4.4.3 U-Substitution with Definite Integrals

U-substitution can also be used with definite integrals. The important point to note here is that the bounds of the integral change as the integrator is rewritten. In the path of transformations from integral to evaluation there are two opportunities where this can occur. The first opportunity is after u-substitution, when an integral is decorated with a u-integrator. The second is after integration, when the integrated expression is similarly decorated. In both of these cases, selecting the decorator and applying U-Substitution remaps the bounds using the right side of the u-integrator. At the same time, the decoration is removed and the expression is rewritten in terms of the variable on the left side of the decoration.

Consider ∫0, 2, 7⋅x⋅ⅇ^.{x^2} ⅆx. Following u-substitution with u=x^2, the integral is

∫0, 2, 7⋅x⋅ⅇ^u÷(2⋅x) ⅆ(u(x)→x^2).

 


After simplifying, the integral becomes

∫0, 2, 7÷2⋅ⅇ^u ⅆ(u(x)→x^2).

(1)


Here is the first opportunity to remap the bounds. With the decorator selected, apply U-Substitution to produce an integral with remapped bounds.

∫0^2, 2^2, 7/2⋅ⅇ^u ⅆu.

 


Then proceed with integration and evaluation.

The second opportunity comes one step later. Starting with the decorated integral in (1), integrate it to produce a decorated integration.

|0, 2, 7/2⋅ⅇ^u ⅆ(u(x)→x^2).

 


Select the decorator and apply U-Substitution to produce a remapped integration with no decoration.

|0^2, 2^2, 7÷2⋅ⅇ^u ⅆu.

 


As before, proceed with evaluation.

If neither of the opportunities are taken, attempting to evaluate the decorated integrated expression will result in the right side of the u-integrator being substituted into the integrand to produce an unsubstituted integration

|0, 2, 7÷2⋅ⅇ^x^2 ⅆx.