TOPIC

APPLICATIONS
AREA BY INTEGRATION


The area under a curve
Let us first consider
the irregular shape
shown opposite.
How can we find the
area A of this shape?
The area under a curve
We can find an
approximation by
placing a grid of
squares over it.
By counting squares,
A > 33 and A < 60
i.e. 33 < A < 60
The area under a curve
By taking a finer mesh of
squares we could obtain a
better approximation for A.
We now study another way of
approximating to A, using
rectangles, in which A can be
found by a limit process.
The area under a curve
The diagram shows part
of the curve y = f(x) from
x = a to x = b.
We will find an expression
for the area A bounded by
the curve, the x-axis, and
the lines x = a and x = b.
A
The area under a curve
The interval [a,b] is
divided into n sections of
equal width, x.
n rectangles are then drawn
to approximate the area A
under the curve.
x
A
The area under a curve
Dashed lines represent the
height of each rectangle.
Thus the area of the first rectangle = f(x
1
).x
1
f(x
1
)
The first rectangle
has height f(x
1
)

and breadth x
1.
The position of each line is
given by an x-coordinate, x
n
.
x
1
, x
2
,

x
3
, x
4
, x
5
, x
6
x
1
The area under a curve
An approximation for the
area under the curve,
between x = a to x = b,
can be found by
summing the areas of the
rectangles.
A = f(x
1
).x
1
+ f(x
2
).x
2
+

f(x
3
).x
3
+

f(x
4
).x
4
+

f(x
5
).x
5
+

f(x
6
).x
6
The area under a curve
Using the Greek letter (sigma) to denote the sum of,
we have

=
=
A ~
6
1
). (
i
i
i i
x x f A

=
=
A ~
n i
i
i i
x x f A
1
). (
For any number n rectangles, we then have

=
=
A ~
n i
i
i
x x f A
1
). (

=
=
A ~
a x
b x
x x f A ). (
The area under a curve
In order to emphasise that the sum extends over the
interval [a,b], we often write the sum as

=
=
A
A =
a x
b x
x
x f A x ). ( lim
0
The area under a curve
By increasing the number n rectangles, we decrease their
breadth x.
As x gets increasingly smaller we say it tends to zero,
i.e. x 0.
So we define
Remember, we
met limits
before with
Differentiation

=
=
A
A =
a x
b x
x
x f A x ). ( lim
0
The area under a curve
was simplified into the form that we are familiar with
today
The form

=
=
A
A =
a x
b x
x
x f A x ). ( lim
0
}
=
b
a
dx x f A ) (
This reads
the area A is equal to the integral of f(x) from a to b.
The area under a curve
We have derived a method for finding the area under a curve
and a formal notation
}
=
b
a
dx x f A ) (
We have seen the integration symbol before in connection
with anti-differentiation, but we have not yet connected
finding the area under a curve with the process of integration.
}
The area under a curve
Let us remind
ourselves of where we
started.
Can we apply this method to calculate the area under a curve?
The area under a curve
In conclusion,
}
b
a
dx x f ) (
the area A bounded by the x-axis, the lines x = a and x = b
and the curve y = f(x) is denoted by,
Suggested Steps to Determine the Area of a
Plane Figure by Integration:
1. Determine the intersection points of the given
boundaries or equations.
2.Graph the given functions.
3. Shade the area to be determined
4.Consider a thin rectangle anywhere within the region,
horizontal or vertical element, to represent the entire
region.
5.Determine the dimensions of the rectangular element
and limits of integration. Apply the integral using the
extreme points as the limit of integration to determine
the total area.
6.Set up the area of the element and evaluate the integral
throughout the region.
0 1
2 3
2
+ = x y
It can be used to find an area bounded, in part, by a curve
e.g.
+
1
0
2
2 3 dx x
gives the area shaded on the graph
The limits of integration . . .
Definite integration results in a value.
Areas
. . . give the boundaries of the area.
The limits of integration . . .
0 1
2 3
2
+ = x y
It can be used to find an area bounded, in part, by a curve
Definite integration results in a value.
Areas
x = 0 is the lower limit
( the left hand boundary )
x = 1 is the upper limit
(the right hand boundary )
+ dx x 2 3
2
0
1
e.g.
gives the area shaded on the graph
0 1
2 3
2
+ =
x y
Finding an area
the shaded area equals 3
The units are usually unknown in this type of question
+
1
0
2
2 3 dx x
Since
3 =
1
0
(

x x 2
3
+ =
SUMMARY
the curve
), ( x f y =
the lines x = a and x = b
the x-axis and
PROVIDED that
the curve lies on, or above, the x-axis between the values x = a
and x = b
The definite integral or gives the area
between
b
a
dx x f ) (
b
a
dx y
x x y 2
2
= x x y 2
2
=
Finding an area

=
0
1
2
2 dx x x A area
A B
=
1
0
2
2 dx x x B area
For parts of the curve below the x-
axis, the definite integral is negative,
so
x x y 2
2
=
A
Finding an area

