Section 6.2 Definite Integrals for Future Value
Subsection 6.2.1 A Familiar Idea: Future Value from Net Change or Cumulative Change
From the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, we know that ∫baf(x) dx=F(b)−F(a), where F is any antiderivative of f(x). A common first application of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus is in the determination of displacement of an object with given velocity function.Example 6.2.1.
Suppose the position of an object as a function of time is given by \(s(t)\text{.}\)
The velocity of the object as a function of time is \(v(t) = s'(t)\text{,}\) that is, \(v\) is an antiderivative of \(s\text{.}\) Then $$ \int_a^b v(t) \ dt = s(b) - s(a). $$ We interpret the latter as the displacement of the object from \(t=a\) to \(t=b\text{.}\)
If we let \(a=0\) and \(b=T\text{,}\) then it immediately follows that $$ \int_0^T v(t) \ dt = s(T) - s(0), $$ which we can rearrange to give $$ s(T) = s(0) + \int_0^T v(t) \ dt. $$
In words, we can interpret the latter as "the position at future time \(T\) is the current position (at time 0) plus the net or cumulative change in position".
Checkpoint 6.2.2. Future Value from Net Change or Cumulative Change.
A culture of cells in a lab has a population of 100 cells when nutrients are added at time \(t=0\text{.}\)
Suppose the population \(N(t)\) increases at a rate given by \(\displaystyle N'(t) = 90 e^{-0.1t}\) cells/hr.
Determine the population at future time \(T\text{.}\)
The population at future time \(T\) is
Note that this population increases, but at a decreasing rate. As \(t \to \infty\text{,}\) the population size approaches 1000 cells.
Credit: W. Briggs and L. Cochran, Calculus: Early Transcendentals, 2011, Pearson Education Inc.
Subsection 6.2.2 A New Idea: Future Value from Survival and Renewal
For some quantities of interest, the effective rate of change is not known, but there is information about other processes (which we will refer to as survival and renewal) affecting change that allow us to determine the future value of the quantity. Renewal refers to the rate at which the quantity Q increases. Let R(t) be the renewal function.- If Q represents the size of a population, then R(t) represents the rate at which new members are added to the population at time t.
- If Q represents the amount of a drug in the body, then R(t) represents the amount of drug administered at time t.
- If Q represents the size of a population, then S(t) represents the proportion of the population that survives at least t time units from now.
- If Q represents the amount of a drug in the body, then S(t) represents the proportion of the drug that remains in the body at least t time units from now.
Checkpoint 6.2.3.
Suppose the quantity \(Q\) represents the number of individuals who are infectious (able to infect others) with the corona virus, and time \(t\) is measured in days.
Interpret the meaning of \(S(10) = 0.4\text{.}\)
Concept 6.2.4.
It is key to realize that the renewal and survival processes referred to here are not independent; they interact and work simultaneously. In general, more of a small quantity added late in time will survive/remain at future time T than a small quantity added earlier in time.- The proportion of Q(0) that survives/remains at time T is S(T).
- The amount of Q(0) that survives/remains at time T is the product, that is, S(T)â‹…Q(0).

- The small quantity added during this infinitesimal time period dt is "rate of renewal times time", or R(t) dt.
- The length of the time interval [t,T] is T−t. Thus, the proportion of the small quantity added that survives/remains at time T is S(T−t).
- The amount of the small quantity that is added at time t AND that survives/remains at time T is the product of the above, that is, dQ=S(T−t)⋅R(t) dt.
- The total quantity that is added during the time period from t=0 to t=T AND that survives/remains at time T is ∫dQ=∫T0S(T−t)⋅R(t) dt.
Checkpoint 6.2.6. Future Value from Survival and Renewal.
Consider a lake with trout. There currently are 5600 trout in the lake.
The trout are reproducing at the rate \(\displaystyle R(t) = 720 e^{0.1t}\) trout/year. However, pollution is killing many of the trout; the proportion that survive after \(t\) years is given by \(\displaystyle S(t) = e^{-0.2t}\text{.}\)
How many trout will be in the lake 10 years from now?
Let \(P(t)\) be the number of trout in the lake at time \(t\text{,}\) measured in years.
We are given \(P(0) = 5600\) trout, and \(T = 10\) years. Then
Thus, we expect the number of trout in the lake 10 years from now to be about 6957.
Credit: J. Stewart and T. Day, Biocalculus: Calculus for the Life Sciences, 2015, Cengage Learning.
Subsection 6.2.3 Summary
Future Value from Net Change or Cumulative Change.
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Suppose a quantity Q changes over time at a known rate Q′(t).
- The net (cumulative) change in Q between t=a and t=b is Q(b)−Q(a)=∫baQ′(t) dt.
- The future value of Q at time T is Q(T)=Q(0)+∫T0Q′(t) dt.
Future Value from Survival and Renewal.
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Suppose a quantity Q(t) has initial value Q(0), renewal function R(t) that represents the rate at which the quantity increases, and survival function S(t) that represents the proportion of the quantity that survives/remains after t years.
- The future value of Q at time T is Q(T)=S(T)⋅Q(0)+∫T0S(T−t)⋅R(t) dt.
Subsection 6.2.4 Don't Forget
Don't forget to return to eClass to complete the pre-class quiz.Subsection 6.2.5 Further Study
Remember that the notes presented above only serve as an introduction to the topic. Further study of the topic will be required. This includes working through the pre-class quizzes, reviewing the lecture notes, and diligently working through the homework problems. As you study, you should reflect on the following learning outcomes, and critically assess where you are on the path to achieving these learning outcomes:Learning Outcomes
- Recall and apply the formula to determine the future value of a quantity given its initial value and a rate of change.
- Recall and apply the formula to determine the future value of a quantity given its initial value, the renewal function, and the survival function.
Learning Outcome | Video | Textbook Section |
---|---|---|
1 | N/A | 5.3 |
2 | N/A | 6.3 (Examples 1, and Exercises 1 - 8) |