3.1.

Double Integrals
In this module, we discuss methods of evaluating integrals
of functions of two variables over a suitable region in ℝ2 .
Integrals of a function of two variables over a region in ℝ2
are called double integrals.
Let 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 be a continuous function in a simply
connected, closed and bounded region 𝑅 in a two
dimensional space ℝ2 , bounded by a simple closed curve.

𝑌 𝐶
𝒚𝒎
R

𝒚𝒌
∆𝑨𝒌 ∆𝒚𝒌

𝒚𝒌−𝟏
∆𝒙𝒌
𝒚𝟐
𝒚𝟏

𝑂 𝒙𝟏 𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝒌−𝟏 𝒙𝒌 𝒙𝒎 𝑋

Region 𝑅 for double integral

Subdivide the region 𝑅 by drawing lines 𝑥 = 𝑥𝑘 , 𝑦 = 𝑦𝑘 , 𝑘 =
1, 2, … , 𝑚, parallel to the coordinate axes. Number the
rectangles which are inside 𝑅 from 1 to 𝑛 . In each such
rectangle, take an arbitrary point, say 𝜉𝑘 , 𝜂𝑘 in the 𝑘𝑡𝑕
rectangle and form the sum 𝐽𝑘 = 𝑛𝑘=0 𝑓 𝜉𝑘 , 𝜂𝑘 ∆𝐴𝑘 , where
∆𝐴𝑘 = ∆𝑥𝑘 ∆𝑦𝑘 is the area of the 𝑘th rectangle 𝑑𝑘 =
∆𝑥𝑘 2 + ∆𝑦𝑘 2 is the length of the diagonal of this
rectangle. The maximum length of the diagonal, that is
max 𝑑𝑘 of the subdivisions is also called the norm of the
subdivision. For different values of 𝑛, say 𝑛1 , 𝑛2 , … , 𝑛𝑚 , …, we
obtain a sequence of sums 𝐽𝑛 1 , 𝐽𝑛 2 , … , 𝐽𝑛 𝑚 , …. Let 𝑛 → ∞, such
that the length of the largest diagonal 𝑑𝑘 → 0. If lim 𝐽𝑛
𝑛→∞
exists, independent of the choice of the subdivision and the
point 𝜉𝑘 , 𝜂𝑘 , then we say that 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is integrable over 𝑅.
This limit is called the double integral of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) over 𝑅 and
is denoted by

𝐽=  f ( x, y)dxdy.
R

Let 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) be a continuous function in ℝ2 defined on a

closed rectangle 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)|𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏 and 𝑐 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝑑}. For any
d

fixed 𝑥 ∈ [𝑎, 𝑏] consider the integral

 f (x, y)dy
c
.

The value of this integral depends on 𝑥 and we get a new

function of 𝑥. This can be integrated with respect to 𝑥 and
we get
b
d 


a
 f ( x, y )dy dx . This is called an iterated integral.

c


d
b 
Similarly we can define another integral

c
 f ( x, y )dx dy .

a


For continuous functions 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) we have

d
b
 d
b 

 R

f ( x, y )dxdy   f ( x, y )dy  dx 

a  c

 c
  f ( x, y )dx  dy

a


two continuous functions on [𝑎, 𝑏] then
b 2 ( x ) 

 s
f ( x, y )dxdy 

a


 1 ( x )
f ( x, y )dy  dx .



𝑌
𝑦 = 𝜙2 (𝑥)

𝑦 = 𝜙1 (𝑥)

𝑂 𝑋
𝑎 𝑏
The iterated integral in the right hand side is also written
in the form
b 2 ( x )

 dx  f (x, y)dy
a 1 ( x )

Similarly if 𝑆 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)|𝑐 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜙1 𝑦 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜙2 𝑦 } then

d 2 ( x ) 


S
f ( x, y )dxdy 

c


 1 ( x )
f ( x, y )dx  dy


If 𝑆 cannot be written in neither of the above two forms we
divide 𝑆 into finite number of subregions such that each of
the sub regions can be represented in one of the above
forms and we get the double integral over 𝑆 by adding the
integrals over these sub regions. Hence to evaluate


s
f ( x, y )dxdy we first convert it to an iterated integral of

the two forms given above.

