Multivariable Calculus. V.

Double Integrals over More General Regions

Regular Regions
Definition (Regular Regions). A region R in the xy plane is a regular x region if there exist
functions f ( x) and g ( x) and numbers a and b such that

R ( x, y ) : g ( x) y f ( x), a x b .
A region R is a regular y region if there exist functions h( y ) and k ( y ) and numbers c and d
such that
R ( x, y ) : h( y ) x k ( y ), c y d .

Example 1 (Describing Regular Regions). The region R is bounded by the graphs of x y 2 9

and x 3 y 9 . Describe R as a regular x region, a regular y region, both, or neither. Represent R
in set notation and with double inequalities.
Solution. Region R can be covered by vertical line segments that go from the graph of
x 3 y 9 to the graph of x y 2 9 . Thus, R is a regular x region. In order to describe R with
inequalities, we must solve each equation for y in terms of x:
1
y 3 x and y 9 x (We use the positive square root,
3
since the graph is in the first quadrant).
So,
1

R ( x, y ) : 3 x y 9 x , 0 x 9 .
3

Since region R also can be covered by horizontal line segments that go from the graph of
x 3 y 9 to the graph of x y 2 9 , it is a regular y region. Now we must solve each equation
for x in terms of y:
x 9 3 y and x 9 y 2 .
Therefore,
R ( x, y ) : 9 3 y x 9 y 2 , 0 y 3 .

Double Integrals over Regular Regions

Now we extend the definition of double integration to include regular x regions and regular y
regions. The order of integration now depends on the nature of the region R. If R is a regular x
region, we integrate with respect to y first, while if R is a regular y region, we integrate with
respect to x first.
Note that the variable limits of integration (when present) are always on the inner
integral, and the constant limits of integration are always on the outer integral.

Definition (Double Integration over Regular Regions).

Regular x Region:
If R ( x, y ) : g ( x) y f ( x), a x b , then
f ( x)

F
(
x
,
y
)
dA

F
(
x
,
y
)
dy

dx .
R
a g ( x )

Regular y Region:
If R ( x, y ) : h( y ) x k ( y ), c y d , then
k ( y)

F
(
x
,
y
)
dA

F
(
x
,
y
)
dx

dy .
R
c h (y )

Example 2 (Evaluating a Double Integral). The region R is bounded by the graph of y x

1
and y x . Evaluate 4 xy 3dA two different ways.
2
R
Solution. Region R is both a regular x region and a regular y region:
1

R ( x, y ) : x y x , 0 x 4 ,
2

2
R ( x, y ) : y x 2 y, 0 y 2 .
Using the first representation (a regular x region), we obtain
4
x

4
3
R 4 xy dA 0 x/2 4 xy dy dx 0 xy

4
3 x5
x4 x6

dx
x
dx
0 16 4 96
y x/2

y x

x 4

64
x 0

128 64
.
3
3

Using the second representation (a regular y region), we obtain

2
2y

3
2 x2 y3

4
4
xy
dA
xy
dx
dy

R
0 2

0
y
2

2
6
8
dy 8 y 5 2 y 7 dy 4 y y

0
x y2

4
3
x2 y

y 2

y 0

64
.
3

Reversing the Order of Integration

In general, if R is both a regular x region and a regular y region, then the two iterated integrals
are equal. In rectangular regions, reversing the order of integration in an iterated integral was a
simple matter. The process is more complicated in nonrectangular regions. The next example
illustrates how to start with an iterated integral and reverse the order of integration. Since we are
interested in the reversal process and not in the value of either integral, the integrand will not be
specified.
Example 3 (Reversing the Order of Integration). Reverse the order of integration in
3 x 1

1 0 f ( x, y )dy dx .
Solution. The order of integration indicates that the region of integration is a regular x region:
R ( x, y ) : 0 y x 1, 1 x 3 .
We should graph region R to determine whether it is also a regular y region. The graph shows
that R is also a regular y region, and we can write
R ( x, y ) : y 1 x 3, 0 y 2 ,
2 3

x 1

f
(
x
,
y
)
dy
dx

f ( x, y )dx dy .

1 0

y 1
3

Volume and Double Integrals

In general, if a solid can be described by the graph of a positive function f ( x, y ) over a regular
region R (not necessarily a rectangle), then the double integral of the function f over the region R
still represents the volume of the corresponding solid.
Example 4 (Volume). The region R is bounded by the graphs of x y 1 , y 0 , and x 0 .
Find the volume of the solid under the graph of z 1 x y over the region R.
Solution. The graph of R shows that R is both a regular x region and a regular y region. We
choose to use the regular x region:
R ( x, y ) : 0 y 1 x, 0 x 1 .
The volume of the solid is
y 1 x
1 1 x
1

y2

dx
V 1 x y dA 1 x y dy dx y xy
2

y 0
R
0 0
0

1
x x2 x 3
(1 x)2
x2
1 x x(1 x)

dx
x
dx

0 2
2
2
2 2 6
0
1

x 1

x 0

1 1 1 1
.
2 2 6 6
3