11 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

BASIC CALCULUS
Quarter 4 – Module 8
Areas Between Curves
Basic Calculus – Grade 11
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4 – Module 8: Areas Between Curves
First Edition, 2020

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 11

Basic Calculus
Quarter 4 – Module 8
Areas Between Curves
 I

LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
▪ Solve problems involving areas of plane regions
(STEM_BC11I-IVj2)

OBJECTIVES:
K: Find the area of the region bounded by two curves;
S: Solve problems involving areas of plane regions;
A: Appreciate the lesson by correctly extending the concept
to other areas of application.

PRE-ASSESSMENT
Use Figure 1 to answer the following exercises.
1. Suppose 𝑔 and ℎ are continuous functions such that 𝑔(𝑥) ≥ ℎ(𝑥) on the interval [𝑎, 𝑏].
Write an interval giving the area of the region bounded above by the graph of 𝑔, below
by the graph of ℎ, and on the left and right by the lines 𝑥 = 𝑎 and 𝑥 = 𝑏.
2. Write an expression in terms of definite integrals giving the area of the shaded region
in Figure 1.

Figure 1
2
 ’s In

The following result on finding the areas of regions that lie between the graphs of two
functions is an extension from that when we calculated the areas of regions under the graphs
of functions. This is stated by Anton, Bivens and Davis (2009) as:

If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are continuous functions in the interval [𝑎, 𝑏], and if 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 𝑔(𝑥) for

all 𝑥 in [𝑎, 𝑏], then the area of the region bounded above by 𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑥 ), below by

𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥), on the left by the line 𝑥 = 𝑎, and on the right by the line 𝑥 = 𝑏 is

𝑏
𝐴 = ∫𝑎 [𝑓(𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥)] 𝑑𝑥 (Formula 1)

Let us consider an example.

Example 1. (Stewart, 2016, p.429)

Find the area of the region bounded above by
𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑒 , bounded below by 𝑦 = 𝑥, and .bounded on
the sides by 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1.
Solution:
The region is illustrated in Figure 2. In
sketching the graphs of the functions, the sketch need
not be very accurate. The goal of sketching these
graphs is to determine which between them is the
upper boundary and which is the lower boundary.
From Figure2, we can see that the upper
boundary is 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 and the lower boundary is 𝑦 = 𝑥.
By Formula 1, we let 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑒 𝑥 , 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥, 𝑎 = 0,
and 𝑏 = 1. Solving for the area 𝐴, we have Figure 2
𝑏
𝐴 = ∫ [𝑓(𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥 )] 𝑑𝑥
𝑎

1
= ∫ [𝑒 𝑥 − 𝑥 ] 𝑑𝑥
0

1 1
= 𝑒 𝑥 − 𝑥2|
2
0

3
 1 1
= [𝑒 1 − (1)2 ] − [𝑒 0 − (0)2 ]
2 2

1
= [𝑒 − (1)] − (1)
2

1
= (𝑒 − ) − 1
2

3
=𝑒−
2

= 𝑒 − 1.5

Thus, the area of the said region is 𝑒 − 1.5 square units.

TASK 1

Find the area of the region bounded above by 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 6, bounded below by 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 , and
bounded on the sides by the line 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 2.

’s New

It will also occur that the sides (or one of the sides) of the region will be points (rather
than vertical line segments). If this is the case, we will solve for the points of intersection to
obtain the limits of integration.
Such is the case in Example 2.

4
Example 2. (Larson & Edwards,
2010, p.450)
Find the area of the region bounded
by the graphs of 𝑦 = 2 − 𝑥 2 and 𝑦 = 𝑥.
Solution:
The region is illustrated in Figure
3. Note that the graphs intersect in two
points.
To find the 𝑥 −coordinates, equate
𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥)and solve for . That is,
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑔 (𝑥 )
2 − 𝑥2 = 𝑥 Figure 3

−𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2 = 0

−(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2) = 0

𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 2 = 0

(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 1) = 0.