Note 1:
s
dxdy represents the area of the region 𝑆.

Note 2: In an iterated integral the limits in the first integral

are constants and if the limits in the second integral are
functions of 𝑥 then we must first integrate with respect to 𝑦
and the integrand will become a function of 𝑥 alone. This
is integrated with respect to 𝑥.
If the limits of the second integral are functions of 𝑦 then
we must first integrate with respect to 𝑥 and the integrand
will become a function of 𝑦 alone. This is integrated with
respect to 𝑦.

Properties of double integrals

1. If 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) and 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) integrable functions, then

  f ( x, y)  g ( x, y)dxdy   f ( x, y)dxdy   g ( x, y)dxdy.
R R R

2.  kf ( x, y)dxdy  k  f ( x, y)dxdy , where 𝑘 is any real constant.

R R

3. When 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is integrable, then 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is also

integrable, and

 f ( x, y)dxdy
R
≤ 
R
𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦.

4.  f ( x, y)dxdy  f ( , )A , where 𝐴 is the area of the region 𝑅

R

and (𝜉, 𝜂) is any arbitrary point in 𝑅 . This result is

called the mean value theorem of the double integrals.
If 𝑚 ≤ 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) ≤ 𝑀 for all (𝑥, 𝑦) in 𝑅, then
𝑚𝐴 ≤  f ( x, y)dxdy  MA.
R

5. If 0 < 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) ≤ 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) for all (𝑥, 𝑦) in 𝑅, then

 f ( x, y)dxdy   g ( x, y )dxdy.
R R

6. If 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) ≥ 0 for all (𝑥, 𝑦) in 𝑅, then

 f ( x, y)dxdy  0.
R
Application of double integrals
Double integrals have large number of applications. We
state some of them.

1. If 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 1, then  dxdy
R
gives the area 𝐴 of the region

𝑅.
For example, if 𝑅 is the rectangle bounded by the lines
𝑑 𝑏
𝑥 = 𝑎, 𝑥 = 𝑏, 𝑦 = 𝑐 and 𝑦 = 𝑑, then 𝐴 = 𝑐 𝑎
𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 =
𝑑 𝑏 𝑑
𝑐 𝑎
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑏 − 𝑎 𝑐
𝑑𝑦 = 𝑏 − 𝑎 𝑑 − 𝑐
gives the area of the rectangle.
2. If 𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) is a surface, then
 zdxdy or  f ( x, y)dxdy
R R

gives the volume of the region beneath the surface

𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) and above the 𝑥 − 𝑦 plane.
For example:
if 𝑧 = 𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 and 𝑅: 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ≤ 𝑎2 , then

 a  x  y dxdy
2 2 2
𝑉=
R

gives the volume of the hemisphere 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 𝑎2 ≥ 0.

3. Let 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦) be a density function (mass per unit
area) of a distribution of mass in the 𝑥 − 𝑦 plane. Then
𝑀=  f ( x, y)dxdy
R

give the total mass of 𝑅.

4. Let 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦) be a density function. Then
 1 1
𝑀 
𝑥= xf ( x, y )dxdy, 𝑦 =  yf ( x, y )dxdy
R
𝑀 R

give the coordinates of the centre of gravity 𝑥 , 𝑦 of the

mass 𝑀 in 𝑅.
5. Let 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦) be a density function. Then

 y  x
2 2
𝐼𝑥 = f ( x, y )dxdy and 𝐼𝑦 = f ( x, y )dxdy
R R

give the moments of inertia of the mass in 𝑅 about the

𝑋-axis and the 𝑌-axis respectively, whereas 𝐼0 = 𝐼𝑥 + 𝐼𝑦
is called the moment of inertia of the mass in 𝑅 about
the origin. Similarly,

  x a    y b 
2 2
𝐼𝑦 = f ( x, y )dxdy and 𝐼𝑥 = f ( x, y )dxdy
R R

give the moment of inertia of the mass in 𝑅 about the

lines 𝑥 = 𝑎 and 𝑦 = 𝑏 respectively.
6.
1
𝐴
 f ( x, y)dxdy
R
gives the average value of 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) over 𝑅 ,

where 𝐴 is the area of the region 𝑅.

