Calculus II For Dummies
Book image
Explore Book Buy On Amazon

Double integrals are usually definite integrals, so evaluating them results in a real number. Evaluating double integrals is similar to evaluating nested functions: You work from the inside out.

You can solve double integrals in two steps: First evaluate the inner integral, and then plug this solution into the outer integral and solve that. For example, suppose you want to integrate the following double integral:

image0.png

To start out, place the inner integral in parentheses so you can better see what you’re working with:

image1.png

Now focus on what’s inside the parentheses. For the moment, you can ignore the rest. Your integration variable is y, so treat the variable x as if it were a constant, moving it outside the integral:

image2.png

Notice that the limits of integration in this integral are functions of x. So the result of this definite integral will also be a function of x:

image3.png

Now plug this expression into the outer integral. In other words, substitute it for what’s inside the parentheses:

image4.png

Evaluate this integral as usual:

image5.png

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Mark Zegarelli, a math tutor and writer with 25 years of professional experience, delights in making technical information crystal clear — and fun — for average readers. He is the author of Logic For Dummies and Basic Math & Pre-Algebra For Dummies.

This article can be found in the category: