Definition:Definite Integral/Limits of Integration

Definition
Let $\left[{a .. b}\right]$ be a closed interval of the set $\R$ of real numbers.

Let $f: \R \to \R$ be a real function.

Let $f \left({x}\right)$ be bounded on $\left[{a .. b}\right]$.

Let the definite integral of $f$ with respect to $x$ from $a$ to $b$ be:
 * $\displaystyle \int_a^b f \left({x}\right) \ \mathrm d x$

In the expression $\displaystyle \int_a^b f \left({x}\right) \ \mathrm d x$, the values $a$ and $b$ are called the limits of integration.

If there is no danger of confusing the concept with limit of a function or of a sequence, just limits.

Thus $\displaystyle \int_a^b f \left({x}\right) \ \mathrm d x$ can be voiced::
 * The integral of (the function) $f$ of $x$ with respect to $x$ (evaluated) between the limits (of integration) $a$ and $b$.

More compactly (and usually), it is voiced:
 * The integral of $f$ of $x$ with respect to $x$ between $a$ and $b$

or:
 * The integral of $f$ of $x$ dee $x$ from $a$ to $b$

From the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, we have that:


 * $\displaystyle \int_a^b f \left({x}\right) \ \mathrm d x = F \left({b}\right) - F \left({a}\right)$

where $F$ is a primitive of $f$, that is:
 * $f \left({x}\right) = \dfrac{\mathrm d}{\mathrm d x} F \left({x}\right)$

Then $F \left({b}\right) - F \left({a}\right)$ is usually written:
 * $\left[{ F \left({x}\right) }\right]_a^b := F \left({b}\right) - F \left({a}\right)$

or:
 * $\left.{ F \left({x}\right) }\right|_a^b := F \left({b}\right) - F \left({a}\right)$