Thus, 𝑥 = −2 or 𝑥 = 1.
We will take 𝑎 = −2 and 𝑏 = 1.

From Figure 3, we can see that the upper boundary is 𝑦 = 2 − 𝑥 2 and the lower
boundary 𝑖𝑠 𝑦 = 𝑥 in the interval [−2,1]. By Formula 1, we let 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 2 − 𝑥 2 and 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥.
Moreover, note that 𝑓 (𝑥 ) ≥ 𝑔(𝑥 ) for all 𝑥 in the interval [−2,1].
Solving for the area 𝐴 by Formula 1, we have
𝑏
𝐴 = ∫ [𝑓(𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥 )] 𝑑𝑥
𝑎

1
= ∫ [(2 − 𝑥 2 ) − 𝑥 ] 𝑑𝑥
−2

1 1 1
= 2𝑥 − 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 |
3 2
−2

1 1 1 1
= [(2(1) − (1)3 − (1)2 ) − (2(−2) − (−2)3 − (−2)2 )]
3 2 3 2

1 1 8 4
= (2 − − ) − (−4 + − )
3 2 3 2

5
 7 10
= − (− )
6 3

9
=
2

9
Thus, the area of the said region is 2 square units.

TASK 2
Find the area of the region bounded by the curves
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 and 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 + 4𝑥.

is It

DISCUSSION
Let us consider another example of finding the area of a region lying between
two intersecting graphs.

Example 3. (Larson & Edwards, 2010, p.450)

The sine and cosine curves intersect infinitely many times, bounding
regions of equal areas (as shown
in Figure 4)

Solution:
Finding the 𝑥-coordinate of
the points of intersection of the two
curves, we solve for the following:
sin 𝑥 = cos 𝑥
sin 𝑥
=1
cos 𝑥
tan 𝑥 = 1
𝜋 5𝜋 Figure 4
𝑥 = or , 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋
4 4
𝜋 5𝜋
Thus, we will take 𝑎 = 4 and 𝑏 = 4 .
From Figure 4, we can see that the upper boundary is 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 and the lower boundary
𝜋 5𝜋
is 𝑦 = cos 𝑥 in the interval [ 4 , ]. By Formula 1, we let 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = sin 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥 ) = cos 𝑥.
4
𝜋 5𝜋
Moreover, note that 𝑓 (𝑥 ) ≥ 𝑔(𝑥 ) for all 𝑥 in the interval [ 4 , ].
4

6
 Solving for the area 𝐴 by Formula 1, we have
𝑏
𝐴 = ∫ [𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥 )]𝑑𝑥
𝑎

5𝜋
4
= ∫ (sin 𝑥 − cos 𝑥 )𝑑𝑥
𝜋
4

5𝜋⁄4
= − cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥 |
𝜋⁄4

= (− cos 5𝜋⁄4 − sin 5𝜋⁄4) − (− cos 𝜋⁄4 − sin 𝜋⁄4)

= 2√2

Thus, the area of the said region is 2√2 square units.

Sometimes the upper or lower boundary of a region will consist of two or more curves.
In those instances, subdividing the region into smaller pieces will be of help to
apply Formula 1.

7
Example 5. (Anton, Bivens,
& Davis, 2009, p. 417)
(4,2)
Find the area of the 𝑥 = 𝑦2
region enclosed by 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 and
𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2.
𝑦 = 𝑥−2
(𝑥 = 𝑦 + 2)

(1, −1)

Figure 5
Solution:
First, we determine the points of intersection of the curves 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2. Since
𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2 implies that 𝑥 = 𝑦 + 2, then, we have,
𝑦2 = 𝑦 + 2
𝑦2 − 𝑦 − 2 = 0
(𝑦 − 2)(𝑦 + 1) = 0.
That is, 𝑦 = 2 or 𝑦 = −1.
If 𝑦 = 2, then 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 = (2)2 = 4. We have the point (4,2) as a point of intersection
of the two curves. Also, if 𝑦 = −1, then 𝑥 = 𝑦 + 2 = −1 + 2 = 1. Another point of
intersection is, therefore, (1, −1).
To apply Formula 1, we will rewrite 𝑦 explicitly as a function of 𝑥 in the function 𝑥 =
𝑦 . Thus, 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 is rewritten as 𝑦 = ±√𝑥.
2

