^{2} f(x),dx=6$ and $f$ is even, what is $\int_{0}^{2} f(x),dx$?

$0$

$12$

$-3$

$6$

$3$

Explanation

This problem tests the properties of definite integrals, specifically the symmetry for even functions. For an even function f, the integral from -a to a is twice the integral from 0 to a. Given the integral from -2 to 2 is 6, divide by 2 to find from 0 to 2: 6 / 2 = 3. Thus, the value is 3. A tempting distractor is 6, which might come from mistakenly thinking the full integral applies directly without symmetry adjustment. Remember this transferable checklist for definite integral properties: verify interval additivity, apply linearity for constants and sums, reverse limits with a negative sign, and consider even or odd function symmetries when applicable.

3

Let $p$ be odd and $\int_{0}^{5} p(x),dx=8$. Find $\int_{-5}^{5} p(x),dx$.

$-8$

$0$

$16$

$-16$

$8$

Explanation

This problem involves the property of odd functions in definite integrals. For an odd function where $p(-x) = -p(x)$, the integral over a symmetric interval $[-a,a]$ equals zero: $\int_{-a}^{a} p(x),dx = 0$. We can verify this by splitting: $\int_{-5}^{5} p(x),dx = \int_{-5}^{0} p(x),dx + \int_{0}^{5} p(x),dx$. For odd functions, $\int_{-5}^{0} p(x),dx = -\int_{0}^{5} p(x),dx = -8$. Therefore: $-8 + 8 = 0$. Students often mistakenly double the given integral, getting 16, without recognizing the odd function property. Key properties checklist: odd functions integrate to zero over symmetric intervals, even functions double the positive half.

4

Given $\int_{-2}^{5} f(x),dx=7$ and $\int_{-2}^{1} f(x),dx=-3$, find $\int_{1}^{5} f(x),dx$.

$10$

$4$

$-1$

$-10$

$-4$

Explanation

This problem tests your understanding of the additive property of definite integrals. We know that $\int_{-2}^{5} f(x),dx = \int_{-2}^{1} f(x),dx + \int_{1}^{5} f(x),dx$ when we split the interval at $x=1$. Substituting the given values: $7 = -3 + \int_{1}^{5} f(x),dx$, which gives us $\int_{1}^{5} f(x),dx = 10$. A common error would be to subtract the integrals directly without considering the interval relationship, yielding $7-(-3)=10$ by coincidence but with flawed reasoning. When applying definite integral properties, always check: interval additivity, constant factor rules, and sign changes when reversing limits.

5

Given $\int_{-4}^{4} h(x),dx=6$ and $h$ is even, find $\int_{0}^{4} h(x),dx$.

$3$

$-6$

$6$

$0$

$12$

Explanation

This problem tests your knowledge of even function properties in definite integrals. For an even function where $h(-x) = h(x)$, we have the property $\int_{-a}^{a} h(x),dx = 2\int_{0}^{a} h(x),dx$. Given $\int_{-4}^{4} h(x),dx = 6$, we can write $6 = 2\int_{0}^{4} h(x),dx$. Solving for the desired integral: $\int_{0}^{4} h(x),dx = 3$. A common mistake is thinking that half the interval gives half the integral value, yielding 3 by coincidence but missing the even function property. When working with symmetric integrals, always identify: even functions double the half-interval integral, odd functions give zero over symmetric intervals.

6

Given $\int_{2}^{6} f(x),dx=-9$, evaluate $\int_{2}^{6} \big(-f(x)\big),dx$.

$18$

$-9$

$0$

$9$

$-18$

Explanation

This problem tests the constant multiple property of definite integrals. The integral of $-f(x)$ equals the negative of the integral of $f(x)$: $\int_{2}^{6} \big(-f(x)\big),dx = -\int_{2}^{6} f(x),dx$. Given $\int_{2}^{6} f(x),dx = -9$, we have: $\int_{2}^{6} \big(-f(x)\big),dx = -(-9) = 9$. A tempting mistake is to think that negating the function makes the integral more negative, yielding $-18$, but the negative sign actually reverses the sign of the integral. Property checklist: constants factor out of integrals, negative signs flip the integral's sign, and this applies regardless of the original integral's sign.