Change of order of Integration

In the evaluation of double integrals the computational
work can often be reduced by interchanging the order of
integration. While using this method, one has to bear in
mind that the change of order of integration generally
changes the limits of integration; the new limits are to be
determined by examining the geometrical region on which
the integration is being carried out.
 a 2 xa

  x dydx, a  0, by
2
Example: Evaluate changing the order of
0 0

integration.
In the given integral, 𝑥 increases from 0 to 𝑎, for each 𝑥, 𝑦
increases from 0 to 2 𝑥𝑎. Hence the lower value of 𝑦 lies on
the 𝑋-axis and the upper value on the upper part of the
parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥. Therefore the region 𝑅 of integration is
bounded by the 𝑋-axis, the line and the arc of the parabola
𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 in the first quadrant. This region is shown in
figure.
𝑌

(𝑎, 2𝑎) 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥

𝑅 𝑥=𝑎
𝑀 𝑁

𝑂 (a, 0) 𝑋

We observe that, in 𝑅, 𝑦 increases from 0 from 2𝑎, and, for

each 𝑦, 𝑥 varies from a point 𝑀 on the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 to
a point 𝑁 on the line 𝑥 = 𝑎; that is 𝑥 increases from 𝑦 2 4𝑎
to 𝑎. Hence
  3

a 2 xa 2a 

a
2 
 2a
1  3  2 
y  dy
0 0 x     x  0 3 a     
2
dydx dx dy
y 0  x  2 4 a  
 y    4a  
1 𝑦 7 2𝑎
1 1 1 (2𝑎)7
= [𝑎3 − ] = {𝑎3 2𝑎 − }
3 64𝑎 3 7 0 3 64𝑎 3 7
4
= 𝑎4 .
7

Problem 1: Evaluate the following repeated integrals:

4 4 x

i.  
1 0
xydydx

2
5 y
  x( x  y )dxxy
2 2
ii.
0 0

Solution: By using the meaning of repeated integrals, we

find:

4 4 x 

4 x
4 

i.   xydydx =    xydy  dx
1 0 x 1 
 y 0 

  2  4 x 
4
 y 
= x1 x  2  dx, on evaluating the inner
  
 y 0 

integral with 𝑥 held fixed.

4
4
1 2 x3
= x (4 − x) dx = x −
1
2 6 1
64 1 32 5 27 9
= 16 − − 1− = − = = .
6 6 6 6 6 2
 y 
2 2

x  xy 
y
 
5 5

x( x  y )dxxy =   
2

2 2 3
ii. dx  dy
y 0  x 0 
 
0 0

5 𝑦2
𝑥4 𝑥2
 
y 0
4
+ 𝑦2
2 𝑥=0
𝑑𝑦 , on evaluating the inner

integral with 𝑦 held fixed

5 4 2 5
𝑦2 2 1 𝑦9 1 𝑦7 57 25
 2 𝑦 2
 + 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 = . + . = + .
y 0
4 2 4 9 2 7 0 4 9 7

Problem 2: If ℜ is the triangular region with vertices

 x y dxdy.
2
0, 0 , 2, 0 , 2, 3 , evaluate
2

Solution:
𝑌
𝐵(2, 3)
𝑄

𝑜 𝑃 𝐴(2, 0) 𝑋

The region where in the integration is to be carried out is

shown in figure. We note that, in this region, 𝑥 increases
from 0 to 2 and for each 𝑥, 𝑦 increases from a point 𝑃 on the
𝑋-axis to a point 𝑄 on the line 𝑂𝐵. For the point 𝑃, We have
𝑦 = 0. The equation of 𝑂𝐵 is 𝑦 = 3 2 𝑥 . Therefore, for the
point 𝑄, we have 𝑦 = 3 2 𝑥. Thus, for each 𝑥, 𝑦 increases
from 0 to 3 2 𝑥. Hence

  3 2 x 
 2 
3
2  3 2  x
 

2
y 
 x y   x y   x 
2 2
dxdy   
2 2
dy dx dx
x 0 
  0 3 
 
 y 0
0 

2
2
1 27 9 x6 3
=  x2 . x3 dx = = . 26 = 12.
0
3 8 8 6 0 16

Problem 3: Evaluate  ydxdy,


where ℜ is the region

bounded by the parabolas 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 and 𝑥 2 = 4𝑎𝑦, 𝑎 > 0.

