Multiple Integral (redirected from Multiple integrals)

multiple integral

In calculus, the integral of a function of more than one variable. As the integral of a function of one variable over an interval results in an area, the double integral of a function of two variables calculated over a region results in a volume. Functions of three variables have triple integrals, and so on. Like the single integral, such constructions are useful in calculating the net change in a function that results from changes in its input values.

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multiple integral [′məl·tə·pəl ′int·ə·grəl]

(mathematics)

An integral over a subset ofn-dimensional space.

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Multiple Integral 

an integral of a function defined on some region in a plane and in three-dimensional or n -dimensional space. The corresponding multiple integrals are referred to as double integrals, triple integrals, and n-tuple integrals, respectively.

Let the function f(x, y ) be defined on some region D of the plane xOy. Let us divide D into n subregions di whose areas are equal to si, choose a point (ξ_i, η_i) in each subregion d_i (see Figure 1), and form the integral sum

If as the maximal diameter of the subregions d, decreases without bound the sums S have a limit independent of the choice of the points (ξ_i, η_i), then this limit is called the double integral of the function f(x, y) over the region D and is denoted by

∫ ∫_Df (x,y) ds

A triple integral and, in general, an n -tuple integral are defined analogously.

Figure 1

In order for the double integral to exist, it is sufficient that, for example, the region D be a closed (Jordan) measurable region and that the function f(x, y) be continuous throughout D. Multiple integrals possess a number of properties similar to those of ordinary integrals. In order to calculate a multiple integral we reduce it to an iterated integral. Green’s formulas and the Green-Ostrogradskii theorem can be used in special cases to reduce multiple integrals to integrals of lower dimension. Multiple integrals find wide application. Volumes of bodies, as well as masses, static moments, and moments of inertia ( of bodies, for example) are expressed using multiple integrals.