=
0
1
2
2 dx x x A
(
(

2
2
3
2 3
0
1
x x
(
(

(
(

=
2
3
) 1 (
3
) 1 (
0
(

= 1
3
1
1
1
3
4
= Area A
x x y 2
2
=
B
Finding an area
=
1
0
2
2 dx x x B
(
(

=
2
3
1
0
3
x
x
(

= 0 1
3
1
3
2
=
3
2
= Area B

Area Under the Curve

x 2 4 y = Find the area of the region bounded by the line
and the coordinate axes.
EXAMPLE
O
x
y
(0,4)
(2,0)
(x,y)
y = 4 - 2x
L = y
w = dx
O
x
y
(0,4)
(2,0)
(x,y)
y = 4 - 2x
L = x
w = dy
Using vertical stripping
Using horizontal stripping
O
x
y
(0,4)
(2,0)
(x,y)
y = 4 - 2x
L = y
w = dx
}
=
=
=
2
0
) 2 4 (
x
x
dx x A
} }
=
2
0
2
0
2 4 xdx dx A
0
2
2
2
4
2
(

= x x A
0 2 ) 2 ( 4
2
= A
dA = y dx, y = 4 2x
squnits A 4 =
Using Vertical Stripping:
The rectangular strip has a partial
area:
dA = area of the element
Integrate throughout the region:
The rectangular strip has a
partial area:
dA = area of the element
) 4 (
2
1
y x =
, xdy dA=
dy y A
}
=
4
0
) 4 (
2
1
} }
=
4
0
4
0
2
1
2 ydy dy A
0
4
2 2
1
2
2
(

=
y
y A
0
4
4
) 4 ( 2
2
= A
O
x
y
(0,4)
(2,0)
(x,y)
y = 4 - 2x
L = x
w = dy
squnits A 4 =
Using Horizontal Stripping:
Integrate throughout the region:
O
x
y
(0,4)
(2,0)
y = 4 - 2x
h
b
CHECK: The figure formed is a right triangle


Where
bh A
2
1
=
A
squnits A 4 ) 4 )( 2 (
2
1
= =
A
Area Between two Curves
Area Between two Curves
Finding the limits of integration for area between two curves
Step 1: Sketch the region and draw a vertical line segment
through the region at the arbitrary point on the x-axis,
connecting the top and bottom boundaries
Step 2. The y-coordinate of the
top endpoint of the line
segment sketched in
step 1 will be f(x), the
bottom one g(x), and
the length of the line
segment will be
f(x) g(x). This is the
integrand in 1.
Step 3.
To determine the limits of integration,
imagine moving the line segment left and
then right. The leftmost position at which
the line segment intersects the region is x=a
and the rightmost is x=b.
}
=
d
c
dy y v y w A )] ( ) ( [
x y 4
2
=
Determine the area of the region bounded by the curve
, the lines x=0 , and y=2.
EXAMPLE
O
x
y
y = 2
y
2
= 4x
(x,y)
x = 0
w = dy
L = x
(1,2)
Using horizontal stripping,
}
=
2
0
xdy A
4
y
x
2
=
but
}
=
2
o
2
dy
4
y
A
dy y
4
1
A
2
0
2
}
=
2
0
3
3
y
4
1
A
(
(

(
=
( ) 0 2
12
1
A
3
=
3
2
12
8
A = =
Using vertical stripping,
O
x
y
y = 2
y
2
= 4x
(x,y)
x = 0
w = dx
(1,2)
L = 2- y
4
y
x
2
=
4
2
x
2
=
1 x =
2) , 1 (
Point of intersection of y = 2 and
the curve:

If y = 2:


} }
= dx ) y 2 ( dA
}
=
1
0
dx ) y 2 ( A
x 4 y =
x 2 y =
x 2 y + =
( )
}
=
1
0
dx x 2 2 A
( )
}
=
1
0
dx x 2 2 A
squnits A
3
2
=
2
x y =
. x y =
Find the area of the region bounded by the curve
and .
O
V(0,0)
y = x
y = -x
2

(-1,-1)
x
y
(x,y
L
)
(x,y
C
)
L = y
C
- y
L

w = dx
By vertical stripping
Intersection points of the line
and the curve: (0,0) and (-1,1)
( )dx y y dA
L C
} }
=
( )dx y y A
L C
}
=
2
C
x y = x y
L
=
( )dx x x A
}

+ =
1
0
2
( )dx x x A
0
1
2
}

=
6
1
A =
Figure 6.1.10 (p. 417)
Find the area of the region enclosed by and
2
y x = . 2 = x y

Find the area bounded by the given curves:
1. y = x
2
, y = x
2. y = x + 7, y = 9 x
2

3. x = 1 y
2
, x = y
2
1
4. 4ay = x
2
, y = x + 3a
5. y = x
3
, y = 4x
2

6. y = (x 1)
3
, y = x
2
x 1
7. x
2
2x + 2y + 5 = 0, x
2
2x + y + 1 = 0
8. x + 2y = 2, y x = 1, 2x + y = 7
9. y
3
= x
2
, 2x + y + 1 = 0, x y = 4
10. y
2
= x, y = x
3
, x + y = 2
EXAMPLE

1. Find the values of k such that the area of the
region bounded by the parabolas y = x
2
k
2
and y =
k
2
x
2
is 576 square units.

2. Find the area of the region bounded by the
parabola y = x
2
, the tangent line to this parabola at
(1, 1) and the x-axis.

3. Find the number b such that the line y = b divides
the region bounded by the curves y = x
2
and y = 4
into the regions with equal area.

EXAMPLE