From, Figure 5, the upper boundary is 𝑦 = √𝑥. But, the lower boundary has two parts
that changes at 𝑥 = 1, these are:

𝑦 = −√𝑥 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 and

𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2 for 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4.
Because of this change of formula in the lower boundary, we shall divide the region
into two parts (blue and red parts) and find the area of each separately.
We shall denote the area of the blue region as 𝐴1 and for the area of the red region as
𝐴2 .

8
 For 𝐴1 , let 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = √𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥 ) = −√𝑥, 𝑎 = 0, and 𝑏 = 1. Note that 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 𝑔(𝑥),
for all 𝑥 in [0,1]. By Formula 1,
𝑏
𝐴1 = ∫ [𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥 )]𝑑𝑥
𝑎

1
= ∫ [√𝑥 − (−√𝑥)]𝑑𝑥
0

1
= ∫ 2√𝑥𝑑𝑥
0

4 3 1
= 𝑥 2|
3
0

4 3 4 3
= [ (1)2 ] − [ (0)2 ]
3 3

4
= .
3
( ) ( )
For 𝐴2 , let 𝑓 𝑥 = √𝑥 and 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 2, 𝑎 = 1, and 𝑏 = 4. Note that 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 𝑔(𝑥),
for all 𝑥 in [1,4]. By Formula 1,
𝑏
𝐴2 = ∫ [𝑓(𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥 )]𝑑𝑥
𝑎

4
= ∫ [√𝑥 − (𝑥 − 2)]𝑑𝑥
1

4
= ∫ (√𝑥 − 𝑥 + 2)𝑑𝑥
1

2 3 1 4
= 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥|
3 2
1

2 3 1 2 3 1
= [ (4)2 − (4)2 + 2(4)] − [ (1)2 − (1)2 + 2(1)]
3 2 3 2
2 1 2 1
= [ (8) − (16) + 8] − [ (1) − (1) + 2]
3 2 3 2

16 13 19
= − = .
3 6 6

9
Thus, the area of the entire region is
4 19 9
𝐴 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2 = 3 + = 2 square units.
6

’s More

Sometimes, it is much easier to find the area by integrating with respect to

𝑦 rather than 𝑥. The following is the rule.

If 𝑤 and 𝑣 are continuous functions and if 𝑤 (𝑦 ) ≥ 𝑣 (𝑦 ) for all 𝑦 in

[𝑐, 𝑑], then the area of the region bounded on the left by 𝑥 = 𝑣 (𝑦), on the

right by 𝑥 = 𝑤 (𝑦 ), below by 𝑦 = 𝑐 and above by 𝑦 = 𝑑 is

𝑑
𝐴 = ∫𝑐 [𝑤 (𝑦 ) − 𝑣 (𝑦 )]𝑑𝑦. (Formula 2)

Let us solve Example 5, at this point, by integrating it with respect to 𝑦

Example 6. (Anton, Bivens, & Davis, 2009, p. 417)

Find the area of the region enclosed by 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2.

(4,2)

𝑥 = 𝑦2

𝑦 = 𝑥−2
(𝑥 = 𝑦 + 2)

(1, −1)

Figure 6
Solution:
We first rewrite 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2 as 𝑥 = 𝑦 + 2. Thus we have the following functions,
2
𝑥 = 𝑦 and 𝑥 = 𝑦 + 2.

