Let us take the following example :
Theorem 1 :
Change the order of integration in where f is a function of x and y.
Solution :
Step 1 : The first step involves getting the bounding curves of domain of integration.
Let us compare the limits of given integral to its standard form comparing the limit, we get the bounding curves
The bounding curves are
The first two curves are the parabolas
and last two are straight lines
Step 2 : The second step involves the plotting of the bounding curves and getting the domain of integration.
If the equation of curve is quadratic in one variable and linear in other variable, it will be a parabolas.
The equation of parabola is usually given in any of the two forms
(a)
(b)
The curves are plotted as
The region bounded by all the four curves is the domain of integration.
Step 3 : Third step involves determining the limits after changing the order.
On changing the order, the integral converts to
For finding the limit of x, let us draw an arrow parallel to x-axis and intersecting the region of integration arbitrarily
The arrow first intersects curve at point A, write the equation of curve
in the form of
Since, point A lies towards positive x
So,
This is the lower limit of x
The arrow then intersects curve at point B, write the equation of
in the form of
This is the upper limit of x.
In order to transverse the whole region of integration the arrow has to be moved from y = 0 to so, these are the limit of y.
Hence, the integral after changing the order becomes