MATLAB Tutor

Part 9: Integration

MATLAB can find both an indefinite integral (i.e., antiderivative) and a definite integral of a symbolic
expression. That assumes an elementary antiderivative exists. If not, MATLAB can compute a very
accurate numerical approximation to the definite integral.

1. First we calculate indefinite integrals. Before doing anything, we must declare x to be a

symbolic variable.   Enter:

syms x

Then enter

int(x*sin(x), x)

Check that the result is an antiderivative of x sin(x) by entering:

diff(ans, x)

2. Introduce another symbolic variable a to investigate how MATLAB deals with more than one
symbolic variable in integration. Enter:

syms a

Then enter

int(a*sin(x), x)

Now enter

int(a*sin(x), a)

What is the role of the variable following the comma?

3. Now try to find an antiderivative for sin ( x5 + x3 ).

MATLAB does not know an antiderivative of this function that can be defined in terms of
functions known to MATLAB. On the other hand, enter:

int(sin(x^2), x)

The Fresnel S function is known to MATLAB, but probably not to you. However, you can
check by differentiation that the expression is an antiderivative.
 4. Next we calculate definite integrals. To integrate x sin(x) over the interval [0,pi/2], enter:

int(x*sin(x), x, 0, pi/2)

5. Now try this method on the integral of sin ( x5 + x3 ) over the interval [0,pi/2].

MATLAB still doesn't know an antiderivative for this function. To obtain a numerical estimate,
enter:

double( int(sin(x^5 + x^3), x, 0, pi/2) )

6. If you know that all you want is a numerical estimate, you can use MATLAB's numerical
integrator called quad8. No symbolics are involved. Enter:

quad8( inline('sin(x^5+x^3)'), 0, pi/2 )

Numerical integration also works with user-defined functions in m-files. Symbolic integration
doesn't. If you still have the m-file called fun.m that you created in Part 6 of this Tutorial, enter:

quad8('fun', 0, pi/2 )

The significance of using the quad8 function is that MATLAB does not try to find a symbolic
solution before starting on the numerical estimate.

7. Use MATLAB to find the exact value of each of the following integrals. (Type inf for the infinity
symbol.)

o The integral of 1/(1+x2) from 0 to 1,

o The integral of 1/(1+x2) from 0 to Infinity,

o The integral of 1/(1+x4) from 0 to Infinity.

modules at math.duke.edu Copyright CCP and the author(s), 1998, 1999, 2000