7

If $\int_{1}^{6} p(x),dx=11$ and $\int_{1}^{6} q(x),dx=-4$, what is $\int_{1}^{6} \big(3p(x)-2q(x)\big),dx$?

$-41$

$25$

$41$

$19$

$-25$

Explanation

This problem tests the linearity property of definite integrals, specifically how integrals distribute over linear combinations. We can split the integral: $\int_{1}^{6} (3p(x)-2q(x)),dx = \int_{1}^{6} 3p(x),dx - \int_{1}^{6} 2q(x),dx$. Factoring out constants: $= 3\int_{1}^{6} p(x),dx - 2\int_{1}^{6} q(x),dx = 3(11) - 2(-4) = 33 + 8 = 41$. A common mistake is to forget the negative sign when subtracting a negative, getting $33 - 8 = 25$ (choice A). Remember the linearity checklist: distribute integrals over sums/differences, factor out constants, and carefully track all signs.

8

If $\int_{0}^{4} g(x),dx=9$, what is $\int_{4}^{0} \big(2g(x)\big),dx$?

$9$

$-18$

$18$

$-9$

$0$

Explanation

This problem requires applying two key properties of definite integrals: the constant multiple rule and the reversal of limits rule. First, we can factor out constants: $\int_{4}^{0} 2g(x),dx = 2\int_{4}^{0} g(x),dx$. Next, reversing the limits of integration changes the sign: $\int_{4}^{0} g(x),dx = -\int_{0}^{4} g(x),dx = -9$. Therefore, $2 \times(-9) = -18$. A tempting error is to forget the sign change when reversing limits and get $2 \times 9 = 18$ (choice A). Always check: constant factors come out unchanged, but flipping limits introduces a negative sign.

9

If $\int_{0}^{3} w(x),dx=2$ and $\int_{0}^{3} x,dx=\tfrac{9}{2}$, what is $\int_{0}^{3} \big(w(x)+2x\big),dx$?

$20$

$\tfrac{11}{2}$

$-11$

$\tfrac{13}{2}$

$11$

Explanation

This problem demonstrates the linearity property when integrating a sum of functions. We can split the integral: $\int_{0}^{3} (w(x)+2x),dx = \int_{0}^{3} w(x),dx + \int_{0}^{3} 2x,dx$. The first integral is given as 2, and the second equals $2 \times \int_{0}^{3} x,dx = 2 \times \frac{9}{2} = 9$. Therefore, the sum is $2 + 9 = 11$. A common error is to forget to multiply by 2, getting $2 + \frac{9}{2} = \frac{13}{2}$ (choice B). Remember the linearity properties: split sums into separate integrals, factor out constants before using given values.

10

Given $\int_{-2}^{5} f(x),dx=7$ and $\int_{-2}^{1} f(x),dx=-3$, what is $\int_{1}^{5} f(x),dx$?

$-4$

$-10$

$1$

$10$

$4$

Explanation

This problem tests your understanding of the additive property of definite integrals. We know that $\int_{-2}^{5} f(x),dx = \int_{-2}^{1} f(x),dx + \int_{1}^{5} f(x),dx$ because we can split an integral at any intermediate point. Substituting the given values: $7 = -3 + \int_{1}^{5} f(x),dx$. Solving for the unknown integral: $\int_{1}^{5} f(x),dx = 7 - (-3) = 10$. A common error would be to subtract instead of add, getting $7 - 3 = 4$ (choice A), which ignores that we're adding a negative value. Remember: when splitting integrals, the sum of the parts equals the whole, and pay attention to signs.

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