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y 2 = f 2 (x)
y2 − y1
y 1 = f 1 (x)
Δx x
a b
Area bounded by the curves y 1 and y 2 , & the lines x = a and x = b, including a typical rectangle.
We are trying to find the area between 2 curves, y 1 = f 1 (x) and y 2 = f 2 (x), and the lines x = a and x = b.
y 1 = f 1 (x)
from the area under the upper curve
y 2 = f 2 (x),
then we will find the required area. This can be achieved in one step:
b
A = ∫ (y 2 − y 1 ) dx
a
Each "typical" rectangle indicated has width Δx and height y 2 − y 1 , so its area is (y 2 − y 1 )Δx.
If we add all these typical rectangles, starting from a and finishing at b, the area is approximately:
b
∑(y 2 − y 1 )Δx
x=a
Notice the c and d as the limits on the integral (to remind us we are summing vertically) and the dy . It reminds us to
express our function in terms of y . top
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3/24/2019 3. Area between 2 Curves using Integration
Example
2 2
Find the area between the curves y = x + 5x and y = 3 − x between x = −2 and x = 0.
Answer
Exercises
1. Find the area bounded by y = x3 , x = 0 and y = 3.
Answer
y = x2 + 5x and y = 3 − x2 .
Answer
y = x2 , y = 2 − x and y = 1.
Answer
top
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