Solution:

𝑌 𝑥 2 = 4𝑎𝑦
𝑄
𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥
4𝑎

𝑃
𝑂 4𝑎 𝑋
Solving the given equations, we find that the two parabolas
intersect at the points (0,0) and 4𝑎, 4𝑎 . Therefore, the
region bounded by these parabolas is as shown in figure. In
this region, 𝑥 increases from 0 to 4𝑎, and, for each 𝑥, 𝑦
increases from a point 𝑃 on the parabola 𝑥 2 = 4𝑎𝑦 to a point
𝑄 on the parabola 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥. We find that, at 𝑃, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 4𝑎
and, at 𝑄, 𝑦 = 4𝑎𝑥 , Hence

 4a  
2
4a  4 ax
  1  x   dx
2
 ydxdy     ydy   0 2  4 ax  
  
x 0  y  2 4 a
 x 
 
  4a  

 4a  
4a

1
5 
1 x
5

1
  2a x 2 
1
  32a 
3

2 2
.
2 2 5
 16a  
5 0 
16a 

1 64 3  48 3
 32a  a   a .
3

2 5  5

Problem 4: Change the order of integration in the integral

  x y dydx, a  0
a xa
2

2

0 xa

and hence evaluate it.

Solution: In the given integral, 𝑥 increases from 0 to 𝑎,
and, for each 𝑥, 𝑦 varies from 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑎 to 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑎 . Hence
the lower value of 𝑦 lies on he curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑎 (which is a
straight line) and the upper value of 𝑦 lies on the curve
𝑦 2 = 𝑥 𝑎 (which is a parabola). We check that the line
𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑎 and the parabola 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 𝑎 intersect at the point
(0, 0) and (𝑎, 1) . The region ℜ of integration is therefore
bounded by the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑎 and the parabola 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 𝑎
between the origin and the point (𝑎, 1) . This region is
shown in figure.

𝑌
𝑦=𝑥 𝑎
(𝑎, 1)
2
From the above figure, we observe that in ℜ, 𝑦 increases
from 0 to 1 and, for each 𝑦, 𝑥 varies from a point on the
parabola 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 𝑎 to a point on the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 𝑎 ; that is,
each 𝑦 with 0 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 1, 𝑥 varies from 𝑎𝑦 2 to 𝑎𝑦. Hence

 ay 
x  y 
xa
 
a 1

  (x  y )dydx    
2 2 2 2
dxdy 
0 xa y 0  x  a 2 
 y 

 ay 
 x 2 
3

1


 
  y x  dy
  xa y 2 
0 3

1
 a y  a y   y  ay  a y dy
1
 
3 3 3 6 2 2

0 
3

3 3
1 1 1 1 a
a
a
    a     .
3 4 7  4 5  28 20

 a cos

Problem 5: Evaluate I 

0 0
r sin  drd

Solution:
  a cos

I
 0 0
r sin  drd

 a cos


 r2 
I sin    d
 2 0
0


1
 a 2 cos 2  sin  d
2
0


2
a
 cos 2  d  cos 
2
0

a2  a2
  cos    .
3

6 0 3
Problem 6: Evaluate
𝐼=  xydydx where 𝐷 is the region bounded by the curve 𝑥 =
D

𝑦 2 , 𝑥 = 2 − 𝑦, 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑦 = 1.
Solution: The given region bounded by the curves is shown
in the figure.
𝑌

𝑦 2 𝑦=2 𝑥= 𝑥

(1,1)
𝑦=1

𝑥 =2−𝑦
𝐷1 𝐷2
𝐷1 𝐷1
𝐷 2
 𝑋
𝑂
In this region 𝑥 varies from 0 to 2. When 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 for fixed
𝑥, 𝑦 varies from 0 to 𝑥. When 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2, 𝑦 varies from 0 to
2 − 𝑥.
Therefore the region 𝐷 can be subdivided into two regions
𝐷1 and 𝐷2 as shown in the figure.