10
 We then proceed by finding the 𝑦 −coordinates of the points of intersection by solving
the following,
𝑦2 = 𝑦 + 2
𝑦2 − 𝑦 − 2 = 0
(𝑦 − 2)(𝑦 + 1) = 0.
Thus, 𝑦 = 2 or 𝑦 = −1.
Considering Figure 6, 𝑥 = 𝑦 + 2 is the right boundary and 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 is the left boundary.
Thus, we let 𝑤(𝑦) = 𝑦 + 2, 𝑣(𝑦) = 𝑦 2 , 𝑐 = −1, and 𝑑 = 2. Note that 𝑤(𝑦) ≥ 𝑣(𝑦), for all
𝑦 in [−1,2]. By Formula 2, we have,
𝑑
𝐴 = ∫ [𝑤(𝑦) − 𝑣(𝑦)]𝑑𝑦
𝑐
2
= ∫ [(𝑦 + 2) − 𝑦 2 ]𝑑𝑦
−1
2
= ∫ (𝑦 + 2 − 𝑦 2 )𝑑𝑦
−1
1 2 1 3 2
= 𝑦 + 2𝑦 − 𝑦 |
2 3
−1
1 1 1 1
= [( (2)2 + 2(2) − (2)3 ) − ( (−1)2 + 2(−1) − (−1)3 )]
2 3 2 3
4 8 1 1
= ( +4− )−( −2+ )
2 3 2 3
10 7
= − (− )
3 6
9
= .
2
9
Thus, the area of the region is 2 square units.

One must be prudent in determining the simpler method in finding the area
of the region: either integrating with respect to 𝑥 or with respect to 𝑦.

11
TASK 3

In the following exercises, find the area of the region by integrating (a) with
respect to 𝑥 and (b) with respect to 𝑦. (c) Compare your results. Which method is
simpler? (d) In general, will this method always be simpler than the other one?
Why or why not?
𝑥 = 4 − 𝑦2 𝑦 = 𝑥2
1. 2.
𝑥 =𝑦−2 𝑦 =6−𝑥

𝑥 = 4 − 𝑦2
𝑦 = 6−𝑥
𝑥 =𝑦−2
𝑦= 𝑥2

TASK 4

In the following exercise, find the area enclosed by the graphs in two ways:
by integrating along the 𝑥 −axis and by integrating along the 𝑦 −axis:
𝑥 = 9 − 𝑦2, 𝑥 = 5

I Have Learned

TASK 5

Answer the following exercises.

𝑏
1. What is the area interpretation of ∫𝑎 [𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 𝑔 (𝑥 )]𝑑𝑥 if 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 𝑔(𝑥)?
2. Suppose that 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 𝑔(𝑥) on [0,3] and 𝑔(𝑥) ≥ 𝑓(𝑥) on [3,5]. Express the
area between the graphs over [0,5] as a sum of integrals.

12
 I Can Do

Let us consider an application of

the concept we are discussing in this
module. It is about consumer surplus and
producer surplus.
The following discussion is taken
from Larson and Falvo (2009).
“A demand function relates the
price of a product
to the consumer demand; while, a supply
function relates the price of a product to
producers’ willingness to supply the
product. The point (𝑥0 , 𝑝0 ) at which a
demand function 𝑝 = 𝐷(𝑥) and a supply
function 𝑝 = 𝑆(𝑥) intersect is the Figure 7 Adopted from Larson
equilibrium point.” and Falvo (2009)
“Economists call the area of the region
bounded by the graph of the demand function, the horizontal line
𝑝 = 𝑝0 , and the vertical line 𝑥 = 0 the consumer surplus. Similarly, the area of the region
bounded by the graph of the supply function, the horizontal line 𝑝 = 𝑝0 and the vertical line
𝑥 = 0 is called the producer surplus.” This is illustrated in Figure 7.

Example 7. (Larson & Falvo, 2009, p.398)

The demand and supply functions for a product are modeled by
Demand: 𝑝 = −0.36𝑥 + 9 and
Supply: 𝑝 = 0.14𝑥 + 2
where 𝑥 is the number of units (in millions). Find the consumer and producer surpluses for this
product.

