Step by step
The question
Question: find the double integral of x − y/0 ≤ x ≤ 4, 0 ≤ y ≤ 2.
1 Draw it
The rectangle lies on the floor: x from 0 to 4, y from 0 to 2.
The double integral adds up f over the rectangle.
Where f is below the floor, it counts as minus.
2 Find the limits
Write it as two integrals.
Inside: y from 0 to 2.
Outside: x from 0 to 4.
Careful!
The inside integral is dy, so its limits are the y limits.
They may have x in them.
The outside limits are only numbers.
3 The inner integral
Inside first: integrate in y.
x stays fixed, like a plain number.
Integrate each term: the power goes up by 1, and we divide by the new power.
Put in the top y = 2, then take away the bottom y = 0.
The bottom part is 0.
So it is 2x − 2.
4 The outer integral
Now the outside integral, in x.
Its limits are numbers.
Integrate each term: the power goes up by 1, and we divide by the new power.
Put in the top x = 4, then take away the bottom x = 0.
The bottom part is 0.
So it is 8.
5 Check
Let's check in the other order.
x first: 8 − 4y.
Then y: 8.
The same answer.
Right!
Let's look back.
First: draw it.
Then: find the limits.
Then: the inner integral.
Then: the outer integral.
Last: check.