∴  xydydx =  xydydx +  xydydx

D D1 D2

In this region 𝐷1 for fixed 𝑥, 𝑦 varies from 𝑦 = 0 to 𝑦 = 𝑥

and for fixed 𝑦, 𝑥 varies from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 1. Similarly for the
region 𝐷2 , the limit of integration for 𝑦 is 𝑦 = 0 to 𝑦 = 2 − 𝑥.

 xydydx =
D
1
0 0
𝑥
𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 +
2 2−𝑥
1 0
𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
𝑥 2−𝑥
1 𝑥𝑦 2 2 𝑥𝑦 2
= 0
𝑑𝑥 + 1
𝑑𝑥
2 0 2 0

1 2
1 2
1
= 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥(2 − 𝑥)2 𝑑𝑥
2 0 2 1
1 2
𝑥3 1 2 𝑥4 4𝑥 3
= + 2𝑥 + −
6 0 2 4 3 1
3
= .
8
Problem 7: Change the order of integration in the integral
4 𝑦
𝐼= 1 𝑦/2
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦.

Solution: The region of integration 𝐷 is bounded by the

𝑦
lines 𝑥 = ; 𝑥 = 𝑦; 𝑦 = 1 and 𝑦 = 4. The region is a
2
quadrilateral as shown in the figure

𝑦=4 (2,4) (4,4)

𝐷3
𝑦=𝑥

𝐷2
(2,2)

𝐷1 𝑦=1
(5,1)
(1,1)

(0,0)

1
In this region 𝑥 varies from to 4.
2
1
When ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1, 𝑦 varies from 1 to 2𝑥.
2

When 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2, 𝑦 varies from 𝑥 to 2𝑥.

When 2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4, 𝑦 varies from 𝑥 to 4.
Hence for changing the order of integration we must divide
𝐷 into sub regions 𝐷1 , 𝐷2 , 𝐷3 as shown in the figure.

∴ 𝐼=  f ( x, y)dxdy
D

=  f ( x, y)dxdy +  f ( x, y)dxdy +  f ( x, y)dxdy

D1 D2 D3
1 2𝑥 2 2𝑥
= 1/2 1
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 + 1 𝑥
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 +
4 4
2 𝑥
𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 .

1 1−𝑥 2 2
Problem 8: Evaluate 0 0
𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 by interchanging the
order of integration.
Solution: The region is bounded by the line𝑦 = 0(𝑋 − axis);
the unit circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1; the line 𝑥 = 0(𝑌 − axis) and the
line 𝑥 = 1. Hence the region of integration is the positive
quadrant of the unit circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1 and it is given in the
figure.

(0,1)

(0, 0) (1,0)
In this region 𝑦 varies from 0 to 1 and for a fixed 𝑦, 𝑥 varies
from 0 to 1 − 𝑦2 .
1 1−𝑥 2 2 1 1−𝑦 2
0 0
𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 0 0
𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥

1 2 1−𝑦 2
= 0
𝑦 𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦
1 2
= 0
𝑦 1 − 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦
𝜋
= 2 sin2 𝜃 cos2 𝜃 𝑑𝜃 putting 𝑦 = sin 𝜃
0

1.1 𝜋 𝜋
= = .
4.2 2 16

Exercise
4 2

1) Evaluate

1 y
( x 2  y 2 )dxdy by changing the order of

integration.
2) By changing the order of integration evaluate
3 4 y

  (x  y)dxdy.
0 1
3) Change the order of integration in the integral
a 2 a x


0 x2
xydydx and evaluate.


y
4) Evaluate I  e dxdy where 𝐷 is the region bounded
x

by the straight lines 𝑦 = 𝑥; 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1.

5) Evaluate

D
( x 2  y 2 )dxdy where 𝐷 is the region

bounded by y  x 2 , x  2 and x  1 .
 


e y
6) Evaluate I dydx.
y
0 x

7) Find the area of the circle 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 by using double

integral.
8) Find the area of the region 𝐷 bounded by the
parabolas 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 and 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 .
𝜋
∞ 𝑟
9) Evaluate 𝐼 = 2
0 0 (𝑟 +𝑎 2 )2
2 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 .

Answers
1026
1)
105
241
2)
60
9a 4
3)
24
 1
4)  e  1
2
1286
5)
105
6) 1
7) 𝜋𝑟 2
1
8)
3
𝜋
9) 2
4𝑎