Solution:

Equate the demand and supply functions to find the point of equilibrium. We have,
−0.36𝑥 + 9 = 0.14𝑥 + 2
−0.36𝑥 − 0.14𝑥 = 2 − 9
−0.50𝑥 = −7
𝑥 = 14.
If 𝑥 = 14, then 𝑝 = −0.36(14) + 9 = 3.96. Thus, the point of interaction is
(14,3.96). Thus,
14
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑝𝑙𝑢𝑠 = ∫0 (𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 − 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑒)𝑑𝑥

13
 14
= ∫ [(−0.36𝑥 + 9) − 3.96]𝑑𝑥
0
14
= ∫ (−0.36𝑥 + 5.04)𝑑𝑥
0
0.36 2 14
=− 𝑥 + 5.04𝑥|
2
0
14
= −0.18𝑥 2 + 5.04𝑥 |
0
= −0.18(14) + 5.04(14)] − [−0.18(0)2 + 5.04(0)]
[ 2

= 35.28 − 0
= 35.28
14
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑟 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑝𝑙𝑢𝑠 = ∫ (𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑒 − 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑦𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)𝑑𝑥
0
14
= ∫ [3.96 − (0.14𝑥 + 2)]𝑑𝑥
0
14
= ∫ (−0.14𝑥 + 1.96)𝑑𝑥
0
−0.14 2 14
= 𝑥 + 0.96𝑥|
2
0
14
= −0.07𝑥 2 + 0.96𝑥 |
0
= −0.07 14 + 1.96(14)] − [(−0.07(0)2 + 1.96(0)]
[( ( ) 2

= 13.72
TASK 6

The demand and supply functions for a product are modeled by

Demand: 𝑝 = −0.2𝑥 + 8 and Supply: 𝑝 = 0.1𝑥 + 2
Where 𝑥 is the number of units in millions. Find the consumer and producer surpluses for this
product.

Directions: Sketch the region enclosed by the given curves and find the area.

1. y = 12 − x 2 , y = x 2 − 6
2. x = 2y2 , x = 4 + y
1 1
3. y = x, y = x, y = 4 x, x > 0

14
 15
What I Know
Pre-Assessment
𝑏
1. ∫𝑎 [𝑔(𝑥) − ℎ(𝑥)]𝑑𝑥
𝑏 𝑐 𝑑
2. ∫𝑎 [𝑔(𝑥) − ℎ(𝑥)]𝑑𝑥 + ∫𝑏 [ℎ(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)]𝑑𝑥 + ∫𝑐 [𝑔(𝑥) − ℎ(𝑥)]𝑑𝑥
Task 1
2
𝑥2 𝑥 3 2 24
𝐴 = ∫ [(𝑥 + 6) − 𝑥 2 ]𝑑𝑥 = + 6𝑥 + ቉ =
0 2 3 3
0
Task 2
2
2 2 8
𝐴 = ∫ [(−𝑥 2 + 4𝑥) − 𝑥 2 ]𝑑𝑥 = − 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 | =
0 3 3
0
Task 3
125 125
1. a. b. c. Integrating with respect to 𝑦 d. Answers will vary
6 6
125 125
2.. a. b. c. Integrating with respect to 𝑥 d. Answers will vary
6 6
Task 4
Along the 𝑦 −axis, the point of intersections are 𝑦 = 2 and 𝑦 = −2. The area is given by
2 2
1 32
𝐴 = ∫ [(9 − 𝑦 2 ) − 5]𝑑𝑦 = 4𝑦 − 𝑦 3 | = .
−2 3 3
−2
Along the 𝑥 −axis, the limits of integration are 𝑥 = 5 and 𝑥 = 9. Therefore, the area enclosed by the two
curves is given by
9 3 9
4 32
𝐴 = ∫ [(√9 − 𝑥) − (−√9 − 𝑥)] = − (9 − 𝑥)2 ] = .
5 3 3
5
 16
Task 5
1. Given that
3 3
2. ∫0 [𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)]𝑑𝑥 − ∫0 [𝑔(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥)]𝑑𝑥
Task 6
Consumer surplus: 60; Producer surplus: 20.
References
2009. "Area Between Two Curves." In Calculus: Early Transcendentals, by Howard Anton,
Irl Bivens and Stephen Davis, 